POPULARITY
32 episodes with erik dietrich
2 episodes with erik dietrich
34 episodes with erik dietrich
2 episodes with erik dietrich
2 episodes with erik dietrich
2 episodes with erik dietrich
Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Erik Dietrich for the fifty-eighth episode of the Optimize podcast. Erik Dietrich is the CEO of Hit Subscribe, a marketing services business, and the author of the upcoming book "SEO for Non-Scumbags". In our episode today, Nate and Erik explore content marketing and SEO tactics, particularly for companies in highly technical spaces. Erik shares his journey from software engineering to management consulting and eventually to founding Hit Subscribe. He also discusses his new book and some of his key learnings about ethical SEO practices. Erik emphasizes the randomness in search engine performance and how he explains this to clients, using the metaphor of a casino to illustrate the unpredictability. He stresses the importance of creating content that answers users' questions effectively and ensuring the website offers a good user experience. In this week's deep dive, listen to Erik share everything you need to know about effective content marketing strategies in 2024. Erik gets tactical, sharing multiple case studies on how to improve search rankings and the role of backlinks. Rounding out the episode, Erik and Nate cover topics like the future of backlinks, the importance of user experience in SEO, and strategies for finding content writers for technical topics. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Erik Dietrich:Erik Dietrich is the CEO of Hit Subscribe, a marketing services agency with a specialty in content marketing and SEO for companies with technical products. Erik is also the author of a new and upcoming book, SEO for Non-Scumbags.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dietrich-109a888/Hit Subscribe: https://www.hitsubscribe.com
Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel- SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://simpleprogrammer.com/subscribespyt
Max exchanges views with author Erik Deitrich on the drawbacks of software engineering organizations and what to do about it. localmaxradio.com/205
Erik Dietrich is the author of "The Expert Beginner", which expands on the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition with the addition of the "Expert Beginner", one who stops learning, incorrectly believing they have achieved expert level.We discuss factors that lead to this phenomenon and how to detect it in yourself and overcome the trap if you've fallen victim. Erik also discusses the types of organizations and management practices that promote this toxic persona.Resources:Book: The Expert Beginner Blog post: How Developers Stop Learning: Rise of the Expert BeginnerWikipedia: Dreyfus Model of Skill AcquisitionToday's GuestErik Dietrichhttps://daedtech.com/https://www.hitsubscribe.com/Watch this episode on YouTube.
Erik is CEO at Hit Subscribe, a unique marketing business that helps companies reach software engineers with content. Links https://twitter.com/daedtech https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dietrich-109a888/ https://www.amazon.com/Erik-Dietrich/e/B00J6314XY https://www.hitsubscribe.com/ https://daedtech.com/ "Tempting Time" by Animals As Leaders used with permissions - All Rights Reserved × Subscribe now! Never miss a post, subscribe to The 6 Figure Developer Podcast! Are you interested in being a guest on The 6 Figure Developer Podcast? Click here to check availability!
Erik Dietrich shares the secret sauce he uses at Hit Subscribe to improve search engine rankings for their clients.
DaedTech LLC founder and Hit Subscribe CEO and co-founder Erik Dietrich discusses how modern enterprises can innovate by giving more independence to software engineers and the challenges that companies are facing when they decide to undergo digital transformation.
This week we talk with some of the cast of Hillsborough Road, Erik Dietrich, Andrew Sanders, and Allen Boatner check out the Facebook Hillsborough Road Our stuff Our Stuff https://www.facebook.com/somethingsomethingpodcast/ https://www.patreon.com/join/somethingsomethingfilms? Get a free audiobook from Audible https://www.audible.com/ep/freetrial?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R Erick's stuff https://twitter.com/erickaslov https://www.instagram.com/whoiserickkaslov/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE6h5n-6fEGBMaVNVNv37CQ?disable_polymer=true https://www.twitch.tv/somethingaboutvideogames Larry's stuff https://twitter.com/LarrySands3 https://www.instagram.com/larrysands2/ Something Something stuff https://www.instagram.com/somethingsomethingpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFxsEENQdcwQbIIQ9VFqzg/videos --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/something-something-podcast/support
Erik Dietrich and I decode the corporate hierarchy, why software developers get stuck in the bottom, and how you can cross over to the other side.
Erik Dietrich had his blog Dead Tech and wanted to parlay it into something more. A few years later he was blogging for tech companies. Listen how he built Hit Subscribe from the ground up.
Erik Dietrich shares how he went from solo software consultant to productized service business owner.
In this episode of The Freelancer’s Show the panel discusses setting boundaries on the scope of engagements. This means not taking jobs that are too big or too small for you. They begin by define projects that are too small. They explain how many may not realize that there is such a thing a project that is too small. A too-small engagement may be too short in duration or not profitable enough. An example Erik Dietrich shares is a two-hour job that is three hours away and they are only paying your $200, between travel, and labor that is 8 hours of work for only $200 which is not worth it. Jeremy Green shares an example from his past. He fell into the trap of taking on 2-hours per month retainer contracts. The problem with contracts like these is that clients cannot intuitively understand how long things will take or may feel that the 2-hours they paid for should roll over when a month goes by without using them. They explain how setting boundaries defining what is too small is better than trying to use your judgment at the time of the engagement. Many developers have an any work is better than no work mindset, the panel explains how this is not true especially when you are losing money to the overhead of communicating for 5 hours, doing a 5-hour job and only getting paid for 5-hours of work, ostensibly cutting your profits in half. Erik walks listeners through a helpful exercise of putting numbers to your costs, working your way backward through the numbers to decide how much you would actually have to make in order for a project to be worth your time. He explains that he wishes he had started doing this years ago. This exercise will also arm you with information that will help you from a negotiating perspective. It allows you to speak with authority about what you will and won’t do, giving you the power in the sales conversation and allowing your clients to see what they are really asking of you. Besides the time spent and how much money you will make, the panel shares another scoping boundary, turn around time. They explain that if a client tells you they needed this done yesterday, run. It is a red flag, this means they haven’t done enough planning and it will only lead to a bad situation. Jeremy explains the difference between those who say they want it as soon as possible and those whose hair is on fire and they need it now now now. Some ways to set boundaries for this is to require a certain number of weeks before you can begin a project and a certain number of weeks for actually working on the project. By setting these boundaries you make sure the project is sane and workable. Erik explains that as the professional you have the experience to set a reasonable timeline for the work required, which means you should have control over the conversation of time. Next, the panel moves on to establishing boundaries with clients. They explain the importance of setting expectations when it comes to contacting your and the hours you keep. Also, set expectations on how quickly you expect them to respond to you. Jeremy shares times when short projects were dragged out because the client failed to respond to his emails. The panel discusses strategies for getting feedback from clients and escape routes for when clients refuse to communicate. On the opposite end of the scale are projects that are too large of an engagement. How large is too large depends on the individual. Some developers may want a year-long contract where they work full time on one project while others may be looking to build a consulting practice. However, no matter what you are looking for it is always possible to get in over your head. The panel advises listeners to have a realistic view of what you can actually do and what you want as a freelancer. Do you want to work solo or over a team? This decision will affect the types and sizes of jobs you will take. You don’t want to take a job that should be done by a team when you want to remain solo, on a similar note you wouldn’t want to take on a job that you could do alone but still have to pay a whole team. The panel warns against taking on projects with an undefined scope of work, something vague like building an e-commerce site could be dragged on and on as the client adds on more and more features they want. They advise that if you take a job with a project fee to make sure you charge for discovery. Jeremy shares a time where he agreed to one job and once he saw the code he realized the job was not what he agreed to. The panel shares ways to avoid this problem. One way is to agree to work for a number of weeks and revisit the scope of the work after getting your hands into the code. Now that they have explained how to set your boundaries, the panel shares advice on how to disengage from engagements that do not fit the boundaries you have set. The engagements that are too small are easier to disengage from. Using the 2-hour retainer model from earlier, explain to your clients that you have increased the minimum number of hours needed to keep you on retainer and that they do have need of that work. If they agree then great, if not it gives you a reason to move on and find work that fits your needs. Erik explains two rules of thumb when disengaging from a client. First, a great phrase that no one can argue with is “I can’t make a business case for this”. The other is that when disengaging to err on the side of generosity, give them a generous refund or allow them to keep a sample of your product. Extracting yourself from an over scoped project is much more difficult especially if they have paid you a large sum upfront and you have put a lot of work into the project. The advice the panel gives is to go to your client as early as possible and explain that the project is going to take a lot more time and resources that you first thought and hopefully you will be able to work something out. If possible, before engaging in any project the panel advises you to determine the worst-case scenario and to work safeguards into the agreement. Finally, the panel lists questions to ask yourself to determine the perfect projects for yourself. Do you want to hire subcontractors? Is there a time limit you want to work on one project for? What are your costs? What and how many hours do you want to work each day? How much communication do you want to have with clients? What fo you want your business and life to look like. Once you answer these questions and set your boundaries the perfect scope of engagements will be easier to define. Panelists Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps My JavaScript Story CacheFly Links https://twitter.com/daedtech https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: American Express Travel Insiders HitSubscribe Mailing list Jeremy Green: The Raconteurs
In this episode of The Freelancer’s Show the panel discusses setting boundaries on the scope of engagements. This means not taking jobs that are too big or too small for you. They begin by define projects that are too small. They explain how many may not realize that there is such a thing a project that is too small. A too-small engagement may be too short in duration or not profitable enough. An example Erik Dietrich shares is a two-hour job that is three hours away and they are only paying your $200, between travel, and labor that is 8 hours of work for only $200 which is not worth it. Jeremy Green shares an example from his past. He fell into the trap of taking on 2-hours per month retainer contracts. The problem with contracts like these is that clients cannot intuitively understand how long things will take or may feel that the 2-hours they paid for should roll over when a month goes by without using them. They explain how setting boundaries defining what is too small is better than trying to use your judgment at the time of the engagement. Many developers have an any work is better than no work mindset, the panel explains how this is not true especially when you are losing money to the overhead of communicating for 5 hours, doing a 5-hour job and only getting paid for 5-hours of work, ostensibly cutting your profits in half. Erik walks listeners through a helpful exercise of putting numbers to your costs, working your way backward through the numbers to decide how much you would actually have to make in order for a project to be worth your time. He explains that he wishes he had started doing this years ago. This exercise will also arm you with information that will help you from a negotiating perspective. It allows you to speak with authority about what you will and won’t do, giving you the power in the sales conversation and allowing your clients to see what they are really asking of you. Besides the time spent and how much money you will make, the panel shares another scoping boundary, turn around time. They explain that if a client tells you they needed this done yesterday, run. It is a red flag, this means they haven’t done enough planning and it will only lead to a bad situation. Jeremy explains the difference between those who say they want it as soon as possible and those whose hair is on fire and they need it now now now. Some ways to set boundaries for this is to require a certain number of weeks before you can begin a project and a certain number of weeks for actually working on the project. By setting these boundaries you make sure the project is sane and workable. Erik explains that as the professional you have the experience to set a reasonable timeline for the work required, which means you should have control over the conversation of time. Next, the panel moves on to establishing boundaries with clients. They explain the importance of setting expectations when it comes to contacting your and the hours you keep. Also, set expectations on how quickly you expect them to respond to you. Jeremy shares times when short projects were dragged out because the client failed to respond to his emails. The panel discusses strategies for getting feedback from clients and escape routes for when clients refuse to communicate. On the opposite end of the scale are projects that are too large of an engagement. How large is too large depends on the individual. Some developers may want a year-long contract where they work full time on one project while others may be looking to build a consulting practice. However, no matter what you are looking for it is always possible to get in over your head. The panel advises listeners to have a realistic view of what you can actually do and what you want as a freelancer. Do you want to work solo or over a team? This decision will affect the types and sizes of jobs you will take. You don’t want to take a job that should be done by a team when you want to remain solo, on a similar note you wouldn’t want to take on a job that you could do alone but still have to pay a whole team. The panel warns against taking on projects with an undefined scope of work, something vague like building an e-commerce site could be dragged on and on as the client adds on more and more features they want. They advise that if you take a job with a project fee to make sure you charge for discovery. Jeremy shares a time where he agreed to one job and once he saw the code he realized the job was not what he agreed to. The panel shares ways to avoid this problem. One way is to agree to work for a number of weeks and revisit the scope of the work after getting your hands into the code. Now that they have explained how to set your boundaries, the panel shares advice on how to disengage from engagements that do not fit the boundaries you have set. The engagements that are too small are easier to disengage from. Using the 2-hour retainer model from earlier, explain to your clients that you have increased the minimum number of hours needed to keep you on retainer and that they do have need of that work. If they agree then great, if not it gives you a reason to move on and find work that fits your needs. Erik explains two rules of thumb when disengaging from a client. First, a great phrase that no one can argue with is “I can’t make a business case for this”. The other is that when disengaging to err on the side of generosity, give them a generous refund or allow them to keep a sample of your product. Extracting yourself from an over scoped project is much more difficult especially if they have paid you a large sum upfront and you have put a lot of work into the project. The advice the panel gives is to go to your client as early as possible and explain that the project is going to take a lot more time and resources that you first thought and hopefully you will be able to work something out. If possible, before engaging in any project the panel advises you to determine the worst-case scenario and to work safeguards into the agreement. Finally, the panel lists questions to ask yourself to determine the perfect projects for yourself. Do you want to hire subcontractors? Is there a time limit you want to work on one project for? What are your costs? What and how many hours do you want to work each day? How much communication do you want to have with clients? What fo you want your business and life to look like. Once you answer these questions and set your boundaries the perfect scope of engagements will be easier to define. Panelists Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps My JavaScript Story CacheFly Links https://twitter.com/daedtech https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: American Express Travel Insiders HitSubscribe Mailing list Jeremy Green: The Raconteurs
