Ask HN: Is it still possible to get started as a solo freelancer?

2 points by cheeri0 4 years ago | 1 comment

I've been unemployed as a programmer for a year and a half. I have a degree and lots of experience but no one is interested in hiring me.

So I have the skill but no one wants to hire me. Whatever, I hate working for companies anyways. But is it possible to do freelance work anymore? I mean PROFITABLE freelance work.

I'm going to be honest I'm not going to be able to underbid and outcode on a freelance site. Is there some niche that I can just learn and find work? Similar to how knowing how to make websites used to be enough to do freelance work.

gregjor 4 years ago |

I’ve been solo freelancing for over a decade. I focus on smaller companies and non-profits that don’t need, can’t afford, can’t hire full-time IT staff. It’s mostly system admin and maintaining/enhancing web sites, but I get new development too. I have multiple long-term clients. Learning business domains and most of all prompt communication are key.

I work through an agency now (since 2013) but have my own clients as well. I never use online freelancer sites or job boards — contacts and word of mouth work much better.

I know several other freelancers doing similar work, or specializing in security or app development. Plenty of work if you can look past the SV startups and don’t insist on using your favorite language, rewriting everything from scratch, and never talking to an actual person.