Book Summaries | The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook - Your First Few Deals

December 29th, 2023

Introduction to Chapter 1 (Your First Few Deals) in The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook

Below you’ll find the most important notes that I took when reading the first chapter of The $500k/year Solo Dev Agency Playbook. If you’d like to grab a copy for yourself, check it out here.

Overcoming Challenges

  • Full-Time Positions: Position yourself as a “full-time” contractor for flexibility and tax benefits.
  • International Hiring: Challenge geographic restrictions, and use tools like Stripe Atlas, Deel, and Wise.
  • Building Credibility: Engage clients creatively, emphasizing personal connection over conventional portfolios.

Negotiating Contracts

  • Flexible Contract Wording: Define “full-time” as up to 160 hours per month, and negotiate with preferred clients.

Building Confidence and Trust

  • Creative Engagement: Actively participate in communities, contribute to open source, and showcase a unique personality.
  • Human Connection: Prioritize conversations over resumes to build trust.

Marketplace Considerations

  • Marketplace Dynamics: Use marketplaces for quick contracts but be cautious due to their extractive nature.

Q&A Insights

  • Project Acquisition: Rely on referrals and platforms like the Go Slack channel and Hacker’s News.
  • Client Engagement: Warm up leads by offering genuine help before discussing future goals.
  • Platform Usage: Explore tools and community lists for project discovery.