To be or not be… a freelancer.
WednesdayOct 8,2008
No, the point here is not about being a rockstar freelancer (although it could be easier to imagine sometimes) but about the opportunity to become a developer freelancer.
There are first those fantastic videos from Jesse Warden “Being Independent and Making Money Using Flex”. Then came Flash On the Beach and those “inspired session” where the main message was, in short terms: “Quit your job, go independent, do what you really want to do, make money and have fun!”. And finally there are my friends in the Flash/Flex community who are independent and happily living from it.
Since several days|weeks|months, I’m a bit torn between answering to those sirens and not moving at all. And I have always this question in my mind:
“Is there a right moment in a life and/or a right place to become a freelancer?”
Let me explain a bit: I mostly agree on all those encouragements for being a freelancer, but I think that it’s missing an important factor which is your familial situation (and maybe age).
Don’t you think that you’re seeing things differently when you are single rather than married, when you have kids or not, when you are 20 or 40 ? Don’t you think that it’s easier to be a freelancer when you reached a certain level of expertise than when you’re a noob? It’s not a question of being afraid, it’s more a question of responsibility.
Maybe an example will help you to understand my point of view: Imagine a 35 guy who is an IT consultant for 10 years, married with kids and a home loan ongoing (any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental). Do you really think that switching to freelancing at that particular moment of his life is right? Of course it will probably bring more money in the household [“Money, get away. Get a good job with good pay and youre okay. Money, its a gas. Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash. New car, caviar, four star daydream, Think Ill buy me a football team.” – Pink Floyd] but is it worth the sacrifice of your week-ends and family life? It doesn’t mean that this guy is not passionate about his job (Oh no!). I think being 20 (and gifted) or being 40 with no more kids at home is a better moment in a life for being a freelancer.
I first wanted to do a deeper analysis, but finally I decided to make the discussion more opened. So what’s your opinion? Please feel free to share your thoughts here.
Posted in 
October 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
RT @Fitzchev: new blog post : to be or not to be… a freelancer http://bit.ly/1dGHXj – Please share your thoughts !
October 8th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Ah Cyrill, this has clearly been keeping you up at night eh?
This is a hugely difficult question for anyone in any position and definitely falls foul of ‘greener grass’ from both angles.
Put yourself in the 20 year old’s shoes with the same concerned view:
You’re very inexperienced.
You mostly have academia to draw upon and limited real-world experiences.
You have no idea of how to liase with clients.
Where do you go to find said clients?
The only deadlines/pressure you’ve had to deal with were assignment hand in dates.
You have a very limited amount of industry contacts.
You’re unlikely to be respected due to your age.
You want to start earning but will probably have to start off doing cheap work to build a portfolio.
etc etc…
I think you’re looking at it from the wrong viewpoint, it certainly isn’t easier/more viable for younger developers (run through the above list and see how you rate yourself on those points). And if you think about it, the VAST majority of 20 somethings are not becoming mega-successful free-lancers, they’re working at the Dells, IBMs, Microsofts and other varying sized businesses of the world. Having very insignificant roles getting some experience under their belts. Before they know it they’ll be wrapped up in starting families, arranging mortgages and focusing on security etc and also not being freelancers.
So no, I don’t think the age/family situation is the main, or even significant, impact on whether to stay ‘working for the man’ or going it alone.
If I were considering my options in a similar situation I would look at:
Worst case scenario * Likelihood of worst case scenario
VS
Best case scenario * likelihood of best case scenario
You’re in the best position to put some form of weighting to that. Just my thoughts on the subject and hope it helps at least a little rather than add to the obvious frustration you’re feeling at the moment
October 9th, 2008 at 2:33 am
I don’t think age matters at all. What matters is what you do and how you approach it. You could do something you love and totally botch the management of clients and projects which will sour the experience both with freelancing and what you love.
It’s really about the balance and whether you can maintain that with the opportunities you would have and your current lifestyle.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:32 am
I think the age/family situation is very significant – I know all about the long hours DannyT and ‘Mrs T’ work. However, he is in the relatively unique position of having a girlfriend who is involved in the Flash/Flex world (who works with him) plus no family … and DannyT, didn’t you start your company when you were 21?!!
I contracted for a number of years, but now that I’m in a relationship I have to consider the potential strain the long hours may cause. I have also just witnessed the breakup of a friend’s marriage for those exact reasons (sad as they have a kid too) – for many people with families or in a relationship with a partner who doesn’t share your passion the worst-case must factor in the affect of long hours on your relationship. I found it far easier to contract/freelance when I was younger simply because only had myself to consider.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:40 am
One simpler way, answer the three questions below:
1. Do you mind filing 1099/W9 instead of W2?
2. Do you have potential clients?
3. Can you do work without having someone telling you to do it?
If you answered yes to those 3 questions, than you have what it takes to be a freelancer.
Taxes as a freelancer are a PIA compared to W2. If you don’t have an inbox with potential jobs, then you’ll have a tough time getting work. Finally, since you’re the boss, you’re also the one that has to get the work done and talk to clients. All of it is riding on you.
