Ask HN: As a small development team, how do you get projects?

[ralala]

We are a small development team and are doing mostly individual web- and mobile projects for our customers. We often have some resources left and are now thinking about how we can improve our sales process. Currently most leads come from our website (+adwords) and recommendations.

Is anyone in a similar position and could share some experience and tips? What do you think about external sales agencys?

We do all have CS degrees and experience in many technologies (python, php, java ee, react, react native, native android/ios, bluetooth, bluetooth, just to name a few), maths and algorithms, and also UX-design (including eye-tracking, prototyping etc.). Would you focus the sales effort on a specific direction (e.g. only mobile) or spread it on everything we can offer?

[eyan]

I'm on the same boat. Strengthening my network at the moment. I don't know exactly how to move forward as well. I'm in the Philippines.

For inspiration, I'm reading this again and again: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/the-manifesto/

[ralala]

Yeah, networking is very important. Are you doing this in a structured way, i.e. going to specific local events? Are you focussing on local customers or world-wide?

[inimino]

For a start, you might want to put an email address in your profile.

[brudgers]

Get on the phone and call past clients and ask if they have any new work. Ask if they know of anybody who might need work. Cold call other businesses in the same business community as past clients. Cold call companies that you might want to work for.

In short, start working on sales because sales is often harder than the technical work. It is often harder because taking rejection is harder than fixing a bug.

Good luck.