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Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

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Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#51

Post by poshmosh »

laurent_du wrote: post #38
poshmosh wrote: post #10

I am in the same boat. I have 12+ years of experience. I tired to launch a startup and it failed miserably. I am considering Amazon IQ. If you are into AWS and can get the professional level certificates, you can use Amazon IQ platform to freelance. I have used Amazon IQ to hire before and I had good results. Your really need multiple pro level certificates to compete though. I have tried Upwork, but it's been a not…

What kind of rates have you seen in AWS IQ?

I've seen $85-$100. I paid $100/hr for the dev I hired. But they had multiple pro level certificates. I believe AWS takes as 15% fee though. The amount you will get paid is highly dependent on the certificates you have.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#52

Post by [deleted] »

gregjor wrote: post #34
malux85 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dont do a consultancy, thats selling your time for money, and it scales poorly. Invent a product, tutorial, or SOMETHING that takes advantage of softwares mega-advantage over other industries: It's basically free to copy, and it's basically free to distribute globally. Neither of those magical properties get used if you're a consultant selling time for money (although will be used by your client, you are capuring nea…

I hope you perceive the problem with the advice “invent something.” That’s the hard part. This advice reminds me of an old Monty Python sketch, a TV show about how to be rich. “First you need to make a lot of money!” Then the “being rich” part falls into place. Selling skills is not a “mug’s game.” Not every path to earning a good income with some freedom has to scale. I do solo freelancing, make a good living, live…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#53

Post by sshine »

000ooo000 wrote: post #41
sshine wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think I'm going to end up working for myself, one way or another. It marks the difference between working for a single employer, multiple customers, or yourself. If someone pays you, you're working for them. So working for yourself means you don't have to listen to anyone but yourself when delivering. This is possibly more utopian than what the author wants, and pointing out the difference is not pedantic.

It is 100% garden-variety pedantry. Everyone knows the meaning of "work for myself" and no-one is confused about to whom one has obligations. This entire thread is just "well ackshually whoever pays you is really your boss when you think about it!!"

You know, just because something is obvious to you, it’s not obvious to everyone.

You don’t have to respond to everything that is obvious saying that it is.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#54

Post by jameshush »

LVB wrote: post #26
jameshush wrote: post #15

I was in the same boat. Tried starting my own agency. Had a bit of success, but I was spending a huge chunk of my time just chasing money down. Then I stumbled upon a way to have my cake and eat it too: Becoming a Solutions/Sales Engineer. It's all the upsides of running your own consultancy, without the downsides of chasing money and customers. I have generally flexible hours, tonnes of autonomy, and have a nice bal…

Thanks for sharing your experience. My career has drifted around a bit between IC and management, but I’ve always been highly technical. At the point (20 years in) I’m wondering what’s next, because up (Principal levels, directorships, etc.) hold little to no interest for me. I’d never really considered SE roles, despite having worked with great SEs for a long time, just because… no reason, just never thought about i…

I have a couple of co-workers who have similar stories as you. 20 years in with some management experience, and they don't care about being the VP of Whatever. Solutions Engineer is a great role for someone who CAN manage but doesn't want to JUST manage, as you spend a lot of time "managing sideways".

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#55

Post by jameshush »

ativzzz wrote: post #47
jameshush wrote: post #15

I was in the same boat. Tried starting my own agency. Had a bit of success, but I was spending a huge chunk of my time just chasing money down. Then I stumbled upon a way to have my cake and eat it too: Becoming a Solutions/Sales Engineer. It's all the upsides of running your own consultancy, without the downsides of chasing money and customers. I have generally flexible hours, tonnes of autonomy, and have a nice bal…

How did you get into that role? Was it an internal transfer or did you just apply for a position?

I went from running the engineering team at an online virtual events company, to trying to start my own agency to cold-applying to a WebRTC vendor with online virtual events companies as customers.

The key was having experience in the business vertical for me. They wanted my former company as a customer, so that helped. My former company ended up becoming a customer too, so not burning bridges REALLY paid off :-)

I'd recommend an internal transfer if you can. It does make things a lot easier. My previous companies didn't have a role like this available so I had to go the cold application route.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to become an independent software developer?

#56

Post by zs234465234165 »

creativenolo wrote: post #37
locofocos wrote: post #16

It's not exactly what you have in mind, but my friend walked into local small businesses saying "Hey, can I make you a website?". Then he googled "how to make a website" and figured out how to drag and drop with WordPress. Literally no tech experience, just a few business cards, and it went uphill from there. He gradually moved into SEO and marketing as his customers wanted that. Right now he has about 40 customers t…

I often wonder if SquareSpace, Shopify, etc has eaten the market for small companies wanting to someone to build them a website. I’d be curious to know if your friend could still get that step up now.

Those platforms have accelerated the market creating more opportunities for freelancers to design bespoke websites on their platforms with low/no code.
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