Nabeell

The Art of Freelancing | 7 Personality Traits of Successful Freelancers

2011-06-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

As I forecast tomorrow, I see many freelancers or Solopreneurs shaping up as Entrepreneurs, maybe the factual practice of technology is helping them get more business or ample amount of sources to grab assignments is making it happen but I fear that how many of those entrepreneurs will survive in future if this induction of freelancers continue to increase. The art of freelancing is from starting up as a freelancer developing into a solopreneur & becoming an entrepreneur, starting with almost no assets to filling up your bag with multiple assets, starting as one & making it a team ..... read more

Article by: Nabeell Shahid,
Founder of Grace Business Solutions

Should Freelancers Outsource Their Projects?

2011-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Should Freelancers Outsource Their Projects?

As a freelancer, there comes a time that you need to consider whether or not to outsource your own GetACoder projects. For some, this provides a huge number of benefits, while for others it is one of the biggest mistakes that can be made. Here is a quick look at a few of the benefits as well as the drawbacks of outsourcing your projects.

Benefits
Increase Production
The most obvious benefit of outsourcing your projects is that you can ramp up your production. For example, if you are writing 10 articles a day then outsourcing some of your projects will allow you to complete a lot more. It doesn’t matter if you are a software designer, graphic artist, writer, or website developer, having someone else to help you out will allow you to accomplish more in less time. This will allow you to take on more projects and generate more revenue.
Expand Services
Another huge benefit of outsourcing some of your projects is that you will be able to offer your clients a wider range of services. If you are a writer, you can offer distribution packages or social media management. If you are graphic artist or software designer, you can offer full website design. If you are building backlinks, then you can offer content creation. The list of possibilities is endless. Expanding your available services will not only help you gain more clients, but will also allow you to make more money per client because they can go to you for all of their related needs.
Drawbacks
Lower Quality and Less Time
One of the biggest potential drawbacks of outsourcing your projects is that the end result will not be a high enough quality to meet your client’s needs. There is nothing worse than having a repeat client who all of sudden goes elsewhere because they think that your quality of work has diminished, especially when you didn’t do the work in the first place. The catch 22 is that you will also have less time to do your own projects because you will be managing others as well. Fortunately, if you hire the right team of freelancers on GetACoder, this doesn’t have to be a problem.

Slimmer Profit Margin
Another problem is that your profit margin per project is slimmer because you will pay your own freelancers as well. This issue is normally the biggest right at the beginning because you have not got generated additional clients, but are already splitting your profits. Over time this problem should go away because you will be able to attract more new clients as well as offer more services, however if money is already tight, then this can be a deal-breaker.
In the end, outsourcing some of your tasks is the only way to expand your freelancing business. You only have so many hours in the day to work, which means that you are inherently limited as to how much you can complete. There are a number of benefits that can be gained when done correctly, however there are also a lot of potential drawbacks if you are unaware of how outsourcing can affect you, your business, and your clients.

How to be a Freelancer without Internet Access!

2011-05-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

How to be a Freelancer without Internet Access!

We cannot ignore how integral the internet has become in this day and age. It has provided a platform for many companies to advertise their products and services as well as recruit employees. It is also a place for freelancers to find work, but this does not mean that you need a day to day internet access. GetACoder is the website where freelancers can search for potential jobs. However, many of these jobs can be done without the use of the internet. It is not an easy task finding these jobs, but let’s be honest, is anything in life really easy?

Freelancers are in great demand today because there are many companies with plenty of work to outsource. You may realize that many of these jobs postings require an internet access, but you can find a way to do these jobs effectively without having the internet in your home. Some people may go to internet cafes and search for jobs, but they probably only do this once or twice per week. If you want to be a freelancer you simply need to make the most of the few times you have access to the internet. Chances are, you will need to set a time for online interviews so set a date and time with your potential employers and ensure that you get to the café early enough to find an available computer.
If the interview went well and you got the job great, now it’s time to really make use of the little time you have online. If you’re a freelance writer, you will certainly need to be very smart about your time. Formulate the list of topics you will write about and when you go to the café get as much information on these topics as you possibly can. It is also a good idea to get information on a few other related topics as well; this way if you get home and one idea isn’t working you have more information for a plan B. when you have all the information you need, spend a day or two writing and editing on your own. Go back to the internet café at least a day or two before the articles are due and check them for plagiarism, spelling and grammar error.
You may realize that the articles need more work, so at this point you may need to go home and do some more writing. Ensure that you have all the necessary information required by your employer then check and double check. If you feel comfortable with your work go back to the internet café and do a final check for errors, if all is well, you can simply email the completed project. Remember that internet cafes charge by the hour so if you can limit your time to once or twice per week for just an hour you will save a lot. If you are using your neighbors’ computer you should also limit your time to at least once or twice a week so as not to take advantage of their hospitality.

New Google Changed the Death of Article Marketing?

2011-05-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

New Google Changed the Death of Article Marketing?

Search engine Google recently announced a major change in their algorithm which was heralded as a ‘War on Content Farms’. So does this mean the death of article marketing and how will this affect content providers working through GetACoder?

Google has finally recognized that like ‘link farms’, those who have been churning out masses of low cost junk content in an effort to trick the search engines into giving the top place rankings are bad for business. Google now faces harsher competition than ever and knows that it must strive harder for high quality search results. Much of this content farming and mass generation of poor quality re-spun content has been produced through outsourcing platforms, providing steady work for those freelancers who are willing to work inexpensively. However this new change is set to make junk content seen for what it is by the search engines and penalized as such. However, it also means that those focusing on high quality original content for their web pages, blogs, social media and article marketing are set to see a big boost in their rankings and finally be rewarded for their hard work and investment.
So no, content and article marketing are not dead by any means. Fresh, unique content will now actually produce better results and return on investment than ever. So for Internet marketers and website owners needing content this simply means looking for a higher caliber level of writers who can provide original work that is actually readable. Or at least begin training writers who have simply been spinning content in order to preserve their low cost base.
For writers this means stepping it up a notch and focusing on quality over quantity. Though on the bright side it also finally means higher pay for your writing work. So do not be afraid to be asking for a little more these days. The buyer companies that know what they are doing will be happy to pay it. Those that don’t probably won’t be around for long anyway.
How can companies who are outsourcing their copy writing be sure that they are receiving and publishing good quality and original work without having to spend days reviewing content themselves? Using plagiarism tools like Copyscape you can instantly discover if the content your writers are providing is original or not. You may also wish to hire a qualified editor as well if you do not already have one. The small investment in a god editor will more than pay for itself and provide the most leverage for your time so that you can focus on more important things.

