Freelance Developer Books for building your software consulting business

By Popular demand, I'm doing a video on Software Freelancing - which may become a series if enough people want that.

This video - in order to give you the most information as quickly as possible, is a series of book recommendations for books I've found helpful in the freelancing parts of my career.

NOTE: This is NOT a video about software or programming books. This books about the freelancing part (leads, process, business, communication, etc) that you need to know to do that kind of work effectively. These books aren't software/programming specific, and are likely useful to other kinds of freelancers.

This video also explains some about how I got into freelancing, and how I lucked into some experiences that won't be available to everyone.

00:00 What this video is about
01:21 Caveats - Freelancing is difficult
02:17 How I got into freelancing - short version
03:59 Different kinds of freelancing
04:58 Project Based Work
05:38 Subcontracting is much like being an employee
06:34 Upwork and Fiverr and such sites
08:52 Getting freelance jobs is like selling yourself
09:45 Most freelancing comes from leads from your network
10:18 Books on networking (people/business, not TCP/IP)
11:46 Free Agent Nation - about the "Gig Economy"
12:36 Two "How-To" Consulting books
13:24 You need a book on fiance/taxes for your country
14:06 Books about Project Management - estimating for bids
18:20 "Back of the Napkin" - client communication
19:16 "We Got Fired" - Turning unemployement to your benefit
20:42 Wrap up

Books mentioned (some links are to newer editions than the ones I have):

Alternatives to Microsoft Project for planning and estimation:
OmniPlan for the Mac (What I use and Prefer these days):
Free/OpenSource/CrossPlatform:
ProjectLibre:
OpenProject Community Edition:

[JerkyTreats]

I'd love a video on project planning - ignoring agile, ignoring whatever big companies are doing- the bare bones of what you need and when you need it.

[sir_avigdor_nir]

This channel is the real gem of yt, I am so grateful for your efforts and devotion!
I came with devin hype (I have my recommendations turned off on yt) and stay because of really great and thoughtful content.
Thank you for your work Carl, we really appreciate that!
As a master's programming student, who came after bs degree in sociology, I was really turned down by the latest developments in generative AI and doomsday attitude other programmers have.
You gave me a light of hope!
Bless you, sir, and I am waiting for every new video by you!

[flv-hdnn]

we need a video about how you do project planning for freelancing please

[vermin]

As many others have said I would love a video on project planning from you!
It is incredible that there are people like you giving such valuable advice for free. Thank you so very much for every video so far and any you may create in the future!

[Mohamova]

This channel is a gem. I'm really glad that you decided to create video contents as well.
A video about estimation and project planning would he super! Thanks for your time. 🙏🏻

[tudorturdasan]

Loved it <3 What I really like about you is that it feels like listening to a friend with a lot more experience in life

[ferencgrecu]

Please do a video about project planning, how you do it and what books you recommend.
I find that up-front project planning & estimating is the most challenging, because the requirements are the least clear, and we are talking about large timelines of months or years.
In comparison estimating changes to an ongoing project is much easier.

[BTCruiser]

Would love to hear more about your take on project planning and project management.

[ltc]

I believe it is paramount that you share your experience about freelancing. People say alot about the topic, but it is hard to know if what they share is just an opinion or something a freelancer would face daily.

[TheMsksk]

Loved this video. Just started my freelancing and software consulting journey. And this is the kind of video I needed. Thank you!

[PuntiS]

I really like your videos. Lots of great, no nonsense insights from a very seasoned pro in our market. You are the goat.

[odonodave]

thanks for that, especially the further reading section - as a software dev who initially went to art school I'm particularly interested in the "back of the napkin" book!

[jeremym]

i really appreciate these videos, carl. you're like a cool wise uncle

[DeviousMalcontent]

In my freelance experience, I started doing the IT consulting for a local builder, (starting 7 or 8 years ago), really micky mouse stuff: fix the printer, what laptop should I buy? Email not working etc. - it paid my normal hourly rate; the business relationship has been excellent. - So well in fact I'm still charging my original hourly rate. - I've since gone on to do more high-level enterprise stuff, since it is a regional area and it's very hard to find good IT consultancy I have still continued to support that business, so I'll come home from doing massive server deployments or project delivery, and then put my boots on and head straight out to the farm (where he lives and operates his business from).

[schtefel]

yes I'm very much interested if you talk about working as a contractor!

[MrAntraxico]

Thank you for another excellent video and I would love to see one about project estimation. Ngl, project management in my view is very difficult to teach and depends a lot on circumstances and personalities but project estimation is something that a lot of people understimate and I believe it's an invaluable skill that gets much more appreciated by everyone who works on a well estimated project.

[ghassen]

Great video, thank you so much!
We would love a video about project management and how to use project management software for freelancing!

[jshowao]

Did you read all those books behind you?

[kokoinmars]

In my current job as a contractor for a new startup, I am constantly being asked to estimate timelines and I have absolutely no idea how to go about it. My ears perked up like that of an animal the moment you got to that part. Please do make video about estimating timelines.

[HVossi]

More videos about software project management and especially time estimations would be amazing .