In this episode of The Freelancers Show, Erik Dietrich explains the term economic buyer and how it can affect freelancers and business owners. An economic buyer is the person within an organization who has the authority to purchase something. Knowing who your economic buyer is will affect how you market your product, for freelancers, this includes labor or services. Starting with the most desirable, Erik lists the main types of buyers’ situations. The first is the autonomous buyer situation. A lone buyer makes the decision about purchasing a product. Erik shares the example of a manager taking the team out for lunch. They didn’t have to consult anyone and decided to do that on their own. The next situation and the second most desirable after the autonomous buyer situation is the buyer and research assistant/influencer. For this situation, Erik uses the example of the CIO or director of engineering choosing the new IDE for a new project. They may not care about the finer details or don’t have the technical know-how or time to do the research, so the pick someone to do the leg work and allow them to advise them on the purchase. The next situation is the buyer committee. In this situation, the committee debates the purchase and will eventually make the purchasing decision. Erik shares an example of an organization overhauling its website and wanting to get a CMS and starting a blog for marketing purposes. This involves IT and Marketing and has multiple paths to choose from. The last and least desirable situation is the system/algorithm. The example Erik shares is the hiring process for a large organization. An interview is held by someone who has little or no authority in hiring, they are there to play their part in the system. The actual buyer would be the CIO or VP of engineering, who would sign your checks. They can’t be involved directly so they delegate to someone who delegates to someone else, leaving standing orders to fill a specific number of positions. The developer hired is as Erik puts it of no valuable than a stapler to an office manager, they are replaceable. Erik explains the more you can talk directly to the buyer the more advantageous the situation is. He goes over examples of different types of economic buyers. The economic buyer you deal with will vary based on the size of the organization, the larger the organization the more vertically distributed the economic buyers get. The highest authority starts at the top and slowly trickles down, the economic buyers you deal with have varying names and degrees of authority. Next, Erik explains what difference this all makes from a sales and marketing perspective. With a system/algorithm it is very difficult as each process differs, so marketing to a system takes a lot of effort and time for each organization. With a buyers committee, it is possible to train yourself to address rooms full of people and maintain more control over the process. Buyers and research assistant/influencer situation is even easier with only two people to convince. The best situation is dealing directly with the buyer, with only one person to get to know and convince. Erik gives advice on how to go from appealing to the whims of a system to working directly with the economic buyers. First, he suggests switching things up and marketing to smaller organizations that don’t have a system. Doing this could help you the credibility needed to work directly with economic buyers higher up in a larger organization. Another way is by looking at the four-step problem-solving solution. This is where you diagnose a problem, prescribe a therapy, apply the therapy and finally, reapply the therapy. Start by looking at your context in the solution, most likely you are applying therapy. Knowing this you can work your way backward and find the diagnoses. The diagnoses made by the economic buyer can help you understand what the buyer cares about. Another suggestion he gives is working your way up the value chain, working through each level of economic buyer, finding what the next level cares about and marketing towards them. Or, he suggests selling smaller offerings that will change up your economic buyers. Finally, he explains the first step to any of this is by thinking about who your economic buyer is, get your wheels turning on how to reach those people. Just doing this will help you market more efficiently which will lead to more work and help you be better in what you do. Panelists Erik Dietrich Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Sustain Our Software My Angular Story CacheFly Links https://twitter.com/daedtech https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Million Dollar Consulting The Hit Subscribe Side-Hustle Email List
In this episode of The Freelancers Show, Erik Dietrich explains the term economic buyer and how it can affect freelancers and business owners. An economic buyer is the person within an organization who has the authority to purchase something. Knowing who your economic buyer is will affect how you market your product, for freelancers, this includes labor or services. Starting with the most desirable, Erik lists the main types of buyers’ situations. The first is the autonomous buyer situation. A lone buyer makes the decision about purchasing a product. Erik shares the example of a manager taking the team out for lunch. They didn’t have to consult anyone and decided to do that on their own. The next situation and the second most desirable after the autonomous buyer situation is the buyer and research assistant/influencer. For this situation, Erik uses the example of the CIO or director of engineering choosing the new IDE for a new project. They may not care about the finer details or don’t have the technical know-how or time to do the research, so the pick someone to do the leg work and allow them to advise them on the purchase. The next situation is the buyer committee. In this situation, the committee debates the purchase and will eventually make the purchasing decision. Erik shares an example of an organization overhauling its website and wanting to get a CMS and starting a blog for marketing purposes. This involves IT and Marketing and has multiple paths to choose from. The last and least desirable situation is the system/algorithm. The example Erik shares is the hiring process for a large organization. An interview is held by someone who has little or no authority in hiring, they are there to play their part in the system. The actual buyer would be the CIO or VP of engineering, who would sign your checks. They can’t be involved directly so they delegate to someone who delegates to someone else, leaving standing orders to fill a specific number of positions. The developer hired is as Erik puts it of no valuable than a stapler to an office manager, they are replaceable. Erik explains the more you can talk directly to the buyer the more advantageous the situation is. He goes over examples of different types of economic buyers. The economic buyer you deal with will vary based on the size of the organization, the larger the organization the more vertically distributed the economic buyers get. The highest authority starts at the top and slowly trickles down, the economic buyers you deal with have varying names and degrees of authority. Next, Erik explains what difference this all makes from a sales and marketing perspective. With a system/algorithm it is very difficult as each process differs, so marketing to a system takes a lot of effort and time for each organization. With a buyers committee, it is possible to train yourself to address rooms full of people and maintain more control over the process. Buyers and research assistant/influencer situation is even easier with only two people to convince. The best situation is dealing directly with the buyer, with only one person to get to know and convince. Erik gives advice on how to go from appealing to the whims of a system to working directly with the economic buyers. First, he suggests switching things up and marketing to smaller organizations that don’t have a system. Doing this could help you the credibility needed to work directly with economic buyers higher up in a larger organization. Another way is by looking at the four-step problem-solving solution. This is where you diagnose a problem, prescribe a therapy, apply the therapy and finally, reapply the therapy. Start by looking at your context in the solution, most likely you are applying therapy. Knowing this you can work your way backward and find the diagnoses. The diagnoses made by the economic buyer can help you understand what the buyer cares about. Another suggestion he gives is working your way up the value chain, working through each level of economic buyer, finding what the next level cares about and marketing towards them. Or, he suggests selling smaller offerings that will change up your economic buyers. Finally, he explains the first step to any of this is by thinking about who your economic buyer is, get your wheels turning on how to reach those people. Just doing this will help you market more efficiently which will lead to more work and help you be better in what you do. Panelists Erik Dietrich Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Sustain Our Software My Angular Story CacheFly Links https://twitter.com/daedtech https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Million Dollar Consulting The Hit Subscribe Side-Hustle Email List
In this episode of The Freelancers Show the panel share advice and experiences for publishing technical books. Each of the panelists has experience publishing books. Reuven Lerner published a book, Core Perl back in 2000, using a publisher and has self-published two more books in recent years. He is currently republishing one of his self-published books using a publisher. Erik Dietrich has written three books, two of which were published through a friend and the third was self-published. Jeremy Green contributed to The Independent Consulting Manual and runs a SAS called Remarq, a tool for those who want to self-publish. Why write a book? The panel warns listeners that if your goal is to make money that most likely will not happen. They explain that authors who make real money from their books are rare and authors who make money off of technical books are even more rare. One reason to write a book is so that people will know your name and want to hire yours. Another reason is that writing a book will give you more credibility with clients. Having published a book can really impress clients, Erik shares how his book has brought him leads. Reuven explains how it shows prospective clients how knowledgeable and reliable he is, this is one reason he is republishing his book through an actual publisher. By having a publishing company publish his book it verifies his expertise for prospective clients, or as Erik puts it a book is social proof of your expertise. By having a published book, Erik receives a lot fewer requests for references or other proof of knowledge. The panel addresses the profits made by publishing a book. Reuven shares a little of his experience both with a publisher and without one when it came to making money. His first book Core Perl he went through a publisher and didn’t make more than the advance they gave him. Frustrated he decided to self-publish his next two books. Reuven admits he was a fool for turning down the publisher when they approached him about one of his books. Since working with that publisher, they have sold more than 4x as many copies as he had in four years. He may not make more money but his name will reach more people. Jeremy explains one of the downsides of going through a publisher. When a publisher sells your book you don’t get any information on who buys your book. You can’t reach out to them. You can’t share other products with them. When self-publishing you get all that information and are able to do those things to drum up more business. The panel explains that there are three parts to self-publishing a book. First is the production of the book, writing it. Next, how and where to sell your book. The last thing to consider is marketing, how do you reach the people who will buy your book. The panel addresses each step and shares advice. Jeremy explains how Remarq uses markdown in the production step of publishing the book. Reuven shares what he is currently using for his publishers and admits he would rather be using Remarq. In the past, Reuven has used so many different toolsets and each one was frustrating. The once piece of advice the panel has for production besides the tooling is to focus on the informational content first and design second. Selling the book, Reuven explains how he used nearly everything to try and sell his book the first time around. Selling your book on your own is a major time suck and headache. Reuven suggests doing as he did and going through a third party, they have it all figured out. Lastly marketing, Erik advises building a funnel to your site using youtube or other media, if you are unwilling to use amazon to market your book as he does. Reuven explains how he advertises his books like courses and mentions his book everywhere he can. It is hard to compete with publishers when it comes to marketing, they have the numbers and the followers. Writing for a specific audience will make marketing easier. If you know who you are writing for then you will know how to market to them before your book is even done. Jeremy suggests using people from your target audience to read and review your book as you right, not only will this help you focus your book but will also have people who will spread the word about your book. Now that they cover self-publishing, Reuven shares what it is like working with a publisher. It starts with a development editor, someone who finds authors and books to publish. Then you sign a contract with or without the help of an agent. Only after you sign the contract do you get assigned to an actual editor and a technical reviewer. These will read everything you write and give you feedback. His work is also read by a group of reviewers who give back feedback, some of which is a little harsh but all of which helps the book be better. Reuven explains how all of this has been a positive experience and that his book is better for it. The last topic address in this episode is when you should you write a book. First, you must like to write, the panel advises those who hate writing not to write a book. Second, you must have something to write about. Publish something in a niche. You won’t make any headway writing a book about a well-known language and a well-known topic. Next, you need to have a plan for your book. Ask yourself what you want to get from writing this book. Lastly, find your audience, write a book that will appeal to your client base, not your peers. Panelists Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in Blockchain React Native Radio CacheFly Links Core Perl Python Workout Blurb AsciiDoc Gumroad https://twitter.com/jagthedrummer https://twitter.com/daedtech https://twitter.com/reuvenmlerner https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Jeremy Green: Remarq.io The Independent Consulting Manual. Erik Dietrich: Starting to Unit Test Developer Hegemony: The Future of Labor Reuven Lerner: The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age
In this episode of The Freelancers Show the panel share advice and experiences for publishing technical books. Each of the panelists has experience publishing books. Reuven Lerner published a book, Core Perl back in 2000, using a publisher and has self-published two more books in recent years. He is currently republishing one of his self-published books using a publisher. Erik Dietrich has written three books, two of which were published through a friend and the third was self-published. Jeremy Green contributed to The Independent Consulting Manual and runs a SAS called Remarq, a tool for those who want to self-publish. Why write a book? The panel warns listeners that if your goal is to make money that most likely will not happen. They explain that authors who make real money from their books are rare and authors who make money off of technical books are even more rare. One reason to write a book is so that people will know your name and want to hire yours. Another reason is that writing a book will give you more credibility with clients. Having published a book can really impress clients, Erik shares how his book has brought him leads. Reuven explains how it shows prospective clients how knowledgeable and reliable he is, this is one reason he is republishing his book through an actual publisher. By having a publishing company publish his book it verifies his expertise for prospective clients, or as Erik puts it a book is social proof of your expertise. By having a published book, Erik receives a lot fewer requests for references or other proof of knowledge. The panel addresses the profits made by publishing a book. Reuven shares a little of his experience both with a publisher and without one when it came to making money. His first book Core Perl he went through a publisher and didn’t make more than the advance they gave him. Frustrated he decided to self-publish his next two books. Reuven admits he was a fool for turning down the publisher when they approached him about one of his books. Since working with that publisher, they have sold more than 4x as many copies as he had in four years. He may not make more money but his name will reach more people. Jeremy explains one of the downsides of going through a publisher. When a publisher sells your book you don’t get any information on who buys your book. You can’t reach out to them. You can’t share other products with them. When self-publishing you get all that information and are able to do those things to drum up more business. The panel explains that there are three parts to self-publishing a book. First is the production of the book, writing it. Next, how and where to sell your book. The last thing to consider is marketing, how do you reach the people who will buy your book. The panel addresses each step and shares advice. Jeremy explains how Remarq uses markdown in the production step of publishing the book. Reuven shares what he is currently using for his publishers and admits he would rather be using Remarq. In the past, Reuven has used so many different toolsets and each one was frustrating. The once piece of advice the panel has for production besides the tooling is to focus on the informational content first and design second. Selling the book, Reuven explains how he used nearly everything to try and sell his book the first time around. Selling your book on your own is a major time suck and headache. Reuven suggests doing as he did and going through a third party, they have it all figured out. Lastly marketing, Erik advises building a funnel to your site using youtube or other media, if you are unwilling to use amazon to market your book as he does. Reuven explains how he advertises his books like courses and mentions his book everywhere he can. It is hard to compete with publishers when it comes to marketing, they have the numbers and the followers. Writing for a specific audience will make marketing easier. If you know who you are writing for then you will know how to market to them before your book is even done. Jeremy suggests using people from your target audience to read and review your book as you right, not only will this help you focus your book but will also have people who will spread the word about your book. Now that they cover self-publishing, Reuven shares what it is like working with a publisher. It starts with a development editor, someone who finds authors and books to publish. Then you sign a contract with or without the help of an agent. Only after you sign the contract do you get assigned to an actual editor and a technical reviewer. These will read everything you write and give you feedback. His work is also read by a group of reviewers who give back feedback, some of which is a little harsh but all of which helps the book be better. Reuven explains how all of this has been a positive experience and that his book is better for it. The last topic address in this episode is when you should you write a book. First, you must like to write, the panel advises those who hate writing not to write a book. Second, you must have something to write about. Publish something in a niche. You won’t make any headway writing a book about a well-known language and a well-known topic. Next, you need to have a plan for your book. Ask yourself what you want to get from writing this book. Lastly, find your audience, write a book that will appeal to your client base, not your peers. Panelists Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in Blockchain React Native Radio CacheFly Links Core Perl Python Workout Blurb AsciiDoc Gumroad https://twitter.com/jagthedrummer https://twitter.com/daedtech https://twitter.com/reuvenmlerner https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Jeremy Green: Remarq.io The Independent Consulting Manual. Erik Dietrich: Starting to Unit Test Developer Hegemony: The Future of Labor Reuven Lerner: The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age
