1. Introduction
Hello there!
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing one of two things — either you’re starting your freelancing journey (or thinking about it), or you’re simply looking for a few tips to level up your process.
I’ve been freelancing for over six years now, and in this post, I’ll walk you through some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Honestly, I can’t complain about my freelancing journey — I started mainly for the experience (though the extra cash was definitely a nice bonus). Over time, I gained so much more than I expected: developing creative ideas, improving how I communicate with clients, and picking up skills I might never have learned in a traditional job.
These, for me, are the best parts of freelancing — the experience, flexibility, and continuous learning.
If you’re just starting out, you might like reading How I Started Freelancing as a Developer.
2. Getting Started: Customers
Let’s start with one of the most important parts of freelancing — customers.
To work successfully with clients, there are three main things to understand:
- Finding and securing clients
- Negotiating
- Legal stuff
Finding and Securing Clients
When I first started freelancing, I had no idea where to find clients. So naturally, I tried platforms like Workana and Fiverr.
Did it work? Nope.
Instead, I reached out to my network to see if anyone knew someone looking for a developer. Within two days, I landed my first project — a simple website for a friend of a friend. The client loved my work and recommended me to others, and from that point on, I’ve never been without freelance gigs.
💡 First tip: Don’t underestimate word of mouth and organic reach.
If you need help building your presence, check out How to Build Your Personal Brand as a Developer.
💡 A second tip? Don't necessarily accept your client's idea. They might think they want a mobile app, but after evaluating their needs, a web application could be a better fit. As the specialist, use your expertise (or consult others if needed) to determine the best solution, and consider presenting your recommendations clearly with a professional pitch deck creator.
Negotiating
Now comes one of the most crucial freelancing skills: negotiation.
Clients often want quick answers on budget and timelines, but software projects are notoriously hard to estimate.
Your job? Calm the client down and explain that this is an engineering process that requires careful evaluation before final numbers or dates can be provided.
For extra guidance, here’s How to Negotiate Your Rates as a Freelancer.
Legal Stuff
Even if your client is someone you already know, some form of agreement or contract is essential.
👉 kleampa/not-paid — A script that fades your client’s website a little more every day until they pay you.
3. Project Management and Engineering
As a freelancer, you’re not just writing code — you’re managing the entire project lifecycle.
📅 Plan things out. A study found that projects with clear requirements before development starts are 97% more likely to succeed.
Remember: it’s always better to under-promise and over-deliver.
You might enjoy reading Agile Tips for Solo Developers.
4. I Made a Tool to Help: Founders Kit
Introducing Founders Kit — a tool I created to help freelancers manage the business side of things efficiently.
You can also get inspired by reading Tools I Use as a Freelance Developer.
5. Conclusion
Freelancing as a software engineer can be both rewarding and challenging — giving you extra income, independence, and tons of real-world learning.
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