Programming is a career that allows you to work as a self-employed through freelancing allowing you to work independently and flexibly. A programmer like you can easily start a freelancing career if takes a specified and defined path. In this article, we will discuss in detail the exact path you should take to start your career as a freelance programmer and achieve a great height.
Step 1: Make A Complete Roadmap
Starting your freelancing journey without having a proper roadmap can prove dangerous in your journey. First, fix a specific goal that you want to achieve which will help you to track your progress. Set the goals such as the client type you want to work with, the project you want to take, and the timeline in which you want to achieve your goals. Also, keep some funds with you that will help you to sustain in this journey until you start hitting clients.
If you don’t set your goals and don’t make you roadmap, you won’t be able to track your growth and eventually leads to waste of your precious time.
Step 2: Learn The Skills You Want To Start Freelancing
a) Choose the programming skill: How will you do the project if you don’t have any skills? So, the very first step in freelancing is knowing how the work is to be done if given the opportunity. Your work really influences your next clients hence it’s your responsibility to give them better results. And for this, you really should know the programming skills with which you are working.
Some of the most popular and demanded skills in programming fields are Website Development (MERN or MEAN Stack), Android Development (React Native or Swift), Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (Python and TensorFlow), etc.
b) Build a Strong Portfolio That Speaks For You:
You must have heard “The first impression is the last impression”. The same is true with freelancing, the first thing Client sees before giving you their project is your portfolio. Your portfolio tells everything about you. The client will give you their projects only when they make sure you are capable of doing it.
How to make a strong portfolio for freelancing?
i) Show your previous work: Add your recent work that you have done. And if you don’t have one then create your project and showcase the results of that work.
ii) Create a Personal Portfolio Website: Attach your personal portfolio website. It helps the client to know in detail about you. Add your skills, work experience, projects, etc.
iii) Mark the project’s value you provided: Highlight the project’s value that you have worked on. Mention a short description of each project specifying your role in that project and what you contributed using which technologies to create what impact.
Believe me, I personally tried these all points to make my robust portfolio for freelancing and it made a great impact as a Freelance Programmer.
Step 3: Create Profiles on Platforms as a Freelance Programmer
Freelance Platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toptal, Guru, etc. are very good platforms from where you can approach your clients. These platforms are a great way to find clients and gain momentum in your freelancing journey as a freelance programmer.
First, create your online account on these platforms and optimize your profile. Make sure to highlight your strengths and skills you have and projects you have worked on. Use keywords related to your skills such as “website developer“, “Data Science” or “AI/ML Developer” etc. to find the clients aligned with your skills.
Step 4: Build A Client Network
Building a client network can boost your freelancing journey. Though it is most challenging for a beginner once initialized it becomes most rewarding. How? Let’s see: Once you stand somewhere after completing multiple projects, your previous clients will again approach you with new projects and they will refer their friends and people to you, helping you to get more clients. This will happen only if you do their project with their requirements.
Conclusion: Becoming a freelance programmer gives you the freedom to work without any boss. It sounds easy but it’s challenging when you start it but once you give your full potential, you will achieve it. It’s not about starting freelance, it’s about keeping yourself positive and working consistently even if the odds are not in your favor. Remember: “Many start but few continue”
Learn why you should start coding and boost your career by following this link.
You’ve managed to turn simple words into something profound, making this more than just a read — it’s an experience.
Thank you very much sir for your reply. You appreciation really boosted my motivation & energy.