Ok, so you've landed a project or contract with a client. Great! That means you've already built some trust and rapport with them. Now it's time to deepen that trust further. "I'm building solid software for them. Isn't that enough? I'm a good programmer!" Yes, that's the foundation: the meat and potatoes. But I already … Continue reading Ten ways to make clients love you →

From the outside, working for yourself looks scary these days: we’re in a recession, and you hear stories of tech downsizing left and right. “You should try to hold on to a steady, salaried job instead.” No, I don’t think so. Let’s examine what happened in previous significant downturns and what that means for us … Continue reading “Isn’t freelancing risky during recessions?” Maybe not! →

When I talk to other developers who are thinking about working for themselves, one common objection is this: "I don't want to deal with that admin crap; I just want to code!" And when consulting agencies and contract brokers ask you to join them, they will use this as a selling point as well. "We take … Continue reading “But the admin and paperwork!” Relax. You got this. →

Early on in my career, networking seemed like a magical salesperson's skill set. I imagined networking was attending boring, vaguely business-related events, where people in blazers stand around and attempt conversation with total strangers before they exchange business cards and deals. Basically: the least appealing activity imaginable to an introvert nerd like me. What is … Continue reading “Ugh, what even is networking?” Five ways to meet people (for coders and introverts) →

The software development sector goes through cycles, just like any other profession. We’ve had a boom for the last ten years, and before 2023, many developers had not experienced a real downturn during their careers. But there are cycles for us, just like any other industry. The Dot-Bomb crash twenty years ago and the current … Continue reading The feast-famine cycle: how to handle downtime →