Contract Worker - Freelancing Experiences

Maximizing an Idea for Future Creativity

Have you ever spent hours on Wikipedia because you started reading about Superman, followed the links, and ended up learning more about half-life as the sun was rising? I believe that a single idea is powerful enough to generate that much activity.

It’s easy to dismiss an idea once it serves our purpose. In the case of a freelancer, once it allows the accomplishment of a project. But an idea can be twisted, analyzed, reconsidered, and explored further. More often than not, this creative exercise will give rise to new ideas. Read More - Maximizing an Idea for Future Creativity

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Do You Have a Rest and Relaxation Budget?

So you’ve just made quite a sum. What do you do with it? A few months ago, it would’ve gone straight to the bank. As I become more aware of the value of money, I’ve started becoming more miserly with my funds, diverting as much as I can for some unforeseen future.

Of course, there’s a reason why such an approach works. But as a friend recently said, it’s easy to let a Scrooge-like outlook on finances control your life. Why not set aside funds for some well-deserved rest and relaxation? Read More - Do You Have a Rest and Relaxation Budget?

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Why Numbers on a Business Card may be Obsolete

If you’re like me, you change mobile numbers like a fashionista changes wardrobe to match the season. It could be you’re really careless with your phones, or you like changing numbers just for the heck of it, but every time you do so, you are wasting the money spent on your business cards.

You can of course, mark off the old number and write a new one beside it. But doesn’t that look unprofessional? And would you really want to do for each business card you’ve yet to distribute? What about contacts you’ve already given a card to? Since they aren’t updated, you stand a chance of losing opportunities for projects or collaborations when you change your number. Read More - Why Numbers on a Business Card may be Obsolete

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At What Point Can You Call Yourself a Writer, Designer, Etc.?

You know what? I’m a bit miffed. It seems everyone around me is taking advantage of the increasing affordability of dSLRs. That isn’t bad in itself, but apparently after snapping a few (uninspiring) photos and uploading them on a website, these eager snappers are now calling themselves photographers.

To be clear, I’m not threatened at all, primarily because I’m a writer and designer. It just seems that with all these new wannbe-photogs sprouting up, it’s harder for clients to locate—and hire—the real deal. It’s also irritating to stumble upon the online portfolios of these people, and wonder why they are marketing themselves as photographers. They don’t even display a grasp of the fundamentals, like the rule of thirds! Read More - At What Point Can You Call Yourself a Writer, Designer, Etc.?

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Go BIG With Your Freelancing Skills

Over at Usability Post, guest writer Wendell Fernandes asks you to design BIG:

Thinking outside the box can make your designs “pop”, and having good ideas can help you become successful — but what if you could not only think outside the box, but play with the box, kick the box, smash the box all over the place.

The secret is to design BIG!

The ultimate point of Wendell is that sticking to a set of fundamentals—in his case classic and effective layouts—isn’t necessarily limiting. The examples he uses all follow a proven formula. Yet, thanks to some special touches, these designs literally stand out from the rest of the web.

Even better, I’m sure that such an approach applies to other fields. Writers for instance, make sure to follow a certain set of guidelines to make their prose easy-to-understand. But this framework isn’t a restraint for their creativity. They manage to get their message across, but in a unique, entertaining, and engaging way.

As freelancers, you should always think of how to make your design, writing, photography, or whatever you do, BIG. Again, I return to the theme that limits exercise your creativity muscle. Everyone knows that there’s a proper way to do things, at least if fulfilling a certain set of objectives is paramount. But only effective freelancers know that the formula doesn’t have to be a step-by-step guide on how to fulfill a project.

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What’s Great About Freelancing, Part N

Such an obvious advantage! Now I wonder why I haven’t written a long-winded post about this!

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Have You Visited TaxGirl.com?

b5media alumna Kelly is a tax geek. And since death and taxes are the only things we can count on, I recommend you visit taxgirl.com and subscribe to its feed immediately. While Kelly discusses mainly US tax law, her thoughtful and down-to-earth analysis of the current tax trends in her country is still a must-read. At the very least, it gets readers thinking about taxes, how to sort through all that confusing tax code and the like. Very important for freelancers, who are usually left to their own devices when dealing with the tax man. (taxgirl.com)

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Why Paper (Still) Works for Me

Except for my magazine contributor gigs, my creative output will never appear on paper. I primarily design ad banners and website composites, while most of writing ends up on a web page, not its physical counterpart.

Despite this, I still consider the paper and pen very important for my creativity. Paper allows a certain spontaneity that even the most advanced computing tools have yet to provide. To express yourself on paper, you simply write on it. It’s a great sandbox. Read More - Why Paper (Still) Works for Me

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Quick Idea-Generation Techniques, #8

The general idea driving my quick idea-generation techniques is that you should be an idea-grabber of sorts. You should be open to ideas and concepts as they hit you, and be able to quickly store these for future use. Read More - Quick Idea-Generation Techniques, #8

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How Being Mature Works for Freelancers

This traveling thing has taught me quite a bit. On a previous trip, I instinctively used my faithful duffel bag—and ended up with a sore shoulder as I walked around the airport with a weight slung around my shoulder. This time I’ll be using that “adult” stiff bag with wheels (what’s that called again?).

Being mature about my travel bag choice is helping me as a freelancer, because rushing through the airport to catch a ride to the hotel won’t be as tiring, and I’ll have enough energy to do what I have to do for my journalism gig. Being mature helps freelancers in other ways too. Read More - How Being Mature Works for Freelancers

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By Rico -- 4 comments