The Software Engineer's Guide to Freelance Consulting will help teach you to be an effective freelance software consultant, which will enable you make more money, dedicate more time to hobbies, spend more time with your loved-ones and even discover new businesses. Table of Contents: Chapter 1: Finding Clients We will literally map out the client acquisition skills that are paramount for you to develop and thrive in the business of software consulting. We will give you the step-by-step concrete TODOs to achieve competence and we explain some of the abstract theory. Chapter 2: Choosing a Rate How do some people charge $2/hr and others $500/hr? Where do you fit in? In this chapter we help you choose, justify and even increase your existing rate. Chapter 3: Keeping Yourself Educated How do you keep yourself from becoming outdated? How do you keep your skills in demand and the projects coming over time? We'll discuss that in this chapter. Chapter 4: Closing Deals You've got the interest but now how do you get the client to start working with you? We'll talk about closing sales as an engineer in this chapter. Chapter 5: Being Productive Productivity is a critical part of freelancing. Since most freelancers bill hourly it can make the difference between making $100,000/year and $300,000/year. This chapter contains tips to maximize your productivity as a freelancer. Chapter 6: Building & Maintaining Relationships Freelance consulting is a relationship-driven business. As engineers however, we tend to shy away from this. In this chapter we will talk about how you can build strong relationships and reduce the amount of time you need to spend selling yourself to new clients. Chapter 7: Legal Ideas Being a consultant comes with legal implications that can save your butt when things go wrong. In this chapter our very own Silicon Valley Lawyer Richard Burt will give you some tips of the trade. Chapter 8: Making Great First Impressions First impressions are a primer for excellent long-term relationships that will yield great value to you. This chapter will talk about first impressions as a freelance tech person. Chapter 9: Getting Paid Okay, so you've completed some contracts and now you're waiting to get paid. How do you get paid faster? Can you reduce your risk? We'll discuss these things in this chapter and even talk about how to deal with clients who don't pay. Chapter 10: Must-know Tax Tips As a freelance consultant, managing your tax effectively will save you a TON of money at the end of the year. In this chapter we'll run through some basic tips that will help you minimize your tax liability so you can keep more hard-earned money in your pocket. Chapter 11: Communicating Effectively Say the wrong things and you can find yourself staying up late at night on the weekend. Say the right things and you could find yourself making more money and spending more time with your family and friends. In this chapter we'll help you say less of the wrong things and more of the right things. Chapter 12: Freelancing Part-time What if you don't want to leave your current full-time job? What if you're in school full-time, or taking care of children? This chapter will help part-time freelancers. Chapter 13: Going Back to a "Regular" Coding Job In case you later decide freelancing is not for you, this chapter will help you ease back into a "regular" job without ruffling too many feathers. Chapter 14: Additional Resources Everyone who purchases the book receives an invitation to our Slack community. You'll even get a direct line to experienced freelancers (including the authors) that can help answer questions any day of the week.

It’s been said that software is eating the planet. The modern economy—the world itself—relies on technology. Demand for the people who can produce it far outweighs the supply. So why do developers occupy largely subordinate roles in the corporate structure? Developer Hegemony explores the past, present, and future of the corporation and what it means for developers. While it outlines problems with the modern corporate structure, it’s ultimately a play-by-play of how to leave the corporate carnival and control your own destiny. And it’s an emboldening, specific vision of what software development looks like in the world of developer hegemony—one where developers band together into partner firms of “efficiencers,” finally able to command the pay, respect, and freedom that’s earned by solving problems no one else can. Developers, if you grow tired of being treated like geeks who can only be trusted to take orders and churn out code, consider this your call to arms. Bring about the autonomous future that’s rightfully yours. It’s time for developer hegemony.

"Early in his software developer career, John Sonmez discovered that technical knowledge alone isn't enough to break through to the next income level - developers need "soft skills" like the ability to learn new technologies just in time, communicate clearly with management and consulting clients, negotiate a fair hourly rate, and unite teammates and coworkers in working toward a common goal. Today John helps more than 1.4 million programmers every year to increase their income by developing this unique blend of skills. Who Should Read This Book? Entry-Level Developers - This book will show you how to ensure you have the technical skills your future boss is looking for, create a resume that leaps off a hiring manager's desk, and escape the "no work experience" trap. Mid-Career Developers - You'll see how to find and fill in gaps in your technical knowledge, position yourself as the one team member your boss can't live without, and turn those dreaded annual reviews into chance to make an iron-clad case for your salary bump. Senior Developers - This book will show you how to become a specialist who can command above-market wages, how building a name for yourself can make opportunities come to you, and how to decide whether consulting or entrepreneurship are paths you should pursue. Brand New Developers - In this book you'll discover what it's like to be a professional software developer, how to go from "I know some code" to possessing the skills to work on a development team, how to speed along your learning by avoiding common beginner traps, and how to decide whether you should invest in a programming degree or 'bootcamp.'"--

