Thank you. Great insights! My first website job I didn't know how to write HTML or create graphics or anything. I could sketch, on paper. I proposed a website design and sketched a logo. I got the job. I spent half my time teaching myself how to do it, then the other half of my time doing it. I only charged for my time doing it. Later down the road, what messed me up was not projecting how long a project was going to take, and not valuing my time enough, not charging enough.
Oh yeah dude. Estimates and determining the right price are the hardest skills to manage and finesse. I hope it hasn’t crushed your confidence! Keep it up!
I’ve been contemplating about jumping into freelance. I have 4 years of professional work experience in swe and I really enjoy working on different projects and learning new things whether that be non-tech or tech related. However, I feel like I’m not ready. I need more savings to fall back on incase if this doesn’t work out and I will be competing with off-shoring swe work which tends to be way cheaper, and quality of such work is getting better. This makes me feel like I’m at a disadvantage since I will ask for higher pay given that my residency is in the USA.
Of course. A couple things: you do NOT have to do it full time right away. I did 3-4 years of nights and weekends work before going full time Savings is a golden idea, I didn’t do it and it caused a lot of stress Anyone who has managed offshore talent (I have) knows that even with cheap rates, there is a lot of pain and stress with working with that talent. Local work still provides so much value.
@@cody_codes_youtube thank you for your response and sharing your experience. I’ll definitely consider going part-time. You make a good point about local talent providing more value. Some that come to mind is proximity to clients or more accessible, closer time zones, and perhaps effective communication. Have you made a video about negotiating job rates? I am interested how freelancers come up with rates before taking any work.
@@nowisdumb9773 I have talked about it, but it is a hard thing to narrow down. It depends on many factors, both personal and business level. Shoot me an email and we can talk more, and I can also source some ideas for a video on the topic!
How can i get good at python coding ? Im new to it and i find it difficult when i get problems to solve in class. Im currently studying for bsc. In computing information systems
It’s the same as anything, which is the more you practice, the better you’ll get. And the more problems you run into, the more you can overcome them. ChatGPT is GREAT for answering questions about software and languages. I hope that helps!
I got an ecommerce website project last year and from the beginning every part was very clear, their part was to send me the images, texts, CTAs, products. However, my work sometimes is hindered since i don't have those images, texts, CTAs and produts to add to the website. They take a little too long to get that for me and every month they bring part of the data i need to finish the website. So as of now, i have been stuck on this project for almost 9 months and i got fully paid for the project's price on the 3rd month. I wonder how to deal with that once i get more clients. Do you have any tips on that?
It sounds like there is a bit of miscommunication between you and the client, as a result of the initial requirements, and ongoing maintenance. My advice would to have a gentle level-setting conversation. If there are things that you did not clearly establish in the first contract, then bring that up, or if they are violating expectations from the contract then bring that up too. Or if there is anything that’s no longer working, just sit down and make sure your voice is heard. Hey man, these are just people. They want some stuff done, and you want to be paid for that work. So talk about it. It doesn’t have to be combative, but you do have to speak up about your situation. There’s also no reason for you to never “recalibrate” at sometimes to update your rates and expectations. The important thing is to constantly treat people and clients like people and trying to make their lives easier. That’ll take you a long way!
Ive never been the sales type. I relied on the strategy of learning what was in high demand and letting them come to me. I wish I could have cultivated a salesman mentality earlier on.
It’s never too late, honestly. Sometimes it just takes a different framing. Like calling it salesman mentality turns some people off. Sometimes if we think it’s like making friends, that’s better
@@cody_codes_youtube that's a good way to view it. I think the reason I've always resisted it is because I hate being pitched to, so I never wanted to feel like I was annoying people the way salesmen annoyed me lol.
@@StTrina 10000%. And that’s because salespeople who make you feel like that, are bad salespeople. The best are ones that genuinely try to get to know you and only pitch you if they think it’ll close a deal. Same thing about selling yourself. You can have a normal conversation and just insert small facts about yourself or what you do, and that’s a more subtle way of selling yourself. You don’t have to have a presentation about how dope you are, but it’s good to practice at least talking about cool things you’ve done, in a non lame way.
Maybe. It’s totally possible, it’s just down to your willingness to take risk. The hardest part won’t be the work, probably, but finding clients willing to trust that you can do the job. The more evidence you have in your resume and portfolio to convince a client to take you on, the better.
Thank you. Great insights!
My first website job I didn't know how to write HTML or create graphics or anything. I could sketch, on paper. I proposed a website design and sketched a logo. I got the job. I spent half my time teaching myself how to do it, then the other half of my time doing it. I only charged for my time doing it.
Later down the road, what messed me up was not projecting how long a project was going to take, and not valuing my time enough, not charging enough.
Oh yeah dude. Estimates and determining the right price are the hardest skills to manage and finesse. I hope it hasn’t crushed your confidence! Keep it up!
Most of the time freelancing has been more about setting the expectation for the work than how skillful you are. Great video!
