How to make money as a coder and programmer
Programming is fast becoming the bedrock upon which many processes and activities are based.
From the Military to banks to schools, many institutions and corporations depend on programs and codes, developed by programmers, to handle daily operational and business activities.
The Military in most countries possesses weaponry and equipment that is run with codes.
The average 21st-century school uses a database system to keep track of members of staff as well as students.
The average financial institution also uses a custom-built application to handle various activities like customer transactions, payment gateways, and employee engagement.
Programming is becoming essential to business, social and economic interaction and the services of programmers/coders are being sought after.
In order to build a career out of programming and begin to earn money from the endeavor, the individual must carry out the following base work:
1. Learn and Achieve Proficiency at Programming.
Learning to code is the most basic step in earning money from Programming. The individual will first have to build up competence and proficiency at programming, in order to have the versatility to handle real-life and varied programming tasks.
There are a number of online resources and schools that can kick start a career in programming. Schools like Codecacedemy and W3schools readily come to mind.
The time for learning will vary from one individual to another but the ultimate objective is for the mastery of the concept of programming, which will mean the individual being able to earn money from it.
2. Embark on an Internship
Before one can start earning money from programming, it is important that the individual hones their skill set, by working on real-life applications in an established coding business concern.
Whether the internship is paid or free, the programmer will gain valuable experience in relating with customers, meeting deadlines, custom design specifications as well as handling/mitigating unforeseen circumstances.
3. Create a Website.
In order to start a programming service that will earn money, it is imperative that the programmer has an online presence.
This will come in the form of a website. Websites form the first point of contact between the programmer’s work and prospective clients.
A website can serve to display your portfolio of existing customers and to respond to inquiries and requests.
4. Take Part in Programming Contests
One can start to program and earn by also partaking in both online and offline coding/programming contests.
These contests first and foremost, put the programmer through the various aspects of coding with the handling of complex tasks and assignments.
The monetary compensation is an added advantage as the programmer can be assured of some handsome earnings along the way.
5. Work on Your Idea
Another way to start a programming service and to earn money while at it, is to turn an idea or a need/demand into an application that solves a problem.
There are several applications that address specific problems and the programmer can come up with another application that meets a need.
Once the idea is coded properly, the programmer can begin to market the application to the targeted market. In addition, the programmer can begin to earn money from the building of small modules or plugins, especially word plugins.
6. Create New Gaming Applications
The global gaming industry is valued at several billion dollars.
Online and offline video games such as Nintendo appeal to a wide variety of audiences including young people and adults.
One can start a programming service and earn money by the creation of games and related applications.
The programmer will have to employ all the aspects of coding as well as copious amounts of imagination and energy, in order to build entertaining games, in order to earn good financial rewards.
7. Register on freelance Websites
One can start a programming service and make money when one registers on any number of freelance websites that connect programmers with clients in a one-time or continuous engagement.
These websites usually attract a large number of service seekers for who the programmer can write codes and build applications.
8. Start an Online School for Programming
The individual can begin a programming service and start making money by teaching interested persons how to code.
This aspect of programming can only be initiated when the programmer has acquired a considerable amount of experience servicing customers and has built up a good clientele base.
The programmer, in addition to teaching, can also involve the students in real-life job applications.
9. Create a Network
One of the ways of starting a programming service and making money is by creating a network of fellow programming enthusiasts, who the programmer can refer, work/jobs to.
As a business, a programmer will have to say no to certain engagements, occasionally.
However, having a referral group of programmers will ensure that these jobs get done, while earning money on referral bonuses or commissions.