Freelancing After Retirement

2011-02-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard the phrase: “Down but not out?” As a retiree you can face many things to make you ‘down’: loss of income, feeling less valued, health problems and limited mobility. But with freelancing, you don’t have to be ‘out.’ Freelancing can provide remedy to many issues retirees face.
Issue: Limited Income
When you retire, your income generally becomes fixed. It may be enough to survive on, but it probably isn’t as much liquid cash as you are used to. With extra money from freelancing, you might not have to worry about being able to pay your bills; or you could put the cash towards something you would otherwise be unable to afford, like a holiday or a fun day with your grandchildren.
Issue: Lower Sense of Self-Worth
Many retirees feel a little worthless without a job – that they have stopped adding anything to society. Freelancing can give you a feeling of accomplishment. While you may not be expert at the newest software programs, you probably have acquired a lot of skills over your working life. GetACoder offers jobs of all types, and many employers are looking for people with your very valuable knowledge and experience.
Issue: Poor Health and/or Limited Mobility
As you enter further into your golden years, your body may not be able to keep up with your still active mind. Perhaps you used to work part time or volunteer, but health issues have essentially put an end to much activity outside of your home. With freelancing, however, all you need is a computer, internet connection, and a good work ethic – pushing yourself physically is not required. Another plus of freelancing is that you can choose how much, or how little, you want to work – if you can only manage 8 hours a week, it’s your choice!

Issue: Ageism
Unlike many employers in the real world, freelancing employers are more likely to see the benefits of your years of experience, rather than dismissing you as being too old and difficult to accommodate.
Issue: Ageing Mind
Many retirees find that when it comes to their mind, if they don’t use it, they can easily lose it. Freelance jobs challenge your mind, keeping it active so you are more likely to stay mentally ‘in shape.’
Retirement is a stage in life that everyone experiences differently. You may love your days free from work, but miss the extra income. Or, you may feel lost without employment and need something to give you that worthwhile feeling. Freelancing can help retirees overcome many of the issues that arise from leaving the formal workforce – so log on to GetACoder and start looking!

Author: Jessica Underhill

Staying Connected: Internet Access Tips For Traveling

2011-02-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

Having the freedom to travel is one of the main reasons that many people choose to become a freelancer or choose to outsource their businesses through GetACoder. However once you have a full pipeline of work going and you start to travel staying connected online can pose some issues.
Working from home with your hard wired Internet connection is one thing, but traveling overseas, dealing with flight delays and relying on hotels for WIFI can quickly turn into a nightmare if you aren’t prepared. Of course you should always hope for the best, but you also need to be prepared for the worst. What if you get stuck in an airport for 2 days because your flight was cancelled or the hotel you booked doesn’t have Internet service?
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t travel by any means though. Of course you should, freedom is what outsourcing is all about. However it is a lot better if you have a plan. Take the time to make sure there is Internet where you are going and have a plan B just in case. You should also always let know anyone you are working with that you will be traveling just in case you do suffer any down time. At least this way buyers won’t be freaking out and cancelling your job because you have been out of touch for 2 day or team members don’t have a heart attack because they haven’t been paid.
You can’t always count on what is advertised on travel agencies websites or even what hotels tell you over the phone. Remember they are out to make sales. It may be wise to look up other nearby hotels as a back up, find out where local Internet cafes and libraries are at your destination.

For those traveling in the Caribbean or South Florida it can sometimes be trickier to stay connected than you imagine. Those stopping in Venezuela will discover that WIFI is in short supply, Internet cafes usually close by 7pm and there can often be outages for days at a time. Port of Spain, Trinidad is a common lay over in the area, especially for those flying Caribbean Airlines. While the airport isn’t that fun to spend the night at it does thankfully have free WIFI. Those venturing to South Florida for their sunshine fix or a spot of shopping may be surprised to find that while Miami International Airport is huge it does not offer any free Internet access at all. It is much better to get stuck in Fort Lauderdale which does have it. Though if you try venturing out be aware that taxis can be expensive. Keep up the good work, stay connected and explore the globe!

Author: Tim

Outsource for your Bottom Line

2011-02-04T02:23:00.000-08:00

In our everyday lives we come across evidence of international outsourcing at every turn. Businesses large and small have been outsourcing their customer service departments to international phone centers for years. Technology firms actively outsource the construction, programming and follow-up services to providers who are thousands of miles away from the end-user.

There is no question that in today’s global economy, outsourcing has become a way of life that is here to stay. The most dominant reason that companies outsource is cost. In the current economy, no matter how compelling a product or service may be, if it is not priced competitively yet profitably, the product is doomed.
Through the third quarter 2010, companies are stating record profits overcoming lagging sales, difficult credit availability and slower than expected growth in the GDP. Large and small businesses are scrutinizing line items with one thing in mind; improve the all-important bottom line.
One of the most effective ways to reduce expenses and stabilize costs is through the use of outsourcing. According to an article from The Wall Street Journal dated January 7, 2004, entitled “Small firms Outsource Abroad by Tapping Offshore Producers,” large industrial providers issued ultimatums to their suppliers that if they do not have offshore suppliers within 12 months, they will lose business to competitors who do. That’s pretty plain language insisting on lowering costs through outsourcing.
The harsh reality is that outsourcing is responsible business management. To be more specific, the average wage of a programmer in India is 15% the cost of an American programmer. That is harsh reality. And, now small businesses that may never have considered outsourcing are utilizing the practice.
The savings in labor are significant. The outsourcing buyer has no liability for state or federal taxes, no medical insurance cost, no worker’s compensation expenses, no disability insurance, no travel expenses, no paid vacations, holidays or attendance issues. An intangible gain of outsourcing projects is that company employees can focus on their areas of expertise without being distracted by new developments.
Outsourcing contracts are generally fixed price contracts, although other arrangements can be made. Of course, the advantage is that the buyer’s budget can be sustained.

