By Popular demand, I'm doing a video on Software Freelancing - which may become a series if enough people want that.
This video - in order to give you the most information as quickly as possible, is a series of book recommendations for books I've found helpful in the freelancing parts of my career.
NOTE: This is NOT a video about software or programming books. This books about the freelancing part (leads, process, business, communication, etc) that you need to know to do that kind of work effectively. These books aren't software/programming specific, and are likely useful to other kinds of freelancers.
This video also explains some about how I got into freelancing, and how I lucked into some experiences that won't be available to everyone.
00:00 What this video is about
01:21 Caveats - Freelancing is difficult
02:17 How I got into freelancing - short version
03:59 Different kinds of freelancing
04:58 Project Based Work
05:38 Subcontracting is much like being an employee
06:34 Upwork and Fiverr and such sites
08:52 Getting freelance jobs is like selling yourself
09:45 Most freelancing comes from leads from your network
10:18 Books on networking (people/business, not TCP/IP)
11:46 Free Agent Nation - about the "Gig Economy"
12:36 Two "How-To" Consulting books
13:24 You need a book on fiance/taxes for your country
14:06 Books about Project Management - estimating for bids
18:20 "Back of the Napkin" - client communication
19:16 "We Got Fired" - Turning unemployement to your benefit
20:42 Wrap up
Books mentioned (some links are to newer editions than the ones I have):
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Expanded-Updated/dp/0385346654
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Well-Before-Youre-Thirsty/dp/0385485468
https://www.amazon.com/Free-Agent-Nation-Working-Yourself/dp/0446678791
https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Consulting-Alan-Weiss/dp/1119542154
https://www.amazon.com/Flawless-Consulting-Guide-Getting-Expertise/dp/1394177305
https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Projects-Microsoft-Project-4-0/dp/0442017685
https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Projects-Microsoft-Project-2000/dp/0471397407
https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Project-Management-Traditional-Extreme/dp/1119562805
https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Finance-Accounting-Nonfinancial-Managers/dp/0814436943
https://www.amazon.com/Back-Napkin-Expanded-Problems-Pictures/dp/1591842697
https://www.amazon.com/We-Got-Fired-Thing-Happened/dp/0345471865
Alternatives to Microsoft Project for planning and estimation:
OmniPlan for the Mac (What I use and Prefer these days):
https://www.omnigroup.com/omniplan
Free/OpenSource/CrossPlatform:
ProjectLibre:
https://www.projectlibre.com/product/1-alternative-microsoft-project-open-source
OpenProject Community Edition:
https://www.openproject.org/community-edition/