Wes Bos & Scott Tolinski - Full Stack JavaScript Web Developers

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How to Make Freelancing Easier

Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

Full Stack Developers Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski dive deep into web development topics, explaining how they work and talking about their own experiences. They cover from JavaScript frameworks like React, to the latest advancements in CSS to simplifying web tooling.

<p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="7" data-line-end="8">In this episode of Syntax, Scott and Wes talk about how to make freelancing easier — how to avoid burnout, and tips and tricks to make it successful.</p> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="9" data-line-end="10"><a id= "Sentry__Sponsor_9" name="Sentry__Sponsor_9"></a>Sentry - Sponsor</h2> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="10" data-line-end="11">If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with <a href="https://sentry.io/">Sentry</a>. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting <a href= "https://sentry.io/">Sentry.io</a> and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.</p> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="12" data-line-end="13"> <a id="Netlify__Sponsor_12" name="Netlify__Sponsor_12"></a>Netlify - Sponsor</h2> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="13" data-line-end="14"> Netlify is the best way to deploy and host a front-end website. All the features developers need right out of the box: Global CDN, Continuous Deployment, one click HTTPS and more. Hit up <a href= "https://netlify.com/syntax">netlify.com/syntax</a> for more info.</p> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="15" data-line-end="16"> <a id="Show_Notes_15" name="Show_Notes_15"></a>Show Notes</h2> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="17" data-line-end="18"> 02:15 - Code</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="18" data-line-end="19"> Use starters and resets and component libraries</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="19" data-line-end="20"> Don’t build in something you don’t know, unless you have time and budget to do so — WP is good enough for most projects</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="20" data-line-end="21"> Feel free to go over time on projects if you are learning something new</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="21" data-line-end="22"> Re-use code from project to project</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="22" data-line-end="24"> Target similar types of clients</li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="24" data-line-end="25"> 13:09 - Communication</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="25" data-line-end="27"> Often, clear and frequent <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="26" data-line-end="27"> People won’t be mad for being too informed — just know when to leave out the technical jargon</li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="27" data-line-end="28"> Clients typically don’t care about Git, React, etc. — they care about results</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="28" data-line-end="29"> Don’t overwhelm them</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="29" data-line-end="31"> Train your clients that you aren’t available 24/7</li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="31" data-line-end="32"> 22:19 - Time management</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="32" data-line-end="33"> Set calendar alerts early and often to not miss communications</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="33" data-line-end="34"> Set meetings at 9am, don’t wait around all day for meetings</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="34" data-line-end="36"> Block off large amounts of time for dev — you won’t be able to get meaningful work done in one-hour slots</li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="36" data-line-end="37"> 27:54 - Contracts + quoting</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="37" data-line-end="39"> Have a boilerplate contract that you can just fill in <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="38" data-line-end="39"> Same for a quote</li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="39" data-line-end="41"> Value-based billing</li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="41" data-line-end="42"> 33:47 - Billing + taxes</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="42" data-line-end="44"> Don’t be shy when talking about money. Be clear on what you need, when you need it, and on what terms. This is business. <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="43" data-line-end="44"> This is your art, but it’s also your business</li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="44" data-line-end="46"> Pay quarterly taxes - most likely <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="45" data-line-end="46"> Or don’t and take the small hit — then you can pay once a year</li> </ul> </li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="46" data-line-end="47"> Put taxes into another account if you aren’t good with money</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="47" data-line-end="50"> Get a billing management system or get an accountant — you need to focus on working on code <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="48" data-line-end="50"> Wave Apps, Xero, Freshbooks</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="50" data-line-end="51"> 42:03 - Marketing</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="51" data-line-end="52"> Be loud — people need to know what you offer</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="52" data-line-end="53"> The best marketing is a referral from a previous client</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="53" data-line-end="54"> If you show up, return emails and do a good job, you’ll kill it</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="54" data-line-end="55"> Show people what you are excited about: blog posts, videos, tweets, etc.</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="55" data-line-end="59"> Go where your clients are: <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="56" data-line-end="57"> Do you want to be serving small businesses? Family and friends</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="57" data-line-end="59"> Do you want to be a hired gun for a technical team? Conferences/Twitter, blog posts</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p class="has-line-data" data-line-start="59" data-line-end="60"> 48:25 - Final thoughts</p> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="60" data-line-end="61"> Scott — It’s ok if freelancing isn’t for you. Not everyone is great at all of these factors, myself included. However, with practice, you can be your own boss, work on your own terms, and make money. Also, don’t be afraid to take on longer contracts with established teams and companies.</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="61" data-line-end="63"> Wes — Freelancing can be a great filler between jobs or career transitions.</li> </ul> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="63" data-line-end="64"> <a id="Links_63" name="Links_63"></a>Links</h2> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="64" data-line-end="65"> <a href= "https://syntax.fm/show/117/hasty-treat-how-to-email-busy-people">Syntax 117: Hasty Treat - How To Email Busy People</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="65" data-line-end="66"> <a href= "https://www.freshbooks.com/fbstaticprod-uploads/public-website-assets/other/Breaking-the-Time-Barrier.pdf"> Freshbooks - Breaking the Time Barrier</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="66" data-line-end="67"> <a href="https://abookapart.com/products/design-is-a-job">Design Is a Job - Mike Monteiro</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="67" data-line-end="68"> <a href="https://www.waveapps.com/">Wave</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="68" data-line-end="69"> <a href="https://www.xero.com/">Xero</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="69" data-line-end="71"> <a href="https://www.freshbooks.com/">Freshbooks</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="71" data-line-end="72"> <a id="_SIIIIICK__PIIIICKS__71" name= "_SIIIIICK__PIIIICKS__71"></a>××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××</h2> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="72" data-line-end="73"> Scott: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/c/DisplacedGamers">Displaced Gamers YouTube Channel</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="73" data-line-end="75"> Wes: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/battery-adapter-DeWALT-connector-robotics/dp/B07HKGM78H">Battery Adapter for DeWALT 20V Max 18v Dock Power Connector</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="75" data-line-end="76"> <a id="Shameless_Plugs_75" name="Shameless_Plugs_75"></a>Shameless Plugs</h2> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="76" data-line-end="77"> Scott: <a href="https://www.leveluptutorials.com/pro">React For Everyone</a> - Sign up for the year and save 25%!</li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="77" data-line-end="79"> Wes: <a href="https://wesbos.com/courses/">Master Gatsby</a> - Use the coupon code ‘Syntax’ for $10 off!</li> </ul> <h2 class="code-line" data-line-start="79" data-line-end="80"> <a id="Tweet_us_your_tasty_treats_79" name= "Tweet_us_your_tasty_treats_79"></a>Tweet us your tasty treats!</h2> <ul> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="80" data-line-end="81"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/">Scott’s Instagram</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="81" data-line-end="82"> <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/LevelUpTutorials/">LevelUpTutorials Instagram</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="82" data-line-end="83"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/">Wes’ Instagram</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="83" data-line-end="84"> <a href="https://twitter.com/wesbos">Wes’ Twitter</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="84" data-line-end="85"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wesbos.developer">Wes’ Facebook</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="85" data-line-end="86"> <a href="https://twitter.com/stolinski">Scott’s Twitter</a></li> <li class="has-line-data" data-line-start="86" data-line-end="87"> Make sure to include <a href= "https://twitter.com/SyntaxFM">@SyntaxFM</a> in your tweets</li> </ul>