Various studies reflect varying savings rates for outsourcing. Some analysts project a 40% savings, some companies report higher savings and others say 20% is more realistic. The savings are really a matter of perspective, but it is safe to say the larger the project, the greater the savings.
The need for a reliable provider is critical to the outsourcing process. At GetACoder, all providers are required to post their credentials and information relevant to their expertise. Buyers post similar information. When outsourcing opportunities are posted, the provider reviews the specifications and sends proposals through the intermediary to the buyer, who selects several candidates for interviewing.
This innovative outsourcing platform offers everything buyers and providers need to establish short or long-term relationships. Outsourcing is serious business that includes open lines of communication, responsible money management and various checks and balances. GetACoder has perfected this seamless process assuring buyers and providers they accomplish goals and boost the bottom line.

Author: Hiland B. Doolittle

Why Outsourcing Works?

2011-02-01T03:07:00.000-08:00

In many respects, the business community is discovering what big business has known for years. Outsourcing is the large, medium and small company’s best friend. There ae many reasons this relatively new industry is growing at unprecedented levels, creating new jobs and allowing business to locate freelance talent at remarkable savings.

The top ten reasons that outsourcing, also called near-sourcing, works are:

Cost savings — Cost savings realized by outsourcing industrial projects to undeveloped nations is now commonplace and set the precedent for a host of other outsourcing practices. The procurement of these services is often arranged by independent third parties.
Focus on Core Business — Reliable freelancers at GetACoder permit the business owner and staff to concentrate on the core business while the independent freelancers do not occupy space or time.
Cost restructuring – Outsouricng changes the balance between fixed costs and variable costs and enables the company to provide products at lower prices.
Improve quality — Outsouricng allows the buyer to require performance standards that may have been prohibited under existing working conditions.
Intellectual property – Outsourcing agreements should be structured so that the buyer retains the rights to all intellectual properties.
Binding Performance Contract — Buyers and providers at GetACoder enter into a binding working agreement. For large scale outsourcing, these contracts often include clearly detailed financial penalties and legal redress.
Access to real talent at competitive prices – Third party providers have thousands of pre-screened, pre-qualified providers that can provide best practices to every business application. Prices for this talent pool can run 50- 60 percent below internal costs.
Catalyst for change — The recession has caused every business to take a hard look at exisitng practices and costs and identify areas of change. That agent for change is most often found in outsourcing.
Implement innovative programs – GetACoder freelancers often provide trimmed staffs with innovative concepts and practices that lower costs and boost brand awareness as well as the most current technoloigcal advancements.
Scalability — Outsourced freelancers can usually manage either temporary or permanent projects at lower operational costs than in-house providers.

There are other reasons that companies are swarming to freelance consultants and servce providers. To each, his own. The bottom line on outsourcing is that companies that apply accurate and precise job descriptions to independent third party agencies will receive numerous proposals from very qulaiifed providers.

By applying savvy interview practices, the company will procure the exact service they need from an experienced provider at below market prices.

Author: Hiland B. Doolittle

Working in Pajamas

2011-01-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

Working as a freelancer at GetACoder, you probably feel that one of the biggest perks of working at home is that you don’t have to follow a dress code. No longer do you have to agonize over what you plan to wear into the office the next day, nor do you have to worry about making sure your clothes are ironed before going to bed. As a freelancer, you have the freedom to wear whatever you want into the office, even if it is your pajamas.
While the idea of working from the comfort of your own home in your pajamas sounds like a great idea many people wonder if it really is. Many people often wonder if what you are wearing to work affects how productive you are being. Some studies state that dress codes at work are instituted to help people be more productive. These studies say that when you dress a certain way you are more likely to get more accomplished because of the way you feel.
Other people suggest that being able to wear your pajamas or other comfortable clothes allows you to be productive because of how comfortable the clothes are. However, many people find that being comfortable, especially in your pajamas, causes you to be less productive because you are not as motivated. Therefore, while wearing what you want to work is a nice idea it is sometimes not the best idea.
While you do not need to follow a dress code when working from home, it is still important for you to get dressed every day. Many people find that staying in their pajamas also makes it harder to talk to clients. Getting dressed, even if it is in just jeans and a shirt, is key to helping you feel good about yourself. You should also clean yourself, take a few minutes to brush your hair and teeth, basically get ready for the day before you sit down to start working. The better you feel about yourself the easier it will be to talk to clients.

If you are not convinced that working in your pajamas can affect how productive you are, the simplest thing to do istest the theory. Make it a point one day to get up and get dressed for work similar to how you would dress for work in an office. Spend the day working and make notes of what you have gotten accomplished. Do the same thing one day when you are working in your pajamas and then compare the results.

Author: Sheila Homer

Outsource Online

2011-01-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

An interesting and current article in the November 21^st issue of The New York Times Business Section discusses the online marketplace and online outsourcing. Specifically, the article cites the success, failure and rebirth of a company once considered the darling of Silicone Valley.

