Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by verelo 5008 days ago
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.

2 comments

Work your real life connections

Came here to say this. Go ahead and post on the freelancing websites if you want — but separate yourself from the outsourcing companies. Do not lower your rates to compete against them. If a potential client chooses someone else over you simply because they are cheaper, trust me, you do NOT want them as a client.

Work your real-life connections in your local area. If you don't have that many, get out and make some. Realize that your skills offer an expertise that others need. Become known as the expert in your area and word will get around. Ask for referrals.

It can be really frustrating to hit the pavement day in and day out, but you have to do it and eventually it will start to pay off.

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.