…everything else is just personal preference and details. Not every freelancer is the same. I work myself to death. Others work 20 hours a week, and still keep their weekends. Some take weeks off at random. Some even make less than they could as W2 simply because they love the freedom and lifestyle. Some freelance with various enterprises, some with agencies, and some with consulting firms. Some do this at random, others for years. This can be beneficial if your significant other has health insurance, you can then contract with the same company for years, making more than you could as W2, yet still having it act like W2.
I’m 29, have 2 mortgages (2nd to avoid PMI), a wife, kid, 2 dogs and a cat, and love freelancing. I’m experienced enough that “I don’t hate my code when done”. It took me 5 years to utter that statement, but I knew from that day forward that I was capable of doing this stuff professionally on my own. Basically, I can identify jobs I’m capable of doing and those I’m not capable, as well as when I need help or resources from another discipline (server-side guy, designer, etc.). I have a swath of opportunities because of my big mouth, online presence, and referrals.
Remember, there is no reason you can’t try freelancing for a few months, hate it, and then go back to full-time instead. There are a ton of Flash & Flex full-time jobs out there.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:40 am
The grass is always greener
I suck so incredibly hard at paperwork. I even suck at getting an accountant to deal with it. I suck at talking money with clients. I’m extremely non confrontational. I’m poor at organizing myself. Hence, it’s a no brainer, I would suck at being independent. Matter of fact, I tried it my first two years in the business, and had a severe case of the FAIL. Not because I wasn’t good at my profession, just because I wasn’t good at being an independent.
Guaranteed holidays, with a team to back up your absence, project management and sales to deal with clients so I can stick to programming, company paid training etc. etc. etc.
Sure, I might make a few bucks more as an independent, but again, as a married geek with two kids, quality of life is more important for me. Unfortunately, this is not advice, just personal circumstance. Each folk likes a different stroke
Nice discussion though
October 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I had same decision before me few months later, I knew, that company I was working for was my last before my own company/freelancing. I have some clients (that was needed condition to switch to my own) and I try convince my best friend (and myself as well) to go on our own. We have try to get projects and clients in a period of our wokr for previous company, but it was really painfull because of time. Yes, i got my beatifull wife (no kids till now) and that was 2nd condition, I have to have free time, because family must be on 1st place. I have to thank to my wife for patience
Now, we are on our own for few months and I think it’s worth, maybe we got not many clients, but still there are possibilities to get work. And (maybe it was or personal situation) we are Bosses, and if screw up things, it’s our faults. Because I hate when you have to work on “shity” projects, because your boss is not possible to get projects interesting for its employess (maybe too far away from your questions 
And Jester is right with give it a try for few months
P.S. im 33, got wife, got mortgage as well, but it still works
October 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Cyril,
A lot of very interesting things have already been said above, to summarize I would probably say the real key is simply independence.
I can certainly understand your concern about family responsabilities, but let’s be realistic: we are in a business where risks are rather small, to say the least: close-to-zero investments, (very) high demand for qualified/experienced profiles, booming technologies… If you are not today on a super tight budget (ah, that crisis) and can afford to have limited/reduced incomes for 2/3 months, then what’s the risk?
That being said, I also wanted to comment on that “bringing more money in” bit…. While it’s not completely a myth, I’d say it’s probably at least a bit biased and over-rated, specially in a country like ours where on one side employees are very well treated/protected, while on the other side independents are definitely not. I don’t know about your personal situation, but experienced IT consultants in Belgium typically have: a decent salary, company car + gas, laptop, mobile phone + subscription, paid holidays, 14th month salary, meal cheques, insurances, expenses, trainings, bonuses, home internet sometimes, etc etc… PLUS, a rather unique social security system (health insurance, 3 months+ notice in case of lay off, paid unemployment, etc).
Believe me, it takes a LOT of freelance revenue to match that level of comfort/security.
So I’m not saying you can’t make a bit more money as a freelancer, I’m just saying it’s very vastly over-estimated imho, especially in a country like ours for senior IT positions. But again, there are tons of other benefits to the freelance life, so if you feel like it, go for it
October 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Hi Cyril,
I’m actually wondering about the same thing, after reading the comments, it seems that I’d probably have what it takes to go freelancing, but for ‘security’ reasons I’m unable to take the decision … However, if I was sure to have work 365 days a year (or at least 250 days/year) being freelance, I’d definetly make the switch, for me, working on stuff I decide/enjoy/fell safe with would improve the work experience and working full time already takes time on weekends, … doesn’t sound that impossible to me thanks to everyone who commented,
October 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Freelancing is for chumps. I only say that because I did it for 15 years. In fact, at one point I had 5 employees. There is one main thing that holds you back as a freelancer and that is that your income is completely constrained by time. No matter how you try to package it, you are always going to be billing by the hour in some form. When you lose a client, you take a direct hit to your income and have to try to scramble to fill it. While you’re doing the selling, your other work gets neglected. If you decide to go this route, your first employee HAS to be a commission based, professional salesman. Next is going to be a college intern that you barely have to pay and can run at nearly 100% billable.
