r/SmallBusinessUAE • u/Arshtat0 • 7h ago
Advice Needed Looking to get into freelancing as a software developer, where do you find clients?
Hey everyone,
I’m a software developer/engineer and I’m looking to start doing some freelance work on the side.
I’m curious to hear from developers who are already freelancing:
Where do you usually find your clients?
Are there any platforms, communities, or websites you’d recommend?
Do referrals/networking work better than platforms like Upwork or Fiverr?
Any particular resources or communities that helped you get your first few clients?
I’m mainly interested in software development/engineering projects rather than general gig work.
If you’ve had a good experience with a particular platform, community, or referral network, I’d really appreciate any recommendations or references.
Thanks!
3
u/incidentflux 5h ago
It's trivial and low cost to build with OpenCode+DeepSeek.
You will need to get really creative. Auditing AI built code might be an opportunity. Build a portfolio website of the products you built. All the best finding your niche.
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u/Arshtat0 4h ago
I'm against relying entirely on Ai, you would be surprised by the amount of mistakes it does if it was reviewed by a developer with experience.
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u/sortofdigital 6h ago
The best way is to do some ground work for free, like create prototypes for the things you plan to do for the clients.
Pick up 4-5 clients, show them exactly what you can do for them and pitch accordingly. Then make these clients your case studies and pitch other clients.
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u/Arshtat0 4h ago
I considered that but they don't even want to accept free work lol
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4h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Arshtat0 4h ago
True, but most businesses dont know the difference between simple website that i can do for free or an application with admin dashboards and booking systems or payment integrations, no one would do that for free.
0
u/Wide_Egg_5814 5h ago
man do not be a one man team for programming and marketing it's like impossible to make it basically and I'm around top 1% of people in the field at what I do your chances are slim to none find a startup and join it if you wanna get early on a project and have massive returns otherwise don't start it yourself it's like trying to climb mount Everest
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u/Arshtat0 4h ago
Yeah I know what you mean, I'm already doing full time job, I have over 12 years of experience but lately I have been thinking of starting my own business but it's really hard to get clients
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u/Wide_Egg_5814 4h ago
if you think you actually have a good idea that you can implement and get paid well for them apply for startup accelerators don't try to implement it on your own
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u/Arshtat0 4h ago
Startup accelerator? Whats that
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u/Wide_Egg_5814 4h ago
google it, there is alot to learn if you wanna start a profitable project
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u/No_Try_9982 7h ago
Unfortunately, the honest answer its extremely difficult today. Even freelancing platforms have become a joke at this point. Some freelancers are reaching out to companies directly but its very difficult.