sarahsrays, post: 11539 a écrit : Good one John. I love Spotify. With pop music (and cups of tea), we can do anything!

Hi Sarah,

What I like about it is selecting say JAZZ and hearing such a range of stuff; admittedly, the NEXT TRACK key wins most-pushed award, but still, there's gold in dem der Spotty hills.

:cool2

sarahsrays, post: 11529 a écrit : In the current times, most of us could use all the handy household hints on freelancing that we can get.

Here are my tips - I’d love to hear yours as well!

:: Freelance UK

Nice list Sarah. My tip would be: whenever you are avoiding a job, put your favourite track on Spotify and see how quick you can get it done.

:)

Ah the pens, the disappearing pens.

What we need is PensReunited.com.

:D

Hi Sarah,

Being outside the mesh of office politics and status games.

Also, sitting in the garden with a cup of tea and toast and saying hello to the robin. :)

Best
John
Freelance Coach

Hi Rob,

I would say it depends on the industry you are in. In IT, for example, the business-side, in terms of finding work, is taken care of by agencies. Other structures have been tried and I, for one, would love to see clients and contractors being more pro-active, but old habits die hard.

Your point about the business-angle and the skill-set there is spot on. Maybe they don't get the recognition because they are largely invisible.

But when business people talk, it's one eye on the conversation and the other on where it's going and the benefits.

It's a bit like snooker and positioning the ball. :)

Best!
John

Dear Philippe,

That's what I call timing. :)

I've just written the first version of a Guide for Permanent IT people who want to move to Contracting:

If you let me know you email, I will send you the PDF free of charge.

Hope it helps
John

p.s. if anyone else would like a copy, just say the word.

jeff, post: 11327 a écrit : Thanks for the advice John. When you say new letter im not sure what you mean. I placed a lineage ad in the small local paper for 3 weeks and had no calls but if i could make myself less of a needle in a haystack i would be laughing. I will look into the newsletters as this sounds worth a shot. Work has picked up a bit through my free online ads adt last but it comes and goes and has no particular pattern....

Hi Jeff,

They are basically A5 sized folded newsletters containing local goings-on, reports from local committees, transport issues, who won the jam contest, poems about spring, what's on in the community hall this month...you get the drift. :)

But at the back, are about 4 pages of adverts for local services from chimney sweep to accountant, computer maintenance to decorating.

They work very well as advertising because people tend to keep hold of them for info and telephone numbers.

Hope that helps.

Best!
John

jeff, post: 11220 a écrit : Hi folks

I have recently started a freelance PC and Laptop repair business and am just ticking over. All my work is generated through Gumtree, Shop windows, Word of mouth and a few other online and offline ads including chip shop walls. If anyone knows of any on and offline cheap or free advertising methods i may have missed including any sites i can use to promote simmilar to Gumtree any ideas to boost business would be more than appreciated. I have listed as many ideas here on purpose in the hope it helps others too : )

Thanks

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

A very popular method near me is advertising in small village newsletters which tend to be distributed by volunteers to a loyal audience. These ads are generally extremely good value. Might be worth making a list of the small village/town newsletters around you and contacting them. If you want to know where to get one, the local shop tends to have a few copies.

Wishing you well,
John
Freelance Coach

Dear Louise,

Mully79, post: 11150 a écrit : I'm a graphic designer with 10 years' experience. I work 4 days a week flexitime, on average full time hours, and don't work on Friday (although it's the busiest day of my week at the moment!). I run my own fledgling business in my spare time but we're investing all we can into it at the moment and certainly not making money to live off.

Just wanted to be clear before I commented further...

Are you saying that you are now doing the graphic design in your spare time as a fledgling business, and that the 4 days a week are in a different occupation?

With kind regards
John
Freelance Coach

Hi Dusk,

I'm not an accountant, but that does seem a bit much. Definately worth shopping around. Why not call, say three local accountants to get a quote. At least you'll know if it's in the right ballpark.

All the best in your new position!
John
Freelance Coach

Credibility

PaulDean, post: 9385 a écrit : Hello all,
So my question is this; what would be the best method for approaching a potential customer and what would be the best way of telling them their site is rubbish and that I can make a better one! :laugh2

Any advice would be much appreciated thankyou!

Paul,

You have a head start, because at least your being honest with where you are at. You could leap straight in, and call some potential clients, but the issue you will likely face, straight away is credibility. Credibility comes with having a good client portfolio. So start to build one up.

Bridge towards where you want to go.

Check out the local chamber of commerce, and local small businesses, and offer to do work at a reduced rate to build up your portfolio....then you will reach a point, when you have solid material to show, and your confidence in speaking with potential clients will grow.

That's my sense, off the top of me head. :)

With my best wishes,
John

Yep,

For me it's driving, walking in the country (handy as that's where I live), or the place between waking and sleeping, when a curious visual space seems to open up - usually when I'm maximum distance from a pen & pad. :)

Having said that, if I get an idea while I'm just about to go to sleep, if I set the intent to for it to come up again in the morning - 99/100 it does; just pops up while I'm brushing me teeth.

John
Freelance Coach

hoyee15, post: 10002 a écrit : Hello
Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello,

You have some great advice so far. Whatever you suggest, say £25 or £15 hour, chances are you'll get the same roll of the eyes, and negotiation schmooze will kick in: "Really? I was only thinking of paying around £X." - followed by some justification: "It may well turn into more hours - but i want to see how it goes first." etc, etc.

So, go in high and expect to drop back.

But also, look beyond this job, and ask yourself, What could this job be a stepping stone too? What experience/skills will you gain?

Be quite ruthless and focussed on your own learning needs that will benefit you in the job after and the one after that.

By this, I mean that the experience you gain here might lead to a much better rate elsewhere later - so always be on the lookout to extend and widen your skillbase.

Best!
John
Freelance Coach

douglas forbes, post: 10111 a écrit : i write short stories and cartoon jokes can anyone help me to make some small income from thes hobbies at the moment i am retired and dont need a lot but it would be nic eto find out if they were any good Regards Douglas

Dear Douglas,

You could always post some here for comment.

Best!
John