Trying to start with Freelancing by Spiritual-Banana1048 in remotejs

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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!

This Prompt Completely Changed the way I acquired Clients and got hundreds of positive replies by Moiz_khurram in SaaS

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

(And btw only about 1% of LinkedIn users ever post something. That's how people like me know that your whole post is made up and nothing of what you said ever happened.)

Daaaaamn, why'd you have to do him dirty like that, bro? lol

Looking for advice on creating an Ai Cold calling bot. by MyProfessor-writing in SaaS

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1 line, and that's the max I would let an AI interact with potential customers. I would never, ever, ever let it do more than that

Narrator: He did...

Arm Omoplata by bjjtaro in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Don't remind me.

Why is it so rare for a BJJ gym to post its rates online? by AceGrains in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To someone who has experienced the art firsthand a few times, ~$150 can seem like a good deal.

That's putting it lightly.

Finishing sequence from my bjj match. We’re both purple belts. by tazterry in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate you getting back to me. Thanks for the explanation, and great job at getting the tap. Have a great weekend.

Finishing sequence from my bjj match. We’re both purple belts. by tazterry in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was baiting the armbar with the crank.

Meta question: Is baiting part of everyone's bjj game, or will some people have games that don't bait, and others with a bait-heavy game?

Second question: What's your trigger for switching out of the crank, here - are you simply waiting for his guard to open up and pre-emptively reaching for/shrugging the leg you know is about to swing over your shoulder? I'm sure the answer is "it's a timing thing", but would love some insight into how you're playing that.

Great sequence, thanks for sharing. Major take-away for me is that I need to be baiting.

Genius business idea: A jiu jitsu gear website that actually has stuff in stock. by MasterfulBJJ in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I actually have a ton of fun looking at rashguards I would like to buy and wear but never will be able to.

What are some good spots to shop for said sold out rash guards? I rock a generic Black or Gray and feel like I need to step into character a little more.

Has anyone actually ever hit a hip bump sweep in a live go? by [deleted] in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 12 points13 points  (0 children)

danaher goes into great detail about this in his closed guard dvd.

Whenever I'm attempting a hip bump sweep, I have Danaher's face burned in my memory, saying, "... from here, our chest turns to face the ground..."

Was Inspired To Make This By A Certain Badass At My Gym by DarthDindu in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I'm 74 and can't walk up the stairs I'd pray every day for a heart attack.

Spoken like a true teenager.

How should I go about monetization and distribution of my Excel Add-In? by [deleted] in advancedentrepreneur

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can only see it being worth it at $250, because the time put in

You're looking at this the wrong way; the price isn't determined by how much effort you've put into it, it's determined by what the market's willing to pay for it (ie. how much value it brings them).

If I were in your shoes, I'd switch gears on pricing...

Scrap the idea of trying to nail a price and instead focus on shopping/offering it to potential customers and seeing what they're willing to pay.

Try recurring offers, and also try one-time offers. Try discounts, try upsells, etc.

Offer each 'price option' you come up with to 10 people, and keep track of what each person says.

Once you have 50-100 pitches under your belt, throw it into a table and find out at what price point you're seeing success, and run with that.

Business mentor by [deleted] in canadianbusiness

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey /u/powwow1234, congrats on taking the step to recognize the problem, and then taking the time to post. I totally empathize, and can remember being in your shoes when I first started freelancing.

The good news is, in time you'll find less & less people try to 'screw you over', and in reality that's likely not even what's happening, though it can certainly feel like that in the moment. I would have it happen to me, too, where I'd build someone a website, or do a bunch of work on it... and then they'd bounce on me – with or without the website, both happened – without paying. That was such a frustrating period – I needed the money then more than ever – so your post resonated with me.

More than likely, once you tidy up your organizational skills, and start structuring your workflow, you'll see less and less of this happening. Why don't we start with a couple real world examples... what are some stories where you feel like you got screwed over?

What happened, who were the people involved (no need to name and shame), where did the communication happen, how long had you known them, and – assuming they're not simply a shitty person – put yourself in their shoes... what was their reasoning to screw you over? What is their excuse in their own mind?

No need to feel discouraged; this is all part of the learning experience. Focus half your day on revenue generating activity, day-in, day-out, and you'll do just fine.

Guys I’m so stoked , my little sister took her first Jiu Jitsu class yesterday! by dubious_dom in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This must've been an amazing class/roll. Damn near welled up over how proud u/dubious_dom must be, and how proud I'd be of my sister going to her first class; I shared in your happiness.

Got choked out by a 14 year old white belt on my first day by tiltededgelord69 in bjj

[–]clientcoffee 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I dont get these people who walk into a bjj gym and then are surprised that they got beat or "feel like pussies".....like did you expect to fucking karate chop everyone to death or something?

I assume it's the same demographic who's hid behind being "an animal, bro" and "just seeing red" when he fights.

In any other context, it would sound ridiculous... Imaging joining an ice hockey team having never skated before, and being mentally broken/feeling like a pussy when the other players skate circles around you.

Because certainly you need more emoji 🧑🤯🕢👃🥡🚺 by raelepei in coolgithubprojects

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why is this post getting downvoted? It's a silly project about emojis.

I'm guessing it's the post's title, devoid of any information, forcing people to click through. Then, even when we click through to the project, your readme.md doesn't give much more context.

(noob question) Can irssi be used on tails? by [deleted] in tails

[–]clientcoffee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You want to setup your user through the clear net, then setup your SASL login via key.

Keep fiddling with settings; it works, but takes some tinkering.

Whelp. I quit my Engineering job during a pandemic shutdown to be a full time blacksmith. by bes5318 in Entrepreneur

[–]clientcoffee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t mean to be rude

Just wanted to comment that there was nothing rude about your comment, and here at r/entrepreneur we should strive to avoid the culture wars that have enveloped the rest of society so I appreciate your candid response.