15:[[3356045,{"by":"fezzl","descendants":4,"id":3356045,"kids":[3356611,3356276,3356106],"score":3,"text":"Our sales and traffic have been slow in December so far (and I can only imagine that they will get worse), but we cannot trace it to any particular factor, other than December is the holiday season, and B2B SaaS products like ours don't get bought when people are thinking about vacations and family time.

Anyone has any input on this matter? Or should we be worried?","time":1323956448,"title":"Ask HN: Is December supposed to be a good sales month?","type":"story","url":""}],[2903851,{"by":"somedude1234abc","descendants":7,"id":2903851,"kids":[2903990,2904861,2904138,2927126,2927255,2904487],"score":10,"text":"Hello Hackernews, I have a question for you guys. I've been doing a lot of reading lately about SEO, and started to wonder: why aren't all these SEO experts super rich? With the skills they have, they could probably make a living without working for anybody!<p>So anyway, if I were to become super good at SEO, would I be able to make a full time living off of it?","time":1313770321,"title":"Ask HN: If a person was a SEOgod, would he be the king of micropreneurs?","type":"story","url":""}],[2908151,{"by":"oseibonsu","descendants":19,"id":2908151,"kids":[2908642,2908600,2908248,2908216,2908410,2911746,2908798],"score":5,"text":"I made a site that allows you to find out if a crush is mutual without having to embarrass yourself. Something I perceived to be a useful service (which may or may not be true). How should I market this site? How can I validate that the site actually has value for people? (I created a test Facebook ad campaign - we'll see how that goes)\nhttp://www.luckychat.biz","time":1313886622,"title":"Ask HN: How would you market this site?","type":"story","url":""}],[2639352,{"by":"throwawayHN","descendants":12,"id":2639352,"kids":[2639563,2639558,2639459,2639468,2639406,2639893],"score":23,"text":"","time":1307667347,"title":"Business Cofounders, Go Fuck Yourselves","type":"story","url":"http://throwawayhn.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/business-cofounders-go-fuck-yourselves/"}],[2603390,{"by":"bo_Olean","descendants":1,"id":2603390,"kids":[2603630],"score":1,"text":"It's been a while since I am getting unexpected quote requests. The subject line states \"quote\". While most of them are with little info about actual work to be done. I have been quick replying those emails asking few questions about the work to be done, but couldn't get response. How do you handle such requests? How could we turn an unexpected quote request into a paying client?

Here is a recent one:

Hey there, We are looking for dev team that could provide programming and updates for some web apps we are planing to launch. If you are interested in long term business relationship let us know.","time":1306861496,"title":"Ask HN : How to turn quote requests into paying clients?","type":"story","url":""}],[2599040,{"by":"Terry_B","descendants":1,"id":2599040,"kids":[2599698],"score":1,"text":"Hey guys

I've started doing consulting with a buddy of mine, doing enterprise software and web development like a lot of the good people on HN.

So far all work has come from our existing network and random introductions and encounters with people.

For a such a small consultancy business do people have much luck with marketing of different types?

Can there be more method to the madness? Something more systematic?

Or is it pretty much always just about the serendipity and happenstance with people you meet at events and through existing friends and customers?

Thanks!

T","time":1306752552,"title":"Ask HN: How do you market a small consultancy business?","type":"story","url":""}],[2533351,{"by":"throwaway1336","descendants":8,"id":2533351,"kids":[2534047,2533408,2533464,2533482],"score":6,"text":"im considering some contract work... i have a special skillset, and the company that is offering the contract will pay ~68/hr.

The median in my area is roughly $45/hr.

It's an interesting position in that I'd be speaking directly with customers, while also doing integration of systems, as opposed to just being an in-house coder.

Is there a reason that I should be wary of doing contract work? Is there a reason why this contract is willing to pay so much more than a regular fulltime position?

Ultimately, I'd like to start a company, and this could be a good way to build capital, and control the amount of hours that I'm working as well, so that my work time doesn't bleed into the time I want to have for startup projects/ideas.

What's your experience with contract work?","time":1305048665,"title":"Ask HN: contract work","type":"story","url":""}],[2474981,{"by":"vrikhter","descendants":1,"id":2474981,"kids":[2475472],"score":1,"text":"Early stages of managing a new business. Probably have 150+ contacts to manage, follow ups, etc. Will grow heavily over the coming months. Do not plan on hiring any direct sales people anytime soon.

Which one do you use/like and why?","time":1303497803,"title":"Ask HN: Highrise, BatchBook, etc? Which one do you like and why?","type":"story","url":""}]]

user:	frommers
created:	March 30, 2011
karma:	7