There are plenty of books that show you how to write applications in a specific language. They explain the nuts and bolts of the syntax and the use of the tools to build applications with the latest features and functionality available. There are also a number of fine books that show you how to be "a computer consultant." But there are a whole host of issues specific to the business of writing, delivering and supporting custom software systems. This is the only book that will take you on a step-by-step tour of the entire process. "DevGuide 3", with over 150 pages of new material, shows you how to do "The Other 90%" of the work involved in producing custom software applications.

Are you ready to jump-start your freelance career? Freelance Newbie has you covered! In this book, you’ll learn practical, actionable steps you can start using today to get your first client by the end of the week. Featuring all the methods, techniques, tips, tricks, and insights you need to succeed, Freelance Newbie was written by a working freelancer whose mission is to help people like you find personal success and financial independence. The material you’ll read here has never been featured at a lower price — you simply cannot get this kind of value for less. We go through everything step-by-step with real-world examples so you know exactly what you need to do to become a successful freelancer. In Freelance Newbie, you’ll learn how to: :• Develop a business plan from scratch• Establish a suitable work environment • Configure your own freelance website to generate quality leads • Determine what services to offer (and what to do if you don't know how to do something) • Figure out an appropriate pricing scheme for your services • Find “starter” clients that pave the way for 5-star social proof and full-paying, long-term clients • Draft effective proposals and contracts• Advertise for free (or very, very cheaply) • Deliver above-average customer service • Efficiently complete client projects — time runs out FAST • And much, much more! This book can also be used as the perfect companion manual to the video course available on Udemy by RealToughCandy.

The Long-Awaited Update for Building a Thriving Consultancy Completely updated for today’s busier-than-ever consultants, this classic guide covers the ins and outs for competing and winning in this ultracompetitive field. You’ll find step-by-step advice on how to raise capital, attract clients, create a marketing plan, and grow your business into a $1 million-per-year firm, plus brand-new material on: Blogging and social networking Global consulting Delegating labor Profiting in a troubled market Retainer business Internet marketing Praise for the previous editions of Million Dollar Consulting: “If you’re interested in becoming a rich consultant, this book is a must read.” Robert F. Mager, founder and president, Mager Associates, and member of the Training & Development Hall of Fame “Blast out of the per diem trap and into value billing.” Jim Kennedy, founder, publisher, and editor, Consultants News “The advice on developing price structure alone is worth a hundred times the price of the book.” William C. Byham, Ph.D., author of Zapp! “Must reading for those who are beginning a practice or seeking to upgrade an existing practice.” Victor H. Vroom, John G. Searle Professor, School of Management, Yale University

You probably use websites every day, but have you ever thought about building them? With the help of this book, now you can! In this exceptional step-by-step guide, you’ll learn what web development is all about, which resources will help you master it, and how you can build stunning and interactive websites. After instructing you on how to create your own personal web portfolio, the author will take you through all the major web development languages and technologies, including the following: • HTML • CSS • JavaScript • Bootstrap and jQuery • PHP and MySQL • WordPress Each of these chapters contains best practices and tips for success as well as a “Show Your Skills” section with practical and fun project ideas for you to apply what you’re learning. For example, “Write a JavaScript program that will run the game Chutes and Ladders thousands of time and determine the minimum, maximum, and average number of turns to win.” Lastly, you’ll find out how to transform your newfound hobby into a profitable career by becoming a freelance web developer. The author will share tips for perfecting your portfolio and finding clients, especially through the popular freelancing website Upwork. If you’ve ever been curious about web development but didn’t know where to start, this book is for you! Come and embrace both your creativity and logic by delving into the wonderful world of web development! About the Expert: Liz Kazandzhy is a passionate web developer who also greatly enjoys writing and editing. As the daughter of a software engineer, she has always had a knack for technology, so when she stumbled upon web development in 2016, it was love at first keystroke. She studied it voraciously and began building websites related to her personal interests, like RandomScriptureVerse.com. In time, she started branching out and building websites for others, like JonathanWhitlockArt.com. Liz currently lives in Orem, UT, with her husband Vlad and two energetic young daughters, Katya and Sophia. In the rare moments when the kids are asleep and the housework is done, she enjoys reading, writing, and developing websites. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.