How to monetise your skills as a developer

If you’re a developer (or an aspiring one), you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: “How do I actually make money with my coding skills?” Trust me, I’ve been there.

Hey everyone, I’m Deric, and I’ve been running a software company for almost three years now.

Over that time, I’ve learned a lot about how to make money with software, and today I’m going to share some of that with you.

If you’re looking for ways to monetize your skills as a developer, this is for you.

But before we dive in, let me tell you—I started out just like many of you. I was coding for fun, working on side projects, and trying to learn as much as I could.

If you’re in that stage right now, don’t worry. You’re already on the right path.

Now, let’s dive into the key ways to monetize your skills as a developer.

1. Two Main Paths: Get a Job or Build a Business

When it comes to making money as a developer, there are two main paths:

• You can get a job,

• Or, you can build a business.

Both will lead you down very different roads, so let’s break them down.

If you’re looking for a job, you’ve got tons of options. From web development to mobile apps to DevOps, there’s no shortage of developer niches. You can also go the freelance route and take on contracts, which gives you a little more independence.

On the flip side, if you’re entrepreneurial, you might be thinking about building your own thing—whether that’s a SaaS product or starting your own software consultancy. Both of these are solid options, but trust me, they each come with their own set of challenges.

Personally, I’ve tried building a SaaS product before running my current agency. And I’ll be honest—while SaaS is super hyped, it’s not as easy as people make it sound. More on that in a bit.

2. The Importance of a Strong Portfolio

No matter which path you choose, the first step is always the same: you need a strong portfolio.

Your portfolio is your best way to showcase your skills. It speaks louder than any CV could. You’re not just telling people what you can do—you’re showing them. And as someone who’s hired developers before, trust me—I look at portfolios before I even bother with CVs.

But here’s the catch: your portfolio has to be high-quality. You can’t just throw up a half-baked project. Make sure it’s polished, clean, and showcases your best work. Development is one of those fields where you can literally speak through your work, so take advantage of that.

3. Building a SaaS Company: The Reality

Let’s talk about SaaS (Software as a Service). It’s a great business model in theory, but it comes with a lot of challenges—especially when you’re just starting out.

A lot of people think they can build a product, slap some marketing on it, and boom—instant success. But it’s not that simple. When you’re building a SaaS company, you need to solve a real problem. And that’s a lot harder than it sounds.

Coming up with ideas is the easy part. Finding something people are actually willing to pay for is another story. And even when you’ve solved the problem, you still need to figure out how to get your product in front of the right people. Distribution is key, and it’s a massive challenge.

I’ve worked with a lot of SaaS companies, and this is where most of them struggle. Smaller SaaS businesses often have cash flow problems, and it can take a long time before you see any real returns.

So if you’re thinking about going down the SaaS route, be prepared for a long road ahead. It’s not impossible, but it takes time.

4. Monetizing Skills Through Freelancing & Consulting

If SaaS sounds like too much of a hassle, don’t worry—there are other ways to monetize your skills. Freelancing is a great option if you prefer to work independently.

You can take on various projects, set your own rates, and even upgrade freelancing into a full-blown software consultancy like I did. This allows you to work with multiple clients, manage your own time, and build a steady stream of income.

But here’s the thing—if you want to grow a business (whether it’s freelancing or SaaS), you’ll eventually need to step away from coding and move into higher-level management roles. It’s something not everyone wants to do, but it’s worth considering as you plan your career.

5. Becoming a High-Earning Senior Developer

Let’s talk about seniority and how to command higher rates as a developer.

The key isn’t to learn 10 different programming languages. Instead, focus on mastering one and getting really good at it. Pick a tech stack and go deep.

For example, if I have two developers in front of me, one who knows a little bit of JavaScript, Python, and Rust, and another who’s a JavaScript expert, the second one is way more valuable commercially.

Businesses want developers who can deliver fast and with high quality. Deep expertise allows you to do that. So, instead of trying to learn everything, focus on becoming really good at one thing, and you’ll find it much easier to land high-paying roles.

6. Personal Branding & Public Accountability

One last thing I want to mention is personal branding. If you want to get noticed by potential employers or clients, you need to build a public profile.

No, you don’t need to become a social media influencer, but having a presence online shows people that you’re serious about your work. Clean up your GitHub, post regularly about your projects, and don’t be afraid to share your code.

People trust developers who are transparent. When you put your work out there, it makes you accountable. Plus, employers and clients are much more likely to trust someone who is open about what they do.

Conclusion

To recap:

• Build a strong portfolio.

• Decide if you want to get a job or start a business.

• If you’re building a product, solve a real problem.

• Get really good at one thing.

There are always ways to make money as a developer, whether you’re working for someone else, freelancing, or building your own business. The key is consistency, expertise, and persistence.

Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, feel free to share it and let me know what path you’re on. Let’s crush it together!