I'm 36 and worked with databases & development as an aside to my main responsibilities in previous work. Accelerated fast into a director position because I automated everything for cost reduction and empowered people to build relationships with internal and external customers. (This is post 8 years of USMC infantry btw, so I didn't start my career until 26-27). Figured out I don't like caring about other people's business more than they do as an employee AND tech companies weren't taking me seriously. Started freelancing and fully booked myself in about 2 weeks time. Now I'm paid to care about other people's business who want to grow the profitability of their company, and I do consider I might have a personality mismatch with established tech companies. I get satisfaction helping small businesses that otherwise would not get the talents I possess and watch them get efficient and grow. I don't feel that I need to "hustle" for this also in case someone is considering freelancing. It's as easy as understanding the problem, offering a solution (talking very little about yourself), and naturally closing the deal. It doesn't feel like sales; if it does, you're probably doing it wrong.
I'm sure more than a few people would be interested in knowing a bit more, if you're open to it of course. I'm personally curious to know: - How did you land your first 3 customers? - What is your process for pricing jobs? - What is your least favorite part about the transition to freelance?
@@alexandrest-cyr1625 Sure, I have no problem sharing. The first freelancing customers came from Upwork, and if you haven't experienced it first hand; lots of people will say out that's only for $5/hr people. They're either naive or lying. In fact, pricing is one of my techniques to differentiate. $5/hr people are competing against me, not the other way around. I stick to restating the problem in my own words while offering the solution. I barely even mention anything about myself in a proposal. My solution say who I am. Think of how you would talk to a plumber or mechanic and you'll realize you care more about how they carry themselves rather than their certifications and all that. There's value in that, but the point I'm making is that it's possible to get a strong start without being close to perfect. -Pricing- Most people price in terms of how they value their own time. I price how someone else will value my time. This is a difficult concept for most to learn, but some customers will think you are worth $500 for a contract and someone else will think $5,000 or $50,000 for the same amount of actual work. Naturally, the perception of your value has to come from somewhere, and I point to my previous work as most do. Others with less experience might point to projects or prototypes. Understanding perceived value might take some practice because clients will BS you to bargain, and it takes some skill to show you know how much the job is worth TO THEM (while not sacrificing your own worth). -Least favorite part- Most of the process I enjoy; the sales, the work, the delivery. But for me, it would probably be the sorting of prospective clients. I don't mind the ghosting or "no's", it's just part of the process. But I have to watch out for red flags and potentially turn down a client that I think is going to be a dumpster fire without having sufficient time to really know whether or not I was reading too much into it. If I sense too much demand very early on, I'll tell the person I don't have the time to take them on and sacrifice the $1,000+ I could have made with less that 20 hrs of work. While that's the least favorite part for me, I just keep plugging away while taking care of my long-term clients. -Note- Obviously all of this is unique to each person, their skills and personality. But maybe there was a little something helpful in there. I'm quite passionate about people freelancing if they have that extra bit of edge that makes them view employment as enslavement. I don't look down on anyone who wants to be an employee, but for a lot of people, that model just doesn't fit. And I prefer working with very small companies instead of corporations.
I dropped out of my CS degree and went freelance about 4 years ago. I struggled to make freelancing work for 3 years and ended up flat broke and having to move back in with my parents. Luckily one of my clients had a full time position available for a software engineer and I was hired. I've been at this job for almost a year now and I'm a lot happier and less stressed. I think the main reason the freelancing didn't work out for me was my lack of marketing and business negotiation skills. I would always sell myself short just to keep building my portfolio. I also worked on one of the freelancing platform sites where competition is high and they definitely take their cut of the profits. I love programming and computer science, I just don't have the best people skills. I'd rather have nothing to do with marketing and business and focus on what I'm actually passionate about: Technology.
Of all the jobs I've had in my life, I have never been satisfied with the management, unfortunately. That's not to say that all management is bad, but maybe I'm just not the type of person that thrives under constant or even some surveillance (I was a bartender for most of my life and a few years as a CNC machinist). So I've come to terms with this and I've dedicated my full time to learning how to design websites and freelance, no matter how hard it is, because I know at the end of the day I'll be happier working for myself and hopefully down the line, with a handful of people I really trust. Your knowledge and bokeh are the best of the best Stef!
Thank you for this video.I think this is the route I am going to go especially since I currently work as a Senior Business Relationship Manager for a major US Bank, so consultative sales to business is a skill I have developed over the last 5 years. Currently doing your course.
hi im from iraq its about a month i start to learn coding i want to be a web developer i learn alot about html and css now i want learn javascript unfortunate im just a kid and i cant join any course because i dent have and i think everything in youtube is not too good what shod i do please response me
Don't know how I bumped onto this. All in all Awesome content ❤️😄. I also watched those rather similar from mStarTutorials and kinda wonder how you guys create these stuff. MStar Tutorials also had cool information about similiar things on his vids.
