Freelancing is the new mega trend of our time. Large freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr grow double-digit—they’re out to disrupt the organization of the world’s talents. And it seems like they’re succeeding!
Do you want to participate in this trend rather than only holding on to your cozy developer job as long as you can? Between you and your freelance developing success is only one thing: education.
This article shows you how to accelerate your career as a freelance developer by presenting you the best freelance developer books on the market. Reading books is among the highest-ROI activity you can do as a self-employed full-time or part-time freelance developer.
So, here’s an overview of the 9 best freelance developer books every coder must read!
- #1 Leaving the Rat Race with Python
- #2 The Software Engineer’s Guide to Freelance Consulting
- #3 Freelance Newbie
- #4 Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer: The Evolution of a $1m Web Designer
- #5 Running A Web Design Business From Home: How To Find and Keep Good Clients and Make Money with Your Home Business
- #6 Secrets to Scale a Highly Profitable Web Design Business
- #7 Rework
- #8 Value-Based Fees: How to Charge – and Get – What You’re Worth
- #9 How to be a Freelance Software Developer: Being Intentional in Being Solo
Read all of them and nothing can stop you!
Let’s dive into the books one by one!
#1 Leaving the Rat Race with Python
Is There a Six-Figure Freelance Developer in You?
Leaving the Rat Race with Python shows you how to nurture, grow, and harness your work-from-home coding business online — and live the good life!
It’s an insider’s guide to freelance developing. Start your new thriving coding business now!
- Do you want to learn about becoming a Python freelancer and start your thriving coding business online?
- Do you want to regain control of your life?
- Are you committed to succeeding in life and business?
This practical how-to book will help you nurture, grow, and harness your new online coding business plant—even if you’ve got little or no experience as a programmer and business owner.
Link: https://amzn.to/2Re2JqO
#2 The Software Engineer’s Guide to Freelance Consulting
“The Software Engineer’s Guide to Freelance Consulting will help teach you to be an effective freelance software consultant, which will enable you make more money, dedicate more time to hobbies, spend more time with your loved-ones and even discover new businesses.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Software-Engineers-Guide-Freelance-Consulting/dp/1521163685
#3 Freelance Newbie
“Are you ready to jump-start your freelance career? Freelance Newbie has you covered! In this book, you’ll learn practical, actionable steps you can start using today to get your first client by the end of the week. Featuring all the methods, techniques, tips, tricks, and insights you need to succeed, Freelance Newbie was written by a working freelancer whose mission is to help people like you find personal success and financial independence. The material you’ll read here has never been featured at a lower price — you simply cannot get this kind of value for less. We go through everything step-by-step with real-world examples so you know exactly what you need to do to become a successful freelancer.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Freelance-Newbie-Beginners-Building-Development/dp/1794331328/
#4 Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer: The Evolution of a $1m Web Designer
“This book dives deep on making freelancing more stable, beating “treading water” cycles, repelling ‘bad apple’ clients, multiplying online exposure and follows the journey of Liam, with honest, clear advice and guidance from laptop and rented desk to $1m web agency.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Thinking-Like-Freelancer-Evolution/dp/1503273148/
#5 Running A Web Design Business From Home: How To Find and Keep Good Clients and Make Money with Your Home Business
“Working for a design company? Freelancing? Under-utilised, unappreciated or uninspired? Do you want to break free from employment and run your own business, call the shots, and be your own boss? This is the book for you.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Running-Web-Design-Business-Home/dp/1494366282/
#6 Secrets to Scale a Highly Profitable Web Design Business
“Done right, a web design business can be an excellent way to create a main source of income. The problem many face is getting enough clients to provide that income without giving up everything else in life to support their business.Whether you’re thinking about doing web design on the side or you have an established business, this book is for you. You’ll learn easy-to-implement strategies to set up your business for success. Web design is a fun, profitable and fulfilling business you can do anywhere with an internet connection. But for many it can be a roller coaster ride of feast or famine, wondering when they’re going to get their next client. Or having so many projects to juggle that they feel overwhelmed. What many web designers take for granted is learning how to take the art and skill of web design and turn it into a profitable business. That’s what Secrets to Scale will show you.Learn how to take the art and skill of web design and turn it into a profitable business—one that doesn’t make you extremely stressed.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Highly-Profitable-Design-Business/dp/1974698688/
#7 Rework
“Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you’re looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jason-Fried/dp/0307463745/
#8 Value-Based Fees: How to Charge – and Get – What You’re Worth
“In this thoroughly revised edition of his classic book, Alan Weiss shows how consulting fees are dependent on only two things: value provided in the perception of the buyer and the intent of the buyer and the consultant to act ethically. Many consultants, however, fail to understand that perceived value is the basis of the fee, or that they must translate the importance of their advice into long-term gains for the client in the client’s perception. Still others fail to have the courage and the belief system that support the high value delivered to clients, thereby reducing fees to a level commensurate with the consultant’s own low self-esteem. Ultimately, says Weiss, consultants, not clients, are the main cause of low consulting fees.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Based-Fees-Charge-Youre-Worth/dp/0470275847/
#9 How to be a Freelance Software Developer: Being Intentional in Being Solo
“Many developers would love to go solo and be their own boss. Being self-un-employed can be great, but it’s not easy. Bear Cahill has been a professional software developer at companies since 1990 and freelance since 2008. He has learned vital lessons, many the hard way, and has shared them in this book. Learn great practices about how to manage clients, watch for red flags and thoughts on invoicing practices. Though Bear’s insight you’ll see way a bad client is worse than no client. You’ll have a better picture of what to charge a client – one of the key things that makes it hard for many developers to stay freelance. The wisdom and knowledge it takes to stay solo for the long-term doesn’t come easy. To find so many valuable lessons in one place is rare. If you desire to be on your own, be your own boss and control your destiny, this book is for you. While developers are smart, motivated people, that isn’t all that it takes. You need to understand the dynamics of being freelance, how to deal with clients, how to manage the business, sales… and everything else. Are you good with people? Are you social? Do you balance your time, relationships, priorities and budget well? Do you have a passion for development but not able to wear the hats necessary? This book will help show you the things to consider both in concept and concretely in navigating the waters alone.”
Link: https://www.amazon.com/How-Freelance-Software-Developer-Intentional/dp/1549949748/
Where to Go From Here?
Enough theory. Let’s get some practice!
Coders get paid six figures and more because they can solve problems more effectively using machine intelligence and automation.
To become more successful in coding, solve more real problems for real people. That’s how you polish the skills you really need in practice. After all, what’s the use of learning theory that nobody ever needs?
You build high-value coding skills by working on practical coding projects!
Do you want to stop learning with toy projects and focus on practical code projects that earn you money and solve real problems for people?
🚀 If your answer is YES!, consider becoming a Python freelance developer! It’s the best way of approaching the task of improving your Python skills—even if you are a complete beginner.
If you just want to learn about the freelancing opportunity, feel free to watch my free webinar “How to Build Your High-Income Skill Python” and learn how I grew my coding business online and how you can, too—from the comfort of your own home.