Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#1

Post by v1l » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 9:12 PM UTC

I've hired a bunch of contractors over the years for projects and I've done freelancing myself.

There is clearly a need for on-demand, as-needed help for specific projects, launches, or for team augmentation. Companies (especially small and mid sized) have been more open to hiring freelance and remote since Covid, especially for shorter durations and point projects.

I keep thinking that a lightly vetted but less onerous than Toptal, less race to the bottom than Upwork platform for tech talent and companies can absolutely flourish.

Curious what you all think?

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#2

Post by perfmode » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 9:27 PM UTC

I am looking for an iOS developer to help me bring a minimum-viable prototype over the finish line.

Your post prompted to check out Toptal. I signed up. What's so onerous about Toptal?

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#3

Post by v1l » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 10:18 PM UTC

perfmode wrote: post #2

I am looking for an iOS developer to help me bring a minimum-viable prototype over the finish line. Your post prompted to check out Toptal. I signed up. What's so onerous about Toptal?

The vetting and hoops of interviews (talent side).

From the client side, there's nothing onerous but Toptal also prioritizes (requires?) clients that have mid to longer term commitments.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#4

Post by akg_67 » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 10:40 PM UTC

> lightly vetted but less onerous than Toptal, less race to the bottom than Upwork platform

What do you think the reasons are for lack of a platform in the middle?

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#5

Post by v1l » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 10:44 PM UTC

akg_67 wrote: post #4

> lightly vetted but less onerous than Toptal, less race to the bottom than Upwork platform What do you think the reasons are for lack of a platform in the middle?

I think the platform needs to be niche and not-built-for-scale by design. This doesn't gel with the VC backed route. I absolutely think there's room for a few 1-2M revenue businesses here that could be built by a motivated self funded small team.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#6

Post by sawadees » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 11:20 PM UTC

I work for clients at 6-12 months stretches as an independent contractor. Sometimes longer. And when I part with them I usually stay around on a monthly retainer. The retainer then keeps me in the loop with them, and I often get billed for smaller tasks their team can't address, or needs extra capacity on.

Through a lot of trial and error, coming up from sites like Upwork, Fiverr, etc. That's the only way I feel that "freelancing" works for me. Where I am deeply networked and have already build rapport with the clients.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#7

Post by v1l » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 11:22 PM UTC

sawadees wrote: post #6

I work for clients at 6-12 months stretches as an independent contractor. Sometimes longer. And when I part with them I usually stay around on a monthly retainer. The retainer then keeps me in the loop with them, and I often get billed for smaller tasks their team can't address, or needs extra capacity on. Through a lot of trial and error, coming up from sites like Upwork, Fiverr, etc. That's the only way I feel that…

That's great that you've built a deep roster of clients. Can't disagree that it's the best source of work.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#8

Post by meiraleal » Sun, Oct 01, 2023, 11:31 PM UTC

It definitely can, there is a lot of money on the market and the current options can't serve everybody. It is just a matter of executing it well. Especially if not taking a %. People are getting tired of paying so much for matchmaking.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#9

Post by sawadees » Mon, Oct 02, 2023, 12:21 AM UTC

v1l wrote: post #7

sawadees wrote: post #6

I work for clients at 6-12 months stretches as an independent contractor. Sometimes longer. And when I part with them I usually stay around on a monthly retainer. The retainer then keeps me in the loop with them, and I often get billed for smaller tasks their team can't address, or needs extra capacity on. Through a lot of trial and error, coming up from sites like Upwork, Fiverr, etc. That's the only way I feel that…

That's great that you've built a deep roster of clients. Can't disagree that it's the best source of work.

It takes time, and it can be rough starting out. But its worth it. The one thing which I disliked most about freelancing platforms is that you can not take clients off platform or even network with them without putting your account at risk.

Re: Ask HN: Do you look for freelance tech opportunities? What do you hate about it?

#10

Post by vladmk » Mon, Oct 02, 2023, 4:22 AM UTC

I think that’s hard to agree with and we do freelance work all the time.

This is because people go to freelancers for 1. Speed 2. Quality 3. Temporary work

If something is temporary and you want it fast then a majority of the time you’ll want it cheap.

BUT you could find a really small market that wants to go fast and expensive - it’s just much smaller