Good Morning Dale,

I wanted to follow up with you on my 1099 progress. Previously I had informed you that I was going to attempt to convert my current w2 position into a 1099. The Program Manager informed me that the contract was "froze" and would not add anyone at this time.

I went out on the market and reached out to a recruiter who I had previously interviewed with and they were willing to 1099 me on a contract they really needed filled! I was able to negotiate a sweet deal too!

"The book was definately useful. I'd say:

- tried all 3 methods for getting 1099: converting, network, and online apps (network ended up being the winner for me)
- negotiating a rate (I wasn't able to get them to say a rate so I opened the talks way above what I'd be satisfied with as your book instructed....and they just accepted it!)
- determining a rate (your book's calculations were spot on)"

I thought the book was great and really informative. I think it gives a lot of us government contractors the confidence to act like we know what we're doing and enough tools to make that happen. I honestly don't have any negative feedback on it besides the small change in DUNS registration/sam.gov which I think happened right before I was about to start that process.

After I read your book I immediately started working towards getting a 1099 contract. Little background on me and my efforts so far. I am a government contractor obviously and I work in the Cyber Security sector, specializing in auditing and compliance. In my opinion the job is a perfect candidate for 1099 work due to a shortage in available personnel nationwide and even more so in auditing and compliance b/c it is one of the less "sexier" cyber security fields of study.

I took your advice and made sure of a couple of things before I told my current company that I wanted to go to 1099.

Made sure my job was a good fit for 1099 work. Made sure my current customer would be outraged if I quit. I was currently already filling a top tier management role (however I am a lead). Evaluated myself as honestly as possible to make sure my skills, experience, and resume stacked up against others in the field. Made sure I had 3 months savings to fall back on if I got canned.

So long story short, I told my company that I wanted to go 1099 and that I'd like to do it with them if possible but understood if it wasn't. Additionally, I told them (them being the deputy PM) that if it wasn't I would be looking to do it elsewhere shortly after. Deputy PM discussed it with the PM and basically told me to call the PM b/c the PM had some advice that he wanted to pass on or some other bullshit. So I played the game and called (no answer), emailed (no answer).

I'm not one to waste time so I applied for another job immediately after and got a really nice offer.

At the time I was getting 160k, 22 days vacation (not including holidays), 30 min commute to customer site. My new offer was 165k, 23 days (not including holidays), 5 min commute. I put my resignation in on a Friday around 4 pm. My supervisor at the time called me on a Saturday and said what do you need in order to stay? I said 1099 at 160 hr rate OR 180k salary plus an office in Chantilly (5 min from home).

I didn't get 1099 but I did get a 20k pay increase and an office I can walk to. Obviously, it would've been nice to make 160 hr but I was happy with the increase in pay and no additional work.

So in terms of your book at the very least it has been beneficial in getting a damn good raise and helping me negotiate. The best part for me is the short commute which is a novelty in the DMV area. In the meantime I still have my LLC and I am locked and loaded for 1099 work if/when that time comes. Cheers!

If the book had been priced any higher I might have hesitated a little. However, I found the book through an article on clearancejobs which made it pretty clear that the author had the very specific knowledge that I really needed quickly, and was able to present it accessibly. Based on that article, I was pretty sure that investing $100 in the book would net me much more in future 1099 revenue. (Ask me for my tax returns next year to see if this played out!).

First of all I found the specific pricing guidance that I was looking for, which helped me turn around a quick negotiation for a unique 1099 opportunity. More broadly however, I discovered that I am not crazy in seeking a 1099 path. I thrive on doing good work and leveraging strong social capital across diverse teams to pull off impossible tasks, skills that are not always rewarded in the federal work environment. I also hate being constrained by the kinds of 'benefits' that W2 employment brings (small annual leave allocations etc.). Reading this book enabled me to see that there is indeed a path for me within the federal sphere, and one that can enable me to continue to develop as a professional in the way that I want. It was an exciting ride!

I bought the book for its specific information about 1099 pricing, and I found it super helpful. However there was also a ton of other information that not only did I find useful, but also made me feel better about my path. The summary of the federal contracting space and how that works. When you are just starting out on this path it can feel like you have no idea what is behind the curtain, and this overview gives you knowledge, which in turn is power. The author's personal stories about the clearance process. Like the author I am someone with some complicating (foreign relative) factors, and it is great to see this experience represented in this book, and with a successful ending. The information about different ways to get a 1099 role. None of it is rocket science but it helps you to map out potential options for the future, and start investing in relationships now.

