Sunday....

#Freelance Daily Post:

#Daily Writing Tip :
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So You Want to be a Freelancer? Here's How!
by: Vishal P. Rao

Not that long ago, freelancing was something people did mainly in larger metropolitan areas where work for writers, artists, and other creative types was plentiful and easily accessible. Today, however, the freelance landscape has dramatically changed.

For one, you can live practically anywhere in the world and still be able to maintain a successful freelance career. Not to mention that the creative fields aren't the only areas where freelancing is popular any more.

Today, accountants, trainers, computer technicians, etc. are all able to earn a living as freelancers. Regardless of the freelancing field you are interested in, there are some important things you should know that will help you get started and get successful.

Before we discuss those, however, we need to talk briefly about the pros and the cons of being a freelancer. You need to know both sides before you make your decision so you truly understand what you're getting into.

Freelancer Pros

1. You set your own schedule

As a freelancer, you get to determine what time you get out of bed and what time you turn in at night. You get to decide how much vacation time you can afford to take this year and you can elect to skip work one afternoon to spend time with your children.

2. You don't work for a boss

Even though you are answerable to your clients, they don't wield the same power over your life that a boss does. Yes, they can fire you, but you can also quit working for them if things get too difficult.

3. You determine how much you earn

While a conventional job pays a set amount of money regardless of how hard you work (and in some cases how long you work), freelancing allows you to make practically any amount of money that you wish because you determine how much your services cost and how many jobs you take on at one time.

4. You are able to work from your own office

Whether you prefer working in a home office or renting space somewhere to do your business, you are in charge of designing and maintaining your own comfortable office. You get to pick the people you work with. You get to pick the type of computer, post-it notes, and bottled water that you use on a daily basis also.

Freelancers Cons

1. You can become overworked quickly

When you start working steadily as a freelancer, it becomes nearly impossible for you to truly take a vacation. You have projects and clients that need your constant attention, so being gone or getting sick even for a day can put you behind schedule.

2. You have to deal with clients who can be more difficult than bosses

Most of the clients freelancers work with are genuinely good people, but there are others out there that are not. Every freelancer has probably been ripped off by a client at one time or another, even if they take steps to protect themselves.

3. You don't have a steady income

Unless you have one or two truly constant streams of work, you can expect your income to fluctuate dramatically. Some months you may feel like you struck the lottery while others may make you think you're heading for the food stamp line, especially when you are starting out.

4. You don't have a way to separate work from home life

If you have a home office, you may find it difficult to recognize the difference between being at home and being at work which means that while your watching television or eating dinner you may begin to feel like you're actually still on the job.

As you can see, each positive has a negative aspect as well. However, many of these negatives can be easily handled once you have experience as a freelancer, but to get to that point, you need to know how to get started.

Find Something You Enjoy Doing

This is critical to your success. If you don't already have something in mind to do as a freelancer, you need to be sure that you pick an activity that you truly love. Remember, you will be doing this type of work every day. Also, the more you enjoy your work, the more passionate you are about it. Potential clients will spot that passion and will be more inclined to work with you.

Save Some Money

Most freelancers actually start out as conventional 9-5 workers. In fact, many of them maintain their full-time jobs in addition to their freelance work for the sake of a stable income, health insurance, or other benefits. If you choose to go freelance full-time, however, you need to be sure to have a comfortable nest egg in the bank. Most experts agree that you should have enough money in your savings to cover six months worth of your basic necessities. If that sounds impossible, then try juggling some freelance work with your regular job for awhile. Save up all of the money you earn from your freelance work and use that as your nest egg.

Start Finding Clients Today

One mistake that freelancers often make is that think they can only start networking and marketing their services after they've gotten started. The truth is that if you're considering becoming a freelancer, now is the time to start networking and marketing. Let people know that you are thinking about going solo and get their reactions. Start building a database of possible job leads. In fact, you may want to line up some work beforehand so you can be sure of having an income initially.

Be Prepared

Most potential clients will want to see references and/or samples of your work before they give you a project. You need to have these prepared in advance. Don't wait until someone calls to possibly offer you a project to get your portfolio in order or to line up some qualified references. Have those ready to dispatch as soon as you get off the phone or finish the email.

Find an Accountant

The most difficult part of freelancing can be the handling the financial aspects: tracking invoices, staying on top of bills, figuring your yearly taxes, etc. Unless you are already skilled in accounting, you need to find someone to help you out with this from the beginning. It makes it much simpler for you and for the accountant.

Start a Web Site

Use the Internet to your advantage. Create a professional-looking but simple web site advertising your experience and your services, then place it on the Internet. It's one of the best ways of attracting new clients.

These suggestions will help you start your freelancing career on the right foot, but the most important key to your success will be your perseverance. If you give up easily or don't follow through with things, you may never truly make it as a freelancer. You must be able to take rejection. You must be self-motivated, and you must be persistent. Only then will you be able to experience firsthand all of the benefits of being a modern freelancer.

Useful sites:

http://www.elance.com/
http://www.guru.com/
http://www.allfreelance.com/
Copyright 2004 Vishal P. Rao

About The Author

For opportunitieds, ideas and resources to start a home based business, visit: http://www.home-base-business-opportunities.com

For more articles by the author, visit: http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/library/reprints.shtml

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#Freelance Writing jobs :
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Freelance Online News Producer (ABC7 Los Angeles -Glendale, California)

ABC7, the number one station in Los Angeles, is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated, technically-savvy news junkie to staff the weekend editorial desk for abc7.com. Key responsibilities of the Weekend Online News Producer include: timely posting of breaking local and national news; working with the ABC7 Eyewitness News producers and assignment desk to coordinate on-air and online news coverage; coordinating special projects with various station departments; proofreading and copy editing; site troubleshooting and overall maintenance of the high editorial standards of ABC7 and abc7.com. Candidates should have experience working and multitasking in a high-pressure news environment. Strong editorial skills and sharp news judgment is a must. Knowledge of HTML, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Flash, Podcasts, as well as the capacity to quickly learn to use proprietary software is also required. Please send resume to ABC7 Los Angeles, Attn: Human Resources, Dept. FOP/JJOB, 500 Circle Seven Dr. Glendale, CA 91201. Please indicate Dept. FOP/JJOB when submitting via e-mail to ****** Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply view the job in Journalism jobs

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Freelance on Business (WATT -Mt. Morris (Headquarters), Illinois)

Report and write on agribusiness for a content-driven international publishing company that’s expanding its online presence with new websites, e-newsletters and specialized reports.