Episode Summary In this week’s episode of The Freelancers Show the panel discusses the importance of defining success. Jeremy Green explains why this concept of defining what success means to you is so important. Without success behind defined you might put your nose to the grindstone and miss your own success. Inversely you might be grinding away, missing the signs that what you are doing isn’t taking you to success and you need to stop and reevaluate. The panel considers some of the obvious signs of success like key performance indicators. Are you making enough to pay your bills, save and play? It is easy to think success is making a million dollars. If that is your definition of success, the panel explains that you will all your success along the way. They invite everyone to sit down and really think of what success means to you. How do you want to spend your time? Are you doing something you love? Do you want to spend more time with friends and family? Jeremy explains why he wanted to talk about this topic. He went to a conference and this seemed to come up a lot during talks at the conference. It can be hard to reconcile how you feel about success when looking at other people and their circumstances. Deciding what success means to you can help guide your life and get rid of some of that uncertainty. Erik explains the hedonic treadmill, which shows a phenomenon that says highs from successes wear off fasters than the pain of failure. No matter how high you climb there is always someone higher and your success of getting where you are is forgotten as you attempt to catch the person above you. If you set goals then you can more easily see the success as the come along. Jeremy shares some of his success criteria. He realized at this conference that he was doing well enough in freelancing and consulting that could pull back and focus more on other things he has been wanting to improve. He realized he got sidetracked and started grinding towards saving as much money as he could for retirement. By figuring out his goals, he saw that was actually doing much better than he thought and didn’t need to grind so much. Erik describes a similar moment of realization for him at the end of 2016. He was feeling pretty burnt out from traveling, so he sat down and quantified all his work for that year and decide what he wanted out of his lifestyle and made goals in his work life to help him reach that lifestyle. Erik explains that by not having explicit goals, implicit goals be pressed on us by our surroundings. The panel considers how in this world there is never enough money, but by defining our earning goals and deciding what is enough for us, we can find success in more than one way. The panel considers how easily freelancers can get carried away overworking and pushing themselves. Employees have an employer that won’t let them overwork, employees have gaurd rails that protect them from this sort of abuse. Freelancers constantly feel that pressure to use their time wisely, to do more. By defining success, you give yourself a way to take an objective look and say I am doing well, I can’t take the night off. Erik shares his approach to this process. He explains that he starts by looking at his life and what will make him happy and work his goals back to work from there. He gives tips on how to quantify qualitative things in your life so you can evaluate your success. The definition you give to success is very personal and will differ for each person. The panel considers it from a Maslow’s Hierarchy of business standpoint. The survival needs being are you staying afloat and the different needs moving up a pyramid all the way up to self-actualization or success. Finally, the panel discusses the need to define failure as well as success. It’s important to know when to bail out or reevaluate a situation. Panelists Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Jeremy Green: Company of One The Mythical Man Month Erik Dietrich: The 4-Hour Workweek Hit Subscribe
Episode Summary In this week’s episode of The Freelancers Show the panel discusses the importance of defining success. Jeremy Green explains why this concept of defining what success means to you is so important. Without success behind defined you might put your nose to the grindstone and miss your own success. Inversely you might be grinding away, missing the signs that what you are doing isn’t taking you to success and you need to stop and reevaluate. The panel considers some of the obvious signs of success like key performance indicators. Are you making enough to pay your bills, save and play? It is easy to think success is making a million dollars. If that is your definition of success, the panel explains that you will all your success along the way. They invite everyone to sit down and really think of what success means to you. How do you want to spend your time? Are you doing something you love? Do you want to spend more time with friends and family? Jeremy explains why he wanted to talk about this topic. He went to a conference and this seemed to come up a lot during talks at the conference. It can be hard to reconcile how you feel about success when looking at other people and their circumstances. Deciding what success means to you can help guide your life and get rid of some of that uncertainty. Erik explains the hedonic treadmill, which shows a phenomenon that says highs from successes wear off fasters than the pain of failure. No matter how high you climb there is always someone higher and your success of getting where you are is forgotten as you attempt to catch the person above you. If you set goals then you can more easily see the success as the come along. Jeremy shares some of his success criteria. He realized at this conference that he was doing well enough in freelancing and consulting that could pull back and focus more on other things he has been wanting to improve. He realized he got sidetracked and started grinding towards saving as much money as he could for retirement. By figuring out his goals, he saw that was actually doing much better than he thought and didn’t need to grind so much. Erik describes a similar moment of realization for him at the end of 2016. He was feeling pretty burnt out from traveling, so he sat down and quantified all his work for that year and decide what he wanted out of his lifestyle and made goals in his work life to help him reach that lifestyle. Erik explains that by not having explicit goals, implicit goals be pressed on us by our surroundings. The panel considers how in this world there is never enough money, but by defining our earning goals and deciding what is enough for us, we can find success in more than one way. The panel considers how easily freelancers can get carried away overworking and pushing themselves. Employees have an employer that won’t let them overwork, employees have gaurd rails that protect them from this sort of abuse. Freelancers constantly feel that pressure to use their time wisely, to do more. By defining success, you give yourself a way to take an objective look and say I am doing well, I can’t take the night off. Erik shares his approach to this process. He explains that he starts by looking at his life and what will make him happy and work his goals back to work from there. He gives tips on how to quantify qualitative things in your life so you can evaluate your success. The definition you give to success is very personal and will differ for each person. The panel considers it from a Maslow’s Hierarchy of business standpoint. The survival needs being are you staying afloat and the different needs moving up a pyramid all the way up to self-actualization or success. Finally, the panel discusses the need to define failure as well as success. It’s important to know when to bail out or reevaluate a situation. Panelists Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Jeremy Green: Company of One The Mythical Man Month Erik Dietrich: The 4-Hour Workweek Hit Subscribe
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Summary Erik Dietrich, the owner of Hit Subscribe, does a solo episode on the journey from freelancer to agency owner. He starts by defining three different roles in this journey, freelancer, business owner, and agency owner. He overviews the typical journey from freelancer to agency owner and evolution of roles and responsibilities that occurs on this journey. He then outlines his own journey. Erik discusses the possible motivations one might have for becoming an agency owner, money, equity, and time. He also addresses the struggles of being an agency owner. He lists questions to ask yourself before deciding to go down this path. He ends the episode by giving advice to those who decide this is something they want. Links https://daedtech.com https://join.dynamitecircle.com/ https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html https://www.hitsubscribe.com/
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Summary Erik Dietrich, the owner of Hit Subscribe, does a solo episode on the journey from freelancer to agency owner. He starts by defining three different roles in this journey, freelancer, business owner, and agency owner. He overviews the typical journey from freelancer to agency owner and evolution of roles and responsibilities that occurs on this journey. He then outlines his own journey. Erik discusses the possible motivations one might have for becoming an agency owner, money, equity, and time. He also addresses the struggles of being an agency owner. He lists questions to ask yourself before deciding to go down this path. He ends the episode by giving advice to those who decide this is something they want. Links https://daedtech.com https://join.dynamitecircle.com/ https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html https://www.hitsubscribe.com/
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Summary Erik Dietrich does a solo episode sharing his content marketing expertise. Erik runs a content marketing agency, Hit Subscribe, he starts by sharing his background and how he got to this point. He defines marketing as a strategy to show your goods to your customer, content marketing is doing this with content. He explains that by offering free content you build trust with your audience. Listing the various types of content, blogs, video, podcasting, email and more, Erik ranks them on their effectiveness and gives his recommendations. Start with one source of content and make it sustainable, this is Erik’s first recommendation, once you have that down, expand but maintain that sustainability. Unless your situation is desperate, Erik encourages everyone to start content marketing. He explains the benefits, filtering out clients that are a bad fit, finding leads, and the value of an audience. He also explains that content marketing is the long game and to manage your expectations while staying motivated. Erik leaves the listeners with valuable tips for how to get started and to maintain and how to grow your content marketing. Links https://www.hitsubscribe.com/ https://devchat.tv/freelancers/choosing-content-marketing-topics/ https://devchat.tv/freelancers/228-fs-non-writing-content-marketing-methods/ https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Hit Subscribe’s Youtube Channel Whiteboard Friday Ahref’s Youtube Channel
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan Adventures in DevOps Views on Vue CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Summary Erik Dietrich does a solo episode sharing his content marketing expertise. Erik runs a content marketing agency, Hit Subscribe, he starts by sharing his background and how he got to this point. He defines marketing as a strategy to show your goods to your customer, content marketing is doing this with content. He explains that by offering free content you build trust with your audience. Listing the various types of content, blogs, video, podcasting, email and more, Erik ranks them on their effectiveness and gives his recommendations. Start with one source of content and make it sustainable, this is Erik’s first recommendation, once you have that down, expand but maintain that sustainability. Unless your situation is desperate, Erik encourages everyone to start content marketing. He explains the benefits, filtering out clients that are a bad fit, finding leads, and the value of an audience. He also explains that content marketing is the long game and to manage your expectations while staying motivated. Erik leaves the listeners with valuable tips for how to get started and to maintain and how to grow your content marketing. Links https://www.hitsubscribe.com/ https://devchat.tv/freelancers/choosing-content-marketing-topics/ https://devchat.tv/freelancers/228-fs-non-writing-content-marketing-methods/ https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: Hit Subscribe’s Youtube Channel Whiteboard Friday Ahref’s Youtube Channel
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Summary Jeremy Green and Erik Dietrich discuss the unforeseen pain points of becoming a freelancer and share solutions that they have used in their lives and businesses to address these pain points. They considered pipeline management, not having enough work, having too much work and having ill-fitting work. How companies treat vendors and dealing with rejection are discussed. The loneliness of a freelancers life and how to combat it are considered. The hidden cost of working on your own and owning a business are addressed, including health insurance and taxes. The positives and negatives of time and money management are compared. They warn against bad clients and give warning signs against them. Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field Jeremy Green: The Independent Consulting Manual Increase Your Consulting Fees - Email Course
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Summary Jeremy Green and Erik Dietrich discuss the unforeseen pain points of becoming a freelancer and share solutions that they have used in their lives and businesses to address these pain points. They considered pipeline management, not having enough work, having too much work and having ill-fitting work. How companies treat vendors and dealing with rejection are discussed. The loneliness of a freelancers life and how to combat it are considered. The hidden cost of working on your own and owning a business are addressed, including health insurance and taxes. The positives and negatives of time and money management are compared. They warn against bad clients and give warning signs against them. Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field Jeremy Green: The Independent Consulting Manual Increase Your Consulting Fees - Email Course
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Summary Erik and Rueven define indefinite engagements, warning against staff augmentation type of consulting and contracting gigs. They explain how this is not a good business strategy. Thinking of yourself as a business is the first step to breaking out of these types of engagements. Erik and Reuven give more advice for breaking away including having savings before breaking away, identifying what your best at, market testing and weaning your current client. The benefits and drawbacks of working shorter and more high powered gigs are considered. The episode ends with a discussion of the importance of maintaining good relationships and a good reputation. Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: https://TubeBuddy.com/ http://HitSubscribe.com/ Reuven Lerner: https://YouTube.com/reuvenlerner Long, daily walks -- try it!
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry’s small plan CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Summary Erik and Rueven define indefinite engagements, warning against staff augmentation type of consulting and contracting gigs. They explain how this is not a good business strategy. Thinking of yourself as a business is the first step to breaking out of these types of engagements. Erik and Reuven give more advice for breaking away including having savings before breaking away, identifying what your best at, market testing and weaning your current client. The benefits and drawbacks of working shorter and more high powered gigs are considered. The episode ends with a discussion of the importance of maintaining good relationships and a good reputation. Links https://www.facebook.com/freelancersshow/ Picks Erik Dietrich: https://TubeBuddy.com/ http://HitSubscribe.com/ Reuven Lerner: https://YouTube.com/reuvenlerner Long, daily walks -- try it!
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan Paymo| Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Episode Summary The panel discusses the advantages of having a booth at a conference. Having a booth at a conference is a great way to learn about how conference advertising and finance works. It is also a great way to network and collect leads. Reuven talks about his experience at getting a booth at Pycon 2019. He shares tips on what to give out at the booths such as flyers and t-shirts and how many to order and in what sizes. He talks about the best way to work out the logistics for the materials for the booth and tips on attracting visitors to the booth. One takeaway Reuven had for his next booth was to have more Medium sized t-shirts made! Listen to the show to learn about more tips on getting a booth at a conference and the best spot to place your booth at the conference job fair. Picks Jeremy Green: Interactive Composition by V.J. Manzo and by Will Kuhn Chernobyl Miniseries on HBO Erik Dietrich: RetroGames Website Putting Your Phone on Airplane Mode Overnight Reuven Lerner: Logitech R800 Wireless Laser Presentation Remote
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan Paymo| Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Episode Summary The panel discusses the advantages of having a booth at a conference. Having a booth at a conference is a great way to learn about how conference advertising and finance works. It is also a great way to network and collect leads. Reuven talks about his experience at getting a booth at Pycon 2019. He shares tips on what to give out at the booths such as flyers and t-shirts and how many to order and in what sizes. He talks about the best way to work out the logistics for the materials for the booth and tips on attracting visitors to the booth. One takeaway Reuven had for his next booth was to have more Medium sized t-shirts made! Listen to the show to learn about more tips on getting a booth at a conference and the best spot to place your booth at the conference job fair. Picks Jeremy Green: Interactive Composition by V.J. Manzo and by Will Kuhn Chernobyl Miniseries on HBO Erik Dietrich: RetroGames Website Putting Your Phone on Airplane Mode Overnight Reuven Lerner: Logitech R800 Wireless Laser Presentation Remote
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan Paymo | Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Summary The panel goes into detail on the most common reasons to give a discount, sharing experiences and whether or not it's a good idea to give these types of discounts. They generally agree that a "friends and family discount" is never a good idea and discuss the long term problems it can cause both in relationships and your business. The panel discusses offering a discount to get your foot in the door and to better your portfolio. Supporting non-profits and making sure you receive the proper credit for your work is discussed. Offering discounts as part of your business model is considered, discounts such as paying upfront or high volume discounts, are weighed. Jeremy Green shares an experience and warning against helping a business just because you like what they are doing. The panel gives advice on how to say no to someone asking for a discount. They finish the episode with more advice on why to give a discount and explain some of the negative effects giving out too many discounts or giving discounts for the wrong reason can have on your business. Links https://www.squarespace.com https://www.shopify.com Picks Jeremy Green: Practical Object-Oriented Design, An Agile Primer Using Ruby Erik Dietrich: Ready Player One Hit to subscribe
