How to be a Freelance Software Engineer in 2024
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2023
- Hey there, I'm Cody, a full-time freelance software engineer with over a decade of experience in the field. I've been through the ups and downs of freelancing, and in this video, I want to share some crucial advice I wish someone had given me when I started on this journey.
Building a Strong Foundation:
I believe it's essential to invest at least 4-5 years mastering one specific tech domain. This involves making mistakes, dealing with legacy and greenfield projects, and becoming well-rounded in your chosen area. Freelancers often work independently, so it's crucial to have a solid technical background.
Starting at an Agency or Consultancy:
If you're new to freelancing or haven't had any prior experience, consider starting at an agency or consultancy. This provides exposure to the freelancing process while offering some insulation from the challenges of freelancing solo.
Networking Made Fun:
Let's change our perspective on networking. Instead of seeing it as a chore, focus on making genuine connections and forming friendships within your industry. Building a strong network is at the core of freelancing success.
Leveraging Old Clients:
Reconnecting with past clients can be a game-changer. Personalized messages and maintaining relationships with old clients can lead to recurring work, which is a key to long-term success in freelancing.
Financial Readiness:
Financial stability is crucial in the early stages of your freelancing career. Having a financial cushion gives you confidence and helps you navigate the initial challenges. Remember, the beginning is often the toughest part.
The Power of Problem-Solving:
When approaching potential clients, focus on being a problem solver. Take the initiative to understand their needs, offer solutions, and demonstrate how your work can improve their business or life.
Expanding Your Skill Set:
Freelancing requires more than just coding skills. Work on improving your ability to sell yourself, communicate effectively with your network, manage projects, and even delve into design. Growth in these areas will advance your freelancing career.
Avoiding Freelancing Platforms:
I personally recommend steering clear of freelancing platforms like Upwork, TopTal, or Fiverr. Instead, prioritize building direct, one-on-one relationships with clients and partners. Success in freelancing is often rooted in your network.
This video offers a comprehensive overview of essential considerations for freelancers. If you're curious about finding your first client, check out my other video on that topic. Be sure to subscribe for more valuable insights and tips!
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I've been a software engineer since 2008 and with over a decade of experience, the industry is as crazy and as varied as ever.
I continually get asked for career advice and how to navigate writing code for a living and I wanted to share everything I've learned in hopes that I can help someone who is just starting in software engineering, who has been in it for a while and is too afraid to ask, or the seasoned vet to either agree or argue with me.
The intent of this channel is to have multiple series that include the following topics:
💰 Compensation
📈 Negotiations
📚 Career advice and guidance
📈 Stocks, RSUs, Stock options, and ESPP plans
👨🏫 Engineering interviews
I've done just about everything in software from working for 3 person start ups, 300 person start ups, silicon valley companies, Fortune 500 companies, small teams, big teams, W2 employment and 1099 contracting, full time contracting and moonlight part time work, independent development, launching my own web apps and iphone app. 
Хобби
Happy new year everyone! Let’s hear some career goals this year, and it doesn’t have to be freelancing!
Networking thing is the toughest for me. It always feels like I'm annoying people and I don't want to blow the relationship. I appreciate your reframing of it here though.
Ha, yeah, that’s always a concern. And if the relationship is blown, hell that happens too. One of my favorite cheesy sayings is:
“You can be the sweetest peach on the tree, but at the end of the day, some people just don’t like peaches”
Still aiming for survival, pretty low on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for a “goal” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Haha. You got this, my dude. We should catch up on Slack soon!
Great video!!
I have 3 questions
1. If the company knows that will probably want you for the next decade the does it make more sense for them to make you a full time hire and pay lower amounts?
Unless they want something for a couple of months then small break and again.
2. what is your opinion of transitioning to agency? I believe you need to build more deep relationships like you said in order to be able to pay employees.
3. What do you fo if clients are small and only want a project without additional work? Find new clients you might say and you are probably right 😂
(Sorry for the long message I am working 9-5 and started freelancing a couple of months ago and I have lots of stuff to figure out that’s why I started uploading videos so that I can document my findings to help others like me😅)
1. Of course, but not many companies know their projected growth and needs for a decade. I've worked with a client for 6 years, but maybe 60% of that time has been part time, and when there isn't the work there, or I need time off, they don't pay me. It's super straight forward when you don't worry about benefits and long term growth.
2. I don't have the confidence to make my own agency. I have kids, and I don't want the stress of providing living wages for other people at this time in my life.
3. Small clients are great. You should always be looking for new clients no matter what. But as long as you do a good job, those small clients could grow and you are first to mind when they need work. Once you have a long list of clients you've worked with, they may have more and more work in the future. You never know.
hope that helps!
@@cody_codes_youtube Thank you for the answers!
Been trying to get into consulting firms eyesight as a newbie. Any tips for this? I think it will come with more experience but I'm so excited to start freelancing and land my first role
It’s hard, and almost impossible I’d say as a junior engineer. If you have a couple years experience you have a better chance. But also, never give up! I’ve heard crazier things
Hi cody, very good advice overall i think! And following up on that, do you have somewhere i can reach you to exchange a few words? I am a software dev with 15 years of xp looking to get into freelancing. Thanks!
of course, my email should be on the channel info page!
@@cody_codes_youtube Great, thanks! I've just sent an email to you!