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Ask HN: How do I get started working for myself?

13 points by ask_throwaway 12y ago

Hi, After working at an agency for years, I'm starting to feel the burnout. I have a couple of side projects that are starting to be profitable, but still not enough that I could quit my day job. I also have a lot of requests for freelance gigs that I just don't have the time to do because it would interfere with my full time job and family time. Between side projects and freelance work, I feel that I should be able to keep up the same income level. I have been thinking about this for a long time, I just can't get myself to make the decision and get started with this. I love working on my side projects and that's something that really keeps me going. I am looking for any books, blog posts or alike with people who have been in a similar situation as me. "How do I get started?" Thanks!

paulhauggis 12y ago
How much money do you have in savings? I had about 8 months of savings before I quit.
- ask_throwaway 12y ago
  I have roughly 4 months of savings right now, if worst comes to worst. Obviously there more the better, but I am not sure if I'm going to be able to last another 4 months here :)
iamben 12y ago
I did it with less than 4 months savings. Had a pretty good credit card though ;-) Seriously, just jump when you're ready. It helps if you have at least one client or job lined up (helps placate the anxiety) and you're getting out to meetups or places you can meet potential clients / source work. I'm not sure of your industry, but for me the months following Christmas are always a little lean - busy before and it picks up about March. Just bear that in mind. Good luck!
jthttk 12y ago
I've been following a guy that shares his income and outgo about marketing online. He's created some things and seems to be doing well for himself now. Check him out at http://mikefrommaine.com/ http://mikefrommaine.com/
slajax 12y ago
Just do it. Whats the worst that can happen? You'll have to get another job? Trust me, you will regret not doing it more then you will regret trying and failing.
marketingadvice 12y ago
Follow the initial framework of 4 Hour Work Week if you really can't take the jump otherwise. Basically imagine the worst case after planning and then work backwards from there. Solve or think about how bad each aspect of your worst case would be . Chances are it's really not that bad, so jump in! The alternative could be something like I do. I work full time and work on side projects after work. I have a VA that does the heavy lifting for me so when I get home after work I can make efficient use of my 2 hours/night. I did this due to visa sponsoring I have to do in the coming year, after the visa has cleared I plan on getting out of the employee scene. I used my consistent salary to cover extra VA costs to build lists of people I can target to become clients, so many, many phone calls and emails will ensue after making the leap.
mapster 12y ago
burnout you say? take a vacation. Burnout will be 10x faster when you not only need to do 8hr work but also marketing, client development, accounting, etc. etc. Side projects are the spice of life for tinkerers, but don't make the mistake of the 'grass is greener on the other side'.
- ask_throwaway 12y ago
  This really got me thinking... Burnout might not be the right term to use in this case. My biggest issue right now is that I feel like I'm not learning enough and I'm not using my full potential. My biggest skills and interests are building native iOS and Android apps as well as hardware hacking. At my 9-5 I do neither of these, I get to do semi-big custom web apps but much of it usually ends up being wrapped in WordPress. Sigh.
  - mapster 12y ago
    You sounds very skilled and possibly feeling under-utilized. Have you given freelancing for projects of the sort that interest you?
    - ask_throwaway 12y ago
      I have tried. But I'm now married and have beautiful daughter. So I don't really have time to freelance outside work hours any more.
      - mapster 12y ago
        I understand. I also have children. I run my own web dev firm and put in ~10hrs a day, so consider the many blessings of job that ends at 5pm :)
        somona 12y ago
        How did you get started with web dev firm? How much experience did you have before making the jump? Just curious. My big plan for the future is to run a web dev firm and build products on the side like 37signals.
saluki 12y ago
Consulting/Freelancing full time is hard . . . you're finding work, doing the work, invoicing, etc . . . It is fun some of the time, meeting new people, new projects but revenue is always up and down. I would check out podcasts, books and articles by . . . Brennan Dunn (Double your freelance rate) Patio11 Rob Walling (Startupsfortherestofus.com)

mapster 12y ago
I learned as I went. I actually do more than web dev: maps, web maps, data analysis, GIS, so the projects from month to month can be diverse and interesting. I always bite off more than I can chew and it works, otherwise you stagnate. In the early years I tried adwords and other forms of passive advertising to some success. What really works is making connections. I think people make a big thing out of word of mouth, but this is not a business plan, so don't count on that. Instead you do great work, have a solid/simple web portfolio of what you do/work examples/contact and be seen/heard as much as possible. Eventually you will come across a project or problem that you can provide a consistent solution/tool for. I think that is a great benefit of consulting - exposure to the world of real-world needs, not imaginary. Last point - don't sell yourself short; don't undercharge for your service. Have a good excuse/reason as to why you charge what you do: great work, great support, no tricks or gimmicks, etc. Your dream is a good one. I wish you well in 2015!

dutchrapley 12y ago

Bored is the word you're looking for. We have all been there. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes it doesn't. Some people are barely capable of doing the same thing day in and day out, year after year. For them, ignorance is bliss. Others strive to constantly learn, push themselves, and seek opportunities in the challenges that new stacks and projects bring. If you don't see the situation getting better, you need to find a new employer. Find one where you aren't the smartest person on the team, one that will challenge you, one where you can adopt a mentor, and one where you can hone your skills. I realize this in itself can be challenging. If you're in a metro area of > 1 million people, it's much easier than if you're living in a smaller city ~250,000. Network, go to meetups, attend open hacks, meet people. More often than not, there are a great deal of job opportunities that never get advertised to the usual channels. Making new connections will help you discover new opportunities. If you're not learning enough, that's not your employer's fault, it's yours; unless you're working late every night and on the weekends for your employer (if you are, find new job). If it's important, you will find the time. Game of Thrones and Call of Duty can always wait. Practice your craft, constantly. I realize it may not be possible to do this daily, but try every other day. Set aside time, i.e. 8 PM to 10 PM, or 5 AM to 7 AM (whatever works best). On the weekend, try to carve out a 5 hour block on either Saturday or Sunday. Communicate with your partner why this is important to you. It may not have immediate benefits, but in the long run it will. Commitment and discipline are the most important character traits to have as you endeavor upon this journey. Here's some other advice I gave nearly 3 years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3693261