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Ever dreamed of a job where you don’t have to slog hours on public transport? Or don’t have to work 18 hour days, including weekends? Or how about a job where you have your own responsibility and ownership to deliver? If this has swept you off your feet, you should consider becoming a freelance developer .
And the good news is that you can fulfill this dream without dropping a penny into the wishing well.
Many full-time developers wish to start their freelancing journey but often leave it for tomorrow because they don’t know where to begin.
We have got you!
Here is a complete month-on-month plan for you to get started and nail the freelancing game so you won’t ever have to go back to your boring job again.
Before you jump on the freelance bandwagon, let’s get the basics out of the way.
No matter how fun freelancing sounds, it demands constant hustle. And you might lose your motivation halfway if your reasons aren’t right.
So, see why you want to become a freelance developer
Based on your goal, decide how much time you can give to it.
What does your ideal client look like? Is there a market for the skills you possess?
Thinking about these questions will give you impressive mileage in your freelancing journey and ensures that you never run out of work.
See if your skills can turn into service for someone. For example– coding is a skill but designing an application for a business is a service.
And how much demand is for this service will decide your future.
Research the market for the top in-demand skills and how much, on average, is being charged by a freelance developer.
Apart from this, work on your communication and time management skills too.
TL;DR– Don’t quit your full-time job right away if you aren’t sure about the work you will get. Start small along with your day job, to figure out your interests, ideal clients, and market space.
It can get frustrating if you don’t get clients or the expected work satisfaction. That’s the reason many people quit freelancing in their first month because they fail to plan right.
So, how can you avoid it?
A portfolio website will be your new business card. But it doesn’t mean you have to spend weeks perfecting it. Just answer the following questions for your visitors to make a decision.
The foolproof way to make your clients trust you is to show them what your previous customers are saying about you.
But how to do that when you have just started out as a freelance developer?
Offer free services for a limited time. Consider it an investment where you can ask the clients to pay instead through testimonials.
Ask your colleagues if they can recommend you based on their work experience with you.
It will get you the credibility you require initially.
Tell the world that you are open to freelance gigs. Create profiles that can get you more work quickly.
Finding the platforms where your potential clients are most active is like hitting the jackpot.
Developers can use ellow for tapping into the global market. All you need to do is sign up in two easy steps and take a skill assessment test. It will help you determine your primary and secondary skills.
Within hours it will match you with the verified hirers to get things going. It will save you the trouble of hunting opportunities and getting stuck with the wrong clients.
After a few months, you can expect yourself to be more confident with the whole freelancing game.
Now, it’s time to scale up. Let’s see how.
Even a month’s experience of leading a one-person initiative teaches you much more than years of experience in a company.
And with freelancing, you can expect fair rewards.
So after a month’s grind, evaluate
Based on this, restructure your service cost.
Don’t be shy to promote yourself as a freelance developer. If you won’t, nobody else will.
Around 50% of freelancers are highly skilled. It means more competition for you.
You must step up if you want to work with international or high-paying clients.
To pass the test of time, you will have to work on staying relevant among your clients.
Here’s how to beat the competition and grow month-on-month.
Your clients are your currency of trust. People who are happy with your work will bring in more business through referrals.
You can’t run a marathon by sprinting.
Maintain your work-life balance to avoid exertion and do rich work. Otherwise, you will keep working daily without going anywhere.
Fix your schedule and ensure to keep some off time too. Use that time to unwind and restore your mental peace.
Remember that you quit the job for a better routine, don’t fall into the trap of 24/7 productivity for fear of missing out.
A community of like-minded people can accelerate your learning process and multiply your opportunities. Research online about groups of your profile. For example– here are a few communities that every freelance developer must join.
You can even collaborate with them on some projects for better results.
Over 38% of full-time employees quit their job to become freelancers. Amidst such a trend, one can understandably feel the urge to join the crowd. But get into it with the right expectations and motivation to succeed.
It’s essential considering freelancing will challenge you with everything from managing your finances to pitching yourself on a cold call.
However, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. Leverage the right tools to cut the hassle and boost growth. Since getting the clients is the biggest concern, our recommendation to solve this problem is ellow.
You can get any job from the comfort of your couch. And since it has a global community, you can access numerous job opportunities and work with the best brands.
Great ideas need great people. Partner with us to bring your vision to life, or take the first step in your career by joining our team of innovators.
Looking to build your career in development? team@ellow.io