It's a super fun read! I felt like I was having drinks with an enthusiastic acquaintance who really wanted to help me out. Even if you don't go down the 1099 path in the end you will enjoy reading about the author's decisions and experiences, and hopefully see your 1099 colleagues in a new light. If 1099 is not for you, this book will let you know. The author is not a blind evangelist: if your personality, risk tolerance, financial situation, or career level are not a good fit, you will find out, and in a friendly way. The book doesn't just tell you how to land your first 1099 gig, it is about the whole arc, from deciding whether this path is for you or not, to setting up a subcontracting business and hiring other people.

Is my endorsement above not glowing enough? Yes, I recommend Going 1099, if you are at all curious about this as an alternative to W2 employment. Even if it's to decide that it is not for you! No, buy the book!

What was the obstacle or hesitation that would have prevented you from buying Going 1099?
Time frame for receiving the book, cost, or close colleague who is working as 1099. However, the digital copy has alleviated the time crunch; and in some ways, has allowed for easier navigation for the sections of interest. I'm finding the cost is miniscule relative to the rest of my business costs (registration fees, email costs, accountant, insurance, etc) and has saved me hours trying to find the same material on my own.

What did you find as a result of buying the book?
Only a few materials out there for this niche and this has been the most synthesized I've found. Loved the concrete examples and tactical information to help with 1099 related conversations like rate negotiation, talking with prospective PMs, etc. The book has also changed my perspective. I view my role as a consultant instead of an employee. The cost has definitely been worth it and I have already used some described techniques to find a good rate range.

What specific sections/information did you like most?
So far the most useful sections have been how to determine the consulting rate range, the methods to get 1099 gigs, the content related to setting up the business with the government/contractors (DUNS, SAM.gov, etc).

Three other benefits?
1. Everything you need to get started.
2. Answered questions you didn't know you should be asking.
3. Demystified some of the pieces that I had no clue about like sub-contracting paperwork, government registration, managing security clearances, etc.

Would you recommend Going 1099?
Yes, I wasted hours searching for answers when I could have just read the book. You'll save time (money) and have better keywords, lexicon, etc, when performing research as well.

Dale is helpful and responsive to communication.

What was the obstacle or hesitation?
Just the pure fact of googling and seeing the book show up in a random fashion. However, I'm always willing to shell out a few bucks for something that might be the edge I need to help me jump start my idea or path. So it's really a matter of how tight the person is with their wallet I would guess. The original article that you wrote took my fears away and that's what made me agree to purchase the book. I was like, well that article made sense and knowing already what I know about contracting, nothing smelled funny, so it all checked out in my mind as a valid article on the topic. So, I then I felt, what do I really have to lose by buying it, nothing. If anything, I end up knowing more and more about the direction I'm interested in.

What did you find as a result?
A fascinating story of your experience that covered the pitfalls/trials in realistic fashion. I think that's what I learned the most, because starting a business is one thing and fairly easy, but the important items like your clearance, relationship building and communication/negotiations and information gathering to be truly successful are so important to track and maintain above all else.

What sections did you like most?
The laid out business documents, like expense sheet columns or the list of what id numbers to obtain like DUNS, etc. I liked the order of events for starting the business to help with my own checklist of items to organize and follow through with. Since I've started going through this book, I've taken breaks here and there to do my own research and comparisons. I did an analysis of w-2 vs 1099, with my current company CACI and what I would need to make it worth my while when I do make the switch. Also, verifying who owns your clearance. Chapter 12 that I'm currently finishing up (page 98 currently), has been an awesome eye opener to say the least.

Three benefits?
A. It's a strong reference to help organize and manage your 1099 path both logically and mentally.
B. It helps the user to understand potential issues and problems that could occur during the 1099 journey and provides ways to assist in mitigating them upfront.
C. It's built around real life experiences and success stories that are invaluable to anyone going down this path.

