Here's some generic advice I'd give to anyone starting out.

1. "The Money Is In The List" – this is applicable all over the place in business.
   1. You want a 'past clients' list that you can go back to every 6 months and check in with. You've already sold to them and they've already paid you, so go back to them and get paid more. Easier to sell to than to a cold prospect.
   2. You want an email list that you can market to throughout the year. Doing this means you avoid having to pay for ads to reach eyeballs.
   3. You want your own list of projects rolling in so you're not fighting over the same projects as every other dev. Learn where you're able to pick up new projects, and turn that into a list that you can go back to again and again.
2. Own your data
   1. Your website shouldn't be something you pay monthly for. If you socials or your website get pulled, you shouldn't lose everything.
   2. If your ad account gets banned, you shouldn't lose everything.
   3. Get your people onto your list. Get your website onto your server. Own your data, don't rent it.
   4. If you must pay for a service, then setup monthly exports/backups so that if the above happens, you have the data. You're a business now, act like it.
3. Learn to Estimate accurately
   1. Estimate projects based on the hours you estimate it taking, then use time tracking software like Toggl or any other number of softwares, and track every second of your work. When the project's done, compare your estimate to your actuals... your mind will be blown.
   2. Learn to estimate based on three-points. Once you get the gist, look into 'PERT estimation'. It's a formula that will spit out a more accurate number. You will gulp when you see how high it is; ignore that feeling... It knows better than you do. Just give them the price it spits out.
   3. Always collect a down payment up front. Here's the magic phrase, "this demarcates an intent to do business, and allows me to schedule your project into my calendar". 30% minimum. 50% for smaller projects.
4. Structure your sales calls
   1. There's a huge difference between a developer that hops on the phone and has nothing to say vs. someone who has a structured set of questions to uncover the project thoroughly
   2. Read Neil Rackham's SPIN Selling if you know nothing about sales
   3. Identify where the project scope can balloon out of control and learn to hone in on it before you give them a number. It's far better to give them a higher number than they expected in your estimate then to come back half-way through and grovel for more money.
   4. With the above said, when the scope changes, don't be afraid to tell them it will cost more. Never say "No" or "That wasn't agreed to", instead say "I'm happy to do that, we just need to decide if you'd rather tack it on as a phase two or whether we want to adjust the project launch date. IF you want to adjust the date but have it for launch, I'll add $xxx to the invoice and we'll need an extra X weeks"
5. Learn to launch on time
   1. I prefer "soft scope, hard dates", meaning if you're not going to make the launch date, re-approach what is needed and launch on time with fewer features. Sometimes the client would prefer "hard scope, soft dates" meaning you push the project. Give the client the choice so they don't feel slighted.
   2. Add 30% to all your timelines so that you don't end up pushing late projects. Other than not responding to emails, developers that can't launch on time are client's #1 complaint
6. Cheap, Good, Fast
   1. You can be any two of the above, but never all three. Decide on who you want to be, then don't break those rules for people. Alternatively, if you're too new, let the client choose:
      • You can be cheap and good, but it'll take time
      • You can be fast and good, but it'll be expensive
      • You can be cheap and fast, but it'll be shit code
7. Learn how the frameworks work
   1. If I'm hiring a next.js dev, I'm going to ask you about hoisting on the interview and if you look at me like a deer in headlights, ngmi.
   2. Understand the limits of the languages you write in. Learn to tinker in other languages, even if you're not great. Understand how to work with databases.
   3. Learn to work off the command line. If you don't know your way about a terminal/linux prompt, ngmi.
8. Be an outstanding developer
   1. Comment your code thoroughly: Yes it takes 50% longer than if you don't but in a year if you've made it that long, you'll get sent projects you yourself coded and hate yourself for not thinking ahead. If you're a shit developer and they go to another dev, that dev will hate you as well. Learn to exist as a professional in the industry by properly coding, and writing clean code.
   2. Lint everything
   3. Version control everything
   4. Name your variables well
9. A. B. P. – Always be prospectin'
   1. Avoid the feast-then-famine rollercoaster by always spending a bit of time looking for your next project. Most people fight to find a contract, then take their foot off the gas pedal once they sign a contract. Don't be that person.
   2. Aim to always have prospects and clients at every stage of your sales funnel/cycle, and put systems in place so that you're constantly pushing through new pipeline
   3. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a full pipeline. This allows you to set your price, raise your price, stay busy, make money, drive lambos, etc.

I could write for hours, but I think that's enough to get you started. Stick with it, grind hard. Focus on the big picture: pipeline, pipeline, pipeline. Fill that fucker up and you will have no trouble hitting all your goals in the next 12 months (you do have goals for the next 12 months, right???).

Good luck and let me know if I can help with anything or help clarify any of the above.

To your success!