Articles by Freelance Switch from December 2011

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at hiring a sales person and getting started as a freelancer. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on ...

Note: A few times a month we revisit some of our readers favorite posts from throughout the history of FreelanceSwitch. This article by Martha was first published April 12th, 2009, yet is just as rele...

Looking to give your karma a boost in 2012? Why not consider working for free? Let me clarify: not working for free everyday, but donating your time and experience to help others and to learn from oth...

I have been a freelancer for more than a decade and over that period of time, I have seen a lot of changes–everything from a giant increase in credibility if you actually are a freelancer, to te...

According to a recent study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 47.7% of women believe they are capable of starting a business compared to 62.1% of men. This lack of confidence persisted throughou...

Many freelancers, in a wide range of fields, think of hired writing help as something for larger projects, for corporate clients, not something for the independent one-person shop. It can be hard to i...

Have you tried getting a small business loan from a bank for your freelancing career only to be turned down? You are not alone.Some freelancers who need access to cash have turned to something called ...

Are you a graphic designer or copywriter with a disappearing proposal problem?You know the drill: You find an interested prospect who requests a proposal. You write a masterful proposal one of your b...

As freelancers, were told to collect as many testimonials as possible but what do we do with all those great descriptions of how amazing we are to work with? There are some people who believe that te...

View engaging conference lectures, interesting how to discussions, and high quality freelance advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch.This week we look at Philippe Starck Thinks Deep on Design by Phi...

I really liked this article on Mashable.coms business page about giving yourself a raise in 2012. With the economy being what it is (and has been), the thought of raising your freelancing rates might ...

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at showing your clients the value of your work and invoice software. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a g...

According to an article in the Indianapolis Star, nearly 5% of the workforce in the U.S. held multiple jobs in November, up slightly from the same time last year.For some, working two jobs has become ...

Social media marketing is one area of marketing that some organizations question, especially since the true impact of social media marketing can be elusive.With all the changes to the way social media...

Photographer is one of those professional titles that many people want. And why not? Taking pictures is fun and exciting.However, reality isn’t so glamorous. According to a report prepared by th...

Its easy to think about doing good deeds during the holiday season, as giving (thanks and gifts) is pretty much societys mantra from Thanksgiving to Christmas. But what about the rest of the year? Isn...

A powerful way to build trust and rapport is to develop authoritative and informative white papers.Learn what a white paper is, several techniques for marketing with white papers, and tips for getting...

In a recent story in Toronto’s The Globe and Mail, small business owners are putting work before their health.Forty percent of small business owners who responded to a survey conducted by Manta,...

Have you ever met one of those people who says that they get all of their business by word-of-mouth?They have no need to advertise. No need to roust themselves out of bed for those early-morning netwo...

Looking for a new client? The FreelanceSwitch job board is a great resource of freelance gigs and opportunities. These opportunities are in various fields, from development to writing to design, and c...

Carol Tice recently wrote a blog for Entrepreneur magazine on her picks for the Top 10 Small Business Predictions for 2012.The end of the year is when predictions on trends for the next year surface, ...

Once a week, we feature a fantastic freelance-themed comic from the talented N.C. Winters. Why not also take a look at our comic archive? ...

Santa will be going down the chimney soon. We’re running out of time to give those perfect gifts to freelancers. Shipping will only get more expensive as we get closer to the big present opening...

When someone says something nice about your freelancing abilities, that statement can bring you thousands more in new business. The right testimonial can help potential clients see how valuable your s...

View engaging conference lectures, interesting how to discussions, and high quality freelance advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch.This week we look at Dealing with Clients Who Want Discounts by l...

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at handling revisions and branding yourself as a company. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on free...

Melissa Antonelli spent five weeks this year living and freelancing in Italy.Melissa Antonelli didnt start out wanting a freelancing lifebut she found it suited her adventurous spirit.I met Melissa in...

If you are a typical freelancer, your office may range from your home to your car to the local coffee shop. While I used to inhabit my local coffee shopto the tune of having my drink waiting for me a...

The year is winding down and once the holidays are over, tax season is upon us. As a freelancer, there are certain things you should be thinking about before 2011 is over to set yourself up for some t...

You may be committing a portfolio sin without even knowing it.And what might that sin be? Well, it’s as simple as that stuff that’s keep your portfolio work samples in place. It’s...

Facebooks new Timeline format has already kicked off in come countries, but its U.S. launch has been slowed by a lawsuit from Timelines.com. They are claiming their service would go kaput once Faceboo...