Very true. And that can also be said about full time jobs too!
I’ve been contemplating about jumping into freelance. I have 4 years of professional work experience in swe and I really enjoy working on different projects and learning new things whether that be non-tech or tech related. However, I feel like I’m not ready. I need more savings to fall back on incase if this doesn’t work out and I will be competing with off-shoring swe work which tends to be way cheaper, and quality of such work is getting better. This makes me feel like I’m at a disadvantage since I will ask for higher pay given that my residency is in the USA.
Of course. A couple things:
you do NOT have to do it full time right away. I did 3-4 years of nights and weekends work before going full time
Savings is a golden idea, I didn’t do it and it caused a lot of stress
Anyone who has managed offshore talent (I have) knows that even with cheap rates, there is a lot of pain and stress with working with that talent. Local work still provides so much value.
@@cody_codes_youtube thank you for your response and sharing your experience. I’ll definitely consider going part-time. You make a good point about local talent providing more value. Some that come to mind is proximity to clients or more accessible, closer time zones, and perhaps effective communication.
Have you made a video about negotiating job rates? I am interested how freelancers come up with rates before taking any work.
@@nowisdumb9773 I have talked about it, but it is a hard thing to narrow down. It depends on many factors, both personal and business level. Shoot me an email and we can talk more, and I can also source some ideas for a video on the topic!
@@cody_codes_youtube awesome! I’ll shoot you an email.
Great advice!!
Thanks dude!
How can i get good at python coding ? Im new to it and i find it difficult when i get problems to solve in class. Im currently studying for bsc. In computing information systems
It’s the same as anything, which is the more you practice, the better you’ll get. And the more problems you run into, the more you can overcome them. ChatGPT is GREAT for answering questions about software and languages. I hope that helps!
I got an ecommerce website project last year and from the beginning every part was very clear, their part was to send me the images, texts, CTAs, products. However, my work sometimes is hindered since i don't have those images, texts, CTAs and produts to add to the website. They take a little too long to get that for me and every month they bring part of the data i need to finish the website. So as of now, i have been stuck on this project for almost 9 months and i got fully paid for the project's price on the 3rd month.
I wonder how to deal with that once i get more clients. Do you have any tips on that?
It sounds like there is a bit of miscommunication between you and the client, as a result of the initial requirements, and ongoing maintenance. My advice would to have a gentle level-setting conversation. If there are things that you did not clearly establish in the first contract, then bring that up, or if they are violating expectations from the contract then bring that up too. Or if there is anything that’s no longer working, just sit down and make sure your voice is heard. Hey man, these are just people. They want some stuff done, and you want to be paid for that work. So talk about it. It doesn’t have to be combative, but you do have to speak up about your situation.
There’s also no reason for you to never “recalibrate” at sometimes to update your rates and expectations. The important thing is to constantly treat people and clients like people and trying to make their lives easier. That’ll take you a long way!
@@cody_codes_youtube thank you so much! Your content is very helpful and great advice
@@MDKohaku I meant you SHOULD consider recalibrating rates and offerings to the customer! I am sometimes bad with words!
I appreciate the Tangible advice that you give
You’re welcome my friend!
Ive never been the sales type. I relied on the strategy of learning what was in high demand and letting them come to me. I wish I could have cultivated a salesman mentality earlier on.
It’s never too late, honestly. Sometimes it just takes a different framing. Like calling it salesman mentality turns some people off. Sometimes if we think it’s like making friends, that’s better
@@cody_codes_youtube that's a good way to view it. I think the reason I've always resisted it is because I hate being pitched to, so I never wanted to feel like I was annoying people the way salesmen annoyed me lol.
@@StTrina 10000%. And that’s because salespeople who make you feel like that, are bad salespeople. The best are ones that genuinely try to get to know you and only pitch you if they think it’ll close a deal. Same thing about selling yourself. You can have a normal conversation and just insert small facts about yourself or what you do, and that’s a more subtle way of selling yourself. You don’t have to have a presentation about how dope you are, but it’s good to practice at least talking about cool things you’ve done, in a non lame way.
I am a beginner. and I am only learning SWE. Can beginners who have built a few projects jump in to freelance and suceed?
Maybe. It’s totally possible, it’s just down to your willingness to take risk. The hardest part won’t be the work, probably, but finding clients willing to trust that you can do the job. The more evidence you have in your resume and portfolio to convince a client to take you on, the better.
Is it possible to make individually 1000 dollars per hour as a software engineer
Yeah, the ceiling is almost unlimited. You found my other video where I talk about what I know! Thanks for watching
I clicked on the video, I must be interested in freelance software engineering 🤔
Phew I don’t need to be the best, lookin’ good so far
Welp, being able to say no, still working on that, maybe some day 😢
@@ByronAnderson32 I miss you buddy. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!
PS thumbnail Cody is definitely ready, I can see it in his expression
@@ByronAnderson32 thanks dude! Haha. Also: you have typically been one of the best when we worked together.