The Business of
Mobile
Sainté Mobile Days, 2013
Boydlee Pollentine
twitter: @boydleep
web: http://boydlee.com
What do I do?
I run a digital and mobile agency with my partner, Hannah.
We are based in the UK and called Tipsy & Tumbler Ltd.
www.tipsyandtumbler.co.uk
We build web &
mobile solutions.
Before we go any further...
Should you open your own
development company
or digital agency?
Structuring your business.
Sole Proprietor
Limited Liability Company
Partnerships.
Ways to make...
€
$
£
Products in the consumer
market, including:
-
one-time app purchases,
- in-app purchases,
-
and subscriptions.
VC Funding
Straight-up contracting
and client project work.
Clients.
Getting the right clients is easier said than done.
Some clients will be nice.
Some clients will not.
Some clients are not that bright.
Some clients will have a lot money...
Others will not.
In order to run a successful
business, you'll have to be able to
interact successfully with all types
of clients.
But remember...
Contracts are a two-way street.
Never be afraid to fire a client
who is more trouble than
they're worth.
BEWARE...
I have this great idea, but....
Should you do this?
NO
Charging clients.
You dictate what you charge - not the client.
Be realistic with your pricing.
The app market has driven the cost of software down to a point where far too many clients believe that building apps is both easy and cheap.
It is neither.
Fixed priced quotes.
In my experience,
YOU
will always be the one who loses out.
We do 14 day payment terms.
There are no exceptions....
Except for this
one exception...
If a client doesn't pay you,
STOP WORKING.
Got foreign clients?
Insurance.
Contracts & NDA's.
Clients will often insist on an NDA.
Are they legally binding?
Not really.
But they afford the client a level of comfort that you will
keep their business private.
Work Contracts.
You should cover...
What services are covered by your rates,
What you WON'T do,
Be strict about your hours of availability,
Be strict about your payment terms.
Guaranteeing your work.
Ensure any warranties you offer are
based around your work only.
Intellectual Property
You would not ask a builder to leave their hammer when they’d finished a job - nor should you be
asked to leave all your tools every time you
finish a project either.
Hiring and Firing.
Always try to hire people that are better than you in at least
ONE thing.
Remote employees can work -
but comes with it's own set of
challenges.
Get a good accountant.
There is no point in spending half your time working out
taxes, employment law, VAT etc...
just to pay staff.
Entrust that to the experts.
And the work?
Work out what you're good at.
Don't get tied into one technology or platform.
On the flip side, don't try to use a different technology
for every single project.
Find what works for you, and stick to it.
Be wary of taking on projects that other people have started.
There is usually a good reason they're no longer doing it.
Never, under any circumstances,
EVER
agree to fixing a price on work that is not your own.
Get involved with your local
community.
Don't be afraid to try
something a bit different!
So...
My four rules.
#4
Find out what you're good at.
#3
Don't complicate things.
#2
Get the right clients.
#1
Get paid.
Je vous remercie!
The Business of Mobile
By boydlee
