How to get started as a freelancer?
from namingthingsiseasy@programming.dev to programming@programming.dev on 16 Sep 12:13
https://programming.dev/post/37528826

I’m at a relatively stable point in my life (working part time, financially stable), so I’m thinking about trying out as a freelancer, but just casually to start out and see if I like it. I’m curious how people get started - primarily, how to find work and connect with people who have available work and are willing to hire.

Other things to have in place before getting started (professional website, portfolio, other things) would also be helpful to know, but since I’m pretty casual about trying this out, I would hesitate to do additional stuff unless it’s really important and makes a serious difference in obtaining potential clients.

Thanks in advance!

#programming

threaded - newest

Weirdfish@lemmy.world on 16 Sep 12:48 next collapse

I did it for a few years, and blew through all my savings in the process.

Had to start an actual business, LLC, and deal with all the parts that as an engineer I absolutely hate.

Had done about 15 years in the industry with a small tech company, had all the skills, leads, etc, and wanted to do it on my own.

Way underestimated how much time and effort the running of a business part takes, and while I had projects, I didn’t have the time to do them right, payment was always late so my profit shrank, and I burned out in two years.

Hired an admin to help with managing the projects and clients, but it was too little too late.

I’m not saying don’t do it, I’m saying be sure to have all those other elements well in place, cause the actual time spent programming was pretty small.

In the end I took a role as the on site guy for a very large company, making decent money, and I’m back doing the parts I enjoy.

Best of luck to you.

yaroto98@lemmy.world on 16 Sep 13:02 next collapse

1- start an llc (pretty easy can be done online in about 20 min) 2- get jobs

Part two is the tougher one. I’ve read that a lot of programmers are selling their services on fiverr (a pretty big freelancing site) to fix AI slop.

There’s also dice.com (Though this may be more consulting/contracting than freelancing). You can filter by and get corp-to-corp contracts. These mean your llc gets paid, and then you pay yourself from that. The pay for a corp-to-corp is typically higher than a W2 because everything is included, and you have to deal with it all. Like benefits, bonuses, vacation days, supplies, etc.

iii@mander.xyz on 16 Sep 13:14 next collapse

I started as a side job as well. My advise is to call around at ex-employer and colleagues, that’s the best spot to find your first client. 👍

Pechente@feddit.org on 16 Sep 13:47 next collapse

I started by going from full time employment to part time employment / part time freelance. When I had too much to do with the freelance job plus a few clients ready for new projects, I quit my job and went full time freelance. That’s the safest way if you don’t wanna risk your savings.

So far it’s working out quite well. I got a steady stream of work from about 10 clients and some odd projects without follow-up work every now and then.

It can be stressful sometimes but once you manage to be more selective with projects, it’s all right.

grandel@lemmy.ml on 17 Sep 11:18 collapse

Before you spend time building an LLC, find three clients. Then find three more.

In my experience too many people get distracted with secondary things such as building a website, printing business cards when they don’t have any potential clients.