Should I Gain Leadership Experience Before Freelancing Programming?

Should I Gain Leadership Experience Before Freelancing Programming?

Author: Erik Dietrich December 23, 2025 Duration: 26:27
In this installment, a question submitter wonders whether it would be better to earn promotions into leadership before leaving the salaried world, or whether to leave as an individual contributor. Which is the right path? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links of the week: CSuite Content published a practical guide on how often executives should post on social media, including benchmarks and strategy tips for staying visible without becoming noise. Enov8 shared a clear explainer on test data in auditing, breaking down what it is, why it matters, and how teams should think about it from a compliance and risk perspective. InfluxData put together a solid glossary entry on data lakes, covering what they are, how they work, and when they make sense compared to other data architectures.

Erik Dietrich, a seasoned freelancer and entrepreneur, brings his practical Q&A series to your ears with Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a direct line to the real, often unspoken, questions that come with building and running your own independent business. Each episode tackles the specific hurdles freelancers face, from setting rates and finding clients to managing projects and navigating the personal challenges of solo work. You'll hear straightforward answers and actionable advice drawn from experience, all aimed at helping you make better decisions for your career. Think of this podcast as a regular conversation with someone who's been in the trenches, offering clarity on the complexities of self-employment. Whether you're just considering the freelance leap or are years into your journey, these discussions provide grounded perspectives for anyone looking to build a sustainable and fulfilling business on their own terms. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the noise.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Podcast Episodes
What is the Best Way for Freelancers to Get Paid? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:17
Wire Transfer? Check? Cash? If you're just starting out as a freelancer, what's the best way to get paid? View this podcast as a video on YouTube.
Should I Approach Freelancing Differently During a Recession [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
At the time of recording, there's a good bit of uncertainty about the economy. Against that backdrop, as a freelancer, should you approach your work differently? View this podcast as a video on YouTube.
What is My (Erik's) Worst Client Experience? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:57
One of the questions that came up in my reader/viewer backlog was specific to me and my background. What is/was my worst experience with a client? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the week: Using Pytest F…
Is Coaching a Good Line of Work for Independents? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:53
There are all kinds of people billing themselves as (non-athletic) "coaches" out there. As someone looking to go freelance, is becoming a coach a good line of work to get into, specifically in the B2B/professional world?…
Should Freelancers Have References, Like Employees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:44
It's common (at least in the US) for employees to furnish "references," which are essentially friends or colleagues who vouch for them as character witnesses. As a freelancer, should you also do this? View this podcast a…
What Are Taxes Like for Freelancers, Compared to Employees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:26
When you're an employee, you probably only really think about taxes once per year. But what about as a freelancer? Well... it's a little more complicated than that. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the we…
How Many Hours Per Day or Week Should Freelancers Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
In this video I field a question about how much per day or per week a freelancer should work. That's not really an easy question to answer because, in a sense, it's not the right question. View this podcast as a video on…
Is Freelancing Riskier Than Employment? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
If you're a salaried employee, freelancing or starting a business can seem like a major risk. But just how risky is it, actually? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the week: Test Automation from Tricentis
Should You Charge for Discovery Calls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:27
Once you start taking sales and discovery calls, sooner or later you might have the impulse to start charging people for your time during this process. Should you do that? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of…
Is Data Science as Viable for Freelancing as Programming? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
A lot of the questions I field about freelancing and business come from people that are programmers. But what about data science? Can that be as viable a trade for freelancing as programming is? View this podcast as a vi…