Hey all! I'm new in the dev work scene, although I have created plenty of software in the last decade. None commercially, just for university and personal purposes. I've decided to make the jump to this industry and am still trying to find my way. I'm a freelancer and just got my first client. I don't yet know how to bill, how to estimate project length time, etc.
But that's not why I created this thread. I want to know where do other web developers go to get clients? How do you network?
My background is in IT tech and I'm fed up with it. One can only install Windows, printer drivers, switches, etc and troubleshoot them all, for so long. I hated working with servers and I hated being used as the know-it-all techie: light bulbs are out? Don't call maintenance guys, get the IT dude to do it. Manager needs an errand done? Send the IT dude. She can't pick up her brats from school? Send the IT dude to do it. A site 100km away needs a machine installed? Why hire someone to deliver it when we have the IT dude! Never mind that he will have to drive through rush hour traffic, the client will want him to do the installation when he gets there (their lazy in-house techies can't be bothered to read instruction manuals), and Mr IT Dude will get home past midnight, then drive back to work before 8:30 AM.
Job got incredibly boring and I prefer/enjoy developing software.
So how or where do web devs hang out or scour for potential clients?
But that's not why I created this thread. I want to know where do other web developers go to get clients? How do you network?
My background is in IT tech and I'm fed up with it. One can only install Windows, printer drivers, switches, etc and troubleshoot them all, for so long. I hated working with servers and I hated being used as the know-it-all techie: light bulbs are out? Don't call maintenance guys, get the IT dude to do it. Manager needs an errand done? Send the IT dude. She can't pick up her brats from school? Send the IT dude to do it. A site 100km away needs a machine installed? Why hire someone to deliver it when we have the IT dude! Never mind that he will have to drive through rush hour traffic, the client will want him to do the installation when he gets there (their lazy in-house techies can't be bothered to read instruction manuals), and Mr IT Dude will get home past midnight, then drive back to work before 8:30 AM.
Job got incredibly boring and I prefer/enjoy developing software.
So how or where do web devs hang out or scour for potential clients?