In this episode of Syntax, Scott and Wes talk about how to make freelancing easier — how to avoid burnout, and tips and tricks to make it successful.
 Sentry - Sponsor If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.
 Netlify - Sponsor Netlify is the best way to deploy and host a front-end website. All the features developers need right out of the box: Global CDN, Continuous Deployment, one click HTTPS and more. Hit up netlify.com/syntax for more info.
 Show Notes 02:15 - Code
  Use starters and resets and component libraries
 Don’t build in something you don’t know, unless you have time and budget to do so — WP is good enough for most projects
 Feel free to go over time on projects if you are learning something new
 Re-use code from project to project
 Target similar types of clients
  13:09 - Communication
  Often, clear and frequent  People won’t be mad for being too informed — just know when to leave out the technical jargon

 Clients typically don’t care about Git, React, etc. — they care about results
 Don’t overwhelm them
 Train your clients that you aren’t available 24/7
  22:19 - Time management
  Set calendar alerts early and often to not miss communications
 Set meetings at 9am, don’t wait around all day for meetings
 Block off large amounts of time for dev — you won’t be able to get meaningful work done in one-hour slots
  27:54 - Contracts + quoting
  Have a boilerplate contract that you can just fill in  Same for a quote

 Value-based billing
  33:47 - Billing + taxes
  Don’t be shy when talking about money. Be clear on what you need, when you need it, and on what terms. This is business. This is your art, but it’s also your business

 Pay quarterly taxes - most likely  Or don’t and take the small hit — then you can pay once a year

 Put taxes into another account if you aren’t good with money
 Get a billing management system or get an accountant — you need to focus on working on code  Wave Apps, Xero, Freshbooks

  42:03 - Marketing
  Be loud — people need to know what you offer
 The best marketing is a referral from a previous client
 If you show up, return emails and do a good job, you’ll kill it
 Show people what you are excited about: blog posts, videos, tweets, etc.
 Go where your clients are:  Do you want to be serving small businesses? Family and friends
 Do you want to be a hired gun for a technical team? Conferences/Twitter, blog posts

  48:25 - Final thoughts
  Scott — It’s ok if freelancing isn’t for you. Not everyone is great at all of these factors, myself included. However, with practice, you can be your own boss, work on your own terms, and make money. Also, don’t be afraid to take on longer contracts with established teams and companies.
 Wes — Freelancing can be a great filler between jobs or career transitions.
  Links  Syntax 117: Hasty Treat - How To Email Busy People

  Freshbooks - Breaking the Time Barrier

 Design Is a Job - Mike Monteiro

 Wave

 Xero

 Freshbooks

  ××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××  Scott: Displaced Gamers YouTube Channel

 Wes: Battery Adapter for DeWALT 20V Max 18v Dock Power Connector

  Shameless Plugs  Scott: React For Everyone - Sign up for the year and save 25%!
 Wes: Master Gatsby - Use the coupon code ‘Syntax’ for $10 off!
  Tweet us your tasty treats!  Scott’s Instagram

 LevelUpTutorials Instagram

 Wes’ Instagram

 Wes’ Twitter

 Wes’ Facebook

 Scott’s Twitter

 Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

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