most recent 30 from freelancing.stackexchange.com 2025-08-06T21:27:03Z https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/feeds/tag/consulting https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/rdf https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/6837 5 Eve https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/17105 2025-08-06T02:06:58Z 2025-08-06T09:08:10Z

<p>I am an independent contractor and recently saw a job posting for the same work I do as a contractor. I do not want to be an employee but would like the organization to know that I specialize in that type of work. How do I approach the organization about my services? By the way they have an immediate need. I'm thinking I should introduce my company and services and ask for a meeting. </p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10992 2 Aymen https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/32803 2025-08-06T23:09:03Z 2025-08-06T21:49:58Z

<p>I'm seeking advice regarding a situation I encountered as a freelance IT consultant. I signed a service contract with a company to build a complete 3D configurator system (backend, frontend, and integration). The contract was valid from May 12, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with a clear hourly billing clause and a two-month notice for termination.</p> <p>Here is what happened:</p> <p>On July 4, 2025, without any notice or justification, they blocked my company email, disabled my access to internal systems (project delivery platforms, timesheet logs), and cut communication entirely. They later claimed the contract was terminated, after I attempted to contact their German HQ to report the issue. They refused to sign a property rights amendment (IP ownership), while still holding my delivered code. They attempted to force me to edit an already issued invoice down to match a previous advance, despite the full work being completed and documented. They accused me of &quot;non-cooperation&quot; because I refused to train their internal developers, despite the contract explicitly stating I am the sole developer. They retrieved a loaned laptop/headset under the pretext of software installation, then kept them and didn’t return the handover form, while blocking project access entirely. All my hours and deliveries are well documented. What I'm asking: Have other consultants experienced similar issues with clients abusing system access or refusing invoice payments after blocking communication? Is there a known escalation path or precedent for this kind of abuse, especially in Tunisia or under international tech contracting? Should I issue a formal technical notice or report via a professional organization or platform? In our case, we anticipated a possible issue and captured all screenshots, logs, and delivery records before access was revoked. But we’re still interested in how others prevent or respond to such client behavior — especially if it happens suddenly or under pressure. Any insights — especially from IT consultants, contract developers, or professionals who've faced similar cases — are welcome.</p> <p>Note: All materials (invoices, communications, screenshots, timesheets) have been securely documented and archived prior to the access termination.</p> <p>Thanks in advance.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10750 2 Andrea https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/30087 2025-08-06T13:20:34Z 2025-08-06T07:03:03Z

<h2>Background</h2> <p>I am an AI consultant and I work developing custom algorithms to solve problems for clients.</p> <p>I would to put, on my website, the list of clients I had and a summary page for the past projects, to promote my work.</p> <h2>Question</h2> <ul> <li>Is it considered bad practice or less credible to include projects without mentioning for whom I did them?</li> <li>To mention a client (with logo) on my website (e.g. saying I did some project for them), is it necessary to have their written consent?</li> </ul>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10924 1 Anurag Srivastava https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26985 2025-08-06T08:10:54Z 2025-08-06T18:00:14Z

<p>I'm a Software Developer and worked for an MNC in India for <strong>1.5 years (2014-2015)</strong>, as a front-end developer after which I quit the job to pursue freelancing full-time. After working as a freelancer for about 9 years now, I would like to start applying for full-time roles, mostly for software work based on front-end technologies like React/Next.js/Angular.</p> <p><strong>My question is:</strong> Would recruiters see my freelance experience as &quot;industry&quot; work experience? And would I be eligible to apply on jobs that ask for say <strong>3+ or 5+ Years</strong> of experience?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/6627 2 John https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/14413 2025-08-06T20:33:06Z 2025-08-06T13:21:09Z

<p>Im a fresh graduate from uni and im trying to enter the freelancing word, however im not sure how.. its such a big community with many experienced people. How can someone such as me face and get clients if 9+ years experienced people are there? How can i market myself and find clients? How can i market my skills? I already have a portfolio but no one knows about it. How can i make it visible what is the key to start getting projects and gaining real word projects experience? Thank you! </p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10845 0 Kaiser_Design https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/30856 2025-08-06T09:53:54Z 2025-08-06T13:04:45Z

