Freelancer F*ck Ups: Don't Make My Mistakes!

A session at SXSW Interactive 2012

Working as a freelancer is stressful. It can be unreliable, unpredictable…and downright unnerving. Your taxes are higher, your paychecks are sporadic, and your health insurance will double. So why would you dare walk down this career path? In spite of its blemishes, freelancing gives you a great amount of latitude in defining your career trajectory, along with the satisfaction of being held accountable primarily to yourself. Benefits of freelancing include more family time, flexible work hours, no bosses breathing down your neck and the option to work in your skivvies. This session will teach you how to take advantage of the burgeoning freelance-working trend and navigate around the pitfalls you’re most likely to encounter. Journey with me on a freelancer's path, where I'll share my most dreadful mistakes so you can avoid making them.

About the speaker

This person is speaking at this event.

Matthew Schiffman

Pres/Owner, Darrow Digital Media Inc

Matthew Schiffman: UX Advocate / IA Artisan / UI Designer / Developer / Technologist / Theatre Major A graduate of the University of Miami's BFA Theater Program, Matt began his career as a sound engineer/designer for acts including Jimmy Buffet and John Leguizamo. He built sound systems for the Broadway musical "Side Show" and the national tour of "Rent" and currently helps produce theatre for the Alex Lyras & Robert McCaskill writing team and Long Island based Silverhair Productions whenever he is called upon. In his other life Matt specializes in user interface design and front-end development. He operates his consulting business Darrow Digital Media out of the Brooklyn Creative League shared office space in Brooklyn, New York. He labels himself a maker of digital things and executes more than he ideates… most of the time. His current and past brand experience includes; Estée Lauder, Clinique, Aveda, Origins, Darphin, NBC Universal, Six Flags, and Pfizer.