In this episode of the Liquid Weekly Podcast, hosts Karl Meisterheim and Taylor Page welcome back Jan Frey, one of the greatest Shopify development teachers on the web with the incredibly helpful and popular YouTube channel Coding with Jan.The conversation covers a range of topics including the current landscape of Shopify development, strategies for finding clients, the importance of professionalism, and the evolving role of AI in web development. Jan shares insights on his new JavaScript training program aimed at helping developers enhance their skills, while also discussing the significance of soft skills in client interactions. Takeaways

• Finding clients often comes from referrals and established relationships.
• Professionalism is key in differentiating yourself as a developer.
• AI tools can enhance productivity but should not replace human developers.
• Soft skills are just as important as technical skills in client interactions.
• Building a solid portfolio and online presence is crucial for new developers.
• JavaScript is essential for Shopify development and should be learned thoroughly.
• Understanding the Shopify admin and Liquid is vital for effective development.
• Networking and community engagement can lead to more opportunities.
• Creating content can help establish authority and attract clients.
• Continuous learning and adapting to new tools is necessary for success in development.

• Introducing the .dev Assistant VSCode Extension - https://shopify.dev/changelog/introdu...
• [action required] Checkout APIs will be shut down April 1, 2025 - https://shopify.dev/changelog/checkou...
• [action required] AMAZON_PAY enumerated in DigitalWallets - https://shopify.dev/changelog/amazonp...
• [action required] Metafield description input field removal - https://shopify.dev/changelog/metafie...
• New customer address capabilities in the Admin API - https://shopify.dev/changelog/new-cus...

Timestamps

00:00 Exploring Shopify Development and Educational Initiatives01:25 The Evolution of Development in 202504:23 Finding Clients and Building a Portfolio07:21 Soft Skills in Development and Client Interaction13:15 Navigating Cold Outreach Strategies17:30 Building a Professional Online Presence22:59 The Importance of Referrals and Networking31:52 Establishing Technical Knowledge in Development38:49 The Future of Development in an AI World40:47 The Role of AI in Web Development46:04 Essential Skills for Freelance Developers47:03 Mastering JavaScript for Shopify52:56 Shopify Updates and Changes01:01:35 Personal Highlights and Future CollaborationsFind Jan OnlineYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CodingwithJanLinkedIn:   / jan-frey   Twitter (X): https://x.com/Coding_with_Jan Website: https://codingwithjan.com/Freemote: https://www.freemote.com/Javascript Training: https://www.codingwithjan.com/javascr... ResourcesLuck Sail:    • The little risks you can take to incr...   Dev ChangelogPicks of the WeekKarl: Ruby on Rails and Web Assembly - https://web.dev/blog/ruby-on-rails-on...Jan: Working with Shopify Academy - https://www.shopifyacademy.com/Taylor: GoRuck Weighted Vest - https://www.goruck.com/products/train...

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