Lessons from My First Year of Freelancing
Honest reflections on transitioning from full-time employment to freelance software development - what worked, what didn't, and what I wish I knew.
A year ago, I made the leap from full-time employment to freelance software development. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.
Finding Your First Clients
The hardest part of freelancing is getting started. My first clients came from three sources:
- Former colleagues who moved to companies that needed development help
- Open source contributions that showcased my skills to potential clients
- Content creation — blog posts and technical articles that established credibility
Pricing Strategy
I initially undercharged because I was afraid of losing projects. Here’s what I learned:
- Value-based pricing beats hourly rates for both you and the client
- Always include a discovery phase — it helps you scope the project accurately
- Don’t compete on price — compete on quality and reliability
Communication Is Everything
Technical skills get you in the door, but communication skills keep clients coming back:
- Send weekly status updates, even when things are going smoothly
- Be transparent about challenges and delays
- Document everything — decisions, requirements, and changes
Work-Life Balance
The freedom of freelancing can be a double-edged sword:
- Set clear working hours and communicate them to clients
- Learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your goals
- Take vacations — your business won’t collapse if you step away for a week
Conclusion
Freelancing has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my career. It’s not always easy, but the autonomy and variety make it worth the challenges.