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Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
31–40 of 325 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#32I found out pretty soon that setting up a successful software development business only receives 20-40% of your time developing software. Business, like developing software, is a strict discipline, and there is a vast amount of knowledge that only comes from experience. I found myself trying to do everything, until a friend taught me a clever trick: 1) Write down all of the tasks you have to do on a daily, weekly and…
It's too bad I can only upvote this once, great advice and a clever way of looking at things!
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#33If you are working a day job as a programmer (while setting yourself up to go down the startup route), go with contracting as soon as you can, the rates are what you set them at and you should always set them high.
The other advice that has been invaluable to me is NEVER EVER reveal your salary to recruiters. Always state what you want to be paid and go from there. When you reveal what you are earning, you are immediately weakening your negotiating position. This may seem obvious but it would surprise you how many people just go along with their very invasive questioning.
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#341) Figure out who you are selling to and what problem you're solving for them BEFORE you build something. It's very easy to fall into a routine of building the best software ever while forgetting you need someone to buy it. 2) Banks will loan you money when you don't need it and won't loan money when you do need it. Apply for a loan or line of credit when you're flush with cash in case of a rainy day. 3) Running a bu…
7 brings back painful memories. Good advice.
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#35It's a skill that can be learned like every other skill. You can take the "in 21 days" route or the MOOC / University course route, or constantly read business articles, Steve Jobs videos, etc. But some top tips stand out for me over time: * Talking to people, networking > Not talking to people * Bug free > Elegant code * UX > UI * Simple products that do one thing well > Complex products * Understanding entire marke…
Thanks for the list, I'll refer back to it
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#36I did read a lot to understand business and the billions of funding that one day must be paid back.
But the best article I read some time ago: he said that a man does not need to earn more than 3000 euros per month to be happy.
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#37It's a skill that can be learned like every other skill. You can take the "in 21 days" route or the MOOC / University course route, or constantly read business articles, Steve Jobs videos, etc. But some top tips stand out for me over time: * Talking to people, networking > Not talking to people * Bug free > Elegant code * UX > UI * Simple products that do one thing well > Complex products * Understanding entire marke…
Small clients > one big client
Especially at the beginning, you read here how often big clients can put you under at the beginning because you're not ready to deal with them.
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#38Off the top of my head:
- when venting/bitching/complaining, make that clear by saying, "Hey friend, I'm just venting here. ... "
- don't run out of money
- don't take money from anyone who can't afford to lose it
- search for ways to delegate & outsource non-essential tasks, but plan on doing them yourself, as you'll find there are somethings you can't offload no matter how much you try
- try to avoid putting yourself in a situation where your business dies if any single person dies/walks/disappears
- assume anything you say to anyone was not correctly heard, and ask them to repeat it back to you
- commit to working in 100% in person, or 100% remotely
- be prepared to have to trust others, and adjust your expectations accordingly
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#39If you choose to run a software development agency:
- Shoot for between 3 and 10 clients. Any less and you'll be very stressed about losing a client. Any more and you'll be overwhelmed with juggling too many balls.
- Fire bad clients. They aren't worth the stress, frustration, and opportunity cost.
- Work on your process. Doing an hour of client works earns you one hour of revenue. Improving your agency processes can earn you a large multiple of that.
- Don't be a shop. Be a solver of a specific business problem for a specific type of business. Example: "We streamline backend processes for multi-million dollar trucking companies." The most valuable contracts are for solving expensive problems.
Re: Ask HN: Best business advice for software developers
#40If you are working a day job as a programmer (while setting yourself up to go down the startup route), go with contracting as soon as you can, the rates are what you set them at and you should always set them high. The other advice that has been invaluable to me is NEVER EVER reveal your salary to recruiters. Always state what you want to be paid and go from there. When you reveal what you are earning, you are immedi…
OP is talking about a jump to entrepreneurship. Why would an entrepreneur talk to a recruiter about their salary?
If OP is considering a move to contract software development work, your advice could be relevant to OP not offering his/her hourly contract rate to third party recruiters who ask for it, but most independent contractors have an hourly rate because they know the market for their skills.