Potluck EP × Remote Work × Headless WordPress × Good Client Questions × Alternate Careers × React API Credentials

It’s another potluck episode in which Wes and Scott talk about freelancing best practices, tips for working remotely, what they would do if they had to pick a different career, and much more!

Freshbooks - Sponsor

Get a 30 day free trial of Freshbooks at freshbooks.com/syntax and put SYNTAX in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

Coffeecup’s CSS Grid Builder Tool — Sponsor

Check out Coffeecup’s CSS Grid.cc builder tool and resources to learn, prototype and build next gen layouts with CSS Grid!

Show Notes

4:48

• How long should you stay with each job and/or company?

8:20

• What is the best way to work remotely?
• Tips for remote working
  • Have a dedicated space
  • Clear on and off times
  • Have a time for winding down
  • Make specific TODO lists
  • Use blocking software to help you stay focused
  • Switch up the scenery / Work in different places

15:26

• What are the trade-offs with using WordPress in a headless setup vs a tradition setup?

21:28

• How do you deal with API credentials in React?

27:15

• How do you keep an eye on performance with an app/site over the long-term?
  • Check uptime
  • Check the performance features in browser dev tools
  • Use error checking software
  • Host-based performance tools
  • Newrelic
  • pingdom
  • LogRocket

34:28

• What happened to Canvas after all the hype around HTML5 a few years ago?

40:15

• How do you deal with analysis paralysis?
  • Just get to work - you can always change things later
  • Do research, but don’t let it get in the way of shipping

44:05

• If you were forced to change your career (and it had to be something you’ve never done professionally in the past), what would it be?
  • Wes: Some sort of buying and selling (eBay, Amazon, etc,)
  • Example: Buying things at wholesale prices and selling them with a markup
  • Scott: Could go a lot of different directions.
  • Example: DJ, Snowboarding instructor, develop a video game that is a sequel to Cruis’n USA

50:14

• As a freelance developer, what are some good questions to ask before taking on a client?
  • Budget
  • Scope
  • Preferred communication methods
  • How do you make money?
  • What are the ultimate goals?
  • Basically, ask as many questions as possible

××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××

• Scott: Goodhertz
• Wes: Audiobook: Anything You Want by Derek Sivers

Shameless Plugs

• Scott’s Level 1 Electron Course
• Wes’ Courses are all on sale

Tweet us your tasty treats!

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets