The Freelancers' Show

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan
• CacheFly

Panel

• Erik Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner

Summary Erik and Rueven define indefinite engagements, warning against staff augmentation type of consulting and contracting gigs. They explain how this is not a good business strategy. Thinking of yourself as a business is the first step to breaking out of these types of engagements. Erik and Reuven give more advice for breaking away including having savings before breaking away, identifying what your best at, market testing and weaning your current client. The benefits and drawbacks of working shorter and more high powered gigs are considered. The episode ends with a discussion of the importance of maintaining good relationships and a good reputation.  Links

• https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/

Picks Erik Dietrich:

• https://TubeBuddy.com/
• http://HitSubscribe.com/

Reuven Lerner:

• https://YouTube.com/reuvenlerner
• Long, daily walks -- try it!

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• Paymo |Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months
• CacheFly

Panel

• Eric Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner

Summary The panel shares experiences and advice for managing finances as a small business owner. They discuss the differences in personal finance as a salaried employee and consultant. The panel explains unexpected expenses when becoming a freelancer such as health insurance, taxes and gives advice on how to handle them. The importance of savings and retirement are considered. The panel advises keeping personal funds and business funds separate and consider what you can expense to your business for tax right offs.  Picks Eric Dietrich:

• Expensify.com
• streamable.com

Reuven Lerner:

• The Tick - Season 2
• https://store.lerner.co.il/pandas

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• Paymo | Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months
• CacheFly

Panel

• Eric Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner

Summary The panel discusses different billing models and their experiences with each. They start by sharing their current billing model, upfront payment. Net +30 and Net +60 are discussed; the panel advises freelancers to get used to waiting for payment. The upsides and downsides of hourly billing, fixed rates, value pricing, and retainers are considered. The panel explains how to choose a billing model, how to evolve to other models and how to raise your rates. Picks Eric Dietrich:

• Million Dollar Consulting
• https://www.hitsubscribe.com/apply-to-be-an-author/

Reuven Lerner:

• Alexander Hamilton

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• Paymo | Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly

Panel

• Eric Dietrich
• Jeremy Green
• Reuven Lerner

Summary The panel discusses working across borders, sharing examples and advice. They discuss the best ways to receive payment. Currency exchange rates are considered. The panel discusses paying taxes and the different types of taxes in different countries. They share how they communicate with clients and how they manage contracts. They advise getting the correct work visas and professional insurance. Links

• https://stripe.com/

Picks Jeremy Green:

• Chernobyl Miniseries on HBO

Eric Dietrich:

• transferwise.com
• zoom.us

Reuven Lerner:

• A Fine Mess: A Global Quest for a Simpler, Fairer, and More Efficient Tax System
• https://www.azlo.com/

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan
• Paymo| Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly

Panel

• Jeremy Green
• Erik Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner

Episode Summary The panel discusses the advantages of having a booth at a conference. Having a booth at a conference is a great way to learn about how conference advertising and finance works. It is also a great way to network and collect leads. Reuven talks about his experience at getting a booth at Pycon 2019. He shares tips on what to give out at the booths such as flyers and t-shirts and how many to order and in what sizes. He talks about the best way to work out the logistics for the materials for the booth and tips on attracting visitors to the booth. One takeaway Reuven had for his next booth was to have more Medium sized t-shirts made! Listen to the show to learn about more tips on getting a booth at a conference and the best spot to place your booth at the conference job fair. Picks Jeremy Green:

• Interactive Composition by V.J. Manzo and by Will Kuhn
• Chernobyl Miniseries on HBO

Erik Dietrich:

• RetroGames Website
• Putting Your Phone on Airplane Mode Overnight

Reuven Lerner:

• Logitech R800 Wireless Laser Presentation Remote

Sponsors

• Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan
• Paymo | Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly

Panel

• Jeremy Green
• Erik Dietrich

Summary The panel goes into detail on the most common reasons to give a discount, sharing experiences and whether or not it's a good idea to give these types of discounts. They generally agree that a "friends and family discount" is never a good idea and discuss the long term problems it can cause both in relationships and your business. The panel discusses offering a discount to get your foot in the door and to better your portfolio. Supporting non-profits and making sure you receive the proper credit for your work is discussed. Offering discounts as part of your business model is considered, discounts such as paying upfront or high volume discounts, are weighed. Jeremy Green shares an experience and warning against helping a business just because you like what they are doing. The panel gives advice on how to say no to someone asking for a discount.  They finish the episode with more advice on why to give a discount and explain some of the negative effects giving out too many discounts or giving discounts for the wrong reason can have on your business. Links

• https://www.squarespace.com
• https://www.shopify.com

Picks Jeremy Green:

• Practical Object-Oriented Design, An Agile Primer Using Ruby

Erik Dietrich:

• Ready Player One
• Hit to subscribe

Sponsors:

• Sentryuse the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• .TECH – tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry!
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly

Panel:

• Jeremy Green
• Erik Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner
• Jonathan Stark

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about advantages of using a CRM software in their freelance business. They share their own experiences of how their business improved when they started using it and why they needed one in the first place. Picks: Jeremy Green:

• Sanebox

Erik Dietrich:

• The Hiring Post
• Giftly

Jonathan Stark:

• The Trusted Advisor
• Interview with Charles Green, author of the Trust Advisors

Reuven Lerner:

• The Trusted Advisor
• Disrupted
• Amazing sandwich suggestion: peanut butter + pickles + hot sauce

Sponsors:

• Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• .TECH - Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry!
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly

Panel:

• Jeremy Green
• Erik Dietrich

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how to handle “stump the chump” interviews. These are type of interviews where tech companies ask developers whiteboard questions or algorithm questions. The panel advises that this type of interview is a red flag about the company and how they view freelancers and share tips on what to do and say in such an interview. They then share tips on how to create a better reputation as a freelance developer so that the quality of interviews get better. Links:

• https://devchat.tv/

Picks: Jeremy Green:

• Authority by Nathan Barry

Erik Dietrich:

• Hit Subscribe

Sponsors

• ​Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry!
• Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO
• CacheFly
•  

Panel

• Erik Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner
• Jeremy Green

Summary The panel starts by discussing why career development as a freelancer is important and what skills to work on for career development. They share mistakes and use examples from their own businesses. The panel gives career tips for those just starting out as well as freelancers who are advanced. Networking and masterminds are considered; the panel advises developers on how to choose a mastermind to join. The episode ends with a discussion on improving technical skills. Picks Reuven Lerner:

• http://store.lerner.co.il/numpy
• https://www.pipedrive.com

Erik Dietrich:

• http://HitSubscribe.com/

Jeremy Green:

• http://PersonalMBA.com/

Sponsors

• Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan
• .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry!
• CacheFly

Panel

• Erik Dietrich
• Reuven Lerner

Summary The panel discusses various “things not to do” that they have seen others do. First, they advise not sticking with a single client in a pseudo employment situation. The panel also warns against biting off more than you can chew. Erik brings up not relying on global freelancing platforms like upwork.com, while Rueven cautions against saying yes to all business. The panel considers overworking and hourly rates. They also debate when to get a virtual assistant and communication tools. The panel ends with consideration on what technologies to use and warns against chasing new and shiny technologies. The episode ends with an invitation to the listeners to share their own “things not to do”. Links

• www.upwork.com

Picks Erik Dietrich

• https://gramblr.com/uploader/#home
• https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/view-clipboard-history-on-windows-10/
• https://think-boundless.com/the-failed-promise-of-freelance-consulting-talent-platforms/

Reuven Lerner

• http://LinuxJournal.com/
• https://us.pycon.org/2019/