June 20th, 2008
I’ve written quite a bit on networking for freelancers, but there’s always more information to digest and apply. So that’s why I’m glad Fiona King recently shared with me 40+ Networking Tools for Freelancers, which is available over here.
A word of warning though: the article isn’t really a list of effective networking tools, but a list of resources that point towards freelancing success. The effectivity of information not only relies on the information itself, but on how well it is applied.
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By Rico -- 0 comments
June 18th, 2008
I’ve tried keeping myself fit, but with my busy schedule, I simply can’t give my personal fitness the attention it deserves.
That’s why I’ve hired someone to do that for me. Where I live, a gym membership is very affordable. But that’s not the case with a personal trainer. Yet I still believe it’s well worth the expense.
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June 18th, 2008
Consider this my (somewhat) unreserved recommendation of Dell’s XPS M1330. I signed up for a 12-month installment plan for this notebook, for the following reasons:
Portability. My previous laptop, which had a 15.4″ display, was a joy to use thanks to the big screen. Unfortunately, bringing it around with me was another story. The XPS M1330 is much lighter, and much smaller. It may have a smaller display, but it’s a limitation I’m willing to sacrifice for the sake of portability. That’s what walking around with a 10 pound laptop does to you!
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By Rico -- 1 comment
June 15th, 2008
As you may know, I’m currently working out of home. Prateek Dayal has his own methods of being productive while away from homebase, and it’s worth reading what he has to say. We can apply his advice in a more general sense, translating it into a great guide on how to get stuff done while away from the desk.
In my case, I’m trying to work in a foreign country that I’ve never been to, trying to find time for sightseeing, shopping, and of course, working. I’ll be honest; writing this post is quite boring compared to tourism, but as Mr. Dayal says, “Don’t let the boring work bring you down.”
How to stay productive while working out of home
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June 15th, 2008
I’ve somehow managed to become a local authority on technology. Maybe it’s because I’m the tech contributor for certain magazines and I maintain a tech blog that truly caters to a tech audience.
Thanks to that, I’m now in Singapore, all expenses paid. LG Mobile wants to build publicity for their new marketing push, and they’ve financed my attendance to a big telecom convention. I’ve made it clear to my sponsor that I will only write my honest opinions; in no way will the whole VIP treatment affect my editorial integrity.
I share this not to boast, but as more proof that my freelance writing career has opened up new opportunities. I don’t think I would’ve been sent to Singapore, and enjoy all the tech-related stuff here (the Lion City is the Asia-Pacific hub for leading consumer electronics companies like Palm, Apple, Nokia, etc.) through my day job!
What was the best thing freelancing ever scored for you?
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By Rico -- 8 comments
June 14th, 2008
You’ve made the best portfolio site ever, making sure that everything’s easy to follow and that your strengths as a freelancer are properly highlighted. Little do you realize that a potential client tried visiting your website, and experienced certain issues that changed his mind about hiring you. A portfolio website is a freelancer’s face online; if it’s not good, then why should a prospect consider hiring the contract worker in the first place?
I’ve written about the 4 cardinal sins that many business websites commit over at Technograph. What I write there is very applicable to portfolio sites.
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June 13th, 2008
Hard work is fine, but wouldn’t you want literally earn while you sleep?
This cliché is known in financial circles as passive income. “Passive” because earning in this case requires no active work on your part.
The internet features a lot of passive income opportunities for freelancers, particularly those who can package their work as items for sale. Examples include paid blog themes made available for purchase and download by a freelance deisnger, and high quality photos that photographers enroll into stock photo sites’ revenue-sharing programs.
The key to take advantage of these opportunities and make full use of the Internet to build a healthy amount of passive income is to find a way to package your creativity and ability into items people are willing to pay for.
To be clear, building passive income isn’t always easy. And it definitely isn’t eternal. As market conditions change, you may find the need to come up with no ways to generate passive income for yourself. So be creative!
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By Rico -- 1 comment
June 13th, 2008
Dustin Brewer must have spent quite some time writing Freelance web designer tools and productivity management here. Don’t disappoint him; take a look and see what you can learn!
I’m pretty limited when it comes to project management, to be quite honest. I’m more used to solo operations rather than teamwork, which is probably why the solitude afforded by freelancing appeals so much to me.
But now I’m curious: are there any project management tools out there are easy-to-use, straightforward, and provide a genuine boost to productivity?
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June 12th, 2008
It literally pays to keep relations good with clients, since they pay for the bills. And the key to keeping good client relations is to manage expectations. Which involves at least three things:
Honesty. Be truthful when answering questions a client may have about your previous work experience, your capabilities, and your creative style. This will help them have an accurate picture of what you can or can’t do. It also minimizes disappointments that may arise from “I thought you could do this…”
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June 12th, 2008
And here’s the proof:
Forty-one per cent of flexible workers would forgo a 100 per cent pay rise if it meant giving up control of the way they work, according to the results of a new survey by Workology, an online community that supports flexible workers, freelancers, portfolio workers, and self-employed professionals. When the incentive to return to traditional 9-5 was lowered to a 50 per cent pay increase, nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) claimed that they would prefer to keep control of their work arrangements.
The complete article can be found here. I aim to become a full-time freelancer within this year of the next. Right now I’m building the contacts and nest egg I need to truly work the way I want to work. What about you?
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By Rico -- 2 comments
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