[leknarf]

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. Pro-tip: don't try to convince anyone that you'll be the cheapest option, which is almost always a losing game to play.

If you prefer, I'd be happy to do the hard work for you. I run a startup that connects senior freelance developers with high-paying companies: http://getlambda.com.

[up_and_up]

I was corresponding with you guys and never got an email back from Ken. I was also asking about part-time work.

[1qaz2wsx3edc]

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

[jaggederest]

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 ;)

[polymatter]

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

[albedo]

Hi, this is Ken. Sorry we didn't get back to you -- we've been getting a lot of interest and it's been difficult getting back to everyone promptly. I can't tell who you are from your HN handle, but I'd be happy to get in touch today if you shoot me another email.

[deepakkapoor]

So you will get in touch with him because the issue surfaced on HN. Says something about being proactive. Doesn't it?

[wasd]

I reached out a few months ago with no response. I'm a SF Ruby/Java/JS developer.

[sosuke]

I signed up pretty darn fast. I've been doing meetups, networking, everything I can imagine to get business development moving and I still have not found that 'thing' I'm missing to land a new client.

[dman]

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

[nostromo]

> I'm a cloud developer

> You mean you work on internet applications?

> No, it means I don't come into the office.

[maxmem]

Golden.

[nawitus]

I've found that introducing yourself as a "full-stack cloud" is the best opener.

[leknarf]

This thread is weird if you're using the "Cloud to Butt Plus" chrome extension.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cloud-to-butt-plus...

[sumedh]

That is impressive but how many years of experience do you have in the cloud?

[jtheory]

All of them.

Fine print: "fog" is also a type of cloud.

[goldenkey]

Just do it.

[pmelendez]

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

[leknarf]

It's pretty much just the USA. In fact, most of our clients are looking for devs in NYC or the SF Bay Area, so even US devs outside those areas are on the waiting list.

[eevilspock]

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

[leknarf]

Last year, we built this site: http://www.thecostofcarbon.org/, which was part of a project for Al Gore's climate change non-profit.

Currently, we're looking for devs for a company that helps museums keep track of their collections, another that makes it easier for people to cook healthy meals at home, and a third that's encouraging universities to incorporate 3d-printing into their curriculum.

So there's quite a bit of variety in the types of projects we take on. Social good is a vague concept that means different things to different people, but we can certainly try to match you with projects that fit your interests.

[iends]

Why do you think advertising is socially bad? There are many products I would not have discovered without advertising.

[jtheory]

It runs the gamut, of course -- someone's out there building an awesome campaign to advertise a blood drive, right now.

But most advertising basically using psychological tricks to push you to want & buy all kinds of stuff that really make a negligible difference in your quality of life, if they add anything at all.

Worse, the best way to convince you that you need X is to convince you that you have an X-shaped hole in your life. That desirable mates are looking for a [your gender] with X. That your neighbors/friends/colleagues/rivals have X, better X, newer X, etc. and are wondering about you.

It's not real, and it's actively harmful -- we find happiness/contentment by being self-aware, by learning what things really matter to us, and finding ways to focus on & improve those parts of our lives; this most commonly doesn't involve buying anything at all -- often it involves getting rid of a lot of stuff and leading a simpler life.

But who has time for clear thought and introspection, nowadays? By default advertisers want you distracted and discontented, your thoughts teeming with desires and urges, racing along on the hedonic treadmill....

[xenophanes]

Why do you think blood drives are good? Why wouldn't it be better if the standard thing was to pay for blood? If it was typical to pay donors for this kind of thing (organs too), wouldn't that better ensure plenty of supply than making charity the primary source?

[jtheory]

There's a big debate about this, though it's a tangent to this discussion. But it boils down to how adding money into the equation tweaks the incentives of those giving blood or donating organs in a way that's not necessarily good.

One obvious way -- suppose you're filling out a medical history form before providing blood or an organ, and you know that ticking "yes" to a question will disqualify you. You really need the money -- will you be honest?

[thatthatis]

I for one hate it when companies spend money to inform me of products I might like, especially when it potentially saves me dozens of hours searching and doing research. It's the absolute worst when they spend time and money informing me of the features and benefits of their product rapidly and in a fashion where I can tune it out easily it it isn't relevant. Ive never once used brands as a signal to help me decide, nor bought a brand I know and trust like coke when traveling in a foreign area.

Advertising is just the worst, helping get information into the market efficiently, ugh!

[_delirium]

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