<p>I have quite the list of jobs <em>(much more than what is listed here)</em> that seem viable and enjoyable that I have some form of experience in, at least hobby wise. When trying to find work around any of these hobbies they spur into different job titles, so now I have countless job titles I could chase around similar fields.</p> <p>How can I either offer a LOT of services surrounding said fields, or get to dabble in each so that I can refine my path?</p> <p>Main (currently) preferred work:</p> <p><strong>Confident / experienced:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Product Concepts</li> <li>Photography</li> <li>Architectural design</li> </ul> <p><strong>Things I am capable of, but results will vary:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Design consultation</li> <li>Interaction design</li> <li>Technical project management</li> <li>Simple 3D model clean up and optimization</li> <li>Photo editing <em>(Color management and basic adjustments)</em></li> <li>General 3D modeling</li> <li>Aid in 3D printing</li> <li>Interior design and planning</li> <li>Industrial design</li> <li>Product design</li> <li>UI / UX</li> <li>Organizational services</li> <li>Graphic Design</li> <li>Logo Design</li> <li>Business systems</li> <li>Instructional designer</li> </ul>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10448 1 Bloodfire https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/27898 2025-08-06T09:47:56Z 2025-08-06T05:30:48Z

<p>So after a lot of learning, I've been making moves to get into making brochure websites for clients, but I'm doubtful as to what the best way to handle setting up the host financially for my client.</p> <ol> <li>Should I direct my client to a host, have the person setup an account, and buy a plan I advise?</li> <li>Should I ask the client for their info, and setup an account for them?</li> <li>Is there anything else I should be taking care of in this situation?</li> </ol>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10369 4 Self Smarted https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/24970 2025-08-06T10:41:48Z 2025-08-06T06:51:33Z

<p>I want to create an agency that subcontracts specialists to companies. Just wanted to clarify the terms. What is consultancy and agency difference? What is then different from a project company or product company?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/6490 7 Avan https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/16125 2025-08-06T18:56:49Z 2025-08-06T22:48:57Z

<p>I am about to finish my Graduation ( B.Tech - Computer Science) very soon. I do like the idea of working with freedom like freelancing provides. Honestly, I noticed quite a significant difference in what we learn at an undergraduate level and the expectations and demands of clients over at freelancer. </p> <p>What I am trying to say is, although I have written programs in C/C++/C# but the level of programming was never of that stature. We did normal programs, implemented some algorithms at best but freelancing looks way above my level right now. </p> <p>How exactly do I prepare myself to become a reputed freelancer. </p> <p>What things do I have to focus on for a career in Computer Science, Programming? Obviously, hard work is necessary but what about the mindset and planning to achieve something as big as this? Please share you experience and point me in the right direction. </p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7630 3 James Kroning https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/18209 2025-08-06T15:40:54Z 2025-08-06T17:33:36Z

<p>I recently started consulting and I was wondering how does one learn how to write a:</p> <ul> <li><p>MSA (master service agreement),</p></li> <li><p>SOW (statement of work),</p></li> <li><p>RFP (request for proposal),</p></li> </ul> <p>etc.</p> <p>I have a big client but I have no idea how to write a "proposal". I know how to do the technical work but I am inexperienced at the non-technical side of consulting.</p> <p>How do I get started with writing proposals?</p> <p>Can you recommend a resource that goes through all those important business aspects of consulting?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10088 1 wsdookadr https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26330 2025-08-06T19:12:52Z 2025-08-06T20:25:39Z

