Hacker News Reader

Comment by chvid | Hacker News Reader

This is one of those; if you gotta ask then it is a bad idea.

Successful freelancing requires a network of contacts that provide you work.

If you don't have that network it is unfortunately a race to the bottom where you have to rely on recruiters/brokers or worse internet freelance websites where you compete on price with students and people in low cost countries like India, Bangladesh, former Soviet union ...

You are better off getting a regular job or put in extra effort at the job you already have. And then expand your network over time.

View on HN

With that logic, no one would ever become a freelancer. I started freelancing when I was 15yrs old. My portfolio was just toy projects that I did for fun. I found my first client on a forum that had a topic for posting gigs, I used the same rate that people discussed on another section of the forum which was $50/hr. If I had a corporate work history I could've easily charged more, it was a legit company. Then I found success on Craigslist (80% of the posts are terrible but there is good stuff there).

With that said, I agree you shouldn't rely on it for your main income at first which you seem to be suggesting. The OP said he just needs quick cash though.

Just giving some though love here ...

You (+ people in general) focus on hourly rates but do not factor in how much time you have spent landing that gig.

Looking at totals the general statement holds: If you don't have a network you are better off being an employee.

You can grow your network as an employee though.

Yes, I understand your view. But we all have to start somewhere - I suppose my starting point is likely going to be low end jobs on low end freelancing sites, as I have zero network and zero online presence.

Yes. Run it like any other business. Networking is only one source of lead generation.

It goes without saying you need to be well versed in what you do. You can’t charge people for you to learn.

Using AWS as an example - re:Invent is a great conference to generate business. There are always industry conferences where you can build your network.

Be helpful on mailing lists, participate in forums, participate in open source. A public body of work goes a long way.

> This is one of those; if you gotta ask then it is a bad idea.

No it's not. For example, I have an ongoing collaborative relationship with a coder I originally hired on Toptal, paying them a commission for the first year of working together per their TOS.

This guy has a whole portfolio of clients he met the same way. I've sent work his way from others who needed a dev with his skills.

Freelancing platforms work great as business development tools so you can start building a client franchise that, depending on the TOS involved, will no longer need the middleman after one year.

The idea that a network of professional contacts is highly important to building a career as a freelancer is true; the fact that consulting platforms can help you build that network is also true.

It is possible to get good quality clients without an existing network. You will need a very strong portfolio website and do a bunch of cold emailing though.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com