Freelance Weekly

I have actually had 2 freelancing careers in my life. The first one wasn’t so successful. As a result, I had to get a corporate marketing job and later I struck out again as a freelancer and enjoyed a far more successful foray into the biz the second time around.

One of the differences (although certainly not the only one) was that I specialized in a specific kind of writing the second time I freelanced.

You see, the first time I tried freelancing I accepted every job, no matter what it was and what industry it was in. And it wasn’t very profitable. I hate to admit it but I did a whole bunch of things and not a great job at any of them. Every new project required me to research new things (and that’s time consuming!). Click here to read more »

When aspiring freelancers approach me for advice, one of the first things I tell them is something they don’t want to hear. I’m tempted to hold back and to let them find out for themselves but history has proven me right time and time again. Click here to read more »

photo credit: neoliminal

Waaaay back before I was a freelancer, I worked at a real job. In an office. Then I couldn’t handle it anymore and I realized I wanted to be my own boss so I quit. It was a Friday. I was adamant about my decision when they asked me to stay.

I convinced them that they couldn’t change my mind, and since I was in management and had keys and security clearance, they told me just not to come in on Monday and they’d pay me out for my two weeks. Click here to read more »

photo credit: orphanjones

I just got off the phone with someone who is just starting their freelancing business. I was coaching them on how to get their first client. They are so close, it’s very exciting! I remember those days fondly.

But then they said something which inspired this blog.

What they said is something I’ve heard time and time again from new and experienced freelancers. Basically, I asked them if they were going to be able to talk to their new prospect early in the week and get a proposal to them. They responded: “I don’t think I can do it this week, actually. I need to get my office in order. I have papers everywhere and I need to print off and familiarize myself with the contracts I’m using. As well, I need to finish putting together a proposal template so when I send something it looks professional.” Click here to read more »

For those of you that are relying on Freelancing to be your sole source of income, it’s important to know if you are paying yourself the right amount to cover all your day to day living expenses. For those of us that are supplementing family income, it would be wise to know exactly how much you are going to be able to contribute. Instead of looking over your figures and earnings at the end of a business year, there is a great tool on freelanceswitch.com that will calculate your optimal fees to ensure your costs are covered. Click here to read more »

Big ideas can come from small things. Back in 1970, when editors at Grove Press went on strike to create a better workplace for editors and writers, it was the survival instincts of two editors that formed the premise of the Editorial Freelancers Association. With the strike at hand, these two editors soon found themselves freelancing. They met with other editors, in the same situation, to discuss the plight and obstacles of their profession. It wasn’t long before the group had grown to several professionals from all facets of the writing and publishing world. They made a collective decision to organize, and manage their resources in order to benefit all that were interested in freelancing. This is how the EFA was born. Click here to read more »

Recently a friend of mine asked me to help him become a freelancer, too. So I walked him through the process, I helped him find his first clients, and I was basically “on call” to answer questions that he had. Click here to read more »

One of the many ways to Market Yourself is to establish a website.  Several organizations will allow a website to be created for little or no cost at all. When establishing a website, there are some basic rules to follow. Click here to read more »