Freelancing…Why?
You can pick from actually many motivations to turn into a freelance programmer, but some crop up more than others. This section provides an overview of the most prominent reasons that people choose to go out on their own and start a business instead of remaining in the protected, secure and sometimes more limiting field of employment. If you can identify with several of the reasons, chances are that you’ll love starting your own business as a freelancer programmer.
1. Your time is your own: There is no 9 to 5 unless you want there to be. If you feel most productive between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. you can work then. In the event that your clients need you to be there 9 to 5, you can always excuse periods of absence as a “client meeting”—who’s going to know?
2. You can work anywhere: Many freelancers become location independent workers or digital nomads. They choose to work wherever they like and change location on a regular or semi-regular basis. Freelancing can be done from nearly anywhere in the world (Costa Rica, anyone?), or right from the comfort of your own home. You also have the freedom to establish and control your own schedule, hourly rates, and workflow.
3. You choose the projects: See, employees have to work on projects their boss assigns them. Freelancers choose their own projects based on their expertise and passion. You should need to tolerate at the top of the priority list that it’s improbable you’ll ever locate a “perfect” freelance job which is 100% fascinating and motivating all the time. There’s as yet exhausting, repetitive work to be done, however, most of your time should involve doing the things you love.
4. You choose the clients: Freelancers don’t have to work with people who annoy them. They are free to choose the people with whom they work. 
5. You never have to do unpaid overtime again: You remember that nonsense that companies like to tell you about how salaried workers are relied upon to hand over their leisure time for no compensation since they’re salaried? That is not part of the freelancing life. If you’re working, you’re earning. You charge customers for work, and you don’t work except if you’re getting paid.
6. You are in control: Freelancer programmers make their own decisions. There’s no debating which version of a website to use or what the office dress code should be; it’s all up to you. If you want to work naked in your living room or if you want to wear a suit and sit in the suavest of cafes with your laptop, you can.
7. Your efforts reward you: Freelancers and owners of design businesses get paid for the work that they put in and the results they create. The more they work, the more they get paid. The better results they create, the better they get paid. Every bit of work you do benefits you and only you.
8. You’ll learn more than you ever thought possible: Every day in freelancing life brings new challenges, and you’ll learn from each of them. You’ll be more than a Freelance, you’ll be a businessperson, and you’ll learn to solve business problems every single day.
9. You do the work you love: Freelancing gives you pride in a job well done. Making your customers happy is a thrill. Seeing them come back time and again for more work is incredibly fulfilling. You make things happen as a business owner, and every business owner comes to love that feeling.
10. You can Build your personal brand: There are such huge numbers of chances for professional freelancers to get known without spending a penny. By showcasing your work, building a network, teaching, and blogging like a specialist, you will discover more than enough ways to connect with people and for people to find you. Getting Google to find you if you have a normal name can be tough. Focus on connecting your name across your portfolio, social profiles and content to the terminology of your niche skill. The Internet is a very profitable asset. There are some extraordinary websites for online marketing you’ll be familiar with like Twitter, Quora, YouTube, etc.
Are you up for the challenge?
The life of a freelance programmer is no walk in the park, but it can definitely have its perks for those who have what it takes.
Your specialty will not only affect your rates but will also determine how you market yourself and to whom you solicit your programming services. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades, You need to know your area of expertise and focus on that. If you develop in Python then focus on the companies and industries where Python is used. Specialization is key.
