How to Make a Living as a (ColdFusion) Freelancer?

Thinking about freelancing? It's not just about coding solo and avoiding coworkers. Join me as I share insights from my 15-year freelance journey, covering everything from managing invoices to client communication styles. This session blends ColdFusion-specific tips with general freelance and consulting advice, with time for audience Q&A.

1. How to Make a Living
As a (ColdFusion) Freelancer
Nolan Erck
South of Shasta

2. Who Am I?
●Director / Owner, South of Shasta
–Web / mobile development, training
●Recovering video game developer
–Grim Fandango, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, SimPark
●Sac Interactive Meetup Manager
●Music junkie

5. What is South of Shasta?
Developer consultancy
–Web & mobile apps, developer relations, architecture,
technical manager, etc.
–Training
–Adobe, Ortus, Intuit, e-HandOff, Gallo Wines, Hazelcast,
etc.
Sometimes just me
–Will bring in other reputable consultants
as needed

6. So, you want to
be a freelancer?
Love writing code?
Annoyed by boring meetings?
Dislike emailing customers?
Sound like your dream job?
Then I have some news for you!
Being a consultant…

7. ...is probably not for you

8. Common Misconceptions

9. Misconception #1
“I get to just write code and never have to
deal with the boring stuff any more!”

10. Misconception #2
“Projects will fall from the sky!”

11. How did I get started consulting?

12. Said “yes” to everything that came my way!

13. How to get work?

14. Rule #1
Everyone signs a contract first.
Yes, everyone.

15. Your reputation
is very important
Protect it!
–Can sub-contract work to others when
needed
–But when that project goes badly it’s
your reputation that is affected
–One of my sub-contractors lied on his
resume, it cost me a client
Also, don’t be a jerk

16. Marketing
Find a way to reach out to previous and potential
customers
–So they become repeat customers
Every December I have a “holiday marketing”
campaign
–It doesn’t have to be expensive
–Unique and memorable is good
You want to be on their
radar for projects

17. Networking
Keep your name in front of potential customers.
Blog, contribute to open source, write docs, tweet
about new features, share relevant articles on
LinkedIn, etc.
Have you answered questions on Stack Overflow?
Google forums?
–These are SEO’d. Slack is not.
Are you doing things to stay visible in
your niche as an expert?

18. Be aware of what’s on your social media

19. Taxes and Insurance
(In the US anyway.
Also, I am not a lawyer nor an accountant.)

20. Taxes
Step 1: 30 - 35% of every dollar you make
–Put it in a separate “just for taxes” bank account
Step 2: Hire an accountant!
–The days of 1040-EZ are over
–Keep your receipts!
–Track your mileage!
Some things may surprise you
–Can write off mileage to Staples
–Can’t write off both oil changes and mileage

21. Health Insurance
In the US - it’s expensive and goes up
every year
Most carriers have policies for sole
proprietors
Pick the one that matches your needs
and budget
ACA might also be an option

22. Dental Insurance
In the US, this doesn’t exist for sole
proprietors
Get a credit card with a super low interest
rate, deem that your “dental plan” card
Married? Does your spouse work and get
dental from their job?
–Take it!
–Better than the credit card plan

23. FAQs

24. FAQs
“Will you let me speak at your tech
meetup so I can advertise my skills?”
–Absolutely!
–SacInteractive.com for more info

25. FAQs
“Will you split a project with me so I
can get started freelancing too?”
–Probably not, sorry.

26. FAQs
“So, are you a Vue.js developer? CFML
developer? Something else?”
–Neither and both
–All of the above and none of the above

27. FAQs
“Can I be a freelancer while I have a full-time job?”

28. Other Tips

29. Other Tips
40 hour work week ≠ 40 billable hours

30. Other Tips
Don’t sleep with your cell phone
in your bedroom

31. Other Tips
Use source control for everything.
Yes, everything.

32. Other Tips
Come up with a “business day”
and stick to it

33. Other Tips
Stay current on industry trends
and new technology

34. Other Tips
“Figure it out”
is a big part of this business

35. Other Tips
Learning in 30 minutes a day

36. Other Tips
It’s okay to say “no”
and establish boundaries

37. Books
Eat That Frog
–Brian Tracy
The Business Side of Creativity
–Cameron S. Foote
Never Check Email In the Morning
– Julie Morgenstern
Getting Things Done
–David Allen

38. Podcasts, etc
Ortus Solutions, Modernize or Die
South of Shasta, Sac Interactive
Working Code Podcast
The Futur

39. Thanks!
You can find me here:
southofshasta.com
[email protected]
GitHub: @southofshasta and @nolanerck
Twitter: @southofshasta and @nolanerck