finding work as a freelancer

ajdove

I have studied PHP and MySQL over the last few years and am working on JavaScript. I am trying to build a career as a freelance developer. I am more into developement than design although I know HTML and CSS. I am more into code than the graphical/visual side of things. Can anybody give me any advice on how and where to find freelance work.
aj

jgetner

Welcome to the game and good luck!.

i think every freelancer wants to know that aswell!.

NogDog

Best I can suggest is to network: get to know people in any part of the business, so that when someone needs a PHP developer, you may pop into their mind. Look for local user group meetings and other occasions to personally meet both customers and others doing what you want to do (they can be both a source of information and a source of jobs if they refer you to a client when they don't have the time to take on a new job).

If you're in the US, western Europe, and other high cost of living countries, you may find the assorted freelancer "auction" sites of questionable worth, as you'll be competing against low bidders from low cost of living countries, as well as kids looking for a little video game money, etc. I really think you're better off trying to contact local people. You could even do some gratis work for your local church, charity, school, etc. just to get your name out there.

cretaceous

call up small graphic design companies (one or two man shops ...) who do not have their own web dev
of course you will need to show some good finished sites to prove you can do the work

dagon

I use to specialise in an industry (bookshops\publishers\authors) I found limiting my scope that way was productive, rather than going for 'anything'. This makes networking easier(chose an area you may already be involved\interested in helps a lot), and also kept the portfolio targeted, a book shop wants to see a bookshop site you have done not a site for a butcher.

In these parts a lot of the development companies hire part-timers\contractors for overflow work, so contacting them even if not looking for full time work may help.

Ultimately I left freelancing for something more stable, it's hard work trying to be a businessman and a developer.

best of luck.