Sponsors Sentry– use the code “devchat” for two months free on Sentry small plan Paymo | Opt for monthly & get 30% discount on paid plans for 6 months Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Summary The panel goes into detail on the most common reasons to give a discount, sharing experiences and whether or not it's a good idea to give these types of discounts. They generally agree that a "friends and family discount" is never a good idea and discuss the long term problems it can cause both in relationships and your business. The panel discusses offering a discount to get your foot in the door and to better your portfolio. Supporting non-profits and making sure you receive the proper credit for your work is discussed. Offering discounts as part of your business model is considered, discounts such as paying upfront or high volume discounts, are weighed. Jeremy Green shares an experience and warning against helping a business just because you like what they are doing. The panel gives advice on how to say no to someone asking for a discount. They finish the episode with more advice on why to give a discount and explain some of the negative effects giving out too many discounts or giving discounts for the wrong reason can have on your business. Links https://www.squarespace.com https://www.shopify.com Picks Jeremy Green: Practical Object-Oriented Design, An Agile Primer Using Ruby Erik Dietrich: Ready Player One Hit to subscribe
Sponsors: Sentryuse the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about advantages of using a CRM software in their freelance business. They share their own experiences of how their business improved when they started using it and why they needed one in the first place. Picks: Jeremy Green: Sanebox Erik Dietrich: The Hiring Post Giftly Jonathan Stark: The Trusted Advisor Interview with Charles Green, author of the Trust Advisors Reuven Lerner: The Trusted Advisor Disrupted Amazing sandwich suggestion: peanut butter + pickles + hot sauce
Sponsors: Sentryuse the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about advantages of using a CRM software in their freelance business. They share their own experiences of how their business improved when they started using it and why they needed one in the first place. Picks: Jeremy Green: Sanebox Erik Dietrich: The Hiring Post Giftly Jonathan Stark: The Trusted Advisor Interview with Charles Green, author of the Trust Advisors Reuven Lerner: The Trusted Advisor Disrupted Amazing sandwich suggestion: peanut butter + pickles + hot sauce
Sponsors: Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH - Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how to handle “stump the chump” interviews. These are type of interviews where tech companies ask developers whiteboard questions or algorithm questions. The panel advises that this type of interview is a red flag about the company and how they view freelancers and share tips on what to do and say in such an interview. They then share tips on how to create a better reputation as a freelance developer so that the quality of interviews get better. Links: https://devchat.tv/ Picks: Jeremy Green: Authority by Nathan Barry Erik Dietrich: Hit Subscribe
Sponsors: Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH - Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days| Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how to handle “stump the chump” interviews. These are type of interviews where tech companies ask developers whiteboard questions or algorithm questions. The panel advises that this type of interview is a red flag about the company and how they view freelancers and share tips on what to do and say in such an interview. They then share tips on how to create a better reputation as a freelance developer so that the quality of interviews get better. Links: https://devchat.tv/ Picks: Jeremy Green: Authority by Nathan Barry Erik Dietrich: Hit Subscribe
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Summary The panel starts by discussing why career development as a freelancer is important and what skills to work on for career development. They share mistakes and use examples from their own businesses. The panel gives career tips for those just starting out as well as freelancers who are advanced. Networking and masterminds are considered; the panel advises developers on how to choose a mastermind to join. The episode ends with a discussion on improving technical skills. Picks Reuven Lerner: http://store.lerner.co.il/numpy https://www.pipedrive.com Erik Dietrich: http://HitSubscribe.com/ Jeremy Green: http://PersonalMBA.com/
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! Try GanttPRO FREE for 14 days | Software Development project template Use coupon code “devchat” to get $50 for using GanttPRO CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Summary The panel starts by discussing why career development as a freelancer is important and what skills to work on for career development. They share mistakes and use examples from their own businesses. The panel gives career tips for those just starting out as well as freelancers who are advanced. Networking and masterminds are considered; the panel advises developers on how to choose a mastermind to join. The episode ends with a discussion on improving technical skills. Picks Reuven Lerner: http://store.lerner.co.il/numpy https://www.pipedrive.com Erik Dietrich: http://HitSubscribe.com/ Jeremy Green: http://PersonalMBA.com/
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Summary The panel discusses various “things not to do” that they have seen others do. First, they advise not sticking with a single client in a pseudo employment situation. The panel also warns against biting off more than you can chew. Erik brings up not relying on global freelancing platforms like upwork.com, while Rueven cautions against saying yes to all business. The panel considers overworking and hourly rates. They also debate when to get a virtual assistant and communication tools. The panel ends with consideration on what technologies to use and warns against chasing new and shiny technologies. The episode ends with an invitation to the listeners to share their own “things not to do”. Links www.upwork.com Picks Erik Dietrich https://gramblr.com/uploader/#home https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/view-clipboard-history-on-windows-10/ https://think-boundless.com/the-failed-promise-of-freelance-consulting-talent-platforms/ Reuven Lerner http://LinuxJournal.com/ https://us.pycon.org/2019/
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan .TECH – Go.tech/Elixir and use the coupon code “ELIXIR.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panel Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Summary The panel discusses various “things not to do” that they have seen others do. First, they advise not sticking with a single client in a pseudo employment situation. The panel also warns against biting off more than you can chew. Erik brings up not relying on global freelancing platforms like upwork.com, while Rueven cautions against saying yes to all business. The panel considers overworking and hourly rates. They also debate when to get a virtual assistant and communication tools. The panel ends with consideration on what technologies to use and warns against chasing new and shiny technologies. The episode ends with an invitation to the listeners to share their own “things not to do”. Links www.upwork.com Picks Erik Dietrich https://gramblr.com/uploader/#home https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/view-clipboard-history-on-windows-10/ https://think-boundless.com/the-failed-promise-of-freelance-consulting-talent-platforms/ Reuven Lerner http://LinuxJournal.com/ https://us.pycon.org/2019/
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for $100 credit .TECH – Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Special Guest: Steve Pomerantz Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks to Steve Pomerantz, Founder and CEO at Freelance Collection. Steve has worked on projects as a freelancer where he has not been paid and he noticed that there aren't that many resources to help guide freelancers that are in this position. He founded Freelance Collection to help others who are unable to collect payment from their clients. Steve gives guidelines on how to handle such situations and when to hire a professional vs. when to walk away. Steve also reminds that a lot of freelancers have had projects where they have not been paid and the golden rule is to be proactive and take the necessary actions within the first month following the project, as the longer the process drags out the less the probability to collect the total money owed. The panel shares some of their personal experiences where they have had difficulty with clients. Steve then lists some of the red flags that freelancers should watch out for in clients before they start projects. Links: Steve's LinkedIN Freelance Collection Twitter Freelance Collection 20 Types of Nonpaying Clients and Strategies for Getting Paid Picks: Jeremy Green: How to Fight a Hydra Lawgood.io Jeremy Green: Apply to be an Author Dev Community Reuven Lerner: Mission to Zyxx Steve Pomerantz: And Co HelloBonsai.com 20 Types of Nonpaying Clients and Strategies for Getting Paid TMZ Video
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for $100 credit .TECH – Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Special Guest: Steve Pomerantz Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks to Steve Pomerantz, Founder and CEO at Freelance Collection. Steve has worked on projects as a freelancer where he has not been paid and he noticed that there aren't that many resources to help guide freelancers that are in this position. He founded Freelance Collection to help others who are unable to collect payment from their clients. Steve gives guidelines on how to handle such situations and when to hire a professional vs. when to walk away. Steve also reminds that a lot of freelancers have had projects where they have not been paid and the golden rule is to be proactive and take the necessary actions within the first month following the project, as the longer the process drags out the less the probability to collect the total money owed. The panel shares some of their personal experiences where they have had difficulty with clients. Steve then lists some of the red flags that freelancers should watch out for in clients before they start projects. Links: Steve's LinkedIN Freelance Collection Twitter Freelance Collection 20 Types of Nonpaying Clients and Strategies for Getting Paid Picks: Jeremy Green: How to Fight a Hydra Lawgood.io Jeremy Green: Apply to be an Author Dev Community Reuven Lerner: Mission to Zyxx Steve Pomerantz: And Co HelloBonsai.com 20 Types of Nonpaying Clients and Strategies for Getting Paid TMZ Video
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for $100 credit .TECH - Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how to put systems in place to thrive as a freelancer. Especially for recurring tasks, creating a procedure enables quality, consistency and sustainability. The panel advises taking the decision making part out of the process as much as possible so there is as little stress as possible when executing that particular task each time. Having set procedures in place also helps handing these tasks off to other employees easier and cuts down on the learning curve. The panel then discusses how to turn these procedures into intellectual property so that it adds value to the business. Listen to the show to find out the what steps to take to begin putting systems in place in your freelance business! Picks: Erik Dietrich: Contain Yourself! Dev's Guide to CaaS Getting Things Done by David Allen The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber Jonathan Stark: Work The System by Sam Carpenter 10-Day Systems Challenge by Jonathan Stark
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for $100 credit .TECH - Go.tech/Freelancer and use the coupon code “FREELANCER.TECH” and get a 1 year .TECH Domain at $9.99 and 5 Year Domain at $49.99. Hurry! CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how to put systems in place to thrive as a freelancer. Especially for recurring tasks, creating a procedure enables quality, consistency and sustainability. The panel advises taking the decision making part out of the process as much as possible so there is as little stress as possible when executing that particular task each time. Having set procedures in place also helps handing these tasks off to other employees easier and cuts down on the learning curve. The panel then discusses how to turn these procedures into intellectual property so that it adds value to the business. Listen to the show to find out the what steps to take to begin putting systems in place in your freelance business! Picks: Erik Dietrich: Contain Yourself! Dev's Guide to CaaS Getting Things Done by David Allen The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber Jonathan Stark: Work The System by Sam Carpenter 10-Day Systems Challenge by Jonathan Stark
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Jeremy Green Jonathan Stark Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about being nervous about pricing the services offered when freelancing. They mention that most of the time, freelancers tend to price their services on the low side due to lack of self confidence. The panel also shares possible scenarios of client feedback and the best responses that justify the price. They discuss setting hourly rates versus results oriented pricing and share tips on how to communicate with the client during the proposal stage to figure out how much the service offered is worth to them. They then advise using this information to help set the price. Listen to the show to find out how to price freelance services with a business mindset. Picks: Jonathan: Learn Your Lines The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker Erik: Apply to be an author AirBNB Experiences Jeremy: Increase Your Consulting Fees Reuven: Asciidoc
Sponsors: Sentry– use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Jeremy Green Jonathan Stark Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about being nervous about pricing the services offered when freelancing. They mention that most of the time, freelancers tend to price their services on the low side due to lack of self confidence. The panel also shares possible scenarios of client feedback and the best responses that justify the price. They discuss setting hourly rates versus results oriented pricing and share tips on how to communicate with the client during the proposal stage to figure out how much the service offered is worth to them. They then advise using this information to help set the price. Listen to the show to find out how to price freelance services with a business mindset. Picks: Jonathan: Learn Your Lines The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker Erik: Apply to be an author AirBNB Experiences Jeremy: Increase Your Consulting Fees Reuven: Asciidoc
Sponsors: Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about starting freelancing later in life. They share their own freelancing/consulting journeys as well as tips for a smooth transition. They give tips on what signs to look for to round out the services offered such as giving talks at conferences or doing case studies with clients. Listen to the show to find out more about how to correctly price freelancing/consulting services, the difference between price and rate and when/how to negotiate. Links: https://devchat.tv/ Picks: Erik Dietrich: The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice https://www.remarq.io/ Kai Davis: 80/20 Sales and Marketing by Perry Marshall https://www.remarq.io/ Reuven Lerner: Bag Man https://slate.com/slow-burn https://trainbetter.transistor.fm/ The foreigner's guide to WeChat payments in China by Reuven Lerner
Sponsors: Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about starting freelancing later in life. They share their own freelancing/consulting journeys as well as tips for a smooth transition. They give tips on what signs to look for to round out the services offered such as giving talks at conferences or doing case studies with clients. Listen to the show to find out more about how to correctly price freelancing/consulting services, the difference between price and rate and when/how to negotiate. Links: https://devchat.tv/ Picks: Erik Dietrich: The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice https://www.remarq.io/ Kai Davis: 80/20 Sales and Marketing by Perry Marshall https://www.remarq.io/ Reuven Lerner: Bag Man https://slate.com/slow-burn https://trainbetter.transistor.fm/ The foreigner's guide to WeChat payments in China by Reuven Lerner
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how/when to raise prices when freelancing. The panel advises reviewing services offered quarterly and adjusting prices accordingly. They give tips on what signs to look for to round out the services offered such as giving talks at conferences or doing case studies with clients. Listen to the show to find out more about how to correctly price freelancing/consulting services and when to negotiate. Picks: Erik Dietrich: https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Plan-Strategy-Remarkable-Business Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-programmer/ https://www.remarq.io/ Kai Davis: https://www.amazon.com/80-20-Sales-Marketing-Definitive-ebook/dp/B00CGNRVHE/ https://www.remarq.io/ Reuven Lerner: https://www.msnbc.com/bagman https://slate.com/slow-burn https://trainbetter.transistor.fm/ http://blog.lerner.co.il/the-foreigners-guide-to-wechat-payments-in-china/
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about how/when to raise prices when freelancing. The panel advises reviewing services offered quarterly and adjusting prices accordingly. They give tips on what signs to look for to round out the services offered such as giving talks at conferences or doing case studies with clients. Listen to the show to find out more about how to correctly price freelancing/consulting services and when to negotiate. Picks: Erik Dietrich: https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Plan-Strategy-Remarkable-Business Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-programmer/ https://www.remarq.io/ Kai Davis: https://www.amazon.com/80-20-Sales-Marketing-Definitive-ebook/dp/B00CGNRVHE/ https://www.remarq.io/ Reuven Lerner: https://www.msnbc.com/bagman https://slate.com/slow-burn https://trainbetter.transistor.fm/ http://blog.lerner.co.il/the-foreigners-guide-to-wechat-payments-in-china/
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about their plans for 2019. They describe their processes for planning for the new year and reviewing the past year. They reveal what projects they want to do more of in 2019 and what projects they want to transition out of. The panel advises that in freelance work, declining projects that are not a good fit frees up time for projects that are a good fit.They also recommend quantifying measurements in goals set for the new year. Picks: Erik Dietrich: HubSpot Sales Chrome Plugin la Barbecue Jeremy Green: Increase Your Consulting Fees Company Of One Kai Davis: Kick procrastination's ass: Run a dash TextExpander Reuven Lerner Nine Pints
