How to start working as freelance programmer?

@kaka135 (14931)
Malaysia
October 20, 2009 11:31pm CST
I have always been thinking of working as freelance programmer, so that I can manage my own time and also have more personal time at home, without spending a few hours on the road to travel to work (including traffic jam). I have not work as freelancer before, as my job is always very busy. Recently, I suddenly think of this option, so that I can spend more time at home with my baby. Currently, I only manage to see him two days in a week during the weekend, I really wish to accompany him more. I think this is the time I give up my full time job, and work as a freelance programmer. But I don't know how to start and how I can look for projects. I am thinking it may be good if I can set up a company later if I manage to work fine with the freelance job, then I can ask some people to join me as freelancer too. Do anyone have any experience or ideas about this? Please share with me. Thanks!^_^
1 person likes this
7 responses
Shar19
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
21 Oct 09
What kind of freelance work exactly? I would love to be able to have a job to work from home too. If you ever start something up, please let me know about it and what kind of work it would entail.
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 09
Hi Shar, As I'm a programmer now, I am thinking of being a freelance programmer, instead of working in the office from day to night. Now, I'm seeking for more advice on how I can start this and also how to look for clients. At the time being, I'll also try to build some applications, so that I can show them to my potential clients and also to build up my skills. What kind of home based jobs are you thinking about? Perhaps we can always share some ideas. ^_^
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
3 Nov 09
Then you can try on some freelance websites, such as oDesk or some writing sites, such as Helium, there you can get some typing jobs and writing tasks.
Shar19
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I would love to find some kind of real typing job that I can do from home. I would love to maybe write some short fictional stories or even just do some typing for a company that I can be flexible with.
1 person likes this
repzkoopz
@repzkoopz (1895)
• Philippines
21 Oct 09
you can start by asking friends for referrals.. they're your best asset right now.. from time to time, you can also post your services on the net, but you'll get more results offering your service on foot.
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
22 Oct 09
Hi there, thanks for your response. I'm actually looking for a real freelance job, so I don't think getting referrals will help. Anyway, thanks for your suggestion!
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 09
I see... thanks for your advice. I'm thinking how I can get clients too. ^_^
repzkoopz
@repzkoopz (1895)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
well.. freelancing requires you to step up to find clients. you can't just sit down and wait for client to call you, you call them. and friends are the closest thing you have to get referrals. i'm not talking about networking referrals. i'm talking about your friends referring you to their friends who'll need your services.
1 person likes this
daliaj
@daliaj (5674)
• India
21 Oct 09
One of my friends used to work with getafreelancer.com and she said that it was a good experience. She had a small babay and that is why she used to work from home for some time. I visited the site since she referred it to me. I found out that there are lots of posts for freelance programmer. You can register with getafreelancer.com and start working. You don't need to pay for registering there.
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 09
Thanks for your suggestion. I think I will start from the online freelance sites first. First of all, I gotta start improving my skills too.
maygodblessu44
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
3 Dec 09
Hello my friend kaka135 Ji, I think , you are very good with computers, one may think to produce some products, which may be useful at less cost by sitting at ome and doing. You may dosome editingjob on line as well. But I am sure myLotting and Associated content type sites wo't fetch yousufficient to make your livilihood better. May God bless You and ahve a great time.
sasalove
@sasalove (1709)
• China
21 Oct 09
I have been working outside( far away from my hometown) for over 5 years, and I hope that I can own my business someday as the time is controlled within my hands. I have ever thought of conducting the business on the internet, which is quite a hit nowadays, but just confused what kinds of products are popular. Sometimes considering too much is not a good think as it will hinder the action. Do you think so? If you have writting skills and literature base, I highly suggest you work as freelance programmer. Just do it and things will be different after you implement. Except for posting the discussion here, it is an advantage for you to do the written task here as it can help your life with the approved article. Happy mylotting.
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 09
Hi there, thanks for your response. Yeah, I agree with you that sometimes when we think too much, but no action, at last it's really zero! Now, I have the motive to push me go forward to this direction, then I'd better do it! Just Do It!
rheine99
@rheine99 (16)
• Indonesia
21 Oct 09
I think if you want to join the freelance job you can join with yuwie.com
1 person likes this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
22 Oct 09
Hi there, thanks for your response. I thought yuwie is a social networking site, like facebook? What does it do with freelance job?
jkcounterpuncher
@jkcounterpuncher (125)
• Philippines
1 Dec 09
I've working as a freelancer thru online for almost 6 months. I'm doing this as a part-timer just to have something to do during my idle time. Not bad enough because I'm earning aside from my regular job. Please visit my blog at http://jkwaynechasethecounterpuncher.wordpress.com/. Thanks!