<p>I've set up a company and I'm paying an accountant monthly to help me with taxes, then I have to also pay taxes, recently I had to pay a lawyer to help me with drafting a contract template for future clients.</p> <p>I'm having a <em><strong>very hard</strong></em> time finding clients / projects.</p> <p>One option is going through job platforms but I'm finding there are many downsides:</p> <ol> <li>The job platform is charging a 10% fee (relative to the project's value)</li> <li>For some projects I'm not eligible to bid because I'm located in Eastern Europe and some clients are placing a restriction on the geography (I lose around 15% of projects this way alone)</li> <li>The site only allows me a small number of bids. I get charged further fees to purchase additional bids</li> <li>I have to reissue/regenerate the invoices the freelance job market generates for me because none of them has my fiscal code on them</li> <li>There's a lot of work involved in winning bids. From previous experience I have to place around 15-20 bids to win 1 or 2 projects, this is a very time-consuming process that I would rather have spent in actual client work</li> <li>The project budgets are really low value, much below market value</li> <li>There's a lot of risk involved in dealing with unvetted clients (with no previous projects or reviews). I've had one client last month simply refusing to pay their invoice even though the deliverables were to spec. This comes after multiple progress meetings with them where I demo'd deliverables</li> <li>There are many communication delays involved so I have to multitask between trying to find clients and doing actual work</li> </ol> <hr /> <p>I'm writing to ask: How should I find clients outside of these online job markets, preferably with a steady stream of projects, and communicating with them directly? If there are contracts to be written, that's not a problem, but it seems like just finding interested clients. I was told that I should somehow use referals but honestly I don't know how that would work in practice.</p> <p>Another way would be for clients to find my services, but that also doesn't seem to be easy or efficient in any way (even when using blog posts as a way to advertise services offered), as most seem to be interested in hiring people, and I'm just trying to do contracting-based or consulting work.</p> <p>A related, more quantitative question would be: After how many blog posts (that advertise services) should I be expecting to connect with a potential client for example on Linkedin? Is this even viable? I don't know if this question has an answer but I'd be interested to read any thoughts on that.</p> <p>Thank you in advance for any thoughts you'd like to share about these questions</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/10086 4 ConsultingNewb https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/26325 2025-08-06T22:55:10Z 2025-08-06T07:05:10Z

<p>First of all, if my approach to this is a waste of time (mine or the client's) or unethical, let me know because that's more important to me.</p> <p>I'm a programmer with management, product management, and agile coaching experience. Sometimes when I'm applying to technical jobs, I see a post from a company that could, in my opinion, greatly benefit from my skills. The problem is, these job postings are for lower level full-time positions, and I want to work as a consultant. I often apply anyway, hoping that I can reach someone that realizes I can provide more value than the position offered.</p> <p>Some of the times, it's HR that replies. Usually they function as a candidate filter, reading a checklist of skills and salary for the ideal candidate. If I don't check all those boxes, I don't move on to the next stage. I feel like if I could somehow reach the person with the actual problem, I'd have a chance of explaining my value (and price) beyond HR's checklist.</p> <p>What techniques can I use to get past HR and reach those with the actual problems I could help with?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/4120 1 spex5 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/11093 2025-08-06T14:52:16Z 2025-08-06T23:56:21Z

<p>This probably varies from state to state. Does anybody who does IT contracting work in Maryland understand the best way to legally put a late payment clause in their contract? Net 15 / Net 30 ? .. charging how much interest per month / year? Flat fee? How is this worded in the contract?</p> <p>How does this change if I am doing business with a company outside of Maryland?</p> <p><strong>Related side question:</strong></p> <p>I am using a standard Maryland consulting agreement that I downloaded from lawdepot.com</p> <p>If I want to do business with a company in another state, do I need to use a consulting agreement from that state or will the Maryland one I have suffice?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9935 4 queenD https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/25527 2025-08-06T02:58:19Z 2025-08-06T05:22:33Z

<p>About a year ago I tried to start a consulting company. approached potential clients with my services but did not get anywhere. I am now working full time and one of them has come back to me and would like to do business. Now, will it be wise to quit my full time job and focus on my business with this client?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9806 2 Ronny Forberger https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/25053 2025-08-06T23:07:17Z 2025-08-06T13:27:23Z