WATT combines decades of international agribusiness B2B magazine publishing experience with new technologies to deliver content to business decision-makers around the world. Our readers' companies develop, feed, produce and process food animals, meat and poultry.

We seek freelancers in major markets around the world to cover companies, technologies, issues and business trends.

To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs

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Freelance Test-Prep Writers (New York, New York)

Spark Publishing, an educational publishing company owned by Barnes & Noble, is seeking writers to prepare and review guides to the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT exams. These books will provide concise, easy-to-read, in-depth information for students who are seeking preparation for the graduate entrance exams.

Interested candidates MUST have prior experience writing practice questions and developing pedagogical lessons for the GRE, GMAT, and/or LSAT. We are looking for freelance writers with excellent writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and the utmost professionalism. Writers make their own hours and work from anywhere, and successful completion of an assignment could lead to additional work.

If interested, please email a letter describing your qualifications, a resume, and supply writing samples that clearly display your ability to write pedagogical text for our target audience. Send these materials to Lindsay Weiskittel at ******. Please include “Test Prep Writer” in the subject line.

To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs

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Copy Editor -- Freelance or Fulltime -Williams-Labadie - Chicago, IL

The main responsibility of the Copy Editor is to review -- for accuracy, grammar, and spelling -- every piece of work the agency creates. The goal of the Copy Editor is to assist the agency in producing error-free work.

· Check grammar, spelling, punctuation, format and alignment, spacing/tracking/kerning, numbers, addresses, consistency within/among versions and campaigns on routes

· Verify phone numbers, addresses, Web sites, spelling of names and academic references (Pub Med) for all pieces

· Copy editing of all components of a piece: letters, brochures, academic journal articles, television/video scripts, professional ads (for trade publications), monographs, sales aids, speeches, presentations, etc

· Edit copy and query questionable phrasing, wording or presentation when unable to find answers quickly elsewhere

· Query inconsistencies across pieces

· Create and maintain style guides for each account, creating new sections when necessary

· Assist in managing workflow and information flow between other editors and freelancers with the assistance of Director, Operations

Basic Requirements
· BA in English, BA/S in Journalism, BA in Communications

· 3 to 5 years editing and/or proofreading experience in both the medical and marketing and/or advertising agency areas

· additional 1-2 years of editing, proofreading, or publishing experience with emphasis on the medical and/or marketing areas preferred

· expertise in English grammar; typing and MS Office (Mac or PC) skills; Internet ability; research skills; outstanding attention to detail skills; knowledge of medical lingo; strong knowledge of the AMA style

· ability to proof in Spanish or other foreign language a plus

· ability to work well and remain accurate under (sometimes extreme!) pressure

· abilty to work onsite a must

To apply view the job in Williams Labadie

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Producer/Editor - Freelance - Maslow Media Group - Pittsburgh, PA

The Maslow Media Group is seeking a freelance Producer/Editor with Avid Adrenaline 2.1, some knowledge of Photoshop and AfterEffects in Pittsburgh PA. Plans are to have someone work
on a project basis, as required.

Please send salary requirements and resumes to: ************in the subject line put
"PA Producer/Editor"

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

From ProductionHUB.com
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Freelance Online News Producer - KABC-TV - Glendale, CA

ABC7, the number one station in Los Angeles, is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated, technically-savvy news junkie to staff the weekend editorial desk for abc7.com. Key responsibilities of the Weekend Online News Producer include: timely posting of breaking local and national news; working with the ABC7 Eyewitness News producers and assignment desk to coordinate on-air and online news coverage; coordinating special projects with various station departments; proofreading and copy editing; site troubleshooting and overall maintenance of the high editorial standards of ABC7 and abc7.com. Candidates should have experience working and multitasking in a high-pressure news environment. Strong editorial skills and sharp news judgment is a must. Knowledge of HTML, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Flash, Podcasts, as well as the capacity to quickly learn to use proprietary software is also required. Please send resume to ABC7 Los Angeles, Attn: Human Resources, Dept. FOP/MON, 500 Circle Seven Dr. Glendale, CA 91201. Please indicate Dept. FOP/MON when submitting via e-mail to ********. Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply view the job in Monster

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Freelance Writers to Cover the Real Estate Market - US

Are you up on the hottest real estate industry trends? Do you enjoy explaining real estate news to your friends and family in layperson’s terms?

AOL Real Estate, one of the leading online real estate portals, seeks meticulous and reliable freelance writers to write engaging 500 - 700 word features covering the real estate market -- everything from how to buy your first home, to where you should purchase your retirement home. Your writing should be crisp, clear and timely and your literary voice strong. Experience contributing to websites, blogs or other ecommerce-related outlets is a strong plus. To apply, please send the following to ********** within the body of the e-mail.

*** Sorry.... No attachments

1. Cover letter

2. Your resume

3. Include links to articles you have written and/or insert articles you've written.

Pay is $200 for each 500-700-word article. We do NOT reimburse for expenses. Due to the volume of queries, not all applications will receive a response.

To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs

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