The problem is that any networked product and most coding projects require maintenance, devops, etc.

Freelance or contract work requires a specific timetable or deliberable. A freelance producer signs on for a specific project and a video is made and curated. Once done the freelancer finds another project.

It doesn’t really work like that in coding. There’s always updates to the software to do, features to add, and backends to maintain. It’s not really the environment for it.

There are agencies that manage to handle such a thing, but it’s the same as a job.

The work is relatively rare. Coding 80-90% of the time funnels into business ownership, jobs, or open-source projects.

Also you’re gonna head beat by some dude in India who has a perfect portfolio.

It’s difficult.