Freelancefolder

Open Thread: What Are Your Most Productive Hours?

Posted March 14, 2010 in Open Thread 20 Rockin' Comments »

Some freelancers work best at night. Others rise early and do their best work first thing in the morning before the sun even rises.

One of the benefits about freelancing that many of us enjoy is that we can arrange our schedule to work during those hours when we are most productive rather than when an employer requires us to work. The flexibility of freelancing is a great perk.

Over on our Freelance Folder Fan Page we asked our readers to share whether or not they were a night owl or worked best during the day and we got a great response.

We’d like to give the rest of our readers a chance to respond to the question as well:

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: Who Would You Like Us to Interview Next?

Posted February 28, 2010 in Open Thread 23 Rockin' Comments »

Freelancers can and do learn from each other. It’s often best to learn from someone else’s mistakes rather than make those mistakes yourself.

One of the things that makes the Freelance Folder community strong is how we all share ideas and information with each other. Each time I see a reader jump in with an answer to a question for another reader, it makes me proud to be a part of this community.

Another way to learn from each other is through reading the experiences of prominent freelancers who have achieved a measure of success.

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: Do You Take All the Work You Are Offered?

Posted February 14, 2010 in Open Thread 37 Rockin' Comments »

Last week we got a huge response when we asked our Facebook followers this question, so this week I want to ask the same thing to everyone who reads our blog:

Do you take all the work that you are offered, or do you turn some of it down?

As freelancers, we sometimes face a feast or famine environment. When work comes, any work, it can be tempting to accept that work even if it’s not really a good fit for our business.

Making the decision to turn down work is a tough one, but all freelancers are faced with this decision eventually.

Share your story in the comments–tell us what makes you accept a project and which projects (if any) you refuse. Be sure to offer any tips that you have for choosing good clients.

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: How Are You Handling Your Taxes This Year?

Posted January 31, 2010 in Open Thread 28 Rockin' Comments »

It’s nearly tax time in the U.S. and that means decision time for many freelancers. It’s time to decide how to handle income tax preparation.

Freelancers have several options when it comes to income tax preparation. They can:

• Do it themselves
• Use tax software
• Hire a professional such as an accountant or bookkeeper

Of course, each choice has its advantages and its disadvantages.

[Click Here to Read More...]

Will You Raise Your Rates in 2010?

Posted January 17, 2010 in Open Thread 46 Rockin' Comments »

There’s probably no more controversial topic in freelancing than the subject of rates. After all, rates determine how much money we earn, and ultimately, what our lifestyle will be.

Here at Freelance Folder, we’ve talked about rates a lot. We’ve discussed:

• How to Set Rates
• How to Raise Rates
• The Problem of Low Rates

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: How Do You Choose Who to Follow or Friend on Social Media Sites?

Posted December 30, 2009 in Open Thread 22 Rockin' Comments »

Here at Freelance Folder we write quite a bit about social media — and with good reason too. Most freelancers are involved with social media in one way or another.

Most freelancers would also probably agree that social media can be a helpful marketing tool, a good way to connect with other freelancers, and even a unique way to find work. Fortunately, freelancers who are seeking to grow their business through social media have many choices ranging from Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn, and more.

No matter what social media platform you choose to get involved in, there’s one question that you will need to answer. Who should I follow or friend?

We’d like to get feedback from the readers on this one:

How do you choose who to follow or friend on social media sites?

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: Has Your Freelancing Career Been Affected By Discrimination?

Posted December 20, 2009 in Open Thread 29 Rockin' Comments »

Freelancing can be challenging. Most freelancers struggle to build their businesses. They fight hard to win and keep those first few clients.

That initial freelancing struggle can be made even more difficult if discrimination enters into the picture.

Recently, a popular male blogger made a startling confession on Copyblogger. It turns out that “he” was actually a woman using a male pen name for her blog and for her business.

What was this blogger’s reason for adopting a man’s name? Apparently, the blogger wished to avoid some of the discrimination that women face online.

The specifics of that particular blogger’s story have already been discussed all over the Internet, so we won’t go into any further detail on this blog. However, the incident did get us wondering about something else, namely this:

How prevalent is discrimination in the freelancing world?

Do you feel that your freelancing career has been affected by discrimination of any kind? Do you know of a freelancer who has been discriminated against? Have you had to take any specific steps to overcome discrimination?

Without making any specific accusations, share your story in the comments. Also, share any tips that you may have for those who are currently facing discrimination.

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: What is Your Favorite Social Media Platform?

Posted December 13, 2009 in Open Thread 28 Rockin' Comments »

There are several popular social media platforms that most freelancers use on a regular basis: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…

There are also dozens of lesser-known social media platforms. Many of them are specific to a particular need or industry. Some may be just getting started.

In this open thread we want to ask a simple question: What is Your Favorite Social Media Platform?

Think about where you spend most of your time when you do your online networking. Also, think about which website has helped you the most. Is it one of the well-known sites, or is it a smaller venue? Sharing your preferences will help other freelancers who are just getting started with networking. You might even make some additional valuable connections.

• Which social network is your favorite?
• Why is it your favorite, what do you like/dislike about it?
• Have you brought in new clients from any social networks?
• Do you have any tips for other freelancers?

Share your answers in the comments. If you like, you can also share a link to your preferred profile so that other freelancers can connect with you.

[Click Here to Read More...]

Open Thread: How Do You Relieve Stress?

Posted October 22, 2009 in Lifestyle, Open Thread 46 Rockin' Comments »

Working as a freelancer can be very stressful.

There’s the stress of having too many projects all due on the same day, and there’s also the stress of dealing with slow times when you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay the bills that month. They don’t call it the freelance roller coaster for nothing.

Throughout all of these ups-and-downs, we freelancers need to maintain composure. There’s always work to be done, whether it’s on projects or marketing, and we don’t have time to get bogged down with enormous amounts of stress. Not to mention, too much stress just isn’t good for your body.

So, how to you relieve stress? How do you handle those difficult ups and downs? How do you handle major due dates? What are your tips for other freelancers for managing their own stressful situations?

Leave your thoughts, tips, and magic bullets in the comments.

[Click Here to Read More...]