How’s your client mix?
In a superficial way, there are really only two types of clients; good and bad. But the reality is that you need a client mix. If all your clients are the same you might as well have one boss and go...
View ArticleThe Elevator Pitch
A while ago I described my elevator pitch – short description of what I do that can be delivered to a stranger. It assumes that they know nothing about me or what I do and can be shared in the time we...
View ArticleProductivity Tips for Freelancers
Your productivity is constantly under threat. There are distractions like email, phone calls, social media, friends and family dropping in (who equate working from home with always being free to drop...
View ArticleIs your office safe? 5 simple safety tips.
It seems like a simple question with a simple answer. Is your office safe? At first blush, you’ll probably look around and say that given there are no chemicals, fire hazards or other obvious dangers...
View ArticleTechnology for Freelancers
Every few months I’m asked to present of the best technology for freelancers. As I cut my teeth as a journalist writing about technology, there are times when my peers look to me for advice. This week,...
View ArticleMake 2013 your year for efficiency
It’s getting to the time when you’ll be well and truly into your planning for 2013. How will you make 2013 better than 2012? One of my main focuses will be on better efficiency. I’m getting busier and...
View ArticleTaking jobs for the money
When you’re a freelancer, you dream of only ever taking up projects you really believe in. You get to choose the work you do, who your clients are and where you work. Well, that’s the idea. But the...
View ArticleThere is no “correct” rate
One of the most frequently asked questions I hear from new freelancers (and, surprisingly, some experienced freelancers) is “How much should I charge?”. Often, the question is couched with fear that if...
View ArticleTimesheets are not evil
One of the things I promised myself when I started freelancing was that I’d never work for a client that wanted me to keep detailed timesheets. As it turned out, one of my early clients wanted me to...
View ArticleSick days, productivity and marketing
Every week or so I post stories about freelancing that I find interesting. Let’s start by looking at a couple of articles from Freelance Folder and Flying Solo about something few freelancers talk, or...
View ArticleIs self-publishing a book a wise move?
A recent article on how an Amazon bestseller made nothing has me thinking about whether writing and self-publishing an e-book is a worthwhile pursuit. Almost everyone I know who considers themselves to...
View ArticleHow do decide about co-working in a managed office
It’s a decision every small business that grows needs to make. Can I keep working from home? Or is it time to rent office space? Is there an alternative? A managed office can be the middle ground that...
View ArticleDo you need business cards?
Business cards used to be an important symbol of one’s importance. There was a time when only senior execs had cards to give out but, over time, they’ve become less exclusive. However, that doesn’t...
View ArticleTwitter and your Reputation
When it comes to your business, brand and credibility the most important asset you have is your reputation. In today’s world you can express your opinion quickly and have it viewed by a potential...
View ArticleExploiting niches is the key
It might well be the oldest business problem there is – how do you find and develop a market niche that others haven’t fully exploited? What are some of the things you can do? I’ve discussed in the...
View ArticleFinding Opportunities in Downturns
In a recent online discussion, a fellow freelancer bemoaned that a recent round of cost cutting at a large publisher would result in fewer opportunities for freelancers and other independent...
View ArticleBusiness transformation by accident
I’ve been looking back at the mix of work I’ve done over the last few months and discovered something – I’m not doing the work I thought I was. At some point, my business changed without me realising....
View ArticleHow to choose a niche – balancing fun, talent and profit
Choosing a niche to exploit might feel like a black art rather than a science. Here’s how I do it. My system for finding a niche is pretty straightforward. I think you need to answer three question?...
View ArticleFive things to do when the work dries up
The last month has brought me a challenge that, until now, I’d not had to deal with in my freelance business. Several jobs that were booked with regular, reliable clients were cancelled meaning that my...
View ArticleBe fearless – but learn from mistakes
A couple of things caught my eye this week – a comment to a recent post here and a post on LinkedIn. And together, they summarise a key element of the success I’ve managed as a freelancer. A few days...
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