What is the Freelancer's Cycle?

Many aspiring web designers and developers are interested in starting a freelance business. In this video, I go through the steps of developing a freelance career ... with a few tips added in.
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Thanks!
Stef
#freelancing #freelancer

[@vladimirpetroski7089]

In the past I would say that I'm 2 and half years too late to the game, but your advice is so timeless that I'm changing my tune. I'm currently learning web dev in a bootcamp and I already know I wanna be a freelancer by the end of next year by following and buying your courses. You're the best Stef!

[@iphoneography]

Funnily enough, I just wrote a post on my website about "How Do You Calculate What You’re Worth?" because some people have in the past questioned why I charge so much. Works out, I've been cutting myself short, and will increase my rate on Jan1. Recently completed 55 hours work over 4 nights and there's tons where that came from. I was never mentored, and learned everything myself. With more than 10 years with WordPress, I'm now in the position like you said in the video. It was painfully hard in the beginning, but my Mrs believed in me, and allowed me the time to grow. I've got a few nights worth of work to go, then I'll take the month off. You can earn really good money if you do things right. Listen to Stefan, he's right on the mark.

[@mavrosyvannah]

Freelance since 97. You reminded me that you want to enjoy it for a while and stop thinking about selling your time. By 99 I was a web director with hundreds of web masters working for me.

[@OscarFonsecaQ]

Ey Stefan, your glasses seems to reflect a ruby gem ;)

[@StefanMischook]

LOL!

[@michaelplaxico]

You’re a cool dude, Stefan. Thank you for this channel.

[@StefanMischook]

Thanks. Welcome.

[@drewmachine]

Great advice Stefan! I've been following you for some time and the information you present here really clicks with my beliefs. I want to add some stuff to what you just said and that is: networking is important ! I found out recently that you can get opportunities from places you wouldn't even believe... like reddit. The strategy I applied first was to ask some of my friends if they had any acquaintances from the US, Canada or Australia, the reason being that obviously in these countries the financial potential for a project is a lot greater than from Ukraine for example and I started getting all these references to people that work there. Secondly, I approached online channels that are around freelancing/working online/remote jobs on Facebook and Reddit, and after checking out a few subreddit posts and sending some messages, I got in contact with a guy that lives here in Romania that is also a freelancer and we talked about technologies and how awesome it would be to form like a mastermind group to support each other with info and opportunities, and one thing led to another and 5 minutes later the guy added me in a facebook chat group that was exactly that, I was stunned by the mere spontaneity of the result! So you guys that are reading this comment open your eyes wide open, expect opportunity, think about opportunity and it will just unveil itself just like that. Btw, Stefan, I would be delighted to get in touch with you if you're ok with that ! :) (P.S. Don't worry, I'm not a Ruby developer)

[@fahmiinabdullah]

That sounds great! Glad you got that opportunity to find outside clients. Just as a side thought, are your clients in the chat group looking for complex development or are they also open to small projects like landing pages and websites? I'm also currently in the process of figuring out how to nab some people from outside my country.

[@drewmachine]

@@fahmiinabdullah both

[@StefanMischook]

Hmm ... KZbin is slow to process the HD version of this video.

[@EmadApple]

Stefan Mischook make the new youtube #steftube app :)

[@dancruz7845]

Hey Stef... I am studying to be a full stack developer. I understand that PHP and Wordpress are big for freelance which is my long term goal however Ive decided to go full Javascript because I'm enjoying the language and I already have the hang of it. I've done some Node and MongoDB still learning. Heres my question... I want to be able to build sites with a blog and a store which many people want both. I also love the creative aspect of designing unique sites. So that said... How can I decide between JAM Stack vs something like MERN or MEAN Stack? Please help... what should I consider!? Thanks love your vlogs!

[@sicariushahni5366]

Use frameworks. Build it once, use it in all projects.

[@tr233]

Stefan in Germany we freelancers have difficult situation , the bureaucracy in Germany make it all difficult its like in Germany you obligated to have more then one client at same time and if government beraucrats will find out that you working for only one client , you will be fined with large fee which make you business very, very risky

[@macksoneh]

The problem with today's work environment (in 2019) is that after you are done with day's work, you have no energy left to do anything. I can definitely see the gradual transition strategy had worked well in the 90s, but not in 2019.

[@SteelerY360Nation]

macksoneh - That’s WHY I started working part-time years ago. But I don’t have kids or spouse, so it’s easier for me

[@MrBubbagump58]

Back to your videos. I've missed them. Caught the "Bob's your Uncle". I'm also back to reviewing your Web Development Course. I'll have to get my Raspberry Pi Server back up in running for the PHP and mySQL part of your course.

