It is Thursday, the 4th official weekday of my retirement. It actually feels longer because I had about a week of vacation prior to my retirement. So you might wonder what have I been doing with this “retirement you can do whatever you want time” You know time that everyone is so desirous of getting to? Well working - kind of that is. Yeah I said it working.
I was a developer in my pre-retirement life and the truth is I love technology. I believe after 30 something years of continuous employment I can modestly say I have an aptitude for it. I had a notion I’d build a website and offer development skills. Under my terms of course - reasonably interesting work and I work remotely. I quietly tested this a few years ago and sure enough I did land some work. I’ve been listening to the side hustle podcast and have loved it. I don’t need to work but its kind of fun. If I am fortunte and to land some work- anything I earn I spend on fun stuff.
So what do you need to offer remote consulting (really more freelance coder)?
Well:
1. An internet connection. Already had.
2. A Laptop/Desktop PC I bought myself a nice solid state laptop
a few years ago (no hard drive)
3. Microsoft Office - ties to the coding I do. $118
4. A web hosting service to put that website on $130 - My contract allows for multiple site a site contract might be half that.
5. Finally a headphones with a built in microphone $40. I build how to videos on you tube that are featured on my site.
6. A cell phone
7. Patience
If you add it all up I am into this for roughly $288. I remember a friend of mine saying the best business to go into was one with a low initial investment. So If it all goes to Hades- well no big deal. I figure the real investment is my time hopefully I have lots.
In the years since my foray into coding for hire the website development world has changed. The good news is the website software Wordress, that 30% of the world uses to build their sites, is free. Yup free. I watched many Youtube videos and took a me a bit to learn what I needed to get my website up and running. It is only the beginning though; I need to add lots more content. You see I say: Hi I am RayinPenn experienced developer call me and ill work for you but, Funny thing Lots of people do that too. Demonstrations are necessary to show I really am the bees knees of coders. (There is no place for modesty on a resume of work). Then there’s that thing called SEO (search Engine Optimization). Basically just because someone types into Google “Coder + better than the bees knees” that my site will show in the first 1000 entries. Getting to the first page is key. - This will take time. I created a business facebook page and I’ll have to add content there as well. I estimate it will are 6 months to the site and FB to where I want it to be and probably a year to see if it is viable . My goal is to add at least 1 piece of content each day.
In the mean time I’ve learned a skill: How to build websites in Wordpress. Accordingly to the podcasts I’ve listened to, you should charge for what you know. So I think i’ll build another website featuring some short stories I’ve written. Don’t worry Ive got a awesome proof reader. Then I’ll build a website offering website design where I’ll offer my skills as a websites developer.
Maybe my inclination to work was inherited- My Dad took a buyout early and tried a few ventures in his retirement. He did voiceovers and had a brief acting career.
Its 30 degrees outside with gusts up to 40MPH -So what is a fellow to do?
I was a developer in my pre-retirement life and the truth is I love technology. I believe after 30 something years of continuous employment I can modestly say I have an aptitude for it. I had a notion I’d build a website and offer development skills. Under my terms of course - reasonably interesting work and I work remotely. I quietly tested this a few years ago and sure enough I did land some work. I’ve been listening to the side hustle podcast and have loved it. I don’t need to work but its kind of fun. If I am fortunte and to land some work- anything I earn I spend on fun stuff.
So what do you need to offer remote consulting (really more freelance coder)?
Well:
1. An internet connection. Already had.
2. A Laptop/Desktop PC I bought myself a nice solid state laptop
a few years ago (no hard drive)
3. Microsoft Office - ties to the coding I do. $118
4. A web hosting service to put that website on $130 - My contract allows for multiple site a site contract might be half that.
5. Finally a headphones with a built in microphone $40. I build how to videos on you tube that are featured on my site.
6. A cell phone
7. Patience
If you add it all up I am into this for roughly $288. I remember a friend of mine saying the best business to go into was one with a low initial investment. So If it all goes to Hades- well no big deal. I figure the real investment is my time hopefully I have lots.
In the years since my foray into coding for hire the website development world has changed. The good news is the website software Wordress, that 30% of the world uses to build their sites, is free. Yup free. I watched many Youtube videos and took a me a bit to learn what I needed to get my website up and running. It is only the beginning though; I need to add lots more content. You see I say: Hi I am RayinPenn experienced developer call me and ill work for you but, Funny thing Lots of people do that too. Demonstrations are necessary to show I really am the bees knees of coders. (There is no place for modesty on a resume of work). Then there’s that thing called SEO (search Engine Optimization). Basically just because someone types into Google “Coder + better than the bees knees” that my site will show in the first 1000 entries. Getting to the first page is key. - This will take time. I created a business facebook page and I’ll have to add content there as well. I estimate it will are 6 months to the site and FB to where I want it to be and probably a year to see if it is viable . My goal is to add at least 1 piece of content each day.
In the mean time I’ve learned a skill: How to build websites in Wordpress. Accordingly to the podcasts I’ve listened to, you should charge for what you know. So I think i’ll build another website featuring some short stories I’ve written. Don’t worry Ive got a awesome proof reader. Then I’ll build a website offering website design where I’ll offer my skills as a websites developer.
Maybe my inclination to work was inherited- My Dad took a buyout early and tried a few ventures in his retirement. He did voiceovers and had a brief acting career.
Its 30 degrees outside with gusts up to 40MPH -So what is a fellow to do?
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