I'm 36 and worked with databases & development as an aside to my main responsibilities in previous work. Accelerated fast into a director position because I automated everything for cost reduction and empowered people to build relationships with internal and external customers. (This is post 8 years of USMC infantry btw, so I didn't start my career until 26-27). Figured out I don't like caring about other people's business more than they do as an employee AND tech companies weren't taking me seriously. Started freelancing and fully booked myself in about 2 weeks time. Now I'm paid to care about other people's business who want to grow the profitability of their company, and I do consider I might have a personality mismatch with established tech companies. I get satisfaction helping small businesses that otherwise would not get the talents I possess and watch them get efficient and grow. I don't feel that I need to "hustle" for this also in case someone is considering freelancing. It's as easy as understanding the problem, offering a solution (talking very little about yourself), and naturally closing the deal. It doesn't feel like sales; if it does, you're probably doing it wrong.
I'm sure more than a few people would be interested in knowing a bit more, if you're open to it of course. I'm personally curious to know:
- How did you land your first 3 customers?
- What is your process for pricing jobs?
- What is your least favorite part about the transition to freelance?
@@alexandrest-cyr1625 Sure, I have no problem sharing. The first freelancing customers came from Upwork, and if you haven't experienced it first hand; lots of people will say out that's only for $5/hr people. They're either naive or lying. In fact, pricing is one of my techniques to differentiate. $5/hr people are competing against me, not the other way around. I stick to restating the problem in my own words while offering the solution. I barely even mention anything about myself in a proposal. My solution say who I am. Think of how you would talk to a plumber or mechanic and you'll realize you care more about how they carry themselves rather than their certifications and all that. There's value in that, but the point I'm making is that it's possible to get a strong start without being close to perfect.
-Pricing-
Most people price in terms of how they value their own time. I price how someone else will value my time. This is a difficult concept for most to learn, but some customers will think you are worth $500 for a contract and someone else will think $5,000 or $50,000 for the same amount of actual work. Naturally, the perception of your value has to come from somewhere, and I point to my previous work as most do. Others with less experience might point to projects or prototypes. Understanding perceived value might take some practice because clients will BS you to bargain, and it takes some skill to show you know how much the job is worth TO THEM (while not sacrificing your own worth).
-Least favorite part-
Most of the process I enjoy; the sales, the work, the delivery. But for me, it would probably be the sorting of prospective clients. I don't mind the ghosting or "no's", it's just part of the process. But I have to watch out for red flags and potentially turn down a client that I think is going to be a dumpster fire without having sufficient time to really know whether or not I was reading too much into it. If I sense too much demand very early on, I'll tell the person I don't have the time to take them on and sacrifice the $1,000+ I could have made with less that 20 hrs of work. While that's the least favorite part for me, I just keep plugging away while taking care of my long-term clients.
-Note-
Obviously all of this is unique to each person, their skills and personality. But maybe there was a little something helpful in there. I'm quite passionate about people freelancing if they have that extra bit of edge that makes them view employment as enslavement. I don't look down on anyone who wants to be an employee, but for a lot of people, that model just doesn't fit. And I prefer working with very small companies instead of corporations.
@@destroyonload3444 Awesome, thanks for taking the time to share your experience :)
I dropped out of my CS degree and went freelance about 4 years ago. I struggled to make freelancing work for 3 years and ended up flat broke and having to move back in with my parents. Luckily one of my clients had a full time position available for a software engineer and I was hired. I've been at this job for almost a year now and I'm a lot happier and less stressed.
I think the main reason the freelancing didn't work out for me was my lack of marketing and business negotiation skills. I would always sell myself short just to keep building my portfolio. I also worked on one of the freelancing platform sites where competition is high and they definitely take their cut of the profits. I love programming and computer science, I just don't have the best people skills. I'd rather have nothing to do with marketing and business and focus on what I'm actually passionate about: Technology.
Of all the jobs I've had in my life, I have never been satisfied with the management, unfortunately. That's not to say that all management is bad, but maybe I'm just not the type of person that thrives under constant or even some surveillance (I was a bartender for most of my life and a few years as a CNC machinist). So I've come to terms with this and I've dedicated my full time to learning how to design websites and freelance, no matter how hard it is, because I know at the end of the day I'll be happier working for myself and hopefully down the line, with a handful of people I really trust. Your knowledge and bokeh are the best of the best Stef!
Thank you for this video.I think this is the route I am going to go especially since I currently work as a Senior Business Relationship Manager for a major US Bank, so consultative sales to business is a skill I have developed over the last 5 years. Currently doing your course.
Stef the sharp shooter of crystal clear Ideas is back :)
Many thanks :)
I like your speech, no BS at all. Thanks
Thanks for the video, right when i needed💪
Our favourite Uncle!
Thanks!
hi im from iraq its about a month i start to learn coding i want to be a web developer i learn alot about html and css now i want learn javascript unfortunate im just a kid and i cant join any course because i dent have and i think everything in youtube is not too good what shod i do please response me
Hey Stefan, pardon me for asking, at what age you started learning to code?
The moment my ex-boss knew I was learning new things and that was my signature to lose my job soon after!
Thank you
* psychology skills
Tim Apple
Don't know how I bumped onto this. All in all Awesome content ❤️😄. I also watched those rather similar from mStarTutorials and kinda wonder how you guys create these stuff. MStar Tutorials also had cool information about similiar things on his vids.