Ariba is a third party provider of outsourcing services for a variety of business-to-business products. The acquisition of steel, oils, fats, pickles, plastic bottles, taco seasoning, solvents, janitorial services and hundreds of other commodities are now transacted through Ariba.
The company has listed 1,000 qualified commercial business buyers and 300,000 sellers. In the last 12 months, Ariba’s sales totaled more than $135 billion. There is more to the Ariba story than its successful rebirth.
In March, 2000, publicly traded shares of Ariba sold for more than $1,000.00. The company was ahead of the times and the business model needed dramatic re-design. The stock fell as low as $2.09 per share.
Not only did the dot com survive but management successfully changed the model and hit a wave in the recent rise in demand for business-to-business outsourcing. When Ariba was launched, businesses frowned upon online trading exchanges. The success of this market is now greatly influenced by venture capitalists and investors who shy away from businesses without outsourcing plans.
Dana Gardner, an analyst for Interarbor Solutions, a technology research company, says, “If you can’t grow the top line, you can save money through improving bottom-line business efficiency issues like managing cash flow. That has been a big incentive to look at this type electronic commerce.”
Gardner has hit the nail on the head. Third party online outsourcing providers supply buyers with numerous freelance professionals at incredible savings. Buyers at GetACoder pay highly trained independent providers no taxes, no benefits and complete projects with no hassles. These factors alone add up to substantial savings on every front.

For virtually every aspect of business functions, freelance specialists with experience, talent and often better technology than the buying company has or can afford are in the GetACoder marketplace, where the provider can be around the corner or around the planet.
In the third party marketplace, buyers are protected by contracts and monitored working agreements. Financialtransactions are part of the contract for services and are promptly managed electronically. Third party freelance outsourcing is a seamless and transparent process that has enabled businesses of all sizes to cut costs, reduce prices and get competitive at a time when the leanest companies win.

Author: Hiland B. Doolittle

Understanding Third Party Outsourcing

2011-01-18T21:02:00.000-08:00

According to Wikipedia, “A precise definition of outsourcing has yet to be agreed upon. Thus, the term is used inconsistently. However, outsourcing is often viewed as involving the contracting out of a business function – commonly one previously performed in-house – to an external provider. In this sense, two organizations may enter a contractual agreement involving an exchange of services and payments.”
Probably the most well known form of outsouricng, or at least the form of outsourcing that brought attention to the practice is inapproproately termed offshore outsourcing. Outsourcing does not have to be conducted with companies or freelancers who are in fact offshore. Such terms as nearshoring or multisourcing and strategic outsourcing best describe the way the industry has evolved.
Make no mistake about it. Nearshoring or outsourcoing is an industry that is vibrant, growing at an amazing rate and saving businesses billions of dollars every quarter. Outsourcing is here to stay.
Third party outsourcing at GetACoder has tremendous advantages for both the buyer and the provider. GetACoder receives project descriptions from buyers and posts these clarified projects for providers to review and then make a bid. After receiving the bids, the buyers review them and engages in an interview thorugh the third party. The interview may question experience, reliability, availability and request references of various sorts.
The buyer must feel comfortable. Some outsouricng is more complex, especially when it comes to manufacturing or other fields.
The most common forms of third party outsourcing involve information technology (IT), application outsourcing and database management and administration and related topics.
Application outsourcing generally refers to the support, preservation and development of exisitng services. Today, when company’s have unprofitable, unproductive and inconsistent services, freelancers are called upon to create responsiveness and revamp the existing service.
Information technology revolves around the utilization of electronic devices for the accutrate processing of data. Usually these services are outsourced to gain superior technology and computing skills. Freelancers in Information Technolgy usually have skills in data manipulation, networking and software design.
Database management or administration skills are outsourced when companies lack the ability to perfrom IT functions. The enterprise may not have the necssary technology, personnel or time to provide these necessary functions.
In any case, projects are described in detail before posting it for providers to consider. Once the provider is selected by the buyer, a deposit is posted as security. For large scale projects, the financing can call for installment payments as the project develops but usually the financial transactiosna are completed in extremely reliable time frames and the parties can either go their way or continue with another project.
The process has all the ingredients of a successful supply and demand system. The competitive nature of the third party system saves businesses money and provides freelance companies and individuals a fair and handsome income. In the end, successful outsouricng is a win-win-win situation. What could be better?

Article by: Hiland B. Doolittle

Save $60,000 by Freelancing!

2011-01-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

There are many advantages of becoming a freelancer and working through GetACoder. Not only can freelancing enable you to follow your dreams and advance your career in your favorite field of work and give you the freedom to travel, but it can provide significant savings over having to work in an office everyday. As you will see below you can realize massive, tangible savings by freelancing. In fact in the current economic environment it could well be worth turning to freelancing just to save money!

One of the most obvious ways you can save by becoming a freelancer is on travel to and from work. The average person spends around $1,400 a year in gas alone just going to and from work. For those traveling more than 25 miles to work or who have larger vehicles this can even be much more. On top of this you have the cost of maintaining your vehicle and even keeping up with car payments and insurance.
If you live in an area where you do not really need a car except for getting to work you could eliminate around $6,000 a year by working from home and giving up the car. For those that feel that they have to drive flashy cars to work to keep up with businesses associates this figure can be double or triple that. Or perhaps you can just downgrade and get a more economical automobile. Plus the time you waste on the road could be better spent actually working and making money.
Work clothes are also a major expense for both men and women. If you are going to the office everyday you have to look good and fit in. This can add up to some serious change every year. Of course you aren’t going to give up dressing nice but it is much better if you can save the money from not having to buy clothes just for the office. If you like you can just use the money to expand your wardrobe on cooler clothes you can wear everywhere else.
Babysitting and child care costs also often take up a big part of your salary if you have to work regular office hours and be out of the house. By freelancing you can choose your own hours and not only save this money but also spend more quality time with your family. If you are out of the house working all day you are likely eating out at least once or twice a day as well which can not only be expensive but mean you need to spend more time and money on getting fit to fight off the junk food you take in.

Those considering freelancing as an option instead of starting their own brick and mortar business will realize an easy $10,000 savings from day one and much, much more in just the first year alone. You may even choose to move to another area or country where the cost of living is lower and you can enjoy a higher quality of life on a lower budget.

Author: Tim

Outsourcing Your Way to Fame

2010-12-29T01:26:00.000-08:00

If you need a reason to use GetACoder or even keep on using it the following ought to offer plenty of inspiration no matter how successful you already are. Below you will find a brief look at 3 incredibly successful business people and how they have used outsourcing in one way or another to create fame and fortune for themselves.

