Fwd: how to get your first freelance coding client

Everyone who's worked as a freelancer knows one thing for certain: the first few clients are always the hardest to find. Without referrals, testimonials or a portfolio of client work behind you, getting your first freelance coding client can be a real challenge.

In this week's guest post, Alec McGuffey from RookieUp is back to chat with successful coding mentors Jordan Deutsch and Trudy MacNabb about how to find your perfect first freelancing gig.

Here's a taster of what Alec, Jordan and Trudy had to say:

  • Focus on what you're interested in - When building your portfolio, there's no point in focusing on things you're not passionate about. Put together projects that show off your skills, and if you don't have enough, create some!
  • You're already good enough for your first gig - At first, focus on the things you're most proficient at. Then, when you've proven you can handle the basics and hit deadlines, you can open up to new areas.
  • Take advantage of existing platforms - Whatever it is you're good at, there's a very good chance you can take advantage of existing platforms and systems. Find out what's already out there and use it!
  • Leverage your networks and offline relationships - There's a good chance that most of your freelance work will come from referrals, so don't be afraid to tap into your personal networks to find your first clients.
  • Start things off with a friendly chat - Since most clients hiring you to do freelance development work won't be into development themselves, it's best to start off on a friendly, non-technical note. It's a great way to form a relationship and not overwhelm your new client.

Popular posts from this blog

Fwd: 4 ways to advance your tech career

Image
By now you may have noticed that there's not just one single route into tech. Loads of techies are self-taught, some study computer science at college, and others go to intensive bootcamps. Whether you're learning to code, applying for jobs, or starting your own business, there are loads of different strategies you can try. Today I want to highlight four approaches you can take to advance your career.  1. Look for opportunities within your current workplace In episode six, I spoke with Christie Pitts. Christie began working at Verizon twelve years ago as a customer service representative. Today she's a venture development manager at the same company. Listen to our conversation to hear how she progressed within the company. 2. Code every day for 100 days In episode seven, I spoke with Alexander Kallaway. Alexander is a front-end web developer and the creator of the #100DaysOfCode movement. Listen to our conversation to he...
Read more

Fwd: options for app developers (web, desktop, mobile or cross-platform)

Image
Hey, If you're diving into app development for the first time, it can be difficult to know which platform you should be writing for. This week's sponsored post is from Geoff Perlman of Xojo. In it, he lays out the pros and cons of each platform, and lets you in on how to develop for all of them at once. Click here to read the full sponsored post. Here are the main takeaways: Desktop Apps - These normally provide the richest (and fastest) user experience, but they're not great for apps that people want to use immediately. Web Apps - These solve the problem of users wanting to use the app immediately, but they're at the mercy of your users' Internet speed. Mobile Apps - Fast, responsive, easy to install... but there's not a lot of screen space to work with. That means mobile apps are best suited to "dashboard-type" apps that display the status of something without being super interactive. Cross-Platform Development - Cross-platfor...
Read more

Fwd: 4 ways to fast-track your success

Image
Recently I've been hearing from a lot of LTCWM readers who want to know how to speed up their progress. Some of you have been job hunting and want to know how to get your foot in the door sooner rather than later. Others have just started coding and want to know the most efficient way to reach their goals. Of course, there's no substitute for putting in the work, but there are a few ways to fast-track your progress. Here are some of the approaches that we've been talking about on the podcast recently... 1. Learn to negotiate. If you're applying for jobs, one way to get ahead is by negotiating a higher wage. If you already have a job, you can ask for a raise instead. In episode 14, I spoke with Alexandra Dickinson. Alexandra is the founder of Ask For It – a consulting company that gives people the skills and confidence to negotiate. In our interview, she shares her top tips for negotiating a higher salary. Learn how to negotiate a higher wage. 2. Gro...
Read more