Being so young there is absolutely no sane person that'd hire me for any freelance work.
So I'm wondering if there are any other ways I could make money writing code?
Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
1–10 of 27 posts
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#2My advice is to be patient and continue your education. You need to realize if you learn enough about the world around you, people will beat a path to your door.
The first phase in programming is learning how to code. The second phase is learning why. Once you get to the second phase, people will ask you to help them.
Many years ago, I bought an early personal computer. I quickly realized what it lacked, and I wrote it, primarily because I needed it for my own work. Pretty soon the manufacturer heard what I had done and asked to see it. Over the next five years I made six million dollars.
I tell you this just so you know it's possible -- but you need to be able to figure out what's missing, what people need. Being able to code, by itself, doesn't assure success. You need to know why to code.
http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/cottage_computer_programmi...
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#3You could sell products instead of services, such as mobile apps or website plugins.
Or, there may be others your age that want websites or software. Start with people you know.
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#4>>>Bill Gates and Paul Allen were high school students at Lakeside School in Seattle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traf-O-Data
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#5Hey there, I'm Fouad and I started freelance work when I was ~14 - 17 now. Send me a quick blurb about what you can/want to do at holla [ at ] fouad.co and I'd love to share some tips.
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#6I disagree that no one would hire you. If you have a decent portfolio and your rates are comparatively low, then you might pick up lots of work from Craigslist or other job boards.
Especially if you program HTML/CSS/JS. There is lots of project work out there that doesn't need big corporate guns.
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#7It's all about networking. Take advantage of any connections you have. Meet as many people as you can.
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#8My advice is to be patient and continue your education. You need to realize if you learn enough about the world around you, people will beat a path to your door. The first phase in programming is learning how to code. The second phase is learning why . Once you get to the second phase, people will ask you to help them. Many years ago, I bought an early personal computer. I quickly realized what it lacked, and I wrote…
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Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#9Good you are this young. You have one thing others(older than you) don't have, a lot more time - as in actual time, number of days.
>>continue your education @lutusp said it
Yes, indeed. And just in case the tempting 'rebellion' thought of I-droped-out-of-school/college-to-build-this-build-that kicks in, just weigh what you might be losing. You might be losing those life-long friends, pranks, drunken brawls, night-outs, heartbreaks and falling in love all over again &c &c.
Now, for some people this is less important. Just think about it and then take a decision.
Your post doesn't mention leaving school but seeing you are so much aware at this tender age and restless I thought I will chip in with my unsolicited advice.
Here are few things you can do to make money:
* Write some apps and put it on app stores - I think Google Android is a good place to start. There are lots of iOS apps that are not even available on Android. Hordes of quality apps can be written for Android(yes, paid ones).
>>no sane person that'd hire me for any freelance work
* contribute to open source - it will help you to build up credibility. It's not about you being young - it's about out of those 1^billion trillion coders out there, that sane person doesn't know if you are a real deal and most probably he doesn't have time to figure you out.
* Try freelancing portals and in the meantime do the above mentioned ^
* Keep having fun - do all this in spare time :-)
Re: Ask HN: How can a 16 year-old programmer make money writing code?
#10> Being so young there is absolutely no sane person that'd hire me for any freelance work.
I'm 17. I've been freelancing for 2 years and have made a serious living. Best advice is to start small and build a portfolio. Age isn't a factor if you can prove that you're a capable individual.