Going Solo
The Independent Developer Roadmap
Learn to profit from your development skills beyond the 9-5.
64 copies sold. 7 sold today.
The software industry is shifting.
Developers are no longer willing to work as before. They want more.
Open-plan offices, on-site gyms, and free lunches aren't enough.
There's a new currency employers can't offer: meaning.
Developers want to feel like their work matters beyond a performance review. They want to build something they can call their own. They want to make a difference.
But years in a job can brainwash you into believing "doing your own thing" is risky. That it's not for you.
Fortunately, things are changing.
There's a new way to show up as a developer. One where you do work that actually excites you and learn the skills necessary to attract your ideal clients.
No bosses. No gatekeepers.
Exploring this new reality is the path of the solo developer. It's reimagining how you engage with work. It's a belief that a tiny side-project will one day enable an independent lifestyle.
The only risk is not giving this opportunity a chance.
So start small. Start building. And see where it takes you.
The answer isn't "get another job"
Change jobs every couple of years.
Build up your CV.
Gain valuable new skills.
This is the common advice we're given as software developers. But what if this advice doesn't get you what you really want in life?
After changing jobs 10 times, I realized I'm looking for something I'll never find in a dev job.
What I really wanted was more autonomy.
So I asked myself: instead of just building for others, why not create my own projects? Why not learn the skills to earn an independent income?
And that's where my adventure started. 🚀
Today, I choose what I work on, when I work, and where I do it. And you can too.
You don’t have to spend the next 30 years treading water. An alternative lifestyle is possible.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The New Developer Economy
- Mindset Shifts for Solo Developers
- Identifying Your Niche
- Idea Validation and Market Research
- MVP Development Strategies
- Choosing the Right Tech Stack
- Building in Public and Audience Growth
- Go-to-Market Strategies for Solo Projects
- Monetization Models for Independent Developers
- Marketing and Growth Hacking Techniques
- Scaling Your Solo Venture
- Time Management and Productivity
- Continuous Learning and Skill Development
- Networking and Building Relationships
- Long-term Planning and Vision Setting
- Exact Revenue Breakdown
- Solo Developer Timeline (How Long Everything Took)
- Tools, Tech, and Services I Use
- Templates & Frameworks