<p>I am a freelancer registered in Germany and I am interested to take a freelance contract in the United States.</p> <p>I couldn't get my question answered from the web page of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.uscis.gov/</a>) regarding which visa I would need.</p> <p>Is it correct that I can use a B-1 (Business visitor) visa for a stay up to 6 months in the USA with the possibility of extension up to 1 year?</p> <p>I guess it's way more complex to receive such a suitable visa.</p> <p>Which visa would I need and is it possible at all to deliver consulting services from Germany to the USA?</p> <p>As you might know, most US-companies don't give sponsorship on visas for Non-US-residents anymore.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9749 2 anon https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/24776 2025-08-06T15:49:08Z 2025-08-06T09:18:57Z

<p>I've been working as a consultant for the past 4 years in a country in Norther Europe. Most of these years were through an agency and only the past 6 months were directly with my current client. Consultancy agencies from my experience can only make things worse. Their markup might vary from 50€/day to 100€/day including a "we don't tell you" markup. They can also withhold or alter your client's feedback while spending plenty of your time asking for <em>your</em> feedback. I even witnessed the absurdity of asking me for the questions of the coding challenge as if I didn't know they were preparing <em>another</em> candidate for the <em>same</em> position.</p> <p>I was reading <a href="https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/a/91/24776">this answer</a> about the pros and cons of a consultancy agency and none of the pros applies to what I've experienced. They are merely the key holders of the job. Bottom line is that I prefer to work directly with my client. To my disappointment, most of the traditional communication channels like LinkedIn are taken by consultancy agencies. Are there any possible means of circumventing consultancy agencies and get contracts directly from the clients?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9579 4 Josh Sutterfield https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/24206 2025-08-06T22:10:48Z 2025-08-06T20:17:26Z

<p>I am changing from freelance software development to working in a small new consulting group. As part of the transition I may be moving my freelance work (for one client) under the umbrella of this group. It is a small group of developers each working at an hourly rate. Compared to my freelance rate of $80/hr I will only earn $35/hr (of course it's apples-oranges considering taxes &amp; benefits). Still, as I continue to work freelance (for the time being) I realize I will not have much incentive for transitioning these projects to be under my new employer.</p> <p>Naturally there are benefits to working with a small team (more business coming in, more support, benefits, taxes simplified) and that's why I've taken the position. But after adjusting for taxes &amp; benefits, the value of an hour worked on my old projects will still be quite a bit less. My freelance rate was pretty cushy.</p> <p>So I'm tempted to keep both lines of work separate unless my new employer can offer some sort of compensation acknowledging the business opportunities I'm bringing to them, and the pay cut I'm immediately taking despite the fact I am essential to the project (my client specifically wants to work with me). </p> <p>What kind of business arrangements would seem fair to propose to my employer? I am really not savvy on the business side of things and I don't want to be greedy, and I think it is new territory for my employer as well, but just seems that some sort of commission, or stake earned, would be in order if they took over the contract(s) with my client. Any ideas?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/8171 2 Paula Daniela https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/21716 2025-08-06T19:33:44Z 2025-08-06T22:03:00Z

<p>I've started a new project with a college classmate. We wanted to develop a mobile app, which we thought wasn't invented yet. Doing some research, we found out that the idea already existed; and it was exactly the same as what we had created.</p> <p>After some thought, we decided to do it anyway but add more functionality and cover more countries than the app that already existed.</p> <p>But here is where the conflict started: he thinks we should keep it small and after gaining some profit, then we can start expanding it. In my opinion, we should release the app with all the features working, because, if we release an app that already exists, without any new features, why would users pick our newly created app over a 3-year-old app with a lot more clients and stability than ours?</p> <p>I can't find a proper way to justify my opinion. I'd like to have any statistics or some knowledge of how this works, but I don't.</p> <p>How can I convince him that my opinion is better? Or am I actually wrong?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9389 2 J. Doe https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/22452 2025-08-06T03:23:21Z 2025-08-06T14:23:30Z

