You’re probably interested in making some additional money on the side.
Most likely, if you’re reading this you’re also a software developer.
How can you make an additional $500, $1,000, or even $10,000 more on the side?
Freelance and/or consulting work.
You can do this on the side while you work your current job.
I did it for about 10 years before going full-time as a software development consultant.
Ok, I know, you already know this probably …
Let’s get to the good stuff …
To get that extra $$$ you’re going to need to get some clients.
The #1 thing I get asked other than how much should I charge is …
“I don’t know where to get clients.”
I get this question all the time.
The first thing I do is perform a search for that person’s name on Google. Then I see what comes up …
… or unfortunately and more often …
… what DOESN’T come up.
Meaning …
There’s no search result other than a LinkedIn profile (with no posts) or maybe a Twitter handle (also with no posts).
There’s problem #1.
No one knows who you are or what you can do.
Here’s the thing…
I’m doing what everyone else is going to do when they hear your name – I’m going to Google you.
Let us assume I’m talking to Raveesh (if your name is Raveesh, this is not meant to be directed to you, this is just an example)…
Raveesh is an Android Developer who’s looking to do some freelance work on the side.
He can’t find clients.
When someone hears that Raveesh is a good mobile developer, the first thing they’re likely going to do is Google his name.
If nothing comes back … that’s not good.
Why?
As a business owner, who is going to spend money on your services I want to make sure you know what you’re doing. When there are no search results for you or what you’ve done … that’s a bit of a red flag.
Let us flip that on its head.
Let’s assume I Googled Raveeh’s name, and saw several results:
- An Active Twitter Handle
- A fully fleshed out LinkedIn Profile with posts
- Many blog articles
- A GitHub repository with some sample code
- Maybe a video online of him explaining how to do something in Android/etc.
As a business owner or even hiring manager, this is going to give me a much warmer feel towards Raveesh.
Why?
He has proven that he has some clout in the field.
While he may not be the most senior or best developer in his field, this clout is a form of social insurance that he is in fact what he says he is – an Android developer.
Who would you rather hire?
The person with no online presence or the person with an active online presence?
The person with an online presence.
When I’m hiring for a software developer I want to see what they know what there doing. This could be from a GitHub profile, their blog, videos, etc. When I see this my confidence in the individual goes WAY UP. I want to work with a person like that.
I’m not the only one that feels this way. Almost all business owners act this way.
If you don’t have any online presence, you’re not going to get that much response from prospects.
In other words …
Get known, or get none.
If people know what you can do and are aware of it your chances of finding work go up astronomically.
If no one knows you or knows what you can do, how or why would they reach out to you for freelancing?
Makes sense, right?
What do you do if you don’t have any online presence?
Just start. Share what you know in any way possible.
- Write a blog about something you learned.
- Record a video showing how you fixed/implemented something
- Reach out to open source library and fix a bug or offer to write documentation
- Post on social about what you’re doing with your respective technology
In short – put yourself out there.
When you do this it opens the doors of serendipity that were previously closed.
Do this long enough and clients will start coming to you without you having to do any outreach.
The choice is yours …
So… are you going to “Get known” .. or… “Get none”?
I think the answer is simple. 🙂
If you enjoyed this, you’ll likely enjoy my YouTube channel as well. On my channel, I teach software developers how to start, survive and thrive in freelancing and consulting. Check it out here.
Photo by Drew Beamer