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Ask HN: Is there a good step by step guide to starting freelancing?
I'm thinking about the logistics of it, so questions like:
- What do I do for health insurance (for US citizens)?
- Do I form an S Corp or LLC or what? How do I go about that?
- Do I need a lawyer? How do I find a good one?
- Do I need an accountant? How do I find a good one?
- How can I be sure that my contract protects me?
- What are some rules of thumb for how much money I need to set aside for dry spells, etc.?
- How do I decide between T&M vs. project based vs. retainer billing?
Does anything like this exist? I'd love if it were community maintained but really I'd just be excited to find anything that guides you through things like that.
- kjksf 8y ago1. Insurance: you buy it either via Obamacare exchange (e.g. https://www.coveredca.com/ https://www.coveredca.com/ in California) or buy it directly from health insurer operating in your state. Use Google to find one. If you can, buy Oscar Health. 2. You don't need LLC or S Corp. You can form one if you like spending money and filling out paperwork. Freelancers can operate as individuals. 3. You don't need a lawyer. You can get one. Yelp. 4. You don't need an accountant. You can get one. Yelp. 5. Read the contracts. If you don't understand them, hire a lawyer to explain them to you. 6. 6 months of expenses, the more the better. 7. By negotiating with your clients and balancing your needs with their needs. Want to know more? * https://www.amazon.com/Working-Yourself-Independent-Contractors-Freelancers/dp/1413319815 https://www.amazon.com/Working-Yourself-Independent-Contract... * https://www.google.com/search?q=freelancing+guide+for+programmers https://www.google.com/search?q=freelancing+guide+for+progra...