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss is arguably the most famous user of outsourcing in the world and could easily be dubbed as the ‘godfather’ of outsourcing. Tim Ferriss is single handedly responsible for inspiring thousands to become freelancers and many, many more to launch their own businesses relying on outsourcing. After experimenting with outsourcing himself in several businesses Tim wrote the hit book ‘The 4 Hour Work Week’ which has now become a #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller and #1 Businessweek Bestseller. He continues to use outsourcing to enable his life of freedom and globe trotting while teaching others the benefits of outsourcing.

Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau may not be on the Forbes list of the world’s richest people, but he has used outsourcing to develop several business, create financial freedom for himself and do amazing things for others. While Chris may have originally begun outsourcing for his business to build companies that were focused on producing wealth, he has since gone on to become a highly respected author with the book ‘The Art of Non-Conformity’ as well as working hands on, raising fund and motivating others to help charity efforts around the planet. Today he continues on his mission to travel to every country in the world.

Tucker Max
Tucker Max may not be every one’s idea of a great poster boy for outsourcing and freelancing. In fact he is arguablyone of the most notorious freelancers and authors ever born and whose writing is viewed by many as being rude, crude and outright offensive. However you have to give credit to a man who after freelancing as a writer has sold more than 1.5 million copies of his first book which has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for 150 weeks, had it turned into a movie (I hope They Serve Beer In Hell) and has been listed on the Times Magazine Most Influential List.
So if you have ever doubted your future as a freelancer or have wondered whether outsourcing is really a viable way to run a business this ought to clear things up for you. Not only can you make a good living as a freelancer and build incredibly successful businesses by outsourcing, you could easily rocket yourself to both fame and fortune with a little effort and creativity.

Author: Tim

The E-Lance Economy

2010-12-24T02:27:00.000-08:00

How Web sites are meeting the needs of Free Agent Nation.

What happens when Free Agent Nation meets the world wide web? You get the "e-lance economy." A growing army of self-employed professionals has discovered that when it comes to landing projects, managing hectic schedules, and meeting new colleagues, the Web is without peer. Meanwhile, a growing number of Web sites -- with names such as eWork Exchange, Guru.com, and FreeAgent.com -- have arrived that attempt to meet free agents' virtual needs.
"We're in the dawn of the e-lance economy," says Thomas Malone, a professor of information systems at the MIT Sloan School of Management. "E-lancers are electronically connected freelancers. They work together on project teams for a day, a week, a month, or longer -- and then disperse and recombine to work on other projects."
Consider Zerita Rodriguez, 53, a Denver-based graphic designer whose clients range from US West to Qwest Communications to Coors Brewing. After just a month of posting her portfolio and bidding for projects on eLance (www.elance.com), she is now getting at least 10% of her business through that site, working virtually for companies such as the pharmaceuticals manufacturer Merck.
Sites like eLance offer a new twist on a now-familiar idea -- online auctions. E-lancers compete with one another for work by posting information on their skills, their fees, and their promised delivery dates. The site even tracks the virtual reputation of e-lancers by allowing previous clients to rate their performance. For the e-lancer, it's a whole new way to do business. "You can find a job that you want, bid on the job, get the job, download the materials to do it, and get paid for it through the site -- all without having any contact with a client other than by email," explains Rodriguez.
But e-lancing isn't just about getting work -- it's about getting work done as well. For example, the Web gives free agents powerful customer-service tools. Consider free agent Caroline Akens (www.akens.com), 49, a virtual assistant who provides administrative-support services over the Web to other free agents. Akens hasn't met most of her clients in person, but she often meets with them online via WebEx.com, a site that lets groups view and modify their documents in real time. "We have meetings there every day," she says. "Our online meetings are just shorter than most meetings."
Here's another powerful benefit of the e-lance economy: You may be working alone, but you don't have to go it alone. Shoshana Berger, 30, a trend researcher based in Oakland, California, says, "The company of the future is going to be very elastic. It will be brought together on the fly, with many people coming together to tackle a project. As independent professionals, we can't wear all of the hats all of the time." She taps into the online community of Guru.com, which she calls "a great node" for meeting and learning from other free agents: "There's value in reading profiles of other free agents -- finding out how they manage their time and how they find work. We're all relying on one another to blaze trails."
Working on a big project often means recruiting other free agents to team up with you. Andrew Keeler (www.keelerkom.com), 37, is a San Francisco-based Web designer who works with clients like Adobe Systems, Macromedia, and Hewlett-Packard. He uses mailing lists, such as the one provided by the Web community NoEnd (Editor's Note: As of May 2000, this site is no longer accessible), to find other Web independents to work with him on projects. "I work with lots of people here in San Francisco whom I've never even met," he says. "It happens so fast, and it's all done by email."
E-lancers also use the Web to stay in touch with people who are already in their network. Patricia Boehm (www.emeraldhillsstrategy.com), 36, a management consultant based in Redwood City, California, visits iNiku.com regularly. She uses the site to learn more about other members of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, an organization to which she belongs: "There are only so many lunches and breakfasts that you can attend to find out who does what."
Bidding for jobs. Finding new partners. Working with colleagues. These are all just variations on the same theme: independent professionals using the Web to increase their value in the new e-lance economy. Craig LaGrow (www.lagrow.com), 39, a Denver-based Internet-business strategist, puts it this way: "Imagine that there is a stock exchange for human beings and that everyone has a ticker price. Well, I'm interested in making my ticker price go up!"

By: Katharine Mieszkowski October 31, 1999

Rejuvenate by Outsourcing

2010-12-21T04:48:00.000-08:00

As the recovery from the most devastating financial crisis since the Great Depression slowly moves forward, business models are being revamped, repaired and rejuvenated. New business models are almost compelled to include plans for outsourcing.