Would you recommend it?
I would recommend Going 1099 to those who have the desire to have more control over their career and life and don't mind the extra minor work involved to maintain the business and grow it. Secondly, I am interested in it because I want to cut down on the corporate employee notion of climbing the ladder. I would rather drive my career forward and have the best opportunities instead of waiting in line for a promotion and some title. Honestly, I'm tired of corporate politics getting in the way and slowing down my career options.

Contracting can be a "tight-knit" community if you stay long enough in a department, agency or even field such as cybersecurity. Eventually, you will hear of someone you know and they will know you, so your best asset is a good reputation. Building good relationships will outlast any contract. At the end of the day, you want people to answer the phone when you call because they know you are worth talking too and you aren't just another person calling.

What was the obstacle or hesitation?
No obstacles - it is a very niche topic with limited information available online, so this book compiles a lot of useful information in one place.

What did you find as a result?
A lot of what I wanted with the purchase of this book was an understanding of what I might be missing. I have never done 1099 work in the federal/defense industry before (W2 only), so the main concern on my mind was that I might be overlooking important things that I needed to do or key considerations. You could say that this book was purchased as a way of mitigating risk and understanding what additional actions I might need to take to mitigate risk.

What sections did you like most?
Chapters 3 and 9-11 were of particular interest to me. Chapter 3 - The rewards and risks of 1099 Life. Chapter 9 - How to set up your business like a minimalist. Chapter 10 - How to complete the paperwork for your first 1099 sub-contract. Chapter 11 - How to operate your business like a minimalist.

Three benefits?
- Understand how to handle 1099 work while holding a clearance
- Understand the business setup process specific to subcontracting in the defense industry
- Gain an understanding of alternatives for obtaining 1099 work for future reference

Would you recommend it?
I would recommend the book. It is easy to read, covers the core topics of interest, and compiles a lot of useful information into one place. Some of the information in the book can be found online, but requires some research - having everything compiled in one place is convenient. And some information in the book is not widely available elsewhere.

I don't mind spending $100 for a book if it is worth it (and this book is worth it). I've been doing 1099 work for about 4 months now, and it's been a good experience so far.

What was the obstacle or hesitation?
Perhaps it's just the subtitle. I found the info in the book useful even if I wasn't joining the federal workforce. I think if it was marketed towards individuals who were interested in becoming freelance professionals/contractors in any field I would have considered it.

What did you find as a result?
Firstly, thanks for the copy! It was useful to have around the house. It was like having a buddy who knew more than I did about the 1099 space. If I thought I had forgotten something I could refer to it instead of going down the search engine rabbit hole.

What sections did you like most?
Everything except Chapters 2, 4, and 12 were useful to me as someone who was new to contracting but not intending to work as a federal contractor. I especially liked sections that went through necessary paperwork, and the later chapter about switching from an employee to a contractor mindset is something I still think about.

Three benefits?
I like that it's plain language - it's a benefit you don't know you want until someone hits you with jargon and pedantry. It's also sleek and easy to navigate so it's a good reference guide to keep (I'm still in the moving mindset so overly bulky things are beginning to upset me). I also think most of the information is evergreen, although I do foresee updates in the networking sections.

Would you recommend it?
I would! I have, haha. To anyone intending to add contracting to their life, either as a full-time job or as a supplementary gig. It's especially useful to people who have only ever worked as salaried/hourly employees and have no context for this other economy, like myself. And honestly, as someone who's fervently anti-MLM, I really think this book would empower so many people who want the flexibility and income promised to them in an MLM. They'd see there's another way that's legit and actually uses skills they already have.

What was the obstacle or hesitation?
I wouldn't have bought it if I was uncomfortable with the stigma surrounding 1099 work.

What did you find as a result?
Actionable steps for building the RELATIONSHIPS and the perception of being an expert in order to gain leverage.

What sections did you like most?
I particularly enjoy the sections that help to find the price you should bill per hour.

Three benefits?
Forming relationships with individuals of import. Placing a more accurate value on one's professional time. How to use psychology and leverage to get what you deserve.

Would you recommend it?
I would recommend it for a specific personality type. Someone who doesn't suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.

This is an incredibly specialized book but also contains lots of gold that is applicable in the general workplace throughout ones career. Maybe a title mentioning WHY someone should go 1099 as well as HOW to do it could attract some fence sitters who are deathly afraid of freedom.