Entries from April 2008 ↓

So You’re The one? Let’s Freelance

April 29th, 2008 — Freelancing 101

If you took the quiz last time, you’ve probably been left at midair wondering what those points meant. To be very brief, this quiz assesses your behavior in common freelancing situations. Let’s look at your scores:

0-7 You’re probably better off with a steady job. Chances are freelancing isn’t for you.

8-14 You could make a successful freelancer with a little bit of discipline and determination.

14-20 You’re a born freelancer! Ditch that job and start freelancing today!


The good news is that the pre-freelancing stage is over. Now that we’ve settled on the teams, let’s get to work!

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Step #2: Are You The One?

April 25th, 2008 — Freelancing 101

Last time, we’ve discussed why people decide to freelance and the legitimate or the most successful reasons that result in a prosperous freelancing career. It’s time for a final step before delving into the business of freelancing, your final test is a quiz:

Feel free to take this quiz and to post your results in the comments section. The results will be analyzed in the next post So You’re The One – Let’s Freelance (Scheduled Saturday 26th)

Are You The One?

Are the one? Are you fit to be a freelancer? The quiz here can give you a general idea on whether you’re fit for freelancing.

  1. If given the choice to work alone or in a group you would:
    2. Work alone

    Go team!

    Depends

  2. In tough situations, your motivation comes:
    3. Internally

    Externally

    Both

  3. If you do something wrong on a really important task, you:
    4. Decide to explain to your boss

    Try to pin it on someone else

    Depending on the extent of damage

  4. You have $50 till the end of the month, you:
    5. Decide to make the best out of them

    Freak out

    Freak out then decide to borrow money

  5. Your boss asks for overtime, you:
    6. Make more coffee

    Pretend you have to take care of your dog

    You ask the boss to work some other time

  6. When it comes to rejection, you:
    7. Suck it up and move on

    Quit it all together

    Try to learn why you got rejected

  7. You have 3 days to finish a task, you:
    8. Sit on your desk and get to work

    Ask for a deadline extension

    Postpone it to the very last minute

  8. A client tells you that your work is inadequate, you:
    9. Ask him for reasons calmly

    Snap at him and tell him he’s an idiot

    Start plotting revenge

  9. A client keeps on asking for changes, you:
    10. Keep on making changes according to the notes

    Ask for termination of contract

    Talk to your client

  10. You’re home alone and you have work to do, you:
    11. Make popcorn, watch TV until someone tells you to work

    Finish your work

    Work for a bit, then have fun

Are you ready for the results?

A detailed post highlighting the results will be available on the website. For the mean time, feel free to post your point score in the comments section.

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Step #1: Contemplation - Are You Picking Freelancing for the Wrong Reasons? (Part II)

April 24th, 2008 — Freelancing 101

Last time, we’ve discussed Step #1 in your road to become a successful freelancer. To recap, we asked the question: Why did you decide to become a freelancer? Your answer could fall under one those categories discussed in the previous post. However, one of the answers, from our fellow reader Matthew Hunt gave what I call the ideal answer:


“I started freelancing in college, doing pretty well I had a few contract jobs that gave me steady income. When I graduated I started to enjoy the fact that I did not have to wake up early, go anywhere, answer to anyone, have to worry about any major responsibilities, go to bed early to wake up in the morning. If I wanted to relax at any given time during the day I could sit down watch some TV, leave the house, ultimately do whatever i chose. If I got behind I would stay up late to catch up. It’s really about the lifestyle. I also hate people telling me what to do in a certain manner. I’ll take instructions, but I wont take someone telling me how to do it. Freelance can be is summed up into one word - Freedom.”

Your love of freedom should be your number one motivator in becoming a freelancer. You’d be surprised to know that %95 of the reasons you could possibly supply are not valid enough for you to pursue freelancing since you’ll always have other options. In this case, let’s review your options in relation to the possible scenarios:

  • You want to earn a better pay?

You can easily demand a raise or find a new job.

  • You’re unemployed?

You can find a job.

  • You hate your job?

Again, a new job could solve this problem.

Of all the possible scenarios, finding a new job could most probably solve your problem. The only two legitimate reasons that make you the hottest eligible freelancer are:

1. You’re tired of people bossing you around.
2. You want to spend more time at home.

Are you considering freelancing because  of these two? If so, let’s move on to Step #2: Are You The One? (Scheduled April 25th)

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