Are you "valuable" enough to become a 1099? It's not always obvious.

I have mediocre data analysis and data visualization skill. I don't think I would become super successful if any of the jobs or 1099 gigs I had depended 100% on me being a data super star.

Fortunately, being a data genius is not a requirement.

What did matter, especially when getting my first 1099 gig, was to have a good client relationship.

The government client is the person government contractors care about pleasing.

Government clients don't just care about your skills.

They just want to make sure their contractors help them look good. 

Sometimes that involves expert skills, but often it just means communicating well, being likable, and finding solutions to obstacles when others may just make excuses.

Technical skills are just one factor in your value proposition. If you're "good enough" technically, focus on the other components.

Read So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. While Cal focuses a lot on developing expert level skills, he provides enough examples of fields where the skill you need is not the obvious one.

For example, do you think a venture capitalist's main skill is being a business finance expert?

No, a venture capitalists main value proposition is getting deal flow. This involves LOTs of outreach to entrepreneurs, networking with key industry folks, and salesmanship/persuasion.

It may turn out you're good enough at the skill that matters in your 1099 field, you just don't know it yet.

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