Advise for a developer who hates dealing with people and lost love for coding?

[lentilmental]

This year, I've been trying several different things to see where I can make money and what I enjoy. I've worked in various ad agencies for the past 5 years as a website developer... The ad industry has been really toxic and has severely hurt my love for website development.

I do like coding- I don't love it like I used to- so I've taken on a few coding clients. One client is great, the other client is OK to work with. One client is terrible to work with and I'm close to firing them or at least, finishing the project and moving on. I've been reminded with 3 specific clients I've worked with this year that I HATE working with people. I like work where I'm given the task, the things I need to complete it, and that's it.

But I'm also a high-level thinker. I like looking at the big picture of a website: the UX, copywriting, navigational architecture, SEO, conversions, marketing, etc. Most of the work as a coder (freelancing and in my last job) limits me and reduces me to a construction worker. I get bored and frustrated in this role.

Right now, I know my rates are too low. I'm working very very hard- I'm exhausted- and I'm not making enough to live on. I'd love stable monthly clients.

I'm also doing SEO work for a client and I enjoy it a lot. I also love organic marketing and Instagram. I know I could spend some time and learn more about FB/IG ADs too. I love Pinterest as well. I do well with IG and Pinterest. I manage 4 of my own IG accounts and steadily growing. I want to monetize one of them fairly soon.

I also blog (I have 3 blogs), affiliate links I'm making a little money on, 2 Etsy shops (one I may move to a woocommerce model), and help with content marketing in various gig jobs.

I guess I'm wondering what is the best way to make a living with my skills and preferences. I'm so tired- I'm exhausted and it's frustrating because I'm neglecting my blogs and Etsy shops. So I want to make a decent living with SOME time to devote to my blogs and shops.

Here are my thoughts so far in terms of options:
- Create a custom WP theme that is easy to customize, create a package that I market with a landing page, funnel, and social media ads. The package could come with my reseller hosting, SSL certificate, domain, monthly plugin/WP maintenance, and a 1-2 hour retainer. I'm not sure how much is reasonable for this package or hosting?

- I shift focus as an organic marketer with SEO and content marketing.

- I shift and focus on IG marketing (ads, organic, content creation, consultation/strategy, etc)

- Focus only on my blogs, Etsy, and woocommerce shop with FB/IG ads and campaigns

- Be a much more picky freelancer with higher rates and strict work "queue"

Any other ideas? What's the most lucrative field to focus on?
I feel a bit lost, depressed, and all over the place. I need direction I know will bring me a nice, consistent living that doesn't make me want to pull my hair out and gives me time to devote to my blog, shops, and what other passive income ideas I have.

 

[mnrfas]

i don't know your finacial situation.. so keep that in mind.
my experience:
1- quit freelancing: take too much energy and time.. in the other hand, low reward
2- i started a news site, after i created a youtube channel (the news site wasn't worth it but the channel was an eye openner)
3- i started android apps business

your time and energy are the most important things you have.. use them whisely.
start with something not too difficult.. to stay motivated + save some money.
then go for your goal

 

[lentilmental]

i don't know your finacial situation.. so keep that in mind.
my experience:
1- quit freelancing: take too much energy and time.. in the other hand, low reward
2- i started a news site, after i created a youtube channel (the news site wasn't worth it but the channel was an eye openner)
3- i started android apps business

your time and energy are the most important things you have.. use them whisely.
start with something not too difficult.. to stay motivated + save some money.
then go for your goal

Financially, I am struggling. I've been relying on unemployment then they suddenly quit sending anything. So I'm struggling a lot right now. This is a hard time and I'm a bit desperate.

Freelancing has never been attractive to me but it always seemed like the only way to work from home. I'm so tired and people don't care one bit about your time and energy- why should they I guess.
Is youtube really worth it? I have a terrible voice and cannot be on camera. I don't know how I could be successful at youtube without showing my face and using my voice?
What is your android apps business? Do you build apps for clients or build your own apps you monetize?

 

[mnrfas]

1- Youtube is worth it but hard (specially in english) you don;t have to show your face.. chech this Journey https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/y...ire-journey-to-30k-month-with-adsense.1176936
2- i monetized my own apps with admob (i hate working for others)

 

[Georgi]

Maybe focus on creating some quality app(s) ..

My advise from a guy who is over 20 years in the IM .. Decide what You Want to do .. you can do some side work (like freelancing) so you can have some pocket money / invest in the project you Want to do.

 

[lentilmental]

1- Youtube is worth it but hard (specially in english) you don;t have to show your face.. chech this Journey https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/y...ire-journey-to-30k-month-with-adsense.1176936
2- i monetized my own apps with admob (i hate working for others)

Thanks for the links, I'm slowly reading through every page. It's fascinating!
How do you know you have a good app ideas? Or at least- how do you go about finding a good app idea? I really only know PHP and Vue.JS. But I have had a really great web app idea for a while now.

Maybe focus on creating some quality app(s) ..

