I’ve been asked a lot recently about freelancing and how it works. My personal experience has been amazing! But the truth is that it’s not for everyone. If you are considering going solo, here is some recommended reading for you.
First, review the recently-released results of the 2008 A List Apart Survey. The responses and accompanying analysis will give you insight into what web professionals charge, what their job titles are, how many hours a week they work, and much, much more. Included are many statistics regarding freelance workers and how their habits and experiences compare with those of more traditional web workers.
On getting paid and how much to charge:
- Coroflot – Setting your rate and getting paid
- Blue Flavor – Pricing A Project
- My take on getting paid on time (from a freelancer’s perspective) – Business Priority: Get Paid on Time
These web professionals address freelancing from both sides—moving from a traditional workplace to freelancing and also giving it up to go back to working for a company.
- Jonathan Snook – Being Square
- Cameron Moll – Farewell to freelancing: Final lessons learned
- Garrett Dimon – Steps to Becoming a Freelance Web Developer
- Matt Brown – The First Four Months of Freelancing
- Jeffrey Veen – Values and client work
- Andy Budd – 7 Habits of a Highly Successful Freelance Web Designer
Since freelancing for me is about doing what you love, I’d like to include two short, inspirational pieces:
- Tim O’Reilly – Work on Stuff that Matters: First Principles
- David Heinemeier Hansson – Put a dent in the universe
And finally, as recommended listening, listen to the panel conversation Jeffrey Zeldman moderated as this year’s SXSW Interactive conference: “From Freelance to Agency: Start Small, Stay Small”.
The Sensible Leader 