Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#1

Post by protoweek » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 1:46 PM UTC

Hello HN.

I am a highly experienced developer who has recently taken to freelancing. I looked at several freelancing websites only to be outbid by outsourcing companies with ridiculous rates. Are there other avenues, forums or resources that would help me get work?

Please do share any advice you've got, thanks a million.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#2

Post by verelo » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 1:56 PM UTC

Work your real life connections, you'll start by taking some pretty crappy work (it'll possibly feel like a career downgrade for a bit) but word will spread and opportunities will present themselves. You just need to produce great work, and stick to it.

Only key advice i would suggest is simply not to lock yourself into one contract for too long, unless its a great one. Nothing worse than some great work coming up, and not being able to take it because you're already too busy.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#3

Post by davidw » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:01 PM UTC

Work on a product in your spare time. Get involved with the open source tech that your product uses.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#4

Post by dwelch2344 » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:03 PM UTC

Get involved with your local community. Word of mouth is the best referral system when you're getting started.

Try using your personal network to find a local business / organization that is struggling with some piece of software / website. Or donate some work to a non-profit and ask them to spread your name around. Every successful project should bring you at least two more to work on.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#5

Post by larve » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:04 PM UTC

I wouldn't dismiss these freelancing websites altogether though, it takes a bit to identify potential good clients, a lot of people got burnt by the outsourcing companies and are actually ready to pay sensible rates. I got my current job through one of these sites, first taking on a node.js job and then moving to basically full-time freelancing. I don't make that much as for jobs I got through personal and industry contacts, but the client is pretty much the best I ever got. That kind of freedom and respect (and quickly paid invoice, like 10 minutes after I sent them) is worth its money too.

But else, industry and personal contacts, building up contacts through giving speeches and being a part of the development community (user groups, etc...) works best for me.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#6

Post by ecaroth » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:04 PM UTC

Not sure where you are located, but most big cities have regular tech networking events, seminars, skillshare classes, etc. The VAST majority of rewarding, quality work I have done freelancing was for real-life people (businesses, many startups, etc) that I met at network events. Get a decent personal business card and make sure you tell people what you are capable of doing, and that you are available for work when you meet them. You will be surprised how many opportunities come out of the woodwork.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#7

Post by ianterrell » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:05 PM UTC

If you're doing web or mobile development or anything that is contracted out regularly, I highly recommend you make relationships with the creative/development agencies in your area. My experience is that the decent ones always have more leads than they can execute on at any given time, which leads to two scenarios:

1) They want to grow, lack full development strength, and will subcontract you to work under their name. The rates aren't as high as you could get on your own, but it's still good pay and you didn't have to go selling. Attend a few meetings, live with a project manager, but work from home and build the relationship.

2) Projects that are too small for them to consider are immediately passed to you (and their other staff). "Sorry, we can't help you with this one, but we can recommend this guy who's done lots of good work for us."

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#8

Post by lprubin » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:05 PM UTC

Volunteering to do some programming for charities and doing some open source work is a great way to make connections that can often lead to freelance work. That's how my freelance business got going. Two of my biggest clients came via the connections I made volunteering for a green energy micro lending charity.

And client relationships that come via connections are often far better and more lucrative than those that come through freelancing websites.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#9

Post by chernevik » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:11 PM UTC

verelo wrote: post #2

Work your real life connections, you'll start by taking some pretty crappy work (it'll possibly feel like a career downgrade for a bit) but word will spread and opportunities will present themselves. You just need to produce great work, and stick to it. Only key advice i would suggest is simply not to lock yourself into one contract for too long, unless its a great one. Nothing worse than some great work coming up, a…

Yes, but, it takes time to build the relationships and reputation needed to generate flow. A single chunky project while you're doing that relieves some pressure. Plus being busy signals that you're worth hiring.

Of course, then you're working 40 hours / week on a contract, plus 10-30+ on networking, consults, portfolio projects, etc.

Re: Ask HN: How does an experienced freelancer get work?

#10

Post by bryanlarsen » Fri, Sep 28, 2012, 2:11 PM UTC

1: Only bid on projects that ask for "good English skills". That's the code that means they're not interested in bids from traditional off-shoring destinations.

2: Once you win a few contracts on the freelancing websites, your customers should start coming to you directly and recommending you to others. You can then you can start raising your rates to something reasonable.

3: Send an email to the leaders of all the open source projects you have contributed to. It's quite possible they have more contracting work than they can handle and are willing to send work your way since they already know and trust you.