What is it like to be a freelance programmer?

Question

If there are any past or present freelancers in the community.

I would like to read about the type of things you work on.

Answer 1

i 'm a freelancer almost 7y now and i can tell you that is hard. it was easier before. worked on several platform but kept mine profile only on freelancer. even then you needed a little luck but now when freelancer "eated" few other freelancing sites you need way more if you want some client to even communicate with you...
so first thing first;
Clients will notice you if you know how to speak or write in english decent enough so they don't have to draw for you and you can easily communicate.
if you wanna score some projects, DO NOT write generic bids! Tell the client your vision for they project and you will get they attention. improve english more! It's harder then ever to get clients attentions so carefully picked sentence at the start of your bidding may be just that small fortune spell you are looking for.
Second
Clients do not like freelancer! it takes great amount of tyme to scroll and read trough all applications and bids so try to write focused on the project and once you win that first project if you have a little luck and you did good that client will come back to you!
3. Nurture your clients! Be polite, do something now and there just for free if it doesn't require to much time, insted ask for reccomndation. Grow your clients base and don't neglect them after that project is finished and finally you might just get lucky enough to score 1 large client for whom you can freelance all the time.
Now, we all know advatages beeing a freelancer. Obvious disantvatages are; not much social activity, to much time spent in front of the computer and if you are working alone, you will be alone... non fixed working hours might be a blessing but might be a curse as well. your family will suffer, your social life suffers and so on... if you aren,t organized really well you will find yourself waking up at the computer. off course, medical, social security not covered... you have to that on your own. ;)

Answer 2

Ever seen a guy laying in an alley with a bottle of liquor in one hand, and a cellphone in the other?

It's something like that, except freelancers can't afford the cellphone, or the liquor.

Answer 3

I've never (?) done freelance programming before, but I've had experience with freelance book translating work. It's basically a mix of trying to get the job done before deadline and searching all over the place for job instances since we don't get a solid, periodic assignment.

Answer 4

freelancing is hard:
for a beginner.
prospective clients need someone with lots of recommendation

Answer 5

Seriously though, it is a *very* over saturated marketplace to penetrate.

You would think a place like Sololearn would integrate with a few freelance sites to establish entry level experience.

Answer 6

Thank you for answering,

It gives me the impression that freelancing can be difficult.

I wondered what it would be like programming for a living.

I am sure freelancing is not the only option.

I do not belive I will be doing any freelancing, anytime soon.

For now I will keep learning to code.

Thanks again.

I appreciate the input

Answer 7

@Sasa Macic
great advise
thanks

Answer 8

It's the same as any other job, except your boss is your client.

-bern

Answer 9

Like pretty much everything, life as a freelance programmer isn't what you imagine it will be. On the plus side, you can work whatever hours you want, on whatever projects you want, using whatever technologies you want. You have close-to-absolute freedom. That's the big sell, and the fact that you won't be pigeonholed into just doing X projects with Y technologies keeps it interesting (at least, for me).

Answer 10

Being a freelance programmer is like getting 100% from your work. It is always hard for the beginners but if you are good and got a few clients, then you will have a smooth road ahead.
Talking about the work, we get different kinds of task, like once I worked on a BlackJack game, and on other day I was asked to do a website. It purely depends on your skills and the clients requirement.

Answer 11

the beginnings are always hards.
it's true that you will need a lot of recommendations.
in fact I am facing the same problem, but I know friends who success​ and they started building portfolio with own projects.
I think that sololearn is a very interesting platform to learn and to practice but it will be great if they go forward to next step : connecting learners with customers by opening the hiring windows or projects.

Answer 12

I built a side business from freelancing. I also work full time with a development company. it can be hard to juggle both but I'm gaining experience by working collaboratively with a team in one company but bring that experience to my own business. when I am fully confident in my abilities I intend to operate my business full time.

freelancing can be difficult, but in my experience if you are not only good at communicating with your clients or prospective clients, but also good at delivering on what you sell, then there's no reason not to succeed. some things just come naturally, and others you have to work at. Like all things, if you want something you have to work at it and constantly improve yourself. There's no quick way to the top.

Answer 13

A Jay is not on this post?

Answer 14

If you good at what you do, you will find your place and make a great living.

It's very hard to succeed in this market, but you will be able to achieve it only if you choose this field (not being forced to due to lack of expertise) and you like the idea of working by yourself.

Answer 15

I have no experience in freelance but if you are doing so to due to no work, I'd suggest planning an elaborate project yourself. Maybe an app for instance. Go create something that will challenge your skills, innovative something new and then use this as your CV. Build the foundation for credibility and once solid, begin looking for work, freelance. You will have something to show that you done at your own pace on your own initiative that is new and innovative. This will help show a potential company who may hire you for freelance, what you're capable of. You need to start somewhere and it's hard to get work so work for yourself on your own project that is tailored to sway potential clients.

Answer 16

While I was in University it was fairly easy to go to meet-ups and exchange details with people. Connections lead to other opportunities. As a beginner, I struggled with finding a constant flow of clients. You'll be entering a highly competitive market. As suggested by previous commentors, build your own projects. Get something in your CV. Then at the same time, expand your clientele by signing up for online Freelancing platforms. I suggest upwork.com. But like I said, very competitive.

Keep working, explore different mediums, try game / app development too if you can. Challenge yourself. There are those of us in the community who is willing to help out. But most of the journey to get there is your own. Good luck!

Answer 17

I am 14. So i can't work really, but i started learning programming(C#, Python) a few month ago and created also a few little Programms like a Calculator and Stuff like that. I was in a 1-week-cours for Scratch(I know...), I had to do what the "Teacher" told me. And now I have to say that if you can do whatever you want, it makes A LOT more fun. But to work on your own also means that you have to be disciplined and doesn't rest all the time !!!
😅

Answer 18

Am a freelancer ....to be a freelancer it requires determination..... I would suggest you visit upwork.... just work on the projects posted... don't bid first... if your project comes out to be true... well and good start bidding... but if you can't manage to do a single project before bidding ..... go back to build your experience .... mark my statements ""don't bid first.... attempt projects for your own benefit not to earn..... ""

Answer 19

I personally work on website design, I have a team of very talented backend developers who take on the responsibility of ensuring that every web component works. Freelancing could be seen as the must fun way to be a programmer but to be a successful freelancer you must be a very skilled one, be very determined, punctual, understanding and quick to solve problems also, quick to find solutions to tough challenges.​

Answer 20

PTC not bad...