Why I am Writing Online as a Developer

Image Credit: Aaron Burden (Unsplash)

As a developer, I have always being drawn to the idea of building independent products. For example tools, apps or platforms that create value and generate income without relying on freelancing or employers. Companies laying off workers due to artificial intelligence has even increased my desire to go independent. Until now, I've being working quietly, focusing on development and experimentation behind the scenes.

I have come to realize that writing is a powerful complement to building. It sharpens my thinking, keeps me accountable and opens the door to meaningful connections with others on a similar path. This blog is my attempt to write out loud as I try to make a living online as a developer. No freelancing, no bosses; just code, experiments and hopefully a few small wins (and eventually big wins).

This blog is where I will share my journey: the projects I'm working on, the lessons I'm learning and the broader goal of building a sustainable online business. Here are my reasons for writing online.

To build a writing habit that compounds into traffic, opportunities, and income

Writing online for me is the highest leverage habit I can build as a developer. They say compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world, so I am applying that logic to writing. One post won't do much but ten or fifty? Each post, idea or insight I publish becomes a long-term asset that people can discover weeks, months or years later.

Over time, consistent writing creates a compounding effect resulting in more visibility, more trust and more opportunities. I am not trying to go viral or write the next tech manisfesto. I just want to show up regularly, write things that are useful and let the internet do its thing.

To document my journey of creating a sustainable income online.

I am taking a different path. One that doesn't rely on freelancing or a 9-5 job. My goal is to build small, sustainable products that generate income on their own. I have nothing against freelancing or 9-5 jobs. On the contrary, I believe they have their own pros and cons just as going independent. Writing publicly gives me a way to document this journey in real time. I will be sharing what I'm building, what's working, what isn't and what I'm learning along the way.

By sharing the process openly, I'm creating a transparent record; kind of a digital diary not just for others who might want to follow this path but for myself. I believe this will help me to reflect, stay focused and track my progress in a way that builds credibility over time.

To share honest lessons from both my wins and failures

The journey of building and earning online obviously has its own ups and downs. I believe there is just as much value (if not more) in sharing failures as there is in celebrating wins. That means being transparent about everything I try. This is why I built IndieFails, A collection of failed indie projects. My intention behind IndieFails is not to make fun of failed projects but to create a space where indie hackers can learn from each other's mistakes, share honest post-mortems, and feel less alone in the journey.

When things go well, I'll break down what worked alongside the strategies that led to the win. When things go south, I will do same and the lessons I learned. Either way, it will be real, unfiltered, and hopefully more helpful than another "How I Made $100K in 3 Days" post with a suspicious lack of details.

To connect with others on a similar path and maybe even collaborate

Let's face it, building alone can feel like screaming ideas into the void and hoping the void claps back. I am writing online because I know there are other weirdos out there travelling the same path I'm pursuing. The potential to meet people on a similar journey is one of the most valuable parts of writing online. I'm looking to connect with other developers, indie hackers and solo builders who understand the unique challenges of building independently.

Sharing my work and thoughts online creates space for geniune conversations, feedback and potential collaborations.

What I Hope to Build

A portfolio of small, profitable web apps and digital products

I am not trying to build the next Facebook. On the contrary, I'm focused on building a portfolio of small, useful products. Each one simple, focused and capable of generating income. Think of it as a bunch of weird little products which I can train them up and let them generate enough income so I can stop Googling "remote dev jobs that aren't soul-crashing".

By building multiple products over time, I'm aiming to diversify income streams and increase long term resilience.

An open, transparent brand that people trust and follow

I'm not here to fake it till I make it. I'm more of a "show the mess while I figure it out" kind of person. The online space is crowded and noisy but trust remains one of the most valuable assets. I aim to build a personal brand rooted in transparency, not just by sharing polished outcomes but the behind-the-scenes chaos also.

The goal isn't to gain attention, but to earn trust over time. If I can create a brand that feels honest, useful and a bit human, that's a win.

A roadmap others can follow if they want to pursue this path

One of my long term goals is to turn this journey into something useful for others. By documenting not just what I build, but how I build it; tools, strategies, lessons, and missteps. By sharing this, I hope to create a roadmap for developers who want to pursue a similar path toward independence.

Think of it as an adventure book but with more code and occasional existential crisis. If I can help someone skip the worst potholes, I'll call it a win.

Final Thoughts

This blog is the start of something I hope will grow into more than just a personal experiment. It's a place to share, learn, and connect with others who are ready to build something different. If you are here to follow along, pick up a tip or two, I'm glad you are here.

Lets figure this out together one line of code, one blog post, and one small win at a time.

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