To appeal to investors and especially venture capitalists, outsourcing has become a standard for business models. Quite simply, the business that does not include a viable outsourcing plan is losing its competitive edge and costing investors money.
In the U.S., offshore outsourcing has been the subject of controversy. Yet, it is simply a question of supply and demand. The cost of American labor and the American employee has exceeded the competitive cost of outsourcing.
In today’s marketplace, there are highly qualified professional freelancers who can provide high quality IT services, application services and database management services as well as hundreds of other necessary business functions. All the services are provided at highly competitive prices and far below the costs of internal provision. Outsource buyers report saving from 50 – 60 percent.
Those are hard numbers to ignore. Another hard number to ignore is the fact that in the third quarter of 2010, revenues from Internet advertising hit an all-time high of $6.4 billion. These figures were provided by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and mark a 17 percent increase over the same quarter last year.

This trend sends a clear signal to large, medium and small businesses that comprehensive marketing strategies must include the most current IT services working in conjunction with marketing experts who understand the changing marketing trends.
Freelance providers are often procured through third party systems that specialize in certain fields of expertise. The freelancers at GetACoder can put clout in the company’s marketing dollar and increase the market share while enhancing the brand and brand recognition.
Marketing strategies have changed. Marketing departments have changed and internal marketing is losing its place in favor of talented freelance consultants who bring a fresh approach to rejuvenating the company’s image.
Companies that have an online presence are especially receptive to near-sourcing or outsourcing for price competitive, comprehensive online marketing that transforms their online presence into an aggressive online point of sale.
Compare the cost of an average copywriter with 1 –3 year experience ($65,000 – $77,000 plus taxes and benefits)with how much service can be acquired by outsourcing to freelancers with the same amount of experience. Responsible private and public companies and responsible entrepreneurs are forced to consider the advantages of outsourcing.

What the purchasing company can expect is a revitalization and complete marketing makeover charged with IT databases with demographically charged information. Almost as soon as your new outsourced marketing program hits the ground, your company can be up and running to new goal lines and a bigger bottom line.

Author: Hiland B. Doolittle

5 Jobs that You can Start Today

2010-12-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

There are many opportunities for consultant of all varieties. Whether your specialty is marketing or insurance, freelance workers are in high demand all over the internet. There are a few jobs that you could start immediately with very little outside help.

Consulting

With today’s stiff and competitive economic environment where the unemployed worker seems more the norm then the exception, consulting can be not only a very viable source of income, but an extremely lucrative option. If you have acquired enough experience in a specific area, you may be qualified to become a consultant in that niche.

Of course advertising your services in a magazine targeting your niche could be a very expensive venture. If you are considering a consulting position you may want to find a site that can help you to build this career.

Desktop Publishing
This is not freelance writing nor is it freelance web design. This involves doing things that are normally targeted to marketing and advertising for companies. However, you cannot start a lucrative desktop publishing freelance career without having a few needed types of software and a computer that is new enough to handle running these programs smoothly.

Microsoft Publisher
Quark
PageMaker
Adobes Design Programs

These programs can cost a pretty penny so if they are not already programs you own you may want to consider investing in them before you advertise services of a desktop publisher. Additionally there is also freeware that can handle some of the tasks that the above costly programs do.

Open Office
Avery Design Pro
Inkscape

Some of the things a freelance desktop publisher may be asked to create are:

Professional letterheads
Business cards
Invoicing and Purchase order designs
Posters
Banners
Newsletters

Freelance Writing
Although you do need to have good English skills as well as knowledge of how to properly punctuate and write on topic, a freelance writer position is one you can start fairly easily and quickly. Once you are signed up on GetACoder it is as easy as bidding on jobs that are ones you are sure you can handle. Be careful to not overextend yourself in this area. If you do not consider research time in each of your projects you may find yourself quickly falling behind.

Web Page Design
Although this type of freelance work will require you to have some experience in some basic programming such as HTML, CSS, Java or even PHP scripting. The designer will also need to have extensive knowledge in graphic designing programs as well such as Photoshop, Paintshop or other forms of web graphics building software.

Virtual Customer Service

As long as you have a phone and some customer service skills there are a load of clients out there looking forsomeone to handle incoming calls to their business to handle a wide variety of products or services. Although these jobs will likely not pay what they would if you were doing them full time in a workplace, they do pay fairly well for a job you can do in your pajamas or while you care for your newborn baby.

While there are many other jobs that you could literally start today from your own home, most all of them will still require some preparation, skills and knowledge of the industry you work for. The good thing about clients in these types of jobs is that they are aware that you may not know all it takes to do their job and this makes them almost always willing to take the time to train someone to help them, sometimes the freelancer will even receive training pay.

Author: Joy Lynskey

Exchange Rates & Outsourcing

2010-12-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

The fast growing outsourcing industry is an ever-changing industry that is greatly impacted by currency exchange rates and lessons from the recession. Virtually every aspect of industry has been affected with India, China, the US, Costa Rica and other Latin nations as well as Vietnam reaping rewards.
Of course, the concept of outsourcing is as old as capitalism itself. The idea is to acquire the best, most suitable service or product at the most reasonable price. The outsourcing marketplace is a highly competitive center where proposals can be influenced by a number of factors including currency exchange rates.

For manufacturing, Vietnam has become an emerging competitor to China. For technology, the US and India have an abundance of freelance agencies and providers with the expertise to advance any business. Emerging markets are the multi-lingual countries in Latin America. Whether the buyer seeks manufacturing, marketing, technology, customer service, bookkeeping services or just about any imaginable business practice, there are freelancers that can get the job done.
Venture capitalists are huge supporters of outsourcing. According to Amar Gupia, professor of management and technology at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, “Many venture capitalists won’t look at businesses unless there is a plan for outsourcing.”
There is no question that large, medium and small businesses are saving money by effective outsourcing. Estimates indicate that outsourcing trims operating expenses by as much as 50 – 60 percent.
Additionally, freelancers are taking their business seriously. Turnaround time usually is faster and more reliable than internal production. Outsourcing has been a boon to entrepreneurs and new start-ups who can now preserve cash and use the savings to invest in growing the business.
According to Randall Rothenberg, CEO of the Direct Marketing Association, “This vibrant, innovative industry is creating jobs and contributing to the growth of the US and global economy.”
Much of this outsourcing is connected to technological advances in just about every industry. With an abundance of talent located in freelance sources, buyers can find unexpected expertise for both small and large projects. Many of the offered projects lead to blossoming relationships for services that companies can build upon.
It is important for buyers to be aware of currency exchange rates and to clarify terms as part of the contract between buyer and provider. Buyers should make clear, straightforward job descriptions the basis of their working agreement.