So, how do you get around this problem? Do what every other type of startup does. Keep your day job and work on your project as a hobby until it’s financially viable. The trick is to build a product for yourself that can be resold without being connected to the clock. If your product is “custom software development”, keep looking.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Woooh, lots of comments! Thank you all… it seems that I’m not the only one to have some doubts
Some interesting points have been raised: @DannyT, yep definitely the age is not a real factor to take in consideration, but the family situation is very significant! @nwebb gave a good explanation. Of course, if your better half is working with you or he/she has a job which require to spend as much time on work as you – or someone very very supportive
– then that’s okay.
@JesterXL I think that I have what it takes to be a freelancer. After 10 years of consulting and several years of online presence, I think that I could easily find a job by myself. What I’m a bit afraid of is the impact that it could have on my family, not only in terms of time (I’m on the road around 3 hrs per days, wake-up at 5:30am, back at home at 6:30 pm and I’m spending few hours per nights on my computer – I cannot resist), but also in terms of “comfort”. @jerome described exactly what I’m calling “comfort” here: health insurance, car, etc… That’s why I said that switching to freelancing could depend on the place where you live.
Now sacrificing a few things just to be able to be your own boss, taking on whatever project you want, might be invaluable to some. Yes, one option could be to give it a try for few months and see how I would be able to cope.
October 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Great comments. Freelancing was something I looked at doing briefly but frankly, it was too scary. I’m more of a “mess/hack around” developer so continually having to crank out deliverable apps was terrifying.
But I’m also really jealous of the people that can do freelancing and do it well. I think my ideal (aside from my current job) would be to tag team it with someone. Have someone who can put up with me getting back up to speed on apps and would let me do some of the business development stuff.
Best of luck!
=Ryan
ryan@adobe.com
October 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Interesting post and nice to read the various comments. Thought I’d give my own perspective here as well — started out in my early twenties taking on various junior web development jobs and went self-employed partnering up with a family member and setting up a moderately succesful web studio.
After a year or two I was looking at getting some more stable income again and decided to go into the workforce again, incidentally the company Sakri is now working that was just starting out. To be honest I had some real difficulties adjusting to the day job, not working for yourself, not necessarily being able to continue your own way of approaching projects and organizing the day was a pain for me.
Not long after I went freelance again and haven’t changed since. If I was to think of a checklist for those thinking of going freelance developer it would be something like this:
- are you confident about the code you write? I think its a myth that you need to be the ultimate expert in your subject matter but you do always need to stay on top of things and know how to tackle problems.
- can you handle money? Especially when starting out you don’t always have a steady stream of income, clients don’t always pay on time, your project estimates aren’t always accurate (try and avoid fixed price contracts at any cost)
- are you flexible in the amount of hours you put in? while I try to avoid it these last few years, I’ve had times where I worked 7 days a week and 10+ hours a day. You do need to find a balance between work and personal life if you want to avoid burn out. Don’t expect you to always be able to make it a 5 days a week 9 to 5 job though.
I don’t have a wife or kids to support but if I was in your situation and they are supportive of the idea I would would be tempted to try and give it a go. I for one am much happier as a freelancer and feel it allows me much more freedom in developing my personal skill set. Over the last year I’ve shifted from during just development to more of a consultancy and training role which is really satisfying.
If you have the chance to try it out for half a year or so and go back to your job if it doesn’t work out that could be a good way to test the water.
Take care,
Peter
October 12th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
[...] > To be or not be… a freelancer. | Cyril Hanquez [...]
October 13th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Your current job situation, and freelance are 2 different things. I had a job where I was 2 1/2 hours in the car a day. That’s almost a 4 weeks a year, spent in car. What would you do if you had a month extra a year? Would you spend it in a car? I wouldn’t.
I’ve had jobs that the commute was great, but it wasn’t great for my personal development. I’ve had jobs where everything was great, but the benefits sucked. Bottom line, finding the perfect job is easier in our industry because, as Jerome said, we’re in need and the technology is hot. Freelancing aside, if you’re commute sucks, go working for a consulting firm like Esria (talk to Clint Modien or Brian Riley), Cynergy, or Universal Mind. You can work anywhere in the world. Granted, consulting is better when you travel on-site to clients, but there is still a massive need for people to just to be dependable code muscle.
Bottom line, if you’re current situation sucks, freelancing may not be the best fix, but rather, a better opportunity. They ARE out there.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Hi, I’m new here, but I wanted to take you up on the opportunity to contribute. I am a daytime professional and nighttime freelance writer/designer. Personally, my first thought was to build up my freelance to the point of it 100% supporting me. However, as everything in the economy and my home life (mid-30′s father of 2) is currently in a state of unknown, I’m thinking this 50/50 split works for me. The key for me is balance and appreciation for the options that freelance opens up. As in the offline world, it still is and always will be about building collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships. As long as I focus on this truth, I feel confident that, while I don’t have to make a choice, I will always have the ability to should the situation arise.
To reiterate what I’ve seen multiple times in this discussion, freelancing is great if you know what you want it to do for you and you understand what it requires from you.
Of course, that’s just my opinion…
Daryl James
oDesk Workteam