I've been working professionally for about five years as a full stack developer, and I've got a solid background in cloud, design, and deployment. I'm really eager to dive into freelancing, but I'm struggling to navigate this crowded market filled with cheap web builders and freelancers. I love web development, but I need advice on how to effectively find clients who would benefit from my skills, like custom API integrations and design mockups in Figma. I've been thinking about creating proof of concepts or MVPs for startups. What do you guys think?
2 Answers
A smart way to break into freelancing is to grab some short-term contracts, around 3-6 months. Deliver high-quality work, and you'll naturally start to build connections. This way, companies might come to you for help instead of going through recruiters. Otherwise, you could end up in a cycle of clients wanting a ton of work for very little pay, or trying to get you to work for equity that rarely pays off.
It’s crucial to target clients looking for web applications instead of just websites. The tough part is actually finding those clients. Consider reaching out to web dev or design agencies; they might need extra support with their overflow of work.
I think that's a solid approach! I’ll start reaching out to agencies; it could really open some doors for me.
How exactly can I find these 3-6 month contracts? Recruiters often reach out for full-time gigs or lengthy contracts. Is it even feasible to find shorter projects on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork?