How to Make $1,000 as a Freelance Developer in 5 Easy Steps

The idea that you can make a good living as a freelance developer is not new. In fact, it's been around for a long time.

But what if you're just starting out?

And what if you want to make $1000/month start as soon as possble?

Follow the steps mentioned in this blog article and you will be on your way to making 1,000/month from freelance development work in the first 6 months after leaving my job.

The Platforms

First thing you should know is all the platforms that are available for you to get started on your freelancing journey.

Here are the most popular ones:

• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Freelancer
• PeoplePerHour
• Toptal
• Hubstaff

My recommendation usually is - start with Fiverr if you are just beginning. Because it is beginner friendly in terms of getting started and finding clients.

And then move on to Upwork for more advanced projects that are bigger in terms of both time and budget.

Your profile is what will make your money

Having an optimized profile that clearly describes yourself and your services is a must.

An optimized profile is not merely a digital resume; it is a dynamic representation of your personal brand.

It should:

• Showcase your value propositions
• Your achievements
• Your expertise
• Solutions you offer for your clients' problems

To optimize your profile you should:

• Have a clear description
• Make it client-centric - don't just boast about yourself
• Include links to your portfolio and case studies
• Add testimonials
• Clearly mention how can they contact you

More imporatantly! Regularlay update your profile with latest trends and your achievements.

Start with what you know

Most of my audience is from the Software Engineering background - so this article will be focussed towards developers. But, the same principles apply to all other fields.

Start with what you know...

Define your area of expertise:

• Jot down the technologies you know
• The platforms you've used
• The softwares you've build

Then find the market demand. That means, who might need your expertise?

Market demand:

• E-com brands need their shops to be built
• SaaS founders need their apps and webapps to be built
• Local business need their business online - on a website

For example, this is how I started.

I am a web developer, who knows JavaScript, React, Bootstrap, Wordpress. I have built a lot of websites and web apps. So, my first Fiverr gig was offering e-com brands to help set up their Shopify shop.

You'll be able to use the skills you've learned for years to come, and it will give you the confidence you need when approaching other projects in the future. Plus, building a website is an incredible way to learn how things work behind the scenes.

Publish your portfolio online

I recommend all my readers - if you want to start freelancing serious you should have an online presence.

This includes - not only publishing your portfolio and resume online, but also providing value on the internet.

Start a Twitter or Instagram account - and start creating content. Many of my freenlancer friends have gotten long term recurring clients from Twitter.

And for publishing your portfolio there are a few options

• Publish a personal website
• Publish it on Github
• Publish on sites like Dev.To and showcase your expertise via blogs

BONUS: If you're applying for jobs at companies that use GitHub (many do), it shows that you're already familiar with their workflow—which could be a big plus in getting hired!

Publish on Medium, Dev.to, and other popular blogs

It's never been easier to get started building an audience online, thanks to platforms like Medium and Dev.to. They allow you to publish articles about any topic, whether it's related to code or not—and they have built-in audiences that are ready for your content!

If you've spent time building applications or websites with various programming languages, why not publish them on Medium? If you have some fun stories about how you got into coding (or even just some tips!), why not write them on Dev.to?

These sites are great places for developers to learn new things as well as share their experiences with others—and they're also fantastic places for developers who want a new job or freelance work!

Market yourself

You won't get gigs on Fiverr unless you market yourself. There are hundreds of thousands of freelancers that have just started and waiting for their first gig.

You've two choices:

1. Wait for gig to come to you
2. Go and get the gig yourself!

If you want faster results - I highly recommend going the #2 option.

Take control of your destiny by promoting your skills and offerings. By presenting yourself as a solution to clients' needs, you position yourself to attract their attention and compel them to hire you.

As mentioned above - create professional profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Share valuable content related to your niche - give stuff away for free.

Engage with accounts that share similar insterests like yourself.

Use social media accounts for three things:

• Give stuff away for FREE
• Share your successful case studies and achievement
• DM'ing your potential clients and closing the deals

Network with other freelancers

Find other freelancers that share the same interestes and offer similar gigs. Don't see them as your competition - seek mentorship instead.

Discuss ideas with them and grow together.

You may even be able to get some recommendations or referrals from them!

Conclusion

Getting your first $1,000 as a freelancer is not hard if you follow this 5-step guide.

Here's the summary:

• Explore popular platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer
• Craft an optimized profile that communicates your value propositions, achievements, expertise, and solutions
• Leverage your expertise to offer solutions that businesses need
• Establish an online presence for serious freelancing
• Self-marketing is essential for securing gigs and standing out
• Connect with fellow freelancers in your field

These aren't just ideas, they are proven tips that you can apply right away.

And by following them, you will get your first $1,000 as soon as possible and set yourself on the path to making a living as a freelancer and making a lot more money than you would have otherwise.

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