7
votes
Could I theoretically make money by creating software Linux distro needs?
First off, remember that Linux is marketed as very robust, open source, and free (with a few exceptions). Can you keep that philosophy?
The reason distributions become popular are for different ...
- 6,863
7
votes
Accepted
Declined project
You perhaps jumped the gun a bit.
The way you describe it, I see no red flags - but a couple of orange ones.
With a non-technical client, the potential for the exact type of disagreement you describe ...
- 3,822
6
votes
To expand business or increase rates?
To get right to it, you want more cash. One of the simplest ways to do that is to just raise your rates, like you mentioned. The biggest problem when doing this is, naturally, the fear that your ...
- 391
4
votes
Which country is the best to incorporate business for a freelance developer?
I heard from many people that Gibraltar has good taxation. You should check it out.
Others opened a company in Germany as it has a great refunds and benefits for companies.
The third group opened ...
- 14.4k
4
votes
Accepted
How important is it to be a nice guy to your clients?
Mutual kindness, gentleness and thankfulness is very important to keep long term good relationships with clients.
I have many clients who could go to any other freelance but they always wants me ...
- 2,054
4
votes
Accepted
Inflated business area, what to do?
First of all keep in mind that freelancing always is a risk. Sometimes things are going well, sometimes not. Sometimes I love to be free and having no boss, but sometimes I really hate the ...
- 156
4
votes
Accepted
Leaving my full time job for 1 client
Basically, this will come down to your personal circumstances.
There are a few factors one generally needs to consider when going alone:
Your financial situation
The reliability of the first client (...
- 3,822
3
votes
Next level of freelancing and growth
Why can't you work any more? I have 3 kids and I can still work full-time freelancing.
Obviously, you want to work less and earn the same or more as before. The only answer is to make a company. Or ...
- 14.4k
3
votes
How to ask for increase the budget for a freelancing project
"This isn't what was agreed upon. I'll need to re-scope the project and provide a new cost estimate."
Be forthright, upfront, and honest about it. The client is certainly aware they've made ...
- 17.4k
3
votes
Offering equity instead of pay -- yes or no?
Whenever offered equity I have informed potential clients/employers that accepting equity would make me an actual investor, meaning I will need to perform due diligence of their company's financial ...
- 3,822
3
votes
Leaving my full time job for 1 client
The most of experienced freelancers always advise never abandoning your current job. If you wish to freelance only do it keeping your current one and working part-time as freelancer. At least it'd be ...
- 329
2
votes
Company stability
I will answer with a question: are you willing to grow your company by yourself? If that's a yes then read on. If that's a no, then I'm afraid that you already know the solution, the partial buy-out ...
- 63
2
votes
Next skills to learn?
Freelancing is a business, not a hobby. If you can get your client's needs to match what you want to learn about, that's a bonus.
Otherwise, you need to research the market.
Which skills are in high ...
- 424
2
votes
Accepted
A specific case of not knowing how much I'm worth?
Okay, you kinda hosed yourself on this first project. Fine, hammer them out, make them nice, and make it clear that you were doing these to build their trust, so they knew you were worth what you're ...
2
votes
Accepted
is NDA valid just because you signed it and had no further work
I've been a freelancer for 12 years, and this has come up several times for me. The short-answer from my attorney was that yes, you are bound to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) after you sign it.
...
- 36
2
votes
Shares in the business
Poppycock. Do your web development work, yes. Specify a price. And even with this friend, get a written contract specifying deliverables (with milestones, hopefully) and payment terms.
As for this ...
- 5,313
2
votes
Inflated business area, what to do?
I'll start by saying the cold hard truth about websites - most companies don't see them as a way to get new business, or at least not as much as it would cost to build them. You're competing with ...
- 6,863
2
votes
Accepted
Business plan for developers
We won't tell you what needs to be done for your particular needs, but we can help with a business plan. Essentially, you want a road map for how your business is going to succeed.
How will customers ...
- 6,863
2
votes
What is an appropriate safety net for equipment failure?
It's really annoying when things like that happens :( that happened to me too a few times...
I work mainly in two offices (I would say 50-50), the main bigger home office and a second very small ...
- 2,054
2
votes
How important is it to be a nice guy to your clients?
If you're a nice guy, clients will like you. But they also want to try to take advantage of you.
The more important is to be a professional guy. Utmost professional. When you are a professional, it ...
- 14.4k
2
votes
How can I justify my opinion about app release?
First there's no way to know if you are wrong or right you need to release it to know.
So the real problem when developing something like that is that most of the time when it take a long time to ...
- 398
2
votes
Accepted
How can I sell to Big Clients?
You're right about their concerns, and they need those parts solved. Would you be able to hire an MSP-type agency until you grow more? 1 sell per month doesn't sound like a lot, would you be able to ...
- 6,863
1
vote
Accepted
Viability of a plan to get experience and to grow portfolio
I'll have to frame-challenge your premise.
If a company has a crappy app, they either
don't care enough to invest, or
the don't know better.
Now, even if you work free of charge, improving the ...
- 1,030
1
vote
Viability of a plan to get experience and to grow portfolio
IMO, contacting companies with the message "I can improve your apps for free" will be translated to "they are so crappy!" and cause your application to be kicked out to Mars.
A better approach could ...
- 1,052
1
vote
Accepted
Does the success of a website depend not only on the number of visits but on the target population too?
Parents see value in their kids education and if it's fun for the kids they will want to play/use your websote/app - so it's a win-win. You may want to target the parents in your ad campaign or social ...
- 186
1
vote
Inflated business area, what to do?
I don't do any marketing, clients come to me by word of mouth by other satisfied clients.
Well, there's your problem. Word of mouth has reached its limit. Start marketing, or start using one of the ...
- 1,660
1
vote
Offering equity instead of pay -- yes or no?
Equity, stock options, health insurance... these are all benefits. They should not be used as a substitute for actual compensation. It's poor business. Get a line of credit to enable you to pay your ...
1
vote
Offering equity instead of pay -- yes or no?
It's not exactly bad practice, but most suppliers will not be willing to take that risk.
Some startups make it big, many more fail disastrously. So unless Bob has a previous and strong business ...
- 1,629
1
vote
What is an appropriate safety net for equipment failure?
I had an office with all the gear I needed, but struggled with too many random failures. Then I got a large UPS, which also conditioned the power line. Mysteriously, my hardware failures stopped.
...
- 179
1
vote
Accepted
What is an appropriate safety net for equipment failure?
Preparing for unforeseen equipment issues is a problem for any small enterprise, especially when it comes to critical hardware.
The only answer is to not rely on any one piece of equipment. The net ...
- 1,750
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible