Keep your spirits high even if you don’t succeed the first time

Failures are stepping stones to success. So, as a freelancer, if you do not succeed at first, try again. Freelancing is no exception when it comes to failures and successes. One has to have the fire in him to surpass these failures and come out successfully. Failures as such do not wait to pounce on you. You need to know that failure is around the corner, when things don’t come up the way they have to. And need to take corrective action immediately.

What is the reason for your failure? This is the first question one may ask himself. Look at yourself and determine why you have failed. If you are not sure, ask your client. Ask friends who know your work. They will have a better idea.

Once you get to know the reasons, work on them. Work on the weak areas which need attention. Sometimes your over confidence needs to be brought down. Anyways do your self appraisal and you will know where you have faltered.

Another question you need to ask is whether you or another party caused your failure. Reasons for the failure could be many. You may have been in the picture and involved in a small way. Is the failure because of non availability of resources or any other factor that was not in your control? Then you do not have to take the blame. Things beyond your control really do not matter.

But if the failure was due to your incompetence, assess the factors that caused the incompetence. Assess what more you could do. Assess the kind of help you should have asked for. Assess the amount of help you should have taken from others and other resources.

If it was due to lack of knowledge, assess if you really would like to work on that area again. If yes, upgrade knowledge by going for a course. Crash courses are available. But choose the one which will provide you with good knowledge on the subject. Check if the teachers are qualified to help you further upgrade. If yes then it is the right place to go to.

Ask the right questions to understand why this failure happened. More over it is important not to play the blame game. Accept feedback in good manner. Accept what needs improvement and there you will be among the best again after a few months and years.

Once you have, upgraded skills approach you employer. He may give you another chance. Most of them would like to work with familiar personnel than go for newer freelancers each time. So make sure you upgrade your knowledge and continue accepting feedback to improvise and improve.

Was it your kind of work? This is another question worth to think about. Was it your area of expertise? If not, move away. If you still want to continue with it, upgrade skills. You may choose to move away in to a lateral field as well. As a freelancer, there are ample opportunities available to showcase skills that relates with each other. You have to have the determination to learn yourself. Self help is important at times because it will stand you in good stead with your employer. Basically, you do not have to cry out for help at every given opportunity.

If failure was due to lack of resources, get help to research, and make resources available. At least for your next assignment these resources will be helpful. These resources can be page marked and filed so that they are always at your hands length whenever required. Availability of resources cannot be a reason for failure these days as enough and more resources are available at the press of a few buttons. But to choose amongst the best and most suited needs intelligence and discrimination.

Friends can provide you with great inputs. Do you home work on the work assigned. You may take hours to formulate your strategy on getting work done. But all that matters is not the time spent, but the quality of output given.

Failure is opportunity to begin again. It points the way to success. Begin your work more efficiently and logically and you are sure to succeed.

Helping freelancers get better and better while working for you – For the client

Every employer would like to have a freelancer working for him and also him to work better and better. With every work assignment that he gives, the client would like to see improvement. The challenges that are ahead are quite a few, to get this done. The freelancer has to learn, work, contribute and stay on and continue to do better.

The usual method of providing internal trainings imparts the knowledge required to understand and do the work accurately. Such training will pertain specifically to the type of work the freelancer is involved in. This training goes a long way to help upgrade the knowledge about the new trends and innovations pertaining to the work.

Yet another method of getting people to do better is by providing training in related fields of work. Thereby the employee gathers new techniques and uses it to do better at the current one that he is working on. Incorporating certain techniques from related fields of work will add value to the output, since the knowledge base of the freelancer enhances thus.

Another necessary training, on the agenda, should be in time management. The freelancer is then better equipped to handle assignments to keep up with the time lines for delivery of work. Spending time procrastinating can cause discomfort to both parties involved. Even training in yoga and mind control helps.

There are other means to get better as well. This will include using mental techniques to kick start the day. Using energy management to control the mind and body enables an individual to be in control. “To do” lists help a lot. Listing tasks such that they enable you to complete them one by one by not stressing you up is a great way to finish work well.

It is important to learn not to over commit. This way one takes on work that one is capable of completing within a stipulated time.Employers can guide the freelancer to assess the work that he is undertaking. This will improve productivity of the individual bringing about better output.

Giving appropriate feedback also is a training that helps gear up the productivity of the freelancer. A freelancer should know what is right and good about his work. Accordingly, he can garner his skills. Not knowing about the other person’s view of the work done can only plunge him into darkness. He needs this guidance as well!

Most of the time, we find that there are online training offers for freelancers who take up a certain kind of job. Questions about the effectiveness of these remain unanswered. Generally, the ineffectiveness of such online random training is a truth never discussed since many do not want to share or discuss unpleasant experiences they have undergone.