[@SteelerY360Nation]

Excellent Video! 👍🙏👏. I’m definitely signing up for your Freelancing Course!

[@dusanvelimirovic8474]

Stefan, I really like your videos. Greetings from Serbia!!

[@StefanMischook]

Hi!

[@thangpham6385]

Really love your chanel and thanks for your informations . Btw, I getting to learn Git and Github, can you do a video about that.

[@r3n736]

2:33 did you see that ghost car!

[@rocktulip3479]

OMG! Ghosts are real xD

[@SumitSharma-jv5lw]

Thanks Stefan Again an awesome video , hits on target !! . I have one question , how to get clients , please answer

[@ChristofferEricsater]

Everyone say I should forget about running my own company and just get a job for the state/or municipal governmental departments as a webb developer when I finished my courses... though, I feel in my fingers I wanna be a free-lancer... hard to know how to start the right way though, how to Find ones first client!? How to tell them in a good way, they are my first ones!? Without sounding like an amateur and get paid too little but also not sound like one know it all and take over-prices!? ☝🏻🙄🤔 how to balance a good start?

[@ibraheemkolawole7933]

A good thing to keep in mind, NEVER listen to what everyone says. Do what you want to do.

[@saibotblack]

I suggest to tell the truth, that your are starting your business und why not start with lower prices for your first client(s). So you can collect some projects for your portfolio and then later you can increase your price easyly .

[@imasskicked]

I think there's a bit of luck involved. I managed to land clients through linkedin, and one because i was ghost coding for someone and the CEO reached me. Just be active on freelancer platform (i'm on codementor.io, upwork), never lower your price just because the client will have more work for you later on, if you post for a job don't send a template but take the time to select the kind of job you want and send a more personalized cover letter. I never really needed a personal website but i know it helped some friends to land some offers. It's long time process, i started 1 year and half ago as part time, making few hundred bucks a month on the side, then it just took off since august (when i quit my job). Patience is key, few mistakes on the road to learn, don't accept anything, and if you send estimates try to make a good balance dont be too greedy.

[@Krblkn]

Coolest guy for advises :)

[@chiquitocastaneda2851]

Hi Stefan, as always a good informative video but as always I have one question... When you are freelancing and you build a site for someone are you responsible for the hosting security and updates??? Chiquito...

[@chiquitocastaneda2851]

Stefan, how come you won't answer my question but you will someone else's??? Chiquito...

[@saibotblack]

Hi, it depends on the project. In most case when the project is hosted by an "offical" webhoster you are not responsible for the security. For the updates e.g with wordpress you can communicate this to your client and make an agreement or your client will do it herself. I hope this would helps you a little bit.

[@chiquitocastaneda2851]

Thank you @@saibotblack, it your opinion does help but the article is about Freelancing and I want to know what are best pratices... If I suggest a site to a potential client and I end up building a website #1. Do I host it??? #2. If he doesn't know how to use a computer or any type of coding, di I host it??? And if I host it what are my responsibilites??? Chiquito...

Hi Stef, Could you talk about how you do your pricing and how it evolves from your first freelance project to your latest project? I find it hard to price a project, especially when I know a good technical solution in regards to the client budget but I don't have the dev skills yet. How do you sale a higher price, that is fair to the freelancer, to the client even if he hasn't quite the budget? Thanks!

[@krisztianfeher5665]

Hi Stefan, do the you think you could do a video about part time working as a remote employee or a freelancer? There is so little information about it out there, most people just want to work 12+ hours a day. I just find it extremely unnatural. 4 hour work a day or 20 hours a week sounds much better!

[@nagiyagoub212]

Hi Stefan, I really love you and all the content that you provide because it really help me and i feel that this is the way i want to go on, i just have one question .. i am a teaching assistance in a university but i really love all about freelancing and dont want continue as teacher because of poor salaries, I start doing some projects for people that i know, but in many times i feel that i have to work in a software company in order to know more about development lifecycle, contracts fiancial issues, dealing with customers, marketting and saling and negotiation skills and other stuffs related to companies and how they operate .. this questions really put much of pressure upon me, wish if you can help me .. Thanx

[@rocktulip3479]

You don't have too, but it could be benefitical. I remember in one of his videos (Don't remember which one!) that it would be best to go straight into freelancing, as you would be in charge of everything, unlike a industry where you're not; you're only in charge of one task. I would say the best combo would be to get into the industry (if you have a chance!), and work freelance in your sparetime; you could perhaps take inspiration from the companies' operations (if you can explore), evolving your own business until you're ready to leave - going full-time. I've certainly done a lot of research, but I'm not experienced (I'm only 17; learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from the ground up), so don't take this as the absolute answer, it's just what I believe based off the information I've recieved; Stefan would have much more to say than me. Best of luck.

