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Business

Ben Morse
Ben Morse
6,068 Points

Looking for advice on starting as a freelancer.

I have started my freelance career about 6 months ago. I wanted to do websites, phone apps, and hopefully make indie games. I have done a website for a non-profit organization who help Veterans with PTSD. I wasn't expecting to get paid until they wanted to hire me permanently. I was to continue doing what i was doing plus teach a class. Well a few months later, they didn't deliver what they said they would do which was to pay me, so I left because I can't pay bills on promises. They were kind enough to write a letter of recommendation for my service. So it wasn't a total lost on that part.

But I'm at a lost at the moment. I have reached out to a few freelancers about asking for advice or having a mentor. I haven't heard back from them in weeks, but I figured I try to reach out here on Treehouse to see about getting advice on freelancing. I have built a personal website, but still in a working process. I have thought about getting business cards to pass around locally.

Any advice or help on getting myself out there? I would really love for this to work out. Until then I just keep doing the lessons on Treehouse, and reading the stack of books i have about coding.

Thanks in advice :)

2 Answers

You should look into online freelance communities like ODesk - https://www.odesk.com/

They can be a great way to get started especially if you aren't in a major city. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ben Morse
Ben Morse
6,068 Points

This is true, I don't live in a big city. I am a bit scare about trying them out because I don't want to be cheated out on something. Like do a good job and but unjustly getting a bad review for something I didn't agree to.. Have you used it? and if so How long and any advice there?

Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia
7,875 Points

Go to local networking events have business cards ready that match your branding Build a proper online persona on social networks Have your portfolio ready and available

Ben Morse
Ben Morse
6,068 Points

So business cards are still a thing. I have followed a few freelance people and watching what they post seems to be unrelated. Like a Unity 3D developer attending a beer event. So i guess what should i project in my persona when building one?