<p>I just started my career as an online freelancer and even though I try to do my best I have this constant stress &amp; anxiety about what will happen if there is a huge unwanted issue/bug in my code?</p> <p>For example, what if my software crashes completely because of some bug and causes huge financial/reputation damage to the company?</p> <p>I always say to clients that I will fix any bugs found for free for at least 6 months, but I'm still concerned, will I be held responsible? what if there is a lot of money involved? should I pay for the damages?</p> <p>For this reason, I recently started putting <a href="https://choosealicense.com/licenses/mpl-2.0/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mozilla Public License 2</a> in all my codes, so basically my customers can even re-sell the code, I rather have that than have stress about the future.</p> <p>Any advice/legal-notes/ideas are greatly appreciated.</p> <hr> <p><strong>P.S.</strong> I'm a PHP coder so the source is always provided to the customer</p> <p><strong>P.P.S.</strong> In case it's relevant, I am diagnosed with <a href="https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)</a></p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/9303 1 fforeigner https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/22170 2025-08-06T13:09:11Z 2025-08-06T20:01:05Z

<p>I started freelancing for a UK client, myself being based in the Czech Republic, about a year ago. I stopped working for them in April, after not having been paid for five months. This is specialized software consulting and the sum is substantial. My contract says I will not be paid 'if no services are provided'. They have agreed to pay for December, but for January-April they claim no services were provided, but refuse to go into detail. I can prove through communications that I provided services as requested during that time, received positive feedback, and was promised full compensation. </p> <p>The CEO, who I reported to, is a pathological liar, and made up lies about family tragedy to distract me when I used to ask for payment. Now he is asking that I provide an account of each of the 22 days of each month for him to consider payment. I cannot do this honestly, because this is months ago, I have been locked out of systems, and when I was paid before, no such reporting was required. I hired a solicitor locally to help me, but he hasn't made any progress (or to be precise, there has been progress in the clients demands getting more and more impossible to meet), and sees the clients' "show me what you did every day and I might consider payment" as the options we have (he has not replied to me regarding what his strategy is, or what he is willing to do without it incurring extra cost, but it seems to be referring to my contract, but not referencing law or the supporting materials I have). </p> <p>The client cannot show any evidence that I provided unsatisfactory services or none at all (and he has not even specified which it is) from the time before I stopped working there, only stuff that he is now making up to avoid payment. I feel like I might have hired this solicitor out of desperation and without researching things enough by myself, and without many options where I am located. What does this look like to more experienced freelancers, and what would be the resources and options I should be looking into at this stage?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/8179 2 rocketman1000 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/21740 2025-08-06T05:50:53Z 2025-08-06T22:01:55Z

<p>I am a Consultant to a company whose HR, PD &amp; other people have not notified me that the agreement is expiring in a few days. I want to send an email to the CEO, HR, PD and do the following: </p> <ol> <li>Inform the CEO that my agreement is expiring</li> <li>I also want to ask them to renew it</li> <li>I need a heads up (30 day prior notice) when the contract is expiring or they decide to terminate it</li> </ol> <p>How do I put this in the email? </p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7632 -1 James Kroning https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/18209 2025-08-06T15:02:46Z 2025-08-06T12:41:53Z

<p>I have a project with a client and I don't know how to put a price on it. I mentioned that we can do either hourly or fixed price project. He said that it would be better to do everything in 2 week sprints on a fixed price. </p> <p>I don't know how much to price the project. Should I ask for $5k-$10k per week? The project is very important to the client, meaning that he is getting great value out of it. I estimate it will take me 3 months to complete. </p> <p>On the other hand I'm a bit afraid to do it as a fixed price because I might underestimate as it often happens.</p> <p>Are there any resources to read that can help me with this?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/4229 -2 cnst https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/156 2025-08-06T04:58:23Z 2025-08-06T10:57:30Z

<p>As part of a signup as an advisor, Guidepoint Global asks for the hourly rate (<code>Consulting Rate (per hour)</code>), but nowhere is it specified what the minimum billing period is.</p> <p>Google reveals that most of these interviews last for 30 minutes.</p> <p>What would be the appropriate way to set a good rate with them? Do they round it up to an hour? In other words, should one 4x or 8x the normal rate to achieve the standard 4-hour minimum, or is there an altogether different approach that should be employed at setting up the rate with this firm?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/8149 1 user70848 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/11018 2025-08-06T14:04:21Z 2025-08-06T01:19:02Z