[@toddboothbee1361]

Stefan, a friend wants to go freelance for all the good reasons, but she's nervous about the customer face-to-face part. She'd been in a fire and is highly disfigured--no way to hide this apart from Hollywood makeup artists. Is it likely she'll be able to freelance, outsource her client interaction, say?

[@saibotblack]

I think if he have very great problems with that he should outsource this. On the other side of he is great in his job then this should be irrelevant.

[@danielrousseau6541]

I was looking to see if you have a video on how to market yourself as a freelancer? I am currently working on my first django based website for a client. I'm just wondering how to get more work after this. Because I got this one from word of mouth. Thanks EDIT : I'm buying the freelancer course

[@StefanMischook]

I teach this in the freelance course. Thanks for picking it up! Oh yes, now that I am weeks away from hitting 100K subs, I am planning on really focusing in on the freelancing topic and mentoring. News to come.

[@aminator1]

Hey Stefan, when are you ready to freelance? Im a Computer Science undergrad, i know have skills, but i dont know what to freelance, i guess i don't feel "ready" and dont have a plan or i have some fear.

[@musabayasra7138]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I would like to ask you a question if you don’t mind: I have been doing programming for more than four years but on my personal projects (which I tried to use to start my own business) and not for clients. I have had a wide exposure to different programming languages during that time, and now I am trying to focus on backend development. I don’t have experience in backend development (I am learning now), and to work for others, as you mentioned, I need to build my reputation. To do this, what I am thinking of is to work under the umbrella of a guru freelancer who has many jobs and needs another freelancer to work for him. My question is: is that possible? do have any advice? Thanks

[@sicariushahni5366]

Go first learn design patterns and frameworks first.

[@kareemsakr4603]

Hi Stef, I am a developer moving to Canada soon (from the UAE), would you recommend starting in Canada as a freelancer right away or get a job first? Which cities would you recommend for freelancers?Any general tips, greatly appreciated, thanks.

[@stellaamito3204]

I like your video

[@vado4003]

Should I develop a brand of my own name or of a business name? (E.g., John Smith vs 42Design Studio)

[@user-yz4iy4kc6p]

I recommend your name. Build your personal brand

Ever diminishing circles.

[@baraldanny]

You need to move to a place the sun comes out at least once a year.

[@StefanMischook]

True. I de-saturate my videos when recording, and usually boost in the edit ... I didn't push it much this time.

[@baraldanny]

The dead tree behind you... good Halloween timing but kinda depressing. But again, I live in San Diego.

[@santareviews]

A San Diegan telling a Montrealer that Canadian weather in November is depressing. That’s like a rich person telling a homeless person that their poverty frustrates them, but that their clothes are ok if it was Halloween. Dude.

[@toddboothbee1361]

Daniel Barale What makes you think the tree's dead? Maybe it's "sleeping" for the winter.

[@user-mc5kw4ch6v]

Should i freelance from a 3rd world country will i be considered as someone less trusted?

[@StefanMischook]

Develop trust by establishing a good rep on a freelance site.

[@cecilelebleu5984]

Absolutely not! I've been freelancing from a 3rd world country for about 3-4 years now, and while it has its ups and downs -as for any freelancer anywhere- it's great. No client or contact has ever said anything about where I live, because the quality of my portfolio and my work is speaking for me. Always maintain good communication and a positive and professional outlook, and clients will trust you. Working at a distance has its challenges, since some people like to meet face-to-face, have a talk, and get a "feel" of who they're hiring before actually stepping into a work relationship, so communicating effectively is number 1. Additionally, in my opinion, if someone thinks I'm (or my work is) somehow "inferior" because of where I live, I'm not interested in working with them. People who are disrespectful of anything -gender, location, looks, languages spoken, etc- usually don't make good clients anyway. Good luck, and work hard!

[@dscheme4427]

Don't watch this, just study ruby

[@mayank_upadhyay_19]

Seeing Stefan getting old.

[@StefanMischook]

Getting old? I'm already 89 years old!! Don't tell my millennial girlfriend! ;)