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about their plans for 2019. They describe their processes for planning for the new year and reviewing the past year. They reveal what projects they want to do more of in 2019 and what projects they want to transition out of. The panel advises that in freelance work, declining projects that are not a good fit frees up time for projects that are a good fit.They also recommend quantifying measurements in goals set for the new year. Picks: Erik Dietrich: HubSpot Sales Chrome Plugin la Barbecue Jeremy Green: Increase Your Consulting Fees Company Of One Kai Davis: Kick procrastination's ass: Run a dash TextExpander Reuven Lerner Nine Pints
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Special Guest: Liston Witherill Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks to Liston Witherill, sales consultant and founder of Liston Witherill Consulting. Liston specializes in working with AMs, CSMs, and consultants to provide opportunities for client improvement. Liston shares tips on how to approach a sales process and a lists a set of questions that need to be answered about the service offered and its value proposition to the target audience in order for it to be successful. Links: Liston's Website Liston's LinkedIn Liston's Twitter https://devchat.tv Picks: Erik Dietrich: Garmin vívoactive 3 Music | Smartwatch with GPS Apply to Be an Author - Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: Taking Time Off Kai Davis: 30-Day Meditation Challenge • Kai Davis Reuven Lerner: Announcing a new course: Intro Python - Reuven Lerner Weekly Python Exercise — Reuven Lerner Liston Witherill: Notion SalesIn30 - The Complete Course Liston's Podcasts Consulting Sales Bootcamp fenix 3 | Garmin | Fitness GPS Watch
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Special Guest: Liston Witherill Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks to Liston Witherill, sales consultant and founder of Liston Witherill Consulting. Liston specializes in working with AMs, CSMs, and consultants to provide opportunities for client improvement. Liston shares tips on how to approach a sales process and a lists a set of questions that need to be answered about the service offered and its value proposition to the target audience in order for it to be successful. Links: Liston's Website Liston's LinkedIn Liston's Twitter https://devchat.tv Picks: Erik Dietrich: Garmin vívoactive 3 Music | Smartwatch with GPS Apply to Be an Author - Hit Subscribe Jeremy Green: Taking Time Off Kai Davis: 30-Day Meditation Challenge • Kai Davis Reuven Lerner: Announcing a new course: Intro Python - Reuven Lerner Weekly Python Exercise — Reuven Lerner Liston Witherill: Notion SalesIn30 - The Complete Course Liston's Podcasts Consulting Sales Bootcamp fenix 3 | Garmin | Fitness GPS Watch
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about good practices and habits to build in freelance business in the year 2019. The panel gives examples of what they focused on while building their own freelance business and share how they approached areas such as self-care, financial planning and client acquisition goals in their business. They discuss what strategies to follow during “feasting” cycle and “famine” cycle of business and share tips on how to save for retirement during each cycle. Listen to the show to find out more on which tools to use for bookkeeping and how to communicate with former clients for repeat business and much more! Links: Company of One by Paul Jarvis Free CRM for Small Businesses - HubSpot The Positioning Manual for Technical Firms by Philip Morgan https://devchat.tv Picks: Erik Dietrich: Free CRM for Small Businesses - HubSpot It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson Jeremy Green: Bench Splice The Positioning Manual for Technical Firms by Philip Morgan Company of One by Paul Jarvis Kai Davis: Calm - Meditation Techniques for Sleep and Stress Reduction
Sponsors Sentry use the code “devchat” for 2 months free on Sentry small plan CacheFly Panelists: Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green Kai Davis Episode Summary: In this episode of the Freelancers' Show, the panel talks about good practices and habits to build in freelance business in the year 2019. The panel gives examples of what they focused on while building their own freelance business and share how they approached areas such as self-care, financial planning and client acquisition goals in their business. They discuss what strategies to follow during “feasting” cycle and “famine” cycle of business and share tips on how to save for retirement during each cycle. Listen to the show to find out more on which tools to use for bookkeeping and how to communicate with former clients for repeat business and much more! Links: Company of One by Paul Jarvis Free CRM for Small Businesses - HubSpot The Positioning Manual for Technical Firms by Philip Morgan https://devchat.tv Picks: Erik Dietrich: Free CRM for Small Businesses - HubSpot It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson Jeremy Green: Bench Splice The Positioning Manual for Technical Firms by Philip Morgan Company of One by Paul Jarvis Kai Davis: Calm - Meditation Techniques for Sleep and Stress Reduction
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show Reuven, Erik, and Jeremy discuss “Dealing with Contracts.” The Freelancers cover a number of important topics that involve contracts, trust agreements, as well as how to read a Master Services Agreement (MSA). This is a great episode to learn more about ways to take control of your contract documents and MASs. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:50 - Reuven opens the show talking about contracts. Reuven said he did not have contracts when he first started his business. But over time he has gotten screwed over. Reuven prefaced that they are not lawyers, so take this as advice only. 3:00 - Reuven talks about things to understand are, who owns the rights, payment, insurance, and statement of work, etc. Reuven going into Master Services Agreements. Reuven asks if his peer use contracts. Erik says he uses master services agreements, and rarely contracts. Erik tries to work based on trust, and there is no motivator for contracts. 5:20 - Jeremy talks about being similar to Erik and rarely using contracts, but only master services agreements and trust. Jeremy says he does sometimes like to get paid up front. Reuven says when he does project work, he then uses a contract. Reuven says when he is doing training he does not use a contract. Reuven says sometime PO or purchase orders do serve as a type of contract. Reuven goes into to project fees and hiring lawyers. 9:30 - Jeremy talks about project fee and specifications of the scope of work and how that may or may not need a contract. Erik says it is important for him to avoid proposals but good for him to agree upon what can be delivered. Again, Erik is fond of the trust agreement. Reuven says for courses he does not need to implement contracts. 13:00 - Jeremy continues with how he implements a flat payment fee, but only when he can agree upon the scope of work. Reuven says he has only once done the pay in advance method once, and it worked great for him. Jeremy says it may be good to work with people and companies who had experience with this. 15:00 - Reuven ask if a client comes to you with their MSA or Statement of Work, how much do you want or can change it? Erik talks about his experience with marking up MSA and statements. Jeremy talks about his experience with marking up an MSA that was an employment document. 18:00 - Erik talks about using a lawyer to look at the agreement to see if that agreement might be hard not to violate. Reuven talks about his experience marking up an agreement and how all of the markups were no approved. Reuven continues with how he was able to get the company to agree to alter their agreement document. Reuven talks about having to acquire insurance to get work. 24:00 - Jeremy and Erik speak on payment terms. Reuven talks about insurance that was not available to him in Israel. Reuven speaks about need Commercial Liability insurance in order to engage in work for certain clients. 28:00 - Reuven talks about how Jonathan Stark is able to get companies to change their terms to pay everything upfront. This discussion goes into payment terms and net 30 or net 60 payment plans. Erik continues negotiating payment. 31:00 - Erick brings up the scenario of hiring a lawyer if you are new to freelancing. Reuven talks about how some can get an agreement document written up for them. The freelancers agree that you only do this if you really need to hire a lawyer for an airtight document. 35:00 - Reuven talks about adding a clause to open source software. Reuven says the client owns the IP but the changes are subject to other owners as they contribute. 36:00 - Reuven talks about a taxes in Israel and how being self-employed works in Israel. Erik asks about how the lawyer help is this situation. Jeremy mentions to pay attention to your very own customs and jurisdictions, in your place of business. 40:00 - Reuven talks about having to change the legal business title in Israel. Reuven talks about how the law is interpreted according to their jurisdiction. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Reuven Bad Blood Jeremy Obi Fernandez's MSA Bundle Erik A Better Ad Blocker
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show Reuven, Erik, and Jeremy discuss “Dealing with Contracts.” The Freelancers cover a number of important topics that involve contracts, trust agreements, as well as how to read a Master Services Agreement (MSA). This is a great episode to learn more about ways to take control of your contract documents and MASs. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:50 - Reuven opens the show talking about contracts. Reuven said he did not have contracts when he first started his business. But over time he has gotten screwed over. Reuven prefaced that they are not lawyers, so take this as advice only. 3:00 - Reuven talks about things to understand are, who owns the rights, payment, insurance, and statement of work, etc. Reuven going into Master Services Agreements. Reuven asks if his peer use contracts. Erik says he uses master services agreements, and rarely contracts. Erik tries to work based on trust, and there is no motivator for contracts. 5:20 - Jeremy talks about being similar to Erik and rarely using contracts, but only master services agreements and trust. Jeremy says he does sometimes like to get paid up front. Reuven says when he does project work, he then uses a contract. Reuven says when he is doing training he does not use a contract. Reuven says sometime PO or purchase orders do serve as a type of contract. Reuven goes into to project fees and hiring lawyers. 9:30 - Jeremy talks about project fee and specifications of the scope of work and how that may or may not need a contract. Erik says it is important for him to avoid proposals but good for him to agree upon what can be delivered. Again, Erik is fond of the trust agreement. Reuven says for courses he does not need to implement contracts. 13:00 - Jeremy continues with how he implements a flat payment fee, but only when he can agree upon the scope of work. Reuven says he has only once done the pay in advance method once, and it worked great for him. Jeremy says it may be good to work with people and companies who had experience with this. 15:00 - Reuven ask if a client comes to you with their MSA or Statement of Work, how much do you want or can change it? Erik talks about his experience with marking up MSA and statements. Jeremy talks about his experience with marking up an MSA that was an employment document. 18:00 - Erik talks about using a lawyer to look at the agreement to see if that agreement might be hard not to violate. Reuven talks about his experience marking up an agreement and how all of the markups were no approved. Reuven continues with how he was able to get the company to agree to alter their agreement document. Reuven talks about having to acquire insurance to get work. 24:00 - Jeremy and Erik speak on payment terms. Reuven talks about insurance that was not available to him in Israel. Reuven speaks about need Commercial Liability insurance in order to engage in work for certain clients. 28:00 - Reuven talks about how Jonathan Stark is able to get companies to change their terms to pay everything upfront. This discussion goes into payment terms and net 30 or net 60 payment plans. Erik continues negotiating payment. 31:00 - Erick brings up the scenario of hiring a lawyer if you are new to freelancing. Reuven talks about how some can get an agreement document written up for them. The freelancers agree that you only do this if you really need to hire a lawyer for an airtight document. 35:00 - Reuven talks about adding a clause to open source software. Reuven says the client owns the IP but the changes are subject to other owners as they contribute. 36:00 - Reuven talks about a taxes in Israel and how being self-employed works in Israel. Erik asks about how the lawyer help is this situation. Jeremy mentions to pay attention to your very own customs and jurisdictions, in your place of business. 40:00 - Reuven talks about having to change the legal business title in Israel. Reuven talks about how the law is interpreted according to their jurisdiction. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Reuven Bad Blood Jeremy Obi Fernandez's MSA Bundle Erik A Better Ad Blocker
Panel: Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show Erik, discuss “How to Target Management or the C-Suite as a Freelancer.” The discussion covers how to develop an offer or pitch, and understanding the pain points for leadership roles, and offering value to help them in their business and getting hired. Erik provides several great tactics to warm-up the C-Suite to get a job. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:02 - Erik talks about targeting the manager or C-suite for freelancing. Erik talks about speaking to your peers but not the C-suite, or selling your peers in salary positions. 3:00 - Erik talks about falling into his practice of selling your skill to peers. Erik reminds us that your buyers are not your peers, but the people who have the money to buy app development. Management or the C Suite. 5:00 - Erik breaks down the buying system for tech or application development. Eric continues with vetting. Erik talks about the role of Line Management and their power to spend money on services. 9:33 - Erik talks about the Director role and their power to hire and sign off on hiring. This is important to target that right person to get hire for a job or contract. Erik shares on how to approach each of the composite buyers, VP, CIO and or Line Manager. 12:00 - Erik talks about approaching the VP for a job, but offering a compelling reason to be hired. What does that look like? Erik talks about getting in front of these people with hiring roles. 14:00 - Erik talks about constructing your pitch. But using a persona to help develop your pitch for a job. Erik share the importance of a niche and cross referencing with those who are in the hiring position. 17:55 - Erik says to understand these people with the hiring role. Next is to understand their pain points in their line of business. Erik continues with explaining new role taken by C Suite. How do you approach people in these new roles? 21:55 - Erik mentions how to approach the leadership personnel with tactics to help or lift them in their positions to get hired. Erik call this developing an offering to the leadership. Getting in to their head, and understanding their pain points. 24:00 - Erik say another important point to understand about leadership’s point of view is understanding what doesn’t matter to them. Find out what interest them, and gets them promoted. Erik gives suggestions on how you should view and help their point of view in their role as a leader. This helps you get hired. 28:00 - Erik shares how to target the C Suite in some social setting and find out what interests them in their field of business. Erik shares about refining your elevator pitch and getting an appointment. 30:00 - Erik shares tactics assuming that you appeal to the leaders and gain their interest. Erik talks about letting them know you want to pick their brain. 33:00 - Erik talks about developing your outreach and creating emails focused on them. Make the email about them and understanding their pain points. 35:00 - Erik shares about warming up that leaders seeing who you know in the business. Also asking for referrals and reaching out to other for a second degree introduction. 39:00 - Erik talks about humanizing the leaders and understand their roles and helping their pain points. The way to target them is not to waste their time. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik The E-Myth Revisited Developer Hegemony
Panel: Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show Erik, discuss “How to Target Management or the C-Suite as a Freelancer.” The discussion covers how to develop an offer or pitch, and understanding the pain points for leadership roles, and offering value to help them in their business and getting hired. Erik provides several great tactics to warm-up the C-Suite to get a job. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:02 - Erik talks about targeting the manager or C-suite for freelancing. Erik talks about speaking to your peers but not the C-suite, or selling your peers in salary positions. 3:00 - Erik talks about falling into his practice of selling your skill to peers. Erik reminds us that your buyers are not your peers, but the people who have the money to buy app development. Management or the C Suite. 5:00 - Erik breaks down the buying system for tech or application development. Eric continues with vetting. Erik talks about the role of Line Management and their power to spend money on services. 9:33 - Erik talks about the Director role and their power to hire and sign off on hiring. This is important to target that right person to get hire for a job or contract. Erik shares on how to approach each of the composite buyers, VP, CIO and or Line Manager. 12:00 - Erik talks about approaching the VP for a job, but offering a compelling reason to be hired. What does that look like? Erik talks about getting in front of these people with hiring roles. 14:00 - Erik talks about constructing your pitch. But using a persona to help develop your pitch for a job. Erik share the importance of a niche and cross referencing with those who are in the hiring position. 17:55 - Erik says to understand these people with the hiring role. Next is to understand their pain points in their line of business. Erik continues with explaining new role taken by C Suite. How do you approach people in these new roles? 21:55 - Erik mentions how to approach the leadership personnel with tactics to help or lift them in their positions to get hired. Erik call this developing an offering to the leadership. Getting in to their head, and understanding their pain points. 24:00 - Erik say another important point to understand about leadership’s point of view is understanding what doesn’t matter to them. Find out what interest them, and gets them promoted. Erik gives suggestions on how you should view and help their point of view in their role as a leader. This helps you get hired. 28:00 - Erik shares how to target the C Suite in some social setting and find out what interests them in their field of business. Erik shares about refining your elevator pitch and getting an appointment. 30:00 - Erik shares tactics assuming that you appeal to the leaders and gain their interest. Erik talks about letting them know you want to pick their brain. 33:00 - Erik talks about developing your outreach and creating emails focused on them. Make the email about them and understanding their pain points. 35:00 - Erik shares about warming up that leaders seeing who you know in the business. Also asking for referrals and reaching out to other for a second degree introduction. 39:00 - Erik talks about humanizing the leaders and understand their roles and helping their pain points. The way to target them is not to waste their time. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik The E-Myth Revisited Developer Hegemony
Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Jeremy and Erik, discuss “Late Paying Whale Clients.” The discussion covers how to assess situations where you are not getting paid on time in your freelancing business. Jeremy and Erik cover a number of common situations and how to navigate your way to getting paid and avoid further unfortunate situations. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:50 - Erik and Jeremy talk how to handle late paying client who is the major part of your income. Jeremy suggests ways to avoid the situation by determining a time of when payment is collected. 2:50 - Erik says this is a right of passage for a freelancing way of employment. Erik says this is common in freelancing. Jeremy share story with working in an agency and friendships on the line. 6:14 - Erik shares a story about doing 10k worth of work and not getting paid. This want due to management changeups. 7:00 - Erik talks about asking them why you are not getting paid. Jeremy says this may be due to not getting to know everyone in the business and getting the invoice to the right person who responsible for paying invoices. 10:30 - Erik says it is important to get the invoice to the right people because invoice sent to the CTO might not be high on his the priority list. Get it to accounts payable or find out who accounts payable are. 13:30 - Jeremy says to recognize the difference between late payments and laggy payments. Erik talks net 10 or net 30 payments. 15:40 - Jeremy talks about stopping work and getting some kind of payment on late paid invoices. 17:28 - Erik talks about how some clients play games to keep putting your invoices off. Erik talks about techniques to de-prioritized work for the client to understand they have unpaid or late payments. 20:30 - Jeremy mentions knowing your worth. Erik talks about possibly talking legal actions. But asks Jeremy about how he handled not getting paid from a client who owed 80k. Jeremy shares a story on how he structured things to take the lost. 24:00 - Erik talks about thing to do to avoid legal actions. Jeremy shares how he switches to upfront payments. Jeremy explains his explanation to employers for upfront payments. Erik talks about asking them to put some skin in the game or sharing the risk. 29:00 - Erik talks about getting push back and adding fees to those who push back on upfront payment. Jeremy talks about discounts to upfront payments. Erik talks about how these strategies are about de-risking your payments. 31:00 - Erik mentions another strategy to tack on 5% late charge and mention to the client that it is accounting thing. This should serve as a reminder that they are late. 34:00 - Erik says this might be a sign to avoid working with whale clients. Jeremy says you might want to get several smaller clients and having multiple sources of income. 36:00 - Jeremy continues with how to get paid upfront with reengagement with an old client. Jeremy says to look for the structural flaws int system and get new people in the company to help you get paid. 37:50 - Erik says to hope is not a strategy and try to figure out where the issues is to get paid. Jeremy continues to understanding when to pull the plug on working for this kind of client. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik Semantic Merge Hit Subscribe Jeremy Rock & Roll with Ember Serverless
Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Jeremy and Erik, discuss “Late Paying Whale Clients.” The discussion covers how to assess situations where you are not getting paid on time in your freelancing business. Jeremy and Erik cover a number of common situations and how to navigate your way to getting paid and avoid further unfortunate situations. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:50 - Erik and Jeremy talk how to handle late paying client who is the major part of your income. Jeremy suggests ways to avoid the situation by determining a time of when payment is collected. 2:50 - Erik says this is a right of passage for a freelancing way of employment. Erik says this is common in freelancing. Jeremy share story with working in an agency and friendships on the line. 6:14 - Erik shares a story about doing 10k worth of work and not getting paid. This want due to management changeups. 7:00 - Erik talks about asking them why you are not getting paid. Jeremy says this may be due to not getting to know everyone in the business and getting the invoice to the right person who responsible for paying invoices. 10:30 - Erik says it is important to get the invoice to the right people because invoice sent to the CTO might not be high on his the priority list. Get it to accounts payable or find out who accounts payable are. 13:30 - Jeremy says to recognize the difference between late payments and laggy payments. Erik talks net 10 or net 30 payments. 15:40 - Jeremy talks about stopping work and getting some kind of payment on late paid invoices. 17:28 - Erik talks about how some clients play games to keep putting your invoices off. Erik talks about techniques to de-prioritized work for the client to understand they have unpaid or late payments. 20:30 - Jeremy mentions knowing your worth. Erik talks about possibly talking legal actions. But asks Jeremy about how he handled not getting paid from a client who owed 80k. Jeremy shares a story on how he structured things to take the lost. 24:00 - Erik talks about thing to do to avoid legal actions. Jeremy shares how he switches to upfront payments. Jeremy explains his explanation to employers for upfront payments. Erik talks about asking them to put some skin in the game or sharing the risk. 29:00 - Erik talks about getting push back and adding fees to those who push back on upfront payment. Jeremy talks about discounts to upfront payments. Erik talks about how these strategies are about de-risking your payments. 31:00 - Erik mentions another strategy to tack on 5% late charge and mention to the client that it is accounting thing. This should serve as a reminder that they are late. 34:00 - Erik says this might be a sign to avoid working with whale clients. Jeremy says you might want to get several smaller clients and having multiple sources of income. 36:00 - Jeremy continues with how to get paid upfront with reengagement with an old client. Jeremy says to look for the structural flaws int system and get new people in the company to help you get paid. 37:50 - Erik says to hope is not a strategy and try to figure out where the issues is to get paid. Jeremy continues to understanding when to pull the plug on working for this kind of client. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik Semantic Merge Hit Subscribe Jeremy Rock & Roll with Ember Serverless
Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Jeremy and Erik, and discuss “Starting Freelancing While Employed.” The discussion covers important topics on how to properly or successfully moonlight and transition into full-time freelancing while increasing your incoming and clients. This is a great episode on learning the ins and outs of moonlight on the side while maintaining a full-time job. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:00 - Erik kicks off the topic about freelancing while you are employed. Erik starts with the questions form a forum form his place of work. Erik talks about the idea of moonlighting 2:00 - Reviewing your employment working about noncompeting work or conflict of interest to avoid restrictions. Jeremy says you should definitely check with the employment agreements. More talks about signing papers on agreements as a freelancer. 5:00 - Jeremy talks about working with clients who want you to sign non-complete work or anything in the industry or nature of the work. Erik about work at Hit Subscribe. Erik shares more about working with the company to reform the agreements. 8:50 - Jeremy and Erik talk about moonlight on the “clock” which is a big issue and non-compliance. Jeremy continues to talk about the issues of doing this under the rader. 10:30 - Erik talks about doing a bad job at your full-time job because of moonlighting. Don’t do it while you are at the office. Erik talks about people at the office who know you are running a side business and how to let it be known properly. Make sure your niche is not conflicting with your employer. 14:00 - Jeremy talks about stealing clients from your employer and how that can cause employment issues within the full-time company. Jeremy talks about transitioning from employment to freelancing. 18:00 - Erik talks about bargaining for perks over salary for time or freedom to freelance with your full-time job. 20:00 - Erik shares about signing with the company or letting your employer know about your freelancing work. This will allow you to do more if it is out in the open on social media and Linkedin. Jeremy talks about this could hinder your freelance marketing. 22:00 - Erik talks about masking your identity with a brand, or working under a brand to keep from your employer from knowing about your side hustle. 24:00 - Erik says if freelancing is going to be serious, then freelancing has to be out in the open with your employers. Erik asks Jeremy about when to know to make the switch to freelancing. Jeremy shares about his strategy and mistakes in making this transition. Jeremy talks about working with loan money to fill that gap and building his business. 28:00 - Erik shares about making his jump from full-time salary to freelancing. Jeremy talks about mistakes in full-time salary and comparing that to freelancing work. How do you adjust the hourly rate or salary? Jeremy says this is selling your night and weekends. Jeremy says you will need to work on your business, not in your business. Jeremy also says you need to make more freelancing. 32:00 - Erik talks about the pricing of service and freelancing work. Jeremy talks about delivering values to the client. Erik talks about experience and moonlighting within the company. 35:00 - Erik talks about how freelancing on the side is going to mean more time working. Do what you need to do side hustling, but don’t make it a problem. Jeremy shares about his agency and how they handled moonlighting within the agency. 40:00 - Erik talks about kind of acting as an agent and bringing in moonlighting work. Erik says this is set up is not very common. 43:00 - Make sure your contractually ready to moonlight and don’t charge too little is the takeaway. Also, have a bailout condition. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik The North East USA during fall for the amazing views A Hrefs Jeremy Remarq - Now with emoji support
Panel: Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Jeremy and Erik, and discuss “Starting Freelancing While Employed.” The discussion covers important topics on how to properly or successfully moonlight and transition into full-time freelancing while increasing your incoming and clients. This is a great episode on learning the ins and outs of moonlight on the side while maintaining a full-time job. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 1:00 - Erik kicks off the topic about freelancing while you are employed. Erik starts with the questions form a forum form his place of work. Erik talks about the idea of moonlighting 2:00 - Reviewing your employment working about noncompeting work or conflict of interest to avoid restrictions. Jeremy says you should definitely check with the employment agreements. More talks about signing papers on agreements as a freelancer. 5:00 - Jeremy talks about working with clients who want you to sign non-complete work or anything in the industry or nature of the work. Erik about work at Hit Subscribe. Erik shares more about working with the company to reform the agreements. 8:50 - Jeremy and Erik talk about moonlight on the “clock” which is a big issue and non-compliance. Jeremy continues to talk about the issues of doing this under the rader. 10:30 - Erik talks about doing a bad job at your full-time job because of moonlighting. Don’t do it while you are at the office. Erik talks about people at the office who know you are running a side business and how to let it be known properly. Make sure your niche is not conflicting with your employer. 14:00 - Jeremy talks about stealing clients from your employer and how that can cause employment issues within the full-time company. Jeremy talks about transitioning from employment to freelancing. 18:00 - Erik talks about bargaining for perks over salary for time or freedom to freelance with your full-time job. 20:00 - Erik shares about signing with the company or letting your employer know about your freelancing work. This will allow you to do more if it is out in the open on social media and Linkedin. Jeremy talks about this could hinder your freelance marketing. 22:00 - Erik talks about masking your identity with a brand, or working under a brand to keep from your employer from knowing about your side hustle. 24:00 - Erik says if freelancing is going to be serious, then freelancing has to be out in the open with your employers. Erik asks Jeremy about when to know to make the switch to freelancing. Jeremy shares about his strategy and mistakes in making this transition. Jeremy talks about working with loan money to fill that gap and building his business. 28:00 - Erik shares about making his jump from full-time salary to freelancing. Jeremy talks about mistakes in full-time salary and comparing that to freelancing work. How do you adjust the hourly rate or salary? Jeremy says this is selling your night and weekends. Jeremy says you will need to work on your business, not in your business. Jeremy also says you need to make more freelancing. 32:00 - Erik talks about the pricing of service and freelancing work. Jeremy talks about delivering values to the client. Erik talks about experience and moonlighting within the company. 35:00 - Erik talks about how freelancing on the side is going to mean more time working. Do what you need to do side hustling, but don’t make it a problem. Jeremy shares about his agency and how they handled moonlighting within the agency. 40:00 - Erik talks about kind of acting as an agent and bringing in moonlighting work. Erik says this is set up is not very common. 43:00 - Make sure your contractually ready to moonlight and don’t charge too little is the takeaway. Also, have a bailout condition. Sponsors/affiliates Get a Coder Job Freshbooks Picks: Erik The North East USA during fall for the amazing views A Hrefs Jeremy Remarq - Now with emoji support
Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Erik Dietrich This week on My Ruby Story, Charles talks to Erik Dietrich who is a consultant and a business owner. After he left the IT life, he is a partner for a content marketing company among others. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:52 – Greetings! It’s another story on Ruby Stories. 1:04 – We have had you on Episode 296. 1:28 – Guest: I did in my blogger days, but over the course of time but I ran into management roles and then left. That definitely skewed my topics that I talked about. 1:59 – Chuck: Introduce yourself for people. 2:53 – Chuck: Let’s talk about your career or even further back. How did you get into programming? 3:24 – Guest: My father introduced me into my project. Into my educational background I do remember banging away at my computer because there weren’t any courses offered (at the time). 4:13 – Chuck: Let’s talk about computer science. 4:22 – guest: I had to apply to the computer science program to the college I went to. I knew I wanted to do something cutting-edge. 4:42 – Chuck: After college where did you end up? 4:55 – Guest: I graduated in 2001 from college. I did some odd jobs. Thankfully, the economy was stronger for me to be a software engineer title. Then from there... 5:57 – Chuck: When I graduated I started off with Tech Support then Q/A. 6:12 – Chuck: It sounds like you worked all over the place? Is it deliberate when you chance course within your career? 6:36 – Guest: Actually, it was full circle for me. At some point, I did get more career-minded. 8:01 – Chuck: How did you end up there – the programming job? 8:13 – Guest: My mom left, but worked at X company. The co. knew that she had a son that finished a computer science degree. 9:10 – Chuck: The recruiters should be use to that at some point. 9:23 – Guest added some more thoughts. 9:50 – Chuck: Talk about the progression you’ve made. I know Ruby is not your primary focus of your background. Take people on a tour. I’m curious if we can talk about how you got into the consulting and marketing roles that you fill these days. 10:28 – Guest: Whistle stop of my career, here we go. The first 10 years, it was pretty standard. Across a few different companies went from one position to another up to the architectural role. Then, I went through job-hopping. I ended up doing independent consulting and freelance works. I didn’t know really, though, what I wanted to do. Coaching people is what I did for a while. There I discovered something – I enjoyed that coaching work. More opportunities that I had, and then I realized it was a good fit. Over the course of time, I had the blog, which was reflecting anything I was doing. If I am writing about x, y, z, I was blogging about it. 14:28 – Chuck: How do you know which opportunity to pursue? 14:38 – Guest: General, I was say... 15:52 – Chuck: What are you most proud of? 16:04 – Guest: The blog. 17:28 – Guest: My book. Check it out. Amazon and Leanpub. 17:47 – Chuck: What are you working on now? 17:58 – Guest answers this question. 21:12 – Chuck: Any other thing you’d like to talk about? 21:27 – Guest chimes in with his ideas. 24:25 – Guest: Whatever adds to your happiness. 24:36 – Chuck: I get to choose what I want to work on. I find that the freer that I am to make my own decisions the happier I am. 25:09 – Guest: I had a hard time being told to do things from senior roles in the job. 25:42 – Chuck: I think more companies will be willing to bring some people in for a specific project/job. 26:39 – Guest: I get into trend projection into my book. 28:04 – Chuck: One more question that I have. As people are coming into this pool – what do you advise those people to see where the industry is going? Where to get a job? Long-term? 28:35 – Guest: To get a job in the entry level is kind of hustling. If you are struggling then write about a blog. Get there a social profile that makes you different from all the others. Does the company have the faintest idea of who you are and what you can do? Position yourself as an expert. If you can show that you are standing out from your peers then your career will advance much more quickly. Not necessarily being “better then them.” How are you different? 30:23 – Chuck: Yep, these things I push people toward in my new course. Meet the right people; build those relationships. They probably get dozens or dozens of applications. They can find someone to write code but it’s the underlining stuff that they are looking for. 31:44 – Advertisement 32:26 – Picks! Links: Ruby Elixir Chuck’s Twitter Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe Erik Dietrich’s Book on Amazon Erik Dietrich’s Book on Leanpub Erik Dietrich’s Twitter Erik Dietrich’s GitHub DaedTech Sponsors: Code Badges Get a Coder Job Picks: Charles Audible AirPods Ketogenic Jamie 4-Hour Work Week Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe – Apply to be an Author!
Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Erik Dietrich This week on My Ruby Story, Charles talks to Erik Dietrich who is a consultant and a business owner. After he left the IT life, he is a partner for a content marketing company among others. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:52 – Greetings! It’s another story on Ruby Stories. 1:04 – We have had you on Episode 296. 1:28 – Guest: I did in my blogger days, but over the course of time but I ran into management roles and then left. That definitely skewed my topics that I talked about. 1:59 – Chuck: Introduce yourself for people. 2:53 – Chuck: Let’s talk about your career or even further back. How did you get into programming? 3:24 – Guest: My father introduced me into my project. Into my educational background I do remember banging away at my computer because there weren’t any courses offered (at the time). 4:13 – Chuck: Let’s talk about computer science. 4:22 – guest: I had to apply to the computer science program to the college I went to. I knew I wanted to do something cutting-edge. 4:42 – Chuck: After college where did you end up? 4:55 – Guest: I graduated in 2001 from college. I did some odd jobs. Thankfully, the economy was stronger for me to be a software engineer title. Then from there... 5:57 – Chuck: When I graduated I started off with Tech Support then Q/A. 6:12 – Chuck: It sounds like you worked all over the place? Is it deliberate when you chance course within your career? 6:36 – Guest: Actually, it was full circle for me. At some point, I did get more career-minded. 8:01 – Chuck: How did you end up there – the programming job? 8:13 – Guest: My mom left, but worked at X company. The co. knew that she had a son that finished a computer science degree. 9:10 – Chuck: The recruiters should be use to that at some point. 9:23 – Guest added some more thoughts. 9:50 – Chuck: Talk about the progression you’ve made. I know Ruby is not your primary focus of your background. Take people on a tour. I’m curious if we can talk about how you got into the consulting and marketing roles that you fill these days. 10:28 – Guest: Whistle stop of my career, here we go. The first 10 years, it was pretty standard. Across a few different companies went from one position to another up to the architectural role. Then, I went through job-hopping. I ended up doing independent consulting and freelance works. I didn’t know really, though, what I wanted to do. Coaching people is what I did for a while. There I discovered something – I enjoyed that coaching work. More opportunities that I had, and then I realized it was a good fit. Over the course of time, I had the blog, which was reflecting anything I was doing. If I am writing about x, y, z, I was blogging about it. 14:28 – Chuck: How do you know which opportunity to pursue? 14:38 – Guest: General, I was say... 15:52 – Chuck: What are you most proud of? 16:04 – Guest: The blog. 17:28 – Guest: My book. Check it out. Amazon and Leanpub. 17:47 – Chuck: What are you working on now? 17:58 – Guest answers this question. 21:12 – Chuck: Any other thing you’d like to talk about? 21:27 – Guest chimes in with his ideas. 24:25 – Guest: Whatever adds to your happiness. 24:36 – Chuck: I get to choose what I want to work on. I find that the freer that I am to make my own decisions the happier I am. 25:09 – Guest: I had a hard time being told to do things from senior roles in the job. 25:42 – Chuck: I think more companies will be willing to bring some people in for a specific project/job. 26:39 – Guest: I get into trend projection into my book. 28:04 – Chuck: One more question that I have. As people are coming into this pool – what do you advise those people to see where the industry is going? Where to get a job? Long-term? 28:35 – Guest: To get a job in the entry level is kind of hustling. If you are struggling then write about a blog. Get there a social profile that makes you different from all the others. Does the company have the faintest idea of who you are and what you can do? Position yourself as an expert. If you can show that you are standing out from your peers then your career will advance much more quickly. Not necessarily being “better then them.” How are you different? 30:23 – Chuck: Yep, these things I push people toward in my new course. Meet the right people; build those relationships. They probably get dozens or dozens of applications. They can find someone to write code but it’s the underlining stuff that they are looking for. 31:44 – Advertisement 32:26 – Picks! Links: Ruby Elixir Chuck’s Twitter Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe Erik Dietrich’s Book on Amazon Erik Dietrich’s Book on Leanpub Erik Dietrich’s Twitter Erik Dietrich’s GitHub DaedTech Sponsors: Code Badges Get a Coder Job Picks: Charles Audible AirPods Ketogenic Jamie 4-Hour Work Week Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe – Apply to be an Author!
Panel: Charles Max Wood Guest: Erik Dietrich This week on My Ruby Story, Charles talks to Erik Dietrich who is a consultant and a business owner. After he left the IT life, he is a partner for a content marketing company among others. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: 0:52 – Greetings! It’s another story on Ruby Stories. 1:04 – We have had you on Episode 296. 1:28 – Guest: I did in my blogger days, but over the course of time but I ran into management roles and then left. That definitely skewed my topics that I talked about. 1:59 – Chuck: Introduce yourself for people. 2:53 – Chuck: Let’s talk about your career or even further back. How did you get into programming? 3:24 – Guest: My father introduced me into my project. Into my educational background I do remember banging away at my computer because there weren’t any courses offered (at the time). 4:13 – Chuck: Let’s talk about computer science. 4:22 – guest: I had to apply to the computer science program to the college I went to. I knew I wanted to do something cutting-edge. 4:42 – Chuck: After college where did you end up? 4:55 – Guest: I graduated in 2001 from college. I did some odd jobs. Thankfully, the economy was stronger for me to be a software engineer title. Then from there... 5:57 – Chuck: When I graduated I started off with Tech Support then Q/A. 6:12 – Chuck: It sounds like you worked all over the place? Is it deliberate when you chance course within your career? 6:36 – Guest: Actually, it was full circle for me. At some point, I did get more career-minded. 8:01 – Chuck: How did you end up there – the programming job? 8:13 – Guest: My mom left, but worked at X company. The co. knew that she had a son that finished a computer science degree. 9:10 – Chuck: The recruiters should be use to that at some point. 9:23 – Guest added some more thoughts. 9:50 – Chuck: Talk about the progression you’ve made. I know Ruby is not your primary focus of your background. Take people on a tour. I’m curious if we can talk about how you got into the consulting and marketing roles that you fill these days. 10:28 – Guest: Whistle stop of my career, here we go. The first 10 years, it was pretty standard. Across a few different companies went from one position to another up to the architectural role. Then, I went through job-hopping. I ended up doing independent consulting and freelance works. I didn’t know really, though, what I wanted to do. Coaching people is what I did for a while. There I discovered something – I enjoyed that coaching work. More opportunities that I had, and then I realized it was a good fit. Over the course of time, I had the blog, which was reflecting anything I was doing. If I am writing about x, y, z, I was blogging about it. 14:28 – Chuck: How do you know which opportunity to pursue? 14:38 – Guest: General, I was say... 15:52 – Chuck: What are you most proud of? 16:04 – Guest: The blog. 17:28 – Guest: My book. Check it out. Amazon and Leanpub. 17:47 – Chuck: What are you working on now? 17:58 – Guest answers this question. 21:12 – Chuck: Any other thing you’d like to talk about? 21:27 – Guest chimes in with his ideas. 24:25 – Guest: Whatever adds to your happiness. 24:36 – Chuck: I get to choose what I want to work on. I find that the freer that I am to make my own decisions the happier I am. 25:09 – Guest: I had a hard time being told to do things from senior roles in the job. 25:42 – Chuck: I think more companies will be willing to bring some people in for a specific project/job. 26:39 – Guest: I get into trend projection into my book. 28:04 – Chuck: One more question that I have. As people are coming into this pool – what do you advise those people to see where the industry is going? Where to get a job? Long-term? 28:35 – Guest: To get a job in the entry level is kind of hustling. If you are struggling then write about a blog. Get there a social profile that makes you different from all the others. Does the company have the faintest idea of who you are and what you can do? Position yourself as an expert. If you can show that you are standing out from your peers then your career will advance much more quickly. Not necessarily being “better then them.” How are you different? 30:23 – Chuck: Yep, these things I push people toward in my new course. Meet the right people; build those relationships. They probably get dozens or dozens of applications. They can find someone to write code but it’s the underlining stuff that they are looking for. 31:44 – Advertisement 32:26 – Picks! Links: Ruby Elixir Chuck’s Twitter Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe Erik Dietrich’s Book on Amazon Erik Dietrich’s Book on Leanpub Erik Dietrich’s Twitter Erik Dietrich’s GitHub DaedTech Sponsors: Code Badges Get a Coder Job Picks: Charles Audible AirPods Ketogenic Jamie 4-Hour Work Week Ribbon Farm Hit Subscribe – Apply to be an Author!
Panel: Jonathan Stark Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss dealing with inbound communications, what to do if you’re getting too much and what to do if you’re not getting enough. They talk about how difficult it is to manage inbound communication, especially when there is a large amount coming in, the difference between using slack and email, and Gmail plugins to help organize incoming emails. They also touch on triaging your inbox, being honest with yourself as to what you actually will do on your to-do list, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Getting too much inbound communication VS not enough Needing better ways to manage inbound communication Very difficult to manage when there is a lot coming in Do you mean just email or multiple channels? What are your channels of inbound communication? Working on ways to optimize Moving urgent client communication to Slack The difference between Slack and Email Declaring email bankruptcy The ability to ignore email inbox Gmail plugins to help Buffering emails Only checking slack for paying customers Go in once a day to clean up your incoming communication Not knowing an email is there VS strenuously trying to avoid it The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Getting Things Done – David Allen Triaging your inbox Only focus on the urgent to-dos Be honest with yourself so your to do list doesn’t get too long If you don’t feel the need to get to it within a week, it’s not that important Suffering from inbox overload To get less email, you can respond less frequently And much, much more! Links: The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Getting Things Done – David Allen Sponsors: FreshBooks Linode Picks: Jonathan Calendly Guide to Winning Clients by David A. Fields The Pricing Seminar Erik Getting Things Done SiteGround Calendly
Panel: Jonathan Stark Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss dealing with inbound communications, what to do if you’re getting too much and what to do if you’re not getting enough. They talk about how difficult it is to manage inbound communication, especially when there is a large amount coming in, the difference between using slack and email, and Gmail plugins to help organize incoming emails. They also touch on triaging your inbox, being honest with yourself as to what you actually will do on your to-do list, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Getting too much inbound communication VS not enough Needing better ways to manage inbound communication Very difficult to manage when there is a lot coming in Do you mean just email or multiple channels? What are your channels of inbound communication? Working on ways to optimize Moving urgent client communication to Slack The difference between Slack and Email Declaring email bankruptcy The ability to ignore email inbox Gmail plugins to help Buffering emails Only checking slack for paying customers Go in once a day to clean up your incoming communication Not knowing an email is there VS strenuously trying to avoid it The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Getting Things Done – David Allen Triaging your inbox Only focus on the urgent to-dos Be honest with yourself so your to do list doesn’t get too long If you don’t feel the need to get to it within a week, it’s not that important Suffering from inbox overload To get less email, you can respond less frequently And much, much more! Links: The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Getting Things Done – David Allen Sponsors: FreshBooks Linode Picks: Jonathan Calendly Guide to Winning Clients by David A. Fields The Pricing Seminar Erik Getting Things Done SiteGround Calendly
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss making a good impression with your clients. They talk about what you can do to make a good first impression, and a continuing impression, on your clients. They also touch on how to get the best exposure on the internet, what content you can put on your website to boost your first impression, where else you can promote a good first impression, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: A lot of questions online about what you can do to get people to notice you Where you should and should not put your effort In many cases, potential clients don’t look at your website Your website isn’t make or break Unless you show your website to people, no one will be going there Having a website vs a blog How to get exposure on the internet Hooking blog up to aggregation engines Getting the content out on your website is the most important step Make sure your content is aimed at your customers, not your peers Why people are contacting you Giving people weekly reminders When you get clients from referrals, how do you hit it off with them? Point people to your site Having a syllabus on your website Pointing to a portfolio Using testimonials from past bosses, clients, or peers Where else, other than your website, can you promote yourself? Building business off your open source contributions Walking the “line” Building a strong image of yourself And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Picks: Reuven Can Democracy Survive Global Capitalism? by Robert Kuttner Robert Kuttner Talk Jeremy increaseyourconsultingfees.com Erik Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port Microsoft Azure
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss making a good impression with your clients. They talk about what you can do to make a good first impression, and a continuing impression, on your clients. They also touch on how to get the best exposure on the internet, what content you can put on your website to boost your first impression, where else you can promote a good first impression, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: A lot of questions online about what you can do to get people to notice you Where you should and should not put your effort In many cases, potential clients don’t look at your website Your website isn’t make or break Unless you show your website to people, no one will be going there Having a website vs a blog How to get exposure on the internet Hooking blog up to aggregation engines Getting the content out on your website is the most important step Make sure your content is aimed at your customers, not your peers Why people are contacting you Giving people weekly reminders When you get clients from referrals, how do you hit it off with them? Point people to your site Having a syllabus on your website Pointing to a portfolio Using testimonials from past bosses, clients, or peers Where else, other than your website, can you promote yourself? Building business off your open source contributions Walking the “line” Building a strong image of yourself And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Picks: Reuven Can Democracy Survive Global Capitalism? by Robert Kuttner Robert Kuttner Talk Jeremy increaseyourconsultingfees.com Erik Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port Microsoft Azure
Guest Bio: Shawn Rakowski is a seasoned software developer with Gullview Technologies out of Brainerd Minnesota, where he specializes in delivering full stack .NET solutions. Shawn is also a husband, father, conference speaker, blogger, former podcaster, aspiring entrepreneur, and game dev hobbyist. Episode Description: In this episode, Shawn explains the value of taking time for personal creative projects to challenge yourself and create a more diverse portfolio and skills set. Shawn also talks about the dangers of second-guessing yourself, as well as the importance of always pushing yourself to learn more and gain new experiences. Key Takeaways: (1.31) Phil opens the interview by asking Shawn to tell the listeners a bit more about himself. Shawn says that he’s been working in software development for about a decade, generally working in e-commerce and distribution, but has been recently focusing more on speaking about game development at conferences, including Codemash this past January. (2.37) Phil then asks Shawn for a “unique career tip,” to which Shawn responds with the advice that anyone doing software development should make a point to spend time developing games or other side projects. He explains that games, in particular, are very useful for teaching developers new ways to learn and adapt and that they can be combined with different disciplines like music, art, physics or math. (4.08) Shawn goes on to illustrate how games also provide a tangible product for developers to add to their portfolios. Shawn also tells Phil about “game jam” events where the participants have to build a game in just a couple days. Game jam events are useful because the time constraints force you to be creative, and there’s usually a prompt to follow, which solves the problem of not being able to come up with an idea. (5.41) Phil notes that game development seems like it would make you think differently about problems and solutions, and Shawn agrees that game dev offers complexities that you would not typically encounter in your regular IT or developer day job. Because of this, devoting time to game dev can also help you challenge yourself and make you a better developer overall. (7.28) Phil asks Shawn about what he considers the worst IT moment of his career and what he learned from it. Shawn talks about working at a job where he didn’t like the culture of the office and felt like he didn’t fit. While he did leave that job for a remote one, he was convinced to come back on the grounds that management had changed and things were better, only to find that this was not the case. Shawn says the main thing he learned was to trust his feelings and to move on and don’t look back rather than stay unhappy at a bad job that might change. (11.00) Phil changes gears and asks Shawn to share any highlights of his IT career. Shawn relates a story about how he developed his first indie game for Xbox Live and that, while it did not make him much money and was “kind of a terrible game, creating it pushed him to learn command patterns, object-oriented programming, C# (Sharp), and .NET. Now he works with .NET for a living and owes it to developing that terrible Xbox Live game. (14.47) Phil and Shawn discuss the future of IT, with Shawn mentioning the book Developer Hegemony by Erik Dietrich, positing that we are moving more towards independent IT and development firms with small, specialized teams that can be brought into major organizations to solve problems. (16.7) Phil starts the “Real Round,” asking Shawn what got him into IT. According to Shawn, LAN parties were his first introduction to computer technology but that he was actually going to school for a philosophy degree before falling in love with computer science. (17.49) Next Phil asks Shawn for the best career advice he’s ever received. Shawn says it wasn’t just career advice but life advice from a guest on his podcast who recommended he look into meditation and mindfulness as a way to handle the feelings stress and frustration at being stuck at his old job. Learning to be more conscious of his feelings and rationalize them has improved his mindset when it comes to both work and life. (19.41) Shawn tells Phil that if he were starting his IT career now, he would skip college and jump straight into programming and learning on the job. Shawn also mentions that he would make it a point to look into functional programming, stating that it’s a better way to compose software and that, as it is on the far end of the adoption curve, now is the best time to become familiar with it. (22.22) On the subject of the most helpful nontechnical skill to have, Shawn says that it’s being fearless about stepping outside your comfort zone in regards to things like public speaking, podcasting, and not stopping yourself because you’re worried you’ll make a mistake or that someone is better than you. Shawn and Phil both emphasize the value of new experiences. (23.24) Finally, Phil asks Shawn for some parting advice for a career in IT, and Shawn recommends joining a “mastermind group,” which is a group of like-minded people trying to reach the same goals that regularly meet up to help hold each other accountable as well as provide support, advice, and fresh ideas. Phil agrees and says that he’s in a podcast mastermind group as well. Best Moments: (3.29) Shawn: “I’ve come to find that developing games opens you up to a lot of other disciplines and artistic endeavors that you can kind of combine with software development, which is something that I think is good for the soul and can be very, very good for your career.” (5.41) Phil: “It [game development] seems quite different in terms of the mindset of the people who do it and the way they think about solutions.” (7.10) Shawn: “I think games are a great domain for developing because they challenge you in ways that you don’t normally get challenged at your day job.” (10.29) Shawn: “When you find that you and a place no longer fit together, it’s best to just cut it and go forward and move on.” (19.27) Shawn: “I’m able to capture those feelings that I’m having and those thoughts I’m having and pinpoint them and realize that they’re not exactly true and realize that I can rationalize and get over things like fear, anger, and emotions like that.” (23.06) Phil: “It’s taking yourself out of your comfort zone, it’s new experiences, isn’t it really?” Shawn: “Yeah, being willing to embrace those new experiences and realize that those are important and paramount to your growth and just overall to your happiness.” Contact Shawn Rakowski Twitter: @shwany Website: www.mylifeforthecode.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srakowski/
