4 ms·

I've been a consultant for close to 5 years and have written similar articles in the past. I agree with just about everything in the post. What I find most of

I've been a consultant for close to 5 years and have written similar articles in the past. I agree with just about everything in the post. What I find most often is that aspiring freelancers/consultants don't realize 1 important fact: Freelancing/consulting is harder than a 9-5 salary job, in every way. If it's one theme that rings constant among freelancers or consultants that I've lent an ear to, it's the "I thought it would be easier" sentiment. And that supplements the point made in the article. So many developers think their craft is enough to succeed as a freelancer or consultant; the truth is quite the opposite. A business' success depends on marketing and selling their services, and that's what most (if not every) developer underestimates when they start a freelance or consulting business. To help combat that, I also advocate the gradual approach. Take a full time job in the industry for a few years first, then build up your freelance/consulting business on the side until it becomes sustainable.

timjahn 14y ago
"So many developers think their craft is enough to succeed as a freelancer or consultant; the truth is quite the opposite." Couldn't agree more. When you become a freelance developer, you are no longer ONLY a developer. You're customer service, sales, accounting, business development, and so much more. Coding is now a portion of what you do, not ALL you do. I actually recently started matchist (http://matchist.com/talent http://matchist.com/talent) to take care of the "constantly finding clients" aspect that I remember from my days as a freelancer. We find you quality work that will pay you on time, every time (because we also facilitate the payment process).
- manveru 14y ago
  To save you the trip to the site, unfortunately it's only for US devs.
- Buzaga 14y ago
  "I am based in United States" checkbox that gives a validation error... that's rude. Next time just go on and hardcode an alert box stating that your product is for North American Citizens only, please.
31reasons 14y ago
> Freelancing/consulting is harder than a 9-5 salary job, in every way If its harder in EVERY WAY, why are you doing it ? There must be some positive points. 9-5 could be harder in following ways: 1. Annoying co-workers and/or boss. 2. Office politics 3. No enough pay and/or credit for your work 4. Not able to telecommute 5. Can't build your own portfolio 6. Can't get paid for overtime 7. You could get fired anytime 8. Don't get opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills 9. You can't choose your projects 10. Don't have to refresh Linked List and DFS every time you go for an interview (for software jobs).
- ams6110 14y ago
  Harder does not necessarily imply less rewarding.
- mzarate06 14y ago
  If its harder in EVERY WAY, why are you doing it ? There must be some positive points. There certainly are. It comes down to how you want to pursue your career. I also get the point you're making with your list, but know that most of those aren't exclusive to 9-5 jobs, or don't hold true in some cases. Two points in particular: - I wasn't able to cite work from my first year as a full time freelancer in my portfolio. The company I was contracting with at the time didn't allow it. However, I was able to include the side projects I had completed when I was a full time employee. - Some consulting or freelance gigs have a 100% on-site requirement. A full time job I passed on last year was 100% telecommute.

timjahn 14y ago

"So many developers think their craft is enough to succeed as a freelancer or consultant; the truth is quite the opposite." Couldn't agree more. When you become a freelance developer, you are no longer ONLY a developer. You're customer service, sales, accounting, business development, and so much more. Coding is now a portion of what you do, not ALL you do. I actually recently started matchist (http://matchist.com/talent http://matchist.com/talent) to take care of the "constantly finding clients" aspect that I remember from my days as a freelancer. We find you quality work that will pay you on time, every time (because we also facilitate the payment process).

manveru 14y ago
To save you the trip to the site, unfortunately it's only for US devs.
Buzaga 14y ago
"I am based in United States" checkbox that gives a validation error... that's rude. Next time just go on and hardcode an alert box stating that your product is for North American Citizens only, please.

31reasons 14y ago

> Freelancing/consulting is harder than a 9-5 salary job, in every way If its harder in EVERY WAY, why are you doing it ? There must be some positive points. 9-5 could be harder in following ways: 1. Annoying co-workers and/or boss. 2. Office politics 3. No enough pay and/or credit for your work 4. Not able to telecommute 5. Can't build your own portfolio 6. Can't get paid for overtime 7. You could get fired anytime 8. Don't get opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills 9. You can't choose your projects 10. Don't have to refresh Linked List and DFS every time you go for an interview (for software jobs).

ams6110 14y ago
Harder does not necessarily imply less rewarding.
mzarate06 14y ago
If its harder in EVERY WAY, why are you doing it ? There must be some positive points. There certainly are. It comes down to how you want to pursue your career. I also get the point you're making with your list, but know that most of those aren't exclusive to 9-5 jobs, or don't hold true in some cases. Two points in particular: - I wasn't able to cite work from my first year as a full time freelancer in my portfolio. The company I was contracting with at the time didn't allow it. However, I was able to include the side projects I had completed when I was a full time employee. - Some consulting or freelance gigs have a 100% on-site requirement. A full time job I passed on last year was 100% telecommute.