<p>I was proposed the following scenario as a freelancing opportunity:</p> <ul> <li>Work in their office</li> <li>40 hours / week, M-F</li> <li>Using their equipment</li> <li>Work on multiple projects, not one ongoing project</li> <li>Following their direction; they choose how work is completed</li> <li>Length of time, 6 months</li> </ul> <p>This is essentially a full-time job, but with no benefits. </p> <p>They are asking for an hourly rate, but I am not sure how to propose a fair number or work agreement. </p> <p>My last gig was very similar to this, but almost worse, and in the end they cut me when the direction I received and implemented wasn't to the liking of their client.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/8086 2 John V. https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/21409 2025-08-06T18:02:15Z 2025-08-06T06:48:46Z

<p>tldr; I was consulting alone and I'm not sure on how to do it with a team.</p> <p>My consulting business (software, independent) in a niche field is going well. Up until now I have winged it, since there is code involved and I'm not a good coder. Recently the requests I get have become harder. I'd like to build a team of freelancers (not fulltime employees) to outsource the coding part so that I can focus on communication with the clients and product management (making sure the solution get delivered). I'm technical but some of the solutions require experience in an area that I'm not experienced in, so I cannot provide more than generic technical guidance on some projects.</p> <p>I do either weekly or fixed value pricing depending on the project.</p> <p>Some of the projects have great value for the client, in the effect that I could bill $50k (or even $100k) for a fixed value project.</p> <p>Some problems I'm facing:</p> <ol> <li>I have found some good developers that could build the solution for $10k. Is it a usual thing for the head consultant (me) to rake in the difference ($40k or $90k)?</li> <li><p>Should I be the only contact point between the developers and the client? Should the developers talk directly with the client's team?</p> <p>i. I guess I'm worried that if the client discovers I'm not the technical architect of the solution and that I just do "product management", they will be mad. Or if they find out that the developers are getting paid just $10k and I'm getting $40k.</p> <p>ii. I'm also worried that the client might poach them. If the developers can deliver on their own after some point, what do they need me?</p></li> <li><p>Sometimes I feel like an impostor, is that normal?</p></li> </ol>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7828 1 user20451 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/20451 2025-08-06T13:46:12Z 2025-08-06T22:02:05Z

<p>I am about to start a consulting project and do not yet have a registered business name. I am thinking of registering as a sole trader. </p> <p>can I issue a invoices for my services or they can only be issued after i have completed registration with the HMRC ?</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7890 -1 Time4Tea https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/20705 2025-08-06T20:45:23Z 2025-08-06T00:46:42Z

<p>I am a Mechanical Engineer, currently employed full-time for a large multinational. I am considering the option of leaving my full-time job to do similar work freelance, for various reasons: mostly because I am not doing enough of the type of work that I want to do in my current job and I suspect I may be able to earn more by going freelance.</p> <p>So, I am wondering how I can gauge how much demand there will be for my skills in the market, before I take the plunge and quit my current job. I have a family to support and mortgage to pay, so I need to have a good level of confidence that I can earn at least as much as I am now, before I could make the jump.</p> <p>In particular, I am wondering if it would be a good idea to take on some small projects 'on the side', which I could work on in my spare time (whilst keeping my full-time job)? I am a a little concerned that, if I end up not finding enough spare time for them, that it might damage my chances of finding repeat jobs later on, if the work is not of sufficient quality. Also, if my current employer finds out I am 'moonlighting', that they might not like it.</p> <p>How do I estimate potential income for switching to freelance work, particularly when I don't actually have any contracts yet? Is it realistic to expect that I could earn more working freelance than I am currently full-time?</p> <p>I have an academic background in Fluid Dynamics and I would like to develop into a specialist in Fluid Dynamics/CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics).</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7850 -2 Praneeth Karnena https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/20575 2025-08-06T08:33:27Z 2025-08-06T14:27:10Z

