The Harsh Reality of Freelance Programming

In this video, learn the truth about being a freelance software developer and the challenges that come with this career path. From managing multiple projects and wearing many hats to accurately quoting and managing payments, this video covers it all. Discover the importance of people skills and the reality of qualifications in the freelancing world. Don't miss out on this insightful look into the life of a freelance software developer.

[BlaQsheeeP]

The secret sauce to freelancing are retainers. Market yourself as a contractor (i.e. a independent developer, who works similar hours as employee), and work on projects taking 3-6-12 months. After the projects end, move on with a retainer contract (again 3-6-12 months), and keep yourself networked with the company. This way, after 6-8 years, I am hardly doing any marketing or looking for clients anymore. I am just riding out my retainers, and networking within my established pool of past clients.

[ian-tumulak]

The harsh reality as a freelance programmer. You need to be the marketer, job manager, auditer, budgeter, and employee.

[ralphguichette]

I came here to get shattered, and now I'm leaving feeling inspired.

[mcop]

I love programming and I can tell you working for a company like I have for the last 25 years is not the way to program more either....meetings, planning, corporate BS take away HOURS of programming time PLUS the better you are at software engineering the more you are required to lead, mentor, interview & onboard and less the programming you do.

[alexaneals]

I think most people forget that when you run a business, half the work is managing the business and not just the service you are providing. So, basically you are the sales, purchasing, accounting and customer service of your business in addition to the service you are providing.

[krey_ton]

Glad YouTube recommended me your video! It's just good to know that freelance programming is not far only to programme / develop any kind software but also to take care of the financial and advertising aspect.

[jaymigue]

I hope this video gets recommended a lot, its a good reality check for those who just watch and are inspired from the over-romanticized view of the programming lifestyle, its always good to have expectations balanced. Great video!!!

[MarcosDemian]

One of the best videos on youtube without any filler and without flashy editing. Loved it

[marcelino-damianjasson]

The best short form videos on YT... Thanks man keep up the good work

[NoirMorter]

Good points, my family has businesses as well and they've said their annoying to run. One of them actually sold it with the caveat they'll keep him on doing the thing that he loves. Now he's much better well off and happier since he doesn't have a good business sense or salesmanship.

[sundownbrick]

really good video, makes a lot of sense
got me scared from the title but made me realize i DO want to deal with alk that, thank you for sharing that❤

[pxrks]

New sub im 19 years old and im going on about the same path as you I started looking into this stuff around when I was 16-17 I started writing programs

[nelsonmutane]

Hi @Tom Shaw, i love de video, very sincere and direct.
how can i sell my self better, and how to find clients.
My reality is on country and region that technology is not big deal, but i want to be one the pioneer on that, and jump from simple freelance to really entrepreneur.
Thanks

[ntn]

Nice succinct talk. The points made were very clear and makes sense too.

[plutomessi]

as a dreamer I can confirm this video crushed my dream.

[eg]

the best video on reality of freelancing programming. PERIOD. Pass this around please.

[cjljelr]

Really appreciate you making this video mate

[i_zoru]

so in conclusion made by myself
1. Freelance programming is good when you code because you love it, if you only do it for the money, you are recommended to land a job in some companies
2. try to predict and give a margin of time for the project itself, e.g: if you can finish it in 70 hours, then set it to 100 hours just in case you're stuck a little bit.
3. learn how to market yourself, be a good communicator.
4. do what you paid for.

about the no. 4....

most of my friends are freelancer. and if the client's want to start the project, they at least has to pay at least around 20-50% of down payment from the total budget (depends on the budget) to start the project. and be careful for the clients you trusted, sometimes they just want free things, there are several cases where the client try to scam the freelancer. the dark secret that some dev do is they always put a backdoor for the client that has a potential to scam them. it's either CLI that hit / send "something" to the server via ssh, or simpler such as API gateway.

[quochieu]

great video, I can't believe that you has less than 1k subscribers!!

[dromm]

I’ve just finished my computer science degree and gotten an offer as a software engineer starting in October. However, I like the idea of the freelance route. Would you recommend getting some experience first (in the software engineer job) before I start the freelance route? This is the first time coming across this channel and I’ve subscribed :)