My advise from a guy who is over 20 years in the IM .. Decide what You Want to do .. you can do some side work (like freelancing) so you can have some pocket money / invest in the project you Want to do.

I've been thinking about a web app I believe would do well. I just need time to make the thing.
You're right- I need to do what I want to do. I just need to figure out how to make money to live on that gives me time (or money) to invest in what I want to do.

If anyone works as an SEO or Instagram marketer, do you find it's easier as far as managing clients since its continual campaigns (month to month)? I feel like freelance web dev and design work is constant client feedback, nitpicks, and tweaks that they feel MUST be communicated through a call rather than email.

 

[Alex Radcliffe]

I read your thread and damn this is so me. I am in the exact same boat as you. Whenever a new client comes, I tend to get a red flag kind of feeling due to past experiences. Also, there is one client whose payment is still pending from over a month and ir sucks.
I want to work for myself but I am not financially stable and I am afraid that If I quit freelancing and invest what I have in my own thing then I'm gonna lose it all.

 

[lentilmental]

I read your thread and damn this is so me. I am in the exact same boat as you. Whenever a new client comes, I tend to get a red flag kind of feeling due to past experiences. Also, there is one client whose payment is still pending from over a month and ir sucks.
I want to work for myself but I am not financially stable and I am afraid that If I quit freelancing and invest what I have in my own thing then I'm gonna lose it all.

I hate you're in the same boat but it is pretty validating to not be alone in this path. What kind of freelance work do you do?

I'm so stuck- in order to push my other projects to scale more, I either need to invest more time or capital. Neither of which I have. I want to be able to buy groceries without some anxiety you know? I think once I get through this project deadline I'm on, I'm going to take a day or two to really think about a game plan.

Speaking of red flags, so we can have a laugh: One client, when I brought up how we could go about payment, just changes the subject to how her employer is looking for a new website. Like I know what you're doing. The other client wanted to haggle my hourly rate down because I can "work 24 hours a day". I still don't see how that makes much sense haha.

 

[Alex Radcliffe]

I hate you're in the same boat but it is pretty validating to not be alone in this path. What kind of freelance work do you do?

I'm so stuck- in order to push my other projects to scale more, I either need to invest more time or capital. Neither of which I have. I want to be able to buy groceries without some anxiety you know? I think once I get through this project deadline I'm on, I'm going to take a day or two to really think about a game plan.

Speaking of red flags, so we can have a laugh: One client, when I brought up how we could go about payment, just changes the subject to how her employer is looking for a new website. Like I know what you're doing. The other client wanted to haggle my hourly rate down because I can "work 24 hours a day". I still don't see how that makes much sense haha.

I do UI/ UX, Elementor Websites, and laravel.

I get it, I want to be financially free as well so I can make live so much better for myself and my family.

That does not make any sense haha. Also, why are you charging hourly basis? Thats terrible. I always go with value based pricing because I know I am quite fast at work and why would I take less for what it's worth just because I completed it way faster than others.

 

[Panther28]

Advise for a developer who hates dealing with people and lost love for coding?

Learn people skills, and find some new and interesting projects to work on, maybe for other people.

 

[lentilmental]

I do UI/ UX, Elementor Websites, and laravel.

I get it, I want to be financially free as well so I can make live so much better for myself and my family.

That does not make any sense haha. Also, why are you charging hourly basis? Thats terrible. I always go with value based pricing because I know I am quite fast at work and why would I take less for what it's worth just because I completed it way faster than others.

Nice! Yeah- I learned my lesson on charging on an hourly basis for sure. I'm not doing that again.

Learn people skills, and find some new and interesting projects to work on, maybe for other people.

Lol I got people skills plenty. I just don't LIKE dealing with clients- after 5 years dealing with them and doing a ton of great project, that hasn't changed.

 

[Alex Radcliffe]

Nice! Yeah- I learned my lesson on charging on an hourly basis for sure. I'm not doing that again.


Lol I got people skills plenty. I just don't LIKE dealing with clients- after 5 years dealing with them and doing a ton of great project, that hasn't changed.

Maybe we can connect and work on something together? (Automation and stuff?)

 

[venturetrade]

As a CTO/CIO/CISO.. I know what you're talking about.. most of my colleagues, employees etc.. are just the same.
Agile - Kaizen, the same methodologies you use for development, implement in your real life, sounds bullshit? give it a try first,
remember just like development, if you don't see the big picture, plan setbacks, priorities, value, your life will get messed up.
adapt to changes and problems just like in agile, and always strive for improvement just like in kaizen.

if you want to be successful, find a partner, someone you have good dynamics with. why? because you suck with people.. allow him to better manage the clients, projects and alike.

All in all.. you are what you are, trying to change yourself hardly work in life, that's just "guru's" bullshit, improve yourself, try to do better in all aspects, but eventually, knowing your disadvantages is an advantage, find ways just like how I suggested a partner, to counteract those disadvantages.

Good luck.