29 June 2009 | Freelancing Tips, Uncategorized | Kimm

Finding contract work as a web programmer can be a challenge.  You depend on the market and you need the connections.  Plus, people need to find you and gaining that kind of visibility isn’t easy to do if you are on a budget. A lot of programmers don’t even notice a readily available source of free advertising that would not only build their networks, but would also help keep their coding and design skills sharp.

How?

Use those skills to build pro bono websites.  That’s right, I said it: “Build websites for free.”

“If I can find someone who wants me to build them a free website, shouldn’t I try to get them to pay me?”

Sure, if they are a Fortune 500 company.  But if you have connections with big companies that usually pay to hire your type of talent, you’re in better shape than most. I’m not talking about those types of companies – I am talking about building free websites for those who wouldn’t normally hire a web programmer.  Just ask for two things: a link and a referral.

Ask them to put a link to your website in their footer.  (Make sure your site is up-to-date, looks good and has useful contact info!)  Be sure to make it descriptive like “Website Design by Peter Griffin” or “Web Programming by Bonnie Swanson”.

Secondly, ask for them to refer people to your site if they are ever complimented on your work. If you do a good job, then they will be happy to tell others about you.

See?  You just got some great advertising and you didn’t even have to pay for it.  Also, its likely that these websites aren’t going to be updated for a while, so your name could be out there for a long time.
The more sites you build, the more places on the Internet exist that point to your site, Google will start to take notice and… you catch my drift.

But wait… there’s more!

1.) You get a place to practice your skills – whether it be design, programming, coding or all of the above.

2.) Instead of sitting around in your underwear, eating pizza-flavored Pringles® and watching SportsCenter, you can be at your computer, earning money, making connections and honing your talents! (You can even do these things in your underwear and while eating junk food if you’re inclined to do so!)

3.) It’s a great way to get a break on your taxes. If you build websites for charities, then you can write off the value of your time as a donation on your tax return the following year. (Please verify the best way to do this with your local tax professional!)

Challenges

You have to be careful how much you take on.  Be sure to set expectations, time limits, and deadlines clearly with your client and yourself.  You don’t want to get overloaded and not have time to work on any contract jobs that might come your way.

Where Do You Start?

• Charities – Most charities can’t afford to hire a web designer and their sites suffer.  Don’t forget that these sites will need to be ADA compliant; be sure you brush up on your W3C knowledge.
  Bonus:  You’re doing someting good for the world.
• Schools – See if your local schools have a website and if they are in dire need of some tender love and care.  Think of how many students have parents whose business might be looking for a quality web programmer like you…  This could be a gold mine!
  Bonus:  You just might find a new team to root for when football season comes around.
• Sci-Fi Conventions – These sites are notorious for looking terrible and are usually in desperate need of help.  Some like ArmadilloCon, PulpFest and Pi-Con look good, but take a look at some of the others at LocusMag.  Danger, Will Robinson!
  Bonus:  You may meet like-minded people and can forge friendships with a new crowd.
• Just Chillin’ – If these suggestions don’t work, then just sit around in a coffee shop. I met a guy at Starbucks last week who is a photographer and I offered to redo his site. And all it cost me was the price of an iced venti chai.
  Bonus:  Someone might buy you a cup of coffee in return for your expertise.

Open up a browser and get to work. The next programming job you have could start sooner than you think!

Photos credited to Jayel Aheram and scragz