Sometimes, the freelance world can seem like one big sea with too many fishes. There are plenty of designers, writers, crafters–but then there are a few that stand out. You know the type…y...

Last week, Twitter released a new online and mobile interface to try to simplify and make it easier to connect with others. I think its also because both Facebook and Google + have recently offer...

Thanks to the internet, reaching prospective clients has never been easier. Whether you are a freelance web designer, writer or international mountain guide, you are likely to have a website, twitter...

Desktop publishing has become a critical business skill today, and the use of the Internet means that creation of print content is no longer the only consideration.Now the documents you create likely ...

Is it just me or does it seem like everyone is rolling out new technology this time of year? Facebook has its Timeline, Twitter has a new interface, YouTube has bought a company to help license music,...

Once a week, we feature a fantastic freelance-themed comic from the talented N.C. Winters. Why not also take a look at our comic archive? ...

Every other week we roundup some of the highest quality articles and resources that benefit freelancers from across the web. We present these articles here on various helpful topics. This week we have...

View engaging conference lectures, interesting how to discussions, and high quality freelance advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch.This week we look at Our Brains are Mis-wired by Al Seckel. In th...

Did you know that November 23, 2011 was National Freelancers Day in the U.K.? This year marked the third annual NFD, which was launched by PCGa trade association and support network for freelancers.On...

In this issue of Ask FreelanceSwitch, we look at invoices and SEO. Ask FreelanceSwitch is a regular column here that allows us to help beginners get a grip on freelancing. If you have a question about...

Are you planning on taking some time off this holiday season? Are you sure?If you have international clients, youd better double check your deadlines.According to a recent Businessweek story, workers ...

Freelancing is all about building relationships, and the holidays are a perfect time to nurture those relationships.Sending a holiday greeting adds a human touch to your cyber business, and keeps your...

It’s probably happened to every freelancer. Your friends, relatives, and acquaintances heard about your business especially your never-ending quest to find and retain good clients and they try...

Weve just launched a free newsletter you can use to keep up to date with the latest news and articles from FreelanceSwitch. Every week youll get a digest of everything we’ve published over the p...

The Associated Press has recently forbade its writers from expressing their opinions on Twitter, including implied opinions in retweeting posts by others. This has caused a bit of an uproar.Many journ...

No matter how well you plan, there will be times when you’ll need more clients. During the “famine” periods of your feast and famine cycle, the best thing you can do is cut this time...

With so many different types of programs and apps on helping you and your team keep track of hours spent on projects, it can be confusing. Most focus on what I call “self-reporting”–...

More than ever, people are using social media to find jobs, according to a recent study by Jobvite Inc., a California-based social-recruiting software maker. In 2011, 22 million Americans found work t...

Chrome Web StoreGoogle has recently launchedChrome Web Store a dedicated marketplace with various applications for the browser. The marketplace idea is simple: install an app once and you will always...

Audience building is all the rage, and its hard to read a blog post that doesnt mention social media or the importance of community.But does it matter to freelancers?You bet it does; an engaged and lo...

A recent New York Times article follows a handful of people who have left their high paying jobs (either by choice or by the recession) to start small businesses focused on their dream jobs. The spoil...

If your freelance business isn’t where you want it to be, then it’s time to own up to your choices and make a change.Here are 10 reasons your freelance career is failing. If you want to tu...

Once a week, we feature a fantastic freelance-themed comic from the talented N.C. Winters. Why not also take a look at our comic archive? ...

Looking for a new client? The FreelanceSwitch job board is a great resource of freelance gigs and opportunities. These opportunities are in various fields, from development to writing to design, and c...

View engaging conference lectures, interesting how to discussions, and high quality freelance advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch.This week we look at A Smarter Twitter Page in Under 15 Minutes ...

If youre still growing your Freelancers Thick Skin, this ones for you.Youve all read the books about starting out in freelancing – the ones that discount the time spent preparing and perfecting ...

Want to make your tax preparer the happiest person on the planet? By spending a few minutes on your financial paperwork now, you can make your life easier, as well as theirs. As a freelancer, its easy...

There are gymnasts, tennis players and other athletes who have been training in their sports for years if not decades who wouldnt dream of working without a coach. Recently, a surgeon in New York de...

Freelancing can be fun and exciting, especially when you’re first getting started.You have a new income stream, a new amount of freedom and control, and if feels like you’re taking charge ...