In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at ThisDot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) dive deep into the realities of freelancing as a web developer. They discuss how to land your first clients, effectively communicate your value, set prices (and get paid!), use contracts to protect yourself, and grow your network so that freelancing becomes a reliable source of income. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your freelance hustle to the next level, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world experiences.
What You’ll Learn:
0:00 – Intro & The Hardest Part of Freelancing: Danny and Leon share their thoughts on why actually getting clients is tougher than the coding or deployment work itself.
2:01 – Why Freelancing is a Crucial Skill: Leon explains why freelancing can be life-changing and why every developer should consider it.
3:05 – Cold Calling & First Client Strategies: They discuss the reality of cold calling, the grit required, and how to improve your pitch to win your first projects.
4:00 – Start with Your Existing Network: Learn why your friends, family, and local connections are often the best way to find your initial freelancing gigs.
8:01 – Figuring Out Budgets & Pricing: How to talk about money without scaring away clients—and why you should ask the client for their ballpark budget.
9:00 – Danny’s First Paid Gig Story: Hear how Danny sold his very first website to a local restaurant and what he learned in the process.
11:55 Sponsor Lucas Casarez
18:25 – Transitioning from Small to Large Projects: Danny shares how his freelancing evolved from smaller projects to more complex (and better-paying) contracts.
23:30 – Setting Payment Terms & Deposits: Why you should always ask for a deposit and how it filters out difficult clients.
28:00 – Contracts & Legal Protection: Key contract clauses to include, such as ownership of work until final payment and liability protection.
33:10 – Maintaining vs. Delivering & Walking Away: Deciding whether you want to offer ongoing maintenance plans or simply provide a project handoff.
40:00 – Turning One-Off Clients into Evergreen Clients: Practical tips on establishing long-term relationships and retaining clients for continuous work.
47:00 – Q&A: Being the Solo Dev in a Company: Advice for someone struggling with skill growth when they’re the only developer at their workplace.
52:02 – Final Tips: Tackle the Hard Stuff First: Danny shares his strategy for handling the most challenging tasks early in the day to boost productivity and confidence.