Today, much outsourcing is contracted through third parties who have pre-qualified their providers. All in all, outsourcing is where the global marketplace is and where great minds come together to accomplish success stories.

Author: Hiland B. Doolittle

Freelancing on the Road

2010-11-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest advantages of taking the Cloud Commute to work is the ability to work anywhere in the world and get the job done. As a matter of fact, Tony Brush, also known as The Traveling Webmaster, has been taking this new way to work for quite some time now. Here are his thoughts and suggestions on how to truly unplug and start freelancing on the road.

The best thing about freelancing is that you have freedom. However, as a freelancer, you may not be aware of just how much freedom you have. Freedom comes in many forms, and "Location Freedom" is something that is very important to a certain type of person. These people have itchy feet, an incessant desire to travel and explore, and experience new places and different cultures.
A decade or so ago, if this was you, you would either have to pick your career with travel built into it, or you would have to alternate between work and travel – working and saving up for as long as necessary, then blowing it all on the journey of a lifetime – and repeating as often as your CV would suffer it, and the CV really did suffer in the process. For me, and many others, one of the hardest aspects of work was that I had to suffer being pinned down to one location for years, when I was aching to see the world.

The great fortune of the modern IT world is that this is now an option. Working remote for the "permies" is often viable after a satisfactory trial period of working on-site has elapsed, and for freelancers that log in to Elance for example, remote work is implicitly part of the deal. For many, this means working from home, but really, your home can be the road, and your office, a USB stick.
This is not idle talk. To demonstrate what's possible, here’s a personal story. A couple of years ago I spent three months living in the jungle in Belize. The experience was incredible. I expected the sheen to wear off during this time, but in fact, my appreciation grew as I adapted to the place. I saw some of the most amazing things while living there that I have ever seen in my entire life. However, on weekends I would travel to nearby towns for food supplies and to do work. I would hit the internet cafes and work on crafting articles, web code, and so on. The whole process was actually very simple.
I was working on my own business, but had I been “freelancing”, it would have been essentially the same. Besides personal pleasure, there are good economic reasons for spending a period abroad like this. Many people see travel as an expensive luxury, and if you're talking about fortnight long holidays in tourist destinations, then it is. However, the majority of the expense is the flight, and you get a richer experience when you leave the tourist trail. Longer term travel means the cost of transport becomes proportionally less significant, and finding your own way around a country means you gain a more profound cultural experience for less money. So, in every way you win. You can take work with you, put in the hours that you decide, and have a much more fulfilling lifestyle.
However, there are a few technical and security issues to be dealt with. Here are some recommendations:

Practicalities. Whether you're taking a laptop or a memory stick to use in internet cafés, you need to prepare for your hardware and software needs while on-the-move. As far as internet cafés are concerned, no matter where you go, they are much like those in the USA, the UK, or anywhere else for that matter. Everything else in a country can be dramatically different, but the Internet is a strangely universal world. Many cafés stay open all day and for much of the evening, so you can cram in long days when work is thick, giving you more space to enjoy the times in between.

Security. Whether you use Wi-Fi with a laptop or public computers at an internet café, you need to be aware of privacy issues and how to keep confidential files from being accessed or being unintentionally left behind on public machines. A firewall and anti-virus software are musts of course.

Protection of privacy in case of loss of hardware. Many scandals have occurred as a result of public sector workers losing confidential information. Even careful people make mistakes from time to time, or lose hardware through no fault of their own (e.g. theft). It is crazy, in my opinion, to gamble your business or career on your faith that this will never happen to you.

The solution is to protect yourself and your data in case this were to happen, and there are numerous very safe ways to do so, so that if you were to lose a device or have it stolen, the data it carries – your emails, letters, code, client information, online banking details, etc. – would be inaccessible to anyone into whose hands the hardware fell. Please note, a password to log into your computer can easily be bypassed – if you are taking a laptop on your travels, you need a more sophisticated system of protection. Petty theft is more frequent in some countries than others; break-ins can happen anywhere in the world. I'm not advocating paranoia – just preparation. Take steps to protect yourself against worst-case-scenarios, then go out and enjoy yourself.

Backup plans. This ties into protecting yourself against loss of hardware. Here the issue is being able to get back to where you were after the hypothetical loss of such hardware.

For most people, the experience of travel is an overwhelmingly positive one, however, it is important to assess risks in advance, and mitigate their possible impact as much as possible. Doing so allows one to be carefree, without being naive or careless.

For myself, my preferred way to work and travel is using a data stick with software encryption. This is inconspicuous, I can take it anywhere, and it doesn't take up valuable space in my back-pack. If I were to lose one, I truly would not care. They are extremely cheap and are widely available.

Author: Tony J. Brush

How Much does Outsourcing Save You?

2010-11-26T23:43:00.000-08:00

There are many benefits of outsourcing. Among the most notable and perhaps the reason that most entrepreneurs and businesses have turned to outsourcing for staffing needs is the cost savings. In fact there are hundreds if not thousands of businesses that could not have been launched if is wasn’t for the availability of freelance workers and viable outsourcing platforms. However it seems that once companies begin outsourcing they completely forget all that they are saving and are purely focused on getting away with paying the least amount possible for projects and hourly employees.
You certainly cannot blame any savvy business owners for trying to get the best deal possible. However it seems sometimes that common sense goes out the window. Business owners and entrepreneurs ought to remember that they are also saving on office space, insurance, utilities, liabilities, taxes and office equipment including; fax machines, copiers, phone systems, computers, security systems filing cabinets and furniture as well as everyday office supplies. For a small business start up these savings equate to tens of thousands of dollars in initial costs, not to mention thousands each month on ongoing overhead and expenses.
When hiring freelancers keep in mind that you are also already often getting a much higher qualified candidate for money than you could find locally. So even if you were to end up paying exactly the same wage you have been locally you are benefiting from a better worker who ought to be able to produce more per hour plus thousands per year from working in a virtual environment. This already puts you way ahead of most of your competition in terms of profit margins. So remember this next time you are disappointed because you hired a freelancer for $1 an hour for a$20 an hour position in the brick and mortar world. A $10 an hour, full time employee through GetACoder would cost you $20,800 a year. In the real world a candidate with similar skills and experience would likely demand at least $52,000 in salary, plus bonuses, benefits and cost you thousands in everyday expenses. With those extra costs hitting at least 20% of the salary, you are now actually saving $41,600 per year by outsourcing.
Yes, you ought to negotiate the best price for you can for every project. Though be realistic and remember what you are already saving. An extra $41,600 a year is a lot of extra marketing money, and that’s per employee!

SOURCE: GetaCoder

The Future of Outsourcing

2010-11-20T11:38:00.001-08:00

The 21st century business practice called outsourcing has been around for a long time, but gained unprecedented support in the 1990‘s. In its early stages, outsourcing was called sub-contracting. According to the Business Dictionary, “outsourcing is the practice of externalizing non-core activities in order to free up cash, personnel, time and space to give the user a competitive edge financially and in quality through the use of expert providers.”

Almost every company today outsources to some degree. Non-core activities such as legal representation, payroll, data processing, manufacturing, accounting and marketing are commonly outsourced or subcontracted. During the recession, the outsourcing industry has grown by leaps and bounds. In many cases, outsourcing is regarded as downsizing and in the recession companies have dramatically trimmed their expenses.

In reality, outsourcing is the future. With today’s technologically advanced, global economy, outsourcing of non-core activities makes sense for more reasons than just the substantial cost savings.

Research firms are constantly gathering important information about outsourcing effects even as industry plans expansion of their procurement strategies. Consultancy BDO Seidman surveyed technology CEO’s regarding where they would expand outsourcing this year. 22% of the respondents indicated the United States, 16% favored China while 13% liked India.

Due to the recession, there are many talented, experienced and eager contractors looking to establish short or long-term relationships with enterprises that can benefit from the relationship. These providers can be found around the corner of around the globe. Freelance Website has buyers and sellers from more than 200 countries.

The global recession has created a global talent pool of freelancers and companies with diverse areas of expertise that prefer the uncomplicated benefits of providing outsourcing services.

Numerous surveys have confirmed the breakdown of outsourcing by sector. For 2009, the outsourcing breakdown is as follows:

* Information Technology (IT) = 28%
* Human Resources = 16%
* Sales and Marketing = 15%
* Finance = 11%
* Administrative = 9%
* Others = 21%

From the buyer’s standpoint, the success of outsourcing begins with a well conceived, clearly articulated job description including budget parameters. Freelance Website then offers this job description to its thousands of individual and corporate providers who check newly posted jobs every day.

The providers study the job and decide if it is in their field of expertise and fits into their current work schedule. Providers then furnish Freelance Website with their bid to accomplish the task.

Freelance Website then forwards the list of bidders to the buyer who begins the interview and selection process. Job specifications are clarified, financial terms are resolved and the project commences.

Today’s technology allows the buyer and the provider to discuss progress with the flick of a switch. An excellent communication network and regular progress updates are critical components to the success of the project.

Meanwhile, at the brick and mortar workplace, it is business as usual with no new training, no additional spacerequirement and no disruption to existing operations. Outsourcing is the highly efficient product the global business world will use to develop new products, furnish new services and deliver compelling marketing campaigns. In the 21st century, the success of your enterprise will most likely depend upon your business’s ability to outsource effectively.

Have You Been Burned Before?

2010-11-20T09:52:00.001-08:00

When you have a project that needs to be completed no matter where you are in the world you can hire the right freelancer. While there may be plenty of candidates to choose from, you may limit your selection pool based on your needs and the qualifications of the providers who applied for your job. However, what happens when what you purchase and what is delivered is not up to your specifications? What do you do? Do you go ahead, pay the provider; however, end up with a bad taste in your mouth because you feel you have been wronged in some way? Well, in order to find the right provider who delivers exactly what you need, it takes a little patience and careful planning.

What you see online is not necessarily what you get and when you work in the online industry, you will learn this pretty quickly. Just because a freelancer promises an “x” amount of work for rock bottom prices, does not make them the best fit for your project. Of course saving money is nice, but so is the quality of work provided.

Think about it. When a well-known company is hiring they probably have hundreds and maybe even thousands of applications. Some applications and resumes may be better than others, but the most qualified providers are placed in a separate category. The rest of the applicants are not even considered for the job.

Depending on the type of job that is up for grabs, most of the factors that influence a buyer’s decision to hire a freelancer is influenced by: skills, price, quality and experience. When all of these factors meet the buyer’s specifications, the buyer hires a particular freelancer.

So what happens when the provider you hire does not provide quality work? For one, you can ask them to make revisions. As a provider of services, most providers will oblige and make these revisions. However, what happens when the project completed is so far off from your expectations that you feel even if you do ask them to make revisions it will not meet your standards? This is when you need to learn from experience and take it as a lesson learned.

Some providers will be happy to oblige to your request and some may even rewrite the content; supply you with another graphic; take another picture, etc; just to make sure you are pleased with their work. However, what can you do when you feel you have been treated unfairly? You can learn from your experience and do your best to make sure it does not happen again.

Follow the tips below to make yourself a smarter, well-informed buyer.

As a buyer, there are certain red flags that you should watch out for when hiring providers, these include:

* Promising the world for rock bottom prices
* Significant underbidding
* High scores on tests that do not coincide with actual skills displayed
* Refusing to make changes to their work when they are asked in a polite manner

All of these are considered red flags in the online freelancing industry. While it may be easy for people to fake their credentials and test scores, the proof is in the pudding. When a provider has solid freelancing skills and their work coincides with their skills, then you can feel better about choosing a particular provider.