On the contrary, there are quite a few resources available on line which will enable a freelancer to get up-to-date information from a variety of business leaders and thought leaders. There are also courses available online which when used will help brush up existing knowledge and skills. Some of these courses are available as videos to enable the student understand better. A freelancer could go through any of these to understand more about his area of interest.

Women are at a great advantage when running an entrepreneurship is concerned. In developing countries, there are quite a few organizations which the Government promote to ensure job security to women. There are loans available and proper guidance ensuring that women gain success in the world that is getting more and more competitive as days go by.

The success of a freelancer is in running his own business of freelancing, well. What is required is a focused effort on the work. Training may or may not help. Many times people opt for freelancing after a considerable stint in corporate world. Hence, they already will have the training and development done during their career.

Getting a business degree will help in boosting your image, as far as clients are concerned. They would want to know your educational back ground in order to assess whether you can promote their product. A qualification from a reputed university goes a long way in building the trust that is required to bring forth a business deal.

And last but not the least are training workshops which bring together freelancers from various industries thus enabling exchange of expertise on a common platform. More of such learning helps the freelancer to contribute better, with time.

What should be your goal when you decide to freelance

What most freelancers forget to think about, when they decide to freelance is what goal should they set for themselves? Starting to work without a definite goal in mind will only lead to certain confusion, especially once the project is half way through.

First of all, goals ensure that the project is on the right track. Combine it with the right effort and you will achieve success in what you do.

To make an out line of what your goal is the first step in successfully completing the project. Once you land a project ensure that you are you have a clear idea about the content, the delivery schedules and the amount of work that will go in, to complete the project. Once that is done plan out each detail so that you don’t encounter surprises on the way.

Delivering the responsibilities well is another important factor in goal setting. Factor out SMART goals to measure and attain relevant goals. Bind then with specific and time bound vision and success is sure to follow! Further, focus on building on achievements such that you can quantify your work. Focus on achievements is yet another method in goal setting for a successful career in writing.

Apart from the above, one needs to also take into account how freelancing affects your lifestyle. Does your job allow you to have ample time with your family? Do you get enough space for yourself? Are you able to pursue your interests whatever is important to you?

Once you ponder on these questions, you will know where and how you need to scale up. Development of oneself as an individual is an important goal and this is as important as the work you are doing. You might be an achiever as far as your freelancing work is concerned but you need to have balance and all round development in life to ensure that you stay fit for the long run.

Another goal that needs focus in the freelancing arena is on the income you earn. Now, this depends solely on the individual and most times income seems important for survival. One has to work his way up to earn the income he has in mind. There are quite a few factors that are not in our control, where income is concerned. One can line up enough work to meet the income goals. But creative and good quality projects only qualify for better income or remuneration. Thus, income generation is significant with to goals related to improvement in output quality.

How do you manage your writing business? Most freelancers are in a difficult situation as far as managing their business is concerned. While you are the singular person managing your business, ensure that you are in the right track by setting relevant goals. Focus on your strengths thus enhancing your specialty and talent.

Priority deadlines need to be in the spotlight to manage your writing business effectively. Knowing what to zoom in on is important. Enhancing visibility is another aspect of goal setting. Your vision can lead you to greater opportunities.

Staying positive about your work is a goal that is set internally. Having a contract or agreement which is clear and concise will act as a foundation for your business. The goals set in earlier contracts can be redrafted to suit your current goals and requirements

Identify mentors and trainers to develop your talents. Having a mentor ensures availability of guidance to set a correct track for new and more advanced goals. Training is a requisite that will bring talent to the next level. Hence, it is important to identify mentors and trainers to improve your business and goals.

We now move on to the personal life of a freelancer. To achieve your goals on having a good personal life and to balance your career as a successful freelancer, one has to work on oneself. Self development to suit your work patterns and need should be high on the list of goals. Stream lining helps to achieve work life balance. Never let your duties sap your energy or make you fall sick. Balance your life to ensure more productivity. This is a skill which will last life long if polished. Set short term goals and then make long term solid goals to reach your destination.

Goals need writing down and have a look at them each time you sit down to write. It will help you focus on what you are doing. Do not allow other thoughts to enter your mind. Write down as per the flow and you will achieve what others have not done in quite some time.

Getting Started As A Freelancer

“When inspiration does not come to me, I go halfway to meet it.” – Sigmund Freud

Getting started as a freelancer is very much like chasing your own dream. Freelancers have full freedom to make a career out of whatever they wish to be. As they say  that it is the first step that is difficult; this short guide on how to get started as a freelancer will help you take that first step to a successful and fulfilling career.

How much time do you have?

