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Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

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Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#71
post #3

First, talk to people looking for developers. That part is fairly easy: just about any networking event in NYC has a dozens of people looking for devs. I don't know where you're located, but the same is probably true for your area. Once you're talking, convince them that working with you will be easier/quicker/more-effective than working with anyone else. That's the hard part, which definitely requires some practice.…

Do you have companies that focus on social good, or at least avoid things that are socially bad (e.g. advertising)?

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ditto, my guess is they're just skimming for the top earners.

Felt to me like they didn't understand how to sell people who aren't "X experts" - I'm not a digital media expert, I'm not a wordpress expert, I'm not an iOS frontend expert, I'm a generalist. I do software development, which apparently isn't that salable these days ;)

don't think of it as being a generalist. think of it more like multiple specialisms.

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#75
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are probably not using the word "cloud" enough when you speak about what you do.

> I'm a cloud developer > You mean you work on internet applications? > No, it means I don't come into the office.

Golden.

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#76

At present I derive all my income from part-time work and side projects. The first thing is to figure out what not to do. You can't work in a field where people routinely hire full-time employees with ease. So you can't do Java work part-time, for example. (Well I mean you can , but it's like saying you can be elected to Congress. Let's do something easy.) So, you have to start in some field where 9-5ers can't be eas…

drew here has it right. While it is possible to find money on side projects in more mainstream technologies like Java or .NET; it is easier in specialized fields. Depending on where you are targeting geographically those technologies vary a lot; I personally have seen a lot of demand for iOS/Android, but even more demand for Ruby on Rails. I think that quite a few Ruby on Rails developers left the community and flock…

I keep expecting to see a win-win industry where introverts with skills revenue share with extroverts who can sell their skills. Specialization is a good thing, it seems inefficient for people who don't enjoy networking to need to do it in order to make money.

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

drew here has it right. While it is possible to find money on side projects in more mainstream technologies like Java or .NET; it is easier in specialized fields. Depending on where you are targeting geographically those technologies vary a lot; I personally have seen a lot of demand for iOS/Android, but even more demand for Ruby on Rails. I think that quite a few Ruby on Rails developers left the community and flock…

I was just wondering, could one have a contract like this (I haven't done freelancer work yet, but might look in future): "Up to 3 months of development time, I will take a fixed rate. If the development goes beyond that, I will charge hourly."?

I haven't done a contract quite like what you describe, but as has been pointed out, if both parties agree, anything in possible. I have found more success in a "retainer" model of consulting. We agree on a certain number of hours needed up front, say three months. If they pay a retainer up front, they get a 5%, 10%, or 15% discount (dependent on negotiations). They then burn time against these "retainer hours". At the end of their retainer you can slip into a normal hourly rate billing cycle or negotiate for another retainer at a discount. The client knows more fees are coming as the retainer approaches zero, and thus will very often not allow scope creep to come in.

I often try to keep a little retainer left over at the end. Some say I should keep this for "change" orders. However, I will give it back to the client! Why? 9 out of 10 times when I offer to return the leftover they are ready to add it to a new retainer for another project. You can't make a client happier than saying "here's the final demo of your project! It was great right? Oh by the way we came in under budget." Just make sure you are in constant communication with the client, have regular demos, and deliver something amazing.

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#78
post #8

Best way is to get a full time job that you really enjoy. After months of drought, the offers for high-payed consulting work (that you can't take) will suddenly flow in.

I told my wife this past October that I'd stop taking side work by November and get our hard wood floors installed. It's now January and my clients are continually agreeing to more and more absurd hourly rates, making it impossible to stop.

If your rate is higher than the cost of a flooring contractor, why not just hire one?

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#79
post #3

First, talk to people looking for developers. That part is fairly easy: just about any networking event in NYC has a dozens of people looking for devs. I don't know where you're located, but the same is probably true for your area. Once you're talking, convince them that working with you will be easier/quicker/more-effective than working with anyone else. That's the hard part, which definitely requires some practice.…

That's a nice idea. Do you connect people just in the USA or outside as well?

Re: Ask HN: How to find part-time developer work?

#80
post #3

First, talk to people looking for developers. That part is fairly easy: just about any networking event in NYC has a dozens of people looking for devs. I don't know where you're located, but the same is probably true for your area. Once you're talking, convince them that working with you will be easier/quicker/more-effective than working with anyone else. That's the hard part, which definitely requires some practice.…

Do you have companies that focus on social good, or at least avoid things that are socially bad (e.g. advertising)?

Which category of companies do you think are more likely to be willing and able to pay >$100/hr? :)
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