<p>I own a lot of servers, Virtual Private Servers in specific. Those resources are being wasted. How do I put them to good use to earn a substantial amount of money? </p> <p>Please give me detailed ideas and suggestions. </p> <p>P.S.: I'm a techie. To be more specific, a Python Developer, and a Linux Systems Admin.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/7797 -2 user3280964 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/20334 2025-08-06T18:31:52Z 2025-08-06T05:27:23Z

<p>I have been a freelancer / IT consultant for the last 20+ years I still have trouble coming up with my brand or specialization. The closest description to what I do is some kind of a generalizing specialist. </p> <p>The reason why I have trouble is that I want to highlight my expertise in cyber security, VoIP, virtualization, Linux and Windows DevOps, software development and rapid prototyping, complex networking, and more. </p> <p>Just typing this makes me cringe because I feel shy and humble calling myself an expert in these fields considering the geniuses that I look up to in those fields. And yet, I feel like somehow I'm undervaluing myself because on some level I have proven myself to be an expert.</p> <p>Let me give you one of many examples where this happened: I was working with a senior network engineer on a complex network architecture problem involving BGP, VSRP and VLANs, I successfully able to lead my colleague to a solution. If the senior network engineer left the project I would have finished just the same except it would have taken me 3x longer (because I would have to look up all the commands and router capabilities that my colleague had all memorized in his head). Anyone who gave me Cisco command test would conclude I had no idea what I was doing - after all, how can an expert not have all the commands memorized? Am I really a networking expert? </p> <p>I have many similar success stories in other areas. My success always involves one of two factors. Either, patience from my client because they trust me that I will get to a solution by brute generalization and perseverance, or some domain expert that I can work with whose brain I can pick and lead them to a solution. I enjoy doing both (working collaboratively and by myself)</p> <p>What do you call that kind of consultant? Can I call my self an expert? Yes, I was the one who was instrumental in leading my colleague to the goal, but I wasn't the one who had all the commands memorized. Or on another occasion, yes, I solved a really complex technical issue that no one else could, but I had to learn on the job. It's like an expert that doesn't know anything. Or it's like expert only because even though my peers could be more of experts than I can they don't use the same brute generalizing perseverance to reach the goal - they give up because they get intimidated by the problem. Can I still call myself an expert?</p> <p>I'm not asking how I handle current clients. Once clients know me they know exactly what my value proposition is - they are all very happy. How do I communicate this to new clients? How do I explain that I'm an expert that has to learn the thing as he goes? It just sounds weirdly inconsistent.</p> <p>Of course the natural answer here is that I'm simply a manager - except I tried that and I'm definitely not a manager type. I like to get my hands deep into the minutia of IT (and I absolutely have to because that's what makes me so effective). Also I'm not a manager, because I hate nagging people. Whenever I'm made a manager it's by title only - I still get my hands in there on a daily basis.</p> <p>When I meet someone new and they ask me what kind of IT I do, I have a stupid blank stare, because I want to answer "I do it all and I'm also pretty darn good at it all" ... but I keep quiet because I know how ridiculous and stupid that sounds. And even if I could get over that, it still sounds like serious bragging. I can't brag because it's being humble that drives me to learn more.</p> <p>I'm an expert learner I guess .. but again more cringes and more weird looks - this time from the person who I'm talking to. What the heck does that mean and why would anyone want to hire an expert learner? ... this guy really is a weirdo. </p> <p>So as you can see that's why keep all these weird theories to myself :-) and try to act more or less normal. As a result I pick one of my many areas of expertise and talk to them about that ...but I feel like I'm missing telling them about all the other stuff I'm good at.</p>

https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/q/528 13 user1729042 https://freelancing.stackexchange.com/users/530 2025-08-06T02:38:39Z 2025-08-06T16:06:44Z

<p>I have been working for a company for the last 3 months. 2 months ago I created a personal account on a freelancing website and for trial purposes I have applied to 4-5 proposals on the site, but I have not worked with anyone.</p> <p>Now my company have been informed of this, and they are telling me that I have done illegal things. They are terminating my employment and are not going to pay me for the last 2 months.</p> <ol> <li><p>Have I really done something illegal and what can I do now?</p></li> <li><p>Can anyone working for any company open a freelancing website account?</p></li> </ol>

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