The first step is to decide on how much time you can devote every day to working. You can work full time, part time or vary your timing depending on the project on hand. The amount of time you have in hand will help you decide the amount of work you can undertake and help you build up a schedule.

What is your area of interest?

The next step is to figure out your area of interest in which you want to work in. The biggest advantage of working as a freelancer is that you don’t have to limit yourself to one particular field only. There are many fields for you to choose from such as writing, software design, software testing, acting, designing and producing artifacts, tele calling, counseling, translation, tutoring etc. Even these fields have many subfields, for example, writing includes blog writing, article writing, website content etc.  Similarly tutoring freelancing jobs can be based on language, subjects etc.

Prepare yourself

Once you have decided on which area you are going to look for work for, it is then time to prepare yourself.  By preparing yourself we mean that you should brush up your knowledge about your area of interest.  Checkout various freelance directories to what kind of jobs are being posted on the board there. This will give you an idea of what is ‘in’.
For example if you are interesting in online or distance tutoring the it would be helpful to you if you brush up your tutoring skills and knowledge on the subject you are going to teach. If you are looking for jobs in web design then make sure that you know about the latest languages in use.

Prepare a portfolio

Some might call it a resume but we prefer to call it a portfolio. Your portfolio will be a showcase of the all that you know. It should contain all the information about you. It should concisely indicate all the work that you have done in the past. List your qualifications in such a way that they make it relevant in the area you are planning to work in. If you have any samples of your work then you can include them in the portfolio too.

How much to charge?

Now it is the time to decide how much you are going to charge for the work. You can charge by the hour or by word or by projects. Make your rate competitive. Remember you can always change your rate after projects and as you gain experience.

Start Applying

With all the above preparations, you are now ready to apply for jobs.  You can list yourself in freelance directories and also apply for jobs individually. If you are applying online then give them a two or three days to reply and make sure that you aim to build a long time contact.
Keep your mind open about some basic negotiations. Remember you are working freelance and therefore you can work on your terms.

Work ethics

It is very important for a freelancer to maintain his/her reputation at all the times. When you make a commitment make sure that you keep it at all times. Do not charge for something, which you have not done. Keep the communication lines open at all the times so that the client can reach you anytime.

By following the above steps, you will have a much easier journey in getting started as a freelancer. Happy bidding!

Launching Worldwide Freelance Directory

If you have not yet joined the vast world of Freelance working then it is the time to do it. Freelancing is the ‘in’ thing in the modern workplace. One of the biggest advantages of freelancing is that it is a flexible job and gives you the freedom of choosing the kind of work that you want to do. Over 70 million of the world’s population does some or the other kinds of freelancing work.

The concept of freelancing has been there in existence since medieval times

In the good old golden days, it was the brave Knights who used use a big pole like weapon called the lance. Hence, the name freelancer came into picture.  Over the years the term freelancing has gathered a lot of different kinds of options under its umbrella.

Various freelancing jobs include writing for blogs, article writing, news writing, editing, data entry, software development and testing, advertising, and even selling products online. Freelancing jobs can be paid by the hour or they can be paid in the lump sum for the job when it is done.

The terms and conditions of the freelance jobs are all basically the same all over the world it is only the branding that differs from freelancer to freelancer. The key to get started and become a successful freelancer is to find the right of platform to get the correct jobs that match their job skills.

There are many jobs that are available in the market for freelancers but most of the employers feel that the lack of the ways to reach the correct person for the job, does not give them the quality work that they want. This is where our idea of Launching a Worldwide Freelance Directory came in picture.

A worldwide freelance directory will benefit both the job seekers and the job providers. The job seekers will be getting a platform to go for a better branding of their talents and skills. They will also be able to keep up with the latest thing that is happening in the freelancing world.  The directory enables the employers to feed feedback, which helps the freelancers build a genuine portfolio. The worldwide freelance directory, will give them an opportunity to get jobs from all parts the world.

For the job providers the worldwide freelance directory is a place where they can easily search for the right kind of person and rates to do the job required by them. They can assess the talents, read feedback about the freelancers and make a decision. In turn when the job completes the employee can leave a feedback for the employer, which helps them build their credibility for future assignments.

We make sure that only legitimate jobs are posted on the board and both parties have a common ground where they can address any discrepancies if they arise. The payment can be done through the directory, which makes it more secure. Another big advantage of a freelance worldwide directory is that the payment rates can easily be negotiated to both sides and nobody is left feeling unfairly treated.

Our worldwide freelance directory is unique in terms of categorizing the jobs and giving the interested parties the type of exposure they need to further their career and business.  We also help the freelancers in learning the ropes of the business to help them grow and expand in the right direction.  The correct negotiating dos and don’ts are also included in the guide.