Getting into freelancing and temporary PHP jobs

Newrules

I got in one six months ago and fortunally made good money out of it but it was because of my friend indicated the guy and everything went well.
My problem now is to get another one and m wondering whats the best way to do it. Emaling companys seems innefective and people seem to delete emails quickly these days.
Calling them is kinda difficult because the odds you calling a company that needs web programmers are small I think
The only method seems the way to go is journal ads and that will probably what I'm going to do althought it can get expensive.
But I'm open to other suggestions and hopefully on my next project I will network a little more to get the ball going

coditoergosum

It's all about networking. Almost every temp/freelance web development job I've landed was because I knew somebody that knew somebody that needed a programmer.

Get your name out there. Make sure everyone you know knows you're a PHP god (even if you're not, make them think you are). I have had a few inquiries from people who have seen my personal web site and resume (see signature)... so if you don't have any friends/aquaintences to network with, you should have plenty of time to get a site up to promote yourself. 😉

Newrules

How do you mention you a php programmer in the first place?
I'm trying to avoid a typical 'salesperson' approach 'hi, how are you, i'm xxx and i'm a programmer in case you need etc etc', I find this annoying when people do that to me
Althought if they ask me what do I do, I should make a pre made answer, yeah that should work thanks btws

AstroTeg

I know what you're going through.

Word of mouth is an amazing thing. And even if you don't straight out say "I'm a PHP guy", there's other ways of doing it. You'll need to find your own style for "word of mouthing", but it does take time and some effort.

Business cards. If nicely done, they'll show you mean business.
Personal web site and maybe a business web site (and showcase the previous work you've done). This is semi-optional depending on how serious you want to get. Remember, a personal site has one motive and a business site has a completely different one. Which one do you want your clients to see?
Get involved with a club or organization you have personal interest in. Figure out if they have a web site. Find out who does it. See if you can volunteer to contribute to it. Volunteer to web master/admin it.
Mingle and get out. This can be tough depending on what you're schedule is like. But remember the last comment about getting involved with an organization? They probably have meetings and/or activities. You'll probably be involved in those. Spread the word around what you do. Just casually bring it up in conversation. Anything where you can respond to with something you enjoy doing, or what your plans are for the weekend ("yeah, I've got a web site to work on for a client." - the other person will think "hey, this guy does web development, maybe he could help me!"). Jump into conversations when people are talking web stuff. Its tough, but just be casual with low pressure and don't expect to win clients immediately.

Once you start doing more sites, your reputation will start to spread as someone who knows what they're doing.

But start with your friends. Let them know you're doing web development. You may have to tell them a number of times. But adventually they'll start telling their friends and listening for possible job opportunities for you.

LordShryku

Spend some time on boards like this. Answer questions, and make sure you know what you're talking about. There are so many people that come to these types of places and look around at posts to see who knows their stuff. Probably shouldn't say it, but I get a lot of PM's here, asking me if I'd do some work for various people.

coditoergosum

That is very true LordShryku. I have had a lot of people contact me from these boards wanting me to do development work. I haven't actually taken any of the jobs because my time is usually worth more than what people want to pay (I have a real job that pays pretty well... most people can't offer me anything that would compare to my normal salary).

But, for the budding PHP developer trying to get their foot in the freelance door small jobs that would spring up from a board like this are perfect.

coditoergosum

Oops... double post. haha

csousley

Like everyone else has said, word of mouth and time. I moved about 3 years ago and had a hard time getting started again. One thing that helped me alot is I do have a fulltime programming job, so my bosses found a good share of my first freelance gigs around here.

The only other thing I can say is do your best work for everyone, cut your prices, kill, and steel to get your first few. As long as you do good work, it will start coming to you. I havn't had to look for side work in about a year now, it all comes to me, which goes right back to the word of mouth thing.

Best of luck! Sorry I don't have some special solution to help you...

Elizabeth

Not sure where you're from, newrules, but here in the states, many communities have local Chambers of Commerce or small business associations that can be very beneficial for networking. You might also try hooking up with other web developers in your area; I know a few graphics guys here that I refer people to, and they refer people to me if they need database and php work. Occasionally we work on projects together for a "complete" package.

I know you don't want to sound "salesy" - you're a programmer not a salesman. But if you can't promote yourself, your business won't go anywhere. And letting people know what you're doing isn't being pushy or obnoxious- they can't hire you if they don't know what you do. All you can do is let them know what you do and if they need you they'll call you.

You might try picking up this book here or others like it for more ideas.