Panel: Jonathan Stark Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss writing better project proposals. Freelancers constantly present product proposals to clients in a way that clients cannot understand, making the client not want to use them again for their product or service. They talk about the fear freelancers have about being called out on their pricing, forcing your clients to be educated about your line of work when they don’t care, not understanding your customer, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: The right way to talk to clients about your good/service Don’t present yourself as a commodity Write project proposals in a “language” that people can understand Not always the proposal is what is bad Giving the clients useless updates Fear of being called to the carpet of your pricing Trying to educate clients when they don’t care Simple ways to get your point across to clients Not understanding the customer Having multiple types of customers Feeling like you’re being talked down to Most clients’ main priority is that you get done what they need done Value pricing Clients who like to nickel and dime you Clients who fight you every step of the way People will hire you because you are the expert How to be treated like an expert Target clients who don’t specialize in what you do Value-based proposals versus labor based proposals Sanity checks Why conversations And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Picks: Jonathan Goliath Jeremy Remarq Erik Diablo 2 Capital One
Panel: Jonathan Stark Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss writing better project proposals. Freelancers constantly present product proposals to clients in a way that clients cannot understand, making the client not want to use them again for their product or service. They talk about the fear freelancers have about being called out on their pricing, forcing your clients to be educated about your line of work when they don’t care, not understanding your customer, and more! In particular, we dive pretty deep on: The right way to talk to clients about your good/service Don’t present yourself as a commodity Write project proposals in a “language” that people can understand Not always the proposal is what is bad Giving the clients useless updates Fear of being called to the carpet of your pricing Trying to educate clients when they don’t care Simple ways to get your point across to clients Not understanding the customer Having multiple types of customers Feeling like you’re being talked down to Most clients’ main priority is that you get done what they need done Value pricing Clients who like to nickel and dime you Clients who fight you every step of the way People will hire you because you are the expert How to be treated like an expert Target clients who don’t specialize in what you do Value-based proposals versus labor based proposals Sanity checks Why conversations And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Picks: Jonathan Goliath Jeremy Remarq Erik Diablo 2 Capital One
Panel: Reuven Learner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss chaos clients. Chaos clients are long-time clients who are disorganized, reactive, and constantly wait for things to blow up before “pulling the fire alarm.” These types of clients are disruptive to any business, and so the panelists discuss some things you can do if you have chaos clients. They also touch on how each of the respective panelists deal with these clients and their thoughts on the best and worse ways of dealing with a client’s self-inflicted problems. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: What is a chaos client? What can you do when you have a chaos client? Decide whether or not you want to keep the client Maybe fire them if you can’t see them changing Have individual fire-drill pricing Wait to address the situation in a low-emotion time Try to become more proactive in the future with them Higher price tags for these clients Price tag for your misery vs getting rid of these clients Be careful with just raising prices Push back in ways that make the client revise their priorities Understanding that not everything needs to be done ASAP Part of your job is to calm clients down Helping a client with an actual emergency vs helping a client who self-inflicts problems Chronic chaos clients Preventing these “fire drills” in the future Only push off other projects when talking with the person of authority on the project Pricing can be used to discourage clients from doing things And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Linode Picks: Jonathan The Expert Video Flawless Consulting The Freelancer's Roadmap by Jonathan Stark Reuven Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Weekly Python Exercise Jeremy Remarq The Key to Increasing Your Consulting Fees Erik Horkey Handbook
Panel: Reuven Learner Jeremy Green Erik Dietrich Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, the panelists discuss chaos clients. Chaos clients are long-time clients who are disorganized, reactive, and constantly wait for things to blow up before “pulling the fire alarm.” These types of clients are disruptive to any business, and so the panelists discuss some things you can do if you have chaos clients. They also touch on how each of the respective panelists deal with these clients and their thoughts on the best and worse ways of dealing with a client’s self-inflicted problems. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: What is a chaos client? What can you do when you have a chaos client? Decide whether or not you want to keep the client Maybe fire them if you can’t see them changing Have individual fire-drill pricing Wait to address the situation in a low-emotion time Try to become more proactive in the future with them Higher price tags for these clients Price tag for your misery vs getting rid of these clients Be careful with just raising prices Push back in ways that make the client revise their priorities Understanding that not everything needs to be done ASAP Part of your job is to calm clients down Helping a client with an actual emergency vs helping a client who self-inflicts problems Chronic chaos clients Preventing these “fire drills” in the future Only push off other projects when talking with the person of authority on the project Pricing can be used to discourage clients from doing things And much, much more! Sponsors: FreshBooks Linode Picks: Jonathan The Expert Video Flawless Consulting The Freelancer's Roadmap by Jonathan Stark Reuven Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz Weekly Python Exercise Jeremy Remarq The Key to Increasing Your Consulting Fees Erik Horkey Handbook
Panel: Reuven Lerner Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, the panelist discuss “Responding to RFPs( Request for Proposal).” Each panelist describes their experience with consulting clients and companies and working out RFPs. Eric Dietrich of episode 296 gives great insight on ways to communicate clearly with companies when approached for bidding on a job. This is a great episode to understand appropriate precautions and understanding the “others side” of RFPs. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Eric talks about his experience with RFPs Jeremy describes his past encounters with RFPs. Jonathan’s experience with RFPs. Price droppers Learning about the budget Qualifications points of the job Individual to RFPs Risk competing with companies Last resort Issues of RFPs - Not individual but by companies Quoting a price Involving a phone call Resumes Changing the conversation Value-based pricing And much more! Picks Jonathan Stark Chris Do of Blind Gorilla Clients valuepricingbootcamp.com Erik Dietrich Cortana Top Loader for Jeep Jeremy Green Increase Your Consulting Fees Rock’n Roll with EmberJS
Panel: Reuven Lerner Erik Dietrich Jeremy Green In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, the panelist discuss “Responding to RFPs( Request for Proposal).” Each panelist describes their experience with consulting clients and companies and working out RFPs. Eric Dietrich of episode 296 gives great insight on ways to communicate clearly with companies when approached for bidding on a job. This is a great episode to understand appropriate precautions and understanding the “others side” of RFPs. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Eric talks about his experience with RFPs Jeremy describes his past encounters with RFPs. Jonathan’s experience with RFPs. Price droppers Learning about the budget Qualifications points of the job Individual to RFPs Risk competing with companies Last resort Issues of RFPs - Not individual but by companies Quoting a price Involving a phone call Resumes Changing the conversation Value-based pricing And much more! Picks Jonathan Stark Chris Do of Blind Gorilla Clients valuepricingbootcamp.com Erik Dietrich Cortana Top Loader for Jeep Jeremy Green Increase Your Consulting Fees Rock’n Roll with EmberJS
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Jeremy Green Special Guest: Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, the panelist and guest Eric Dietrich discuss “Future of Labor.” Erik is a software developer, was an executive a software company, but turn to consulting for a number of years. Currently, Erik runs a digital content marketing agency and still does consulting. Erik is the author of a number of developer-related books, including Developer Hegemony: The Future of Labor, which is the basis of today’s episode topic. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Demands for software Labor vs. Knowledge work Software architects to Developer Law firm agency, apprenticeship Leaving big companies Giving up on staffing IT, etc. Outsourcing History of corporation Just sitting in your basement and code… Business skills - Being an entrepreneur, not an employee What should a developer do to take advantage of this? Start to understand the fundamentals of a business Maintenance work vs. designing the future UpWork - and commodity labor Transferable skills Trends for Freelancers Becoming business savvy, entrepreneurial And much more! Links https://github.com/erikdietrich https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dietrich-109a888/ https://www.amazon.com/Erik-Dietrich/e/B00J6314XY= @daedtech Picks Reuven Lerner Slow Burn Podcast Jonathan Stark Dyson V8 Value Pricing BootCamp Jeremy Green Increase Your Consulting Fees Increase Your Consulting Fees Erik Dietrich Developer Hegemony Post Scan Mail
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Jeremy Green Special Guest: Erik Dietrich In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, the panelist and guest Eric Dietrich discuss “Future of Labor.” Erik is a software developer, was an executive a software company, but turn to consulting for a number of years. Currently, Erik runs a digital content marketing agency and still does consulting. Erik is the author of a number of developer-related books, including Developer Hegemony: The Future of Labor, which is the basis of today’s episode topic. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Demands for software Labor vs. Knowledge work Software architects to Developer Law firm agency, apprenticeship Leaving big companies Giving up on staffing IT, etc. Outsourcing History of corporation Just sitting in your basement and code… Business skills - Being an entrepreneur, not an employee What should a developer do to take advantage of this? Start to understand the fundamentals of a business Maintenance work vs. designing the future UpWork - and commodity labor Transferable skills Trends for Freelancers Becoming business savvy, entrepreneurial And much more! Links https://github.com/erikdietrich https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dietrich-109a888/ https://www.amazon.com/Erik-Dietrich/e/B00J6314XY= @daedtech Picks Reuven Lerner Slow Burn Podcast Jonathan Stark Dyson V8 Value Pricing BootCamp Jeremy Green Increase Your Consulting Fees Increase Your Consulting Fees Erik Dietrich Developer Hegemony Post Scan Mail
Patrick Smacchia is building NDepend to make refactoring and technical debt decisions easier. Show Notes: The code base I used to try out NDepend is the Couchbase .NET SDK NDepend Zone of Pain, Zone of Uselessness CQLinq LINQpad TFS, TeamCity, Jenkins Pluralsight: Practical NDepend by Erik Dietrich Scott Hanselman: Exiting the Zone of Pain NDepend is on Twitter. Want to be on the next episode? You can! All you need is the willingness to talk about something technical. Theme music is "Crosscutting Concerns" by The Dirty Truckers, check out their music on Amazon or iTunes.
How are software careers changing? Carl and Richard talk to Erik Dietrich about his new book, Developer Hegemony. Erik digs into the struggles that many developers have with the typical large enterprise, where software developers are treated more like cogs in the system, with limited amounts of information and flexibility. Leaving the company and contracting back increases your wages and flexibility, although now you are responsible for all the things that make your job your job - things like accounting, marketing, health insurance and so on. This leads to a more DevOps-like conversation that points to a future that is very software driven! It's a great time to be a developer!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/net-rocks/donations
How are software careers changing? Carl and Richard talk to Erik Dietrich about his new book, Developer Hegemony. Erik digs into the struggles that many developers have with the typical large enterprise, where software developers are treated more like cogs in the system, with limited amounts of information and flexibility. Leaving the company and contracting back increases your wages and flexibility, although now you are responsible for all the things that make your job your job - things like accounting, marketing, health insurance and so on. This leads to a more DevOps-like conversation that points to a future that is very software driven! It's a great time to be a developer!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/net-rocks/donations
CHECK OUT HIRED.COM: https://www.simpleprogrammer.com/hiredsp CHECK OUT KOBITON: htttps://www.kobiton.com/simpleprogrammer A lot of you guys are interested in knowing about the future of software development. These are amongst the most popular videos in this YouTube channel and I couldn't help you to bring you more. In this video, I decided to partner up with Erik Dietrich, which is one of the best people I know that would have the expertise to talk about this. Erik Dietrich is the founder of DaedTech LLC. He earned his BS in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University and his MS in the same from University of Illinois. Though he has been a developer, architect, executive, and IT management consultant over the course of his career, Erik's current favorite thing to do is to create content that empowers software developers. Along with that, he is launching an amazing new book, which is out TODAY! Wanna know what the future holds for software developers? Watch this video and find out! Developer Hegemony: https://simpleprogrammer.com/developerhegemony
Guest: Erik Dietrich @daedtech Full show notes are at https://developeronfire.com/podcast/episode-228-erik-dietrich-developer-hegemony
On today’s episode, Jason Swett and David Kimura discuss The Future of Work in Web Development with Erik Dietrich. Erik is the founder of DaedTech LLC, programmer, architect, IT management consultant, blogger, and technologist. Tune in and listen as he talks about where he sees things are headed in web development.
On today’s episode, Jason Swett and David Kimura discuss The Future of Work in Web Development with Erik Dietrich. Erik is the founder of DaedTech LLC, programmer, architect, IT management consultant, blogger, and technologist. Tune in and listen as he talks about where he sees things are headed in web development.
On today’s episode, Jason Swett and David Kimura discuss The Future of Work in Web Development with Erik Dietrich. Erik is the founder of DaedTech LLC, programmer, architect, IT management consultant, blogger, and technologist. Tune in and listen as he talks about where he sees things are headed in web development.
Guest: Erik Dietrich @daedtech Full show notes are at https://developeronfire.com/podcast/episode-127-erik-dietrich-options
A podcast where we talk - among many other things - about Amitai's Story, about mentoring, teams, seniority, buying your freedom to do what you like, Amitai's podcast "agile in 3 minutes" and the role music plays in his life. Here are the links of the show:Amitai's Homepage http://www.schmonz.comAmitai's Podcast "Agile In 3 Minutes" www.agilein3minut.es "Who I want to hire" by Chad Fowler http://goo.gl/KO2F6NEntreprogrammers Podcast http://entreprogrammers.comDevelopers Hegemony by Erik Dietrich https://leanpub.com/developerhegemonyThe new Kingmakers by Stephen O'Grady http://thenewkingmakers.comCreditsMusic Something Elated by Broke For Free (CC BY 3.0)Your hostSoftware Developer‘s Journey is hosted and produced by Timothée (Tim) Bourguignon, a crazy frenchman living in Germany who dedicated his life to helping others learn & grow. More about him at timbourguignon.fr.Want to be next?Do you know anyone who should be on the podcast? Do you want to be next? Drop me a line: info@devjourney.info or via Twitter @timothep.Gift the podcast a ratingPlease do me and your fellow listeners a favor by spreading the good word about this podcast. And please leave a rating (excellent of course) on the major podcasting platforms, this is the best way to increase the visibility of the podcast:Itunes - https://apple.co/2DWk5CWStitcher - http://bit.ly/2U7G931GoogleMusic - http://bit.ly/2ALx8E0Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2BLtV9pThanks!Support the show (http://bit.ly/2yBfySB)
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
