Sarah Evans | Getting a Job,Resources
When you work in a regular job what’s expected of you, from your working hours to your job role, is clearly laid out when you’re hired. Freelancing is completely different though as even with the best planning, you never know what you’ll be doing from one week (or even one day) to the next.
Rachel Soothill | News,Technology
According a new US study, it has been revealed that consumers who follow brands on the popular social network Twitter are much more likely to purchase from that brand or recommend their products to others. The social media marketing study which was carried out by Constant Contact and research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey, analysed the behaviour of 1,491 consumers aged 18 and older.
There has been a lot of talk about Groupon recently as they prepare to go public in the US. Officially recognised as the “fastest growing business ever”, Groupon has attracted an audience of hundreds of millions of bargain hunters, all looking to take advantage of time-limited local deals, which Groupon source through small businesses.
Bex White | Getting a Job,Guides
With competition fierce between companies to win business, customer service is one of the most overlooked weapons in your arsenal. I read many articles about growing a business, many of which point out that referrals and word of mouth often generate the best leads, yet they still tend to stick to tactics designed to winning new clients.
Jon Norris | Getting a Job,Guides
Thankfully they’re becoming more and more rare, but every so often a freelancer may be asked to deliver a pitch for a project. Aside from being a pain in the backside, pitches are usually used to determine whether or not you’ll cut the mustard. So how can you make sure you’ll impress your audience?
Jon Norris | Getting a Job,Guides
There are two types of clients for most freelancers. There are those who you’ve known for years and do regular work for – they call you up as and when they need you, and there are the one night stands. They’ll find your details somehow, get you to do a job and discard you like a used tissue. It’s always slightly disheartening – why don’t they want you back? Were you not good enough? Did you accidentally insult their wife?
Mel Dixon | Lifestyle & Time out
What are your values? It may seem a slightly odd question to ask a fellow freelancer or contractor, and you might think it’s something more relevant to a large corporation that needs to safeguard against an existence based on pure cash-clutching greed.
However, the values that you hold as a one-man band can help guide the decisions you make and ensure that you give the highest possible level of service to customers and clients. The values you hold are the seeds from which your reputation grows.
“A sale is not a sale until the money is in the bank”. It’s a great rule of thumb but it’s surprising how many businesses forget this golden rule and over-extend themselves. For many freelancers the long awaited big contract is one of the main reasons to be in business. However, whether your customer is a small business or a very large one, it is critically important to ensure they can and will pay you.
Creditsafe’s 16-page guide is crammed full of top tips for making sure you will get paid.
Poor customer service can kill a business and it is absolutely vital to get client and customer service right, particularly when handling complaints. If you don't handle complaints well then not only are you likely to lose the customer who is dissatisfied, but they are more likely to tell others about bad service than they are good service, so you stand to lose many more customers by getting it wrong.
Business Mentor Toby Buckle shares his top ten tips for crushing your customer’s quibbles.
Anthony Hewson | Lifestyle & Time out
Relationships are more important for a freelancer than for any other individual.
That’s a pretty bold statement and I’m bracing myself for a wave of incredulity articulated by examples of people going through any sort of emotional or physical trauma. Ok, leaving that probably overwhelming group aside… here’s why
Anthony Hewson | Lifestyle & Time out
Freelancing takes courage. No guaranteed pay cheque, no back-up team, no boss to give you guidance, no boss to take the fall.
No excuses – the buck stops with you. It took courage to take that first step into the freelance world, whether it was a bold and brazen stride with an armful of clients ready to commit, or a stomach-knotted plunge born of necessity.
Anthony Hewson gives us some inspiring advice on how to feel the fear and to use it to put some fire in your freelancing belly.
Are some clients more trouble than they’re worth? Freelance information consultant Joanna Ptolomey reminds us that, when time and attention are your most precious asset, and time is money, not all clients are the same.
Her simple steps can help bring some balance back into your books and your business.
Michael Rose | Getting a Job,Money
Negotiating yourself the best rate possible is crucial to your financial success as a freelancer or contractor. However, it is also one of the most daunting prospects if you have never done it before.
This guide outlines a few things to think about when trying to secure yourself the best deal.
Build Better Business Cards, with 25% off from Moo.com.
Starting today we’re looking for the most impressive, creative or cunning uses for business cards.
Got a great idea, or a card you’re already particularly proud of? Show us what you’ve got and the best will win a complete set of cards.
Clients not responding? To-Do list full of ‘waiting-for’ items for people who have not emailed you back yet? Training Expert Hannah Keep reminds us of the basics – picking up the phone, getting in touch directly and rebuilding rapport and relationships.
Emma Jones | Getting a Job,News
In best-selling book ‘The Long Tail’ author Chris Anderson says the future of business does not lie in blockbuster hits but in niche products. Home businesses up and down the land are testimony to this. Emma Jones looks at why niche is good and showcases a few shining examples.
Freelance Advisor and Home Business diva Emma Jones explains why now is a perfect time to spruce up your business development and pursue opportunities that will mean new work from existing customers and new work from new customers.
Here’s three things you can do to keep the contracts coming in…
The top 5 home-business occupations in 2009 Whether it is a second income to make ends meet, a result of reduncancy or a decision to make a fresh start as a freelancer, the home business and startup sector looks like it will continue to grow in 2009. Freelance Advisor and home business startup supremo Emma [...]
Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones gives us her review of the best applications for freelancers. Top 5 technology apps of 2008 As we enter the month of December, I can’t help but look back at the year that was. The thousands of new businesses started, the people we’ve profiled, [...]
Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones give us a timely reminder of the things we could be doing in the run up to Christmas. What can freelancers do when things get quiet over the holiday season and what plans can we make for 2009. When the phones hush and emails [...]
Freelance Advisor founder Darren Fell is a successful entrepreneur and all over the first page of results when you Google his name. We asked him to share the secrets of his success and he responded with this guide to marketing yourself. Marketing yourself for free, a guide. The big question running through everybody’s mind when [...]
Whether it is business cards, promotional posters or flyers for a club night there are many printing options and quality and colours will vary greatly. Print adviser and consultant Andrew Walker guides can help you decide where to get your printing done. Choosing the right printing method for your client Digital vs Litho Printing The [...]
Dianne Bown-Wilson | Lifestyle & Time out
In part one of this series consultant, coach and trainer Dianne Bown-Wilson explored the advantages of portfolio working. Today she helps us identify the tools we’ll need to put it into practice. Portfolio career: How to Designing a Portfolio Career comes down to achieving an appropriate and desirable balance in your life between need and [...]
Dianne Bown-Wilson | Getting a Job
If you’ve recently retired or are thinking ahead to your remaining working years now could be a good time to consider developing a portfolio career. In this two part series consultant, coach, trainer and writer Dianne Bown-Wilson tells us why it is a good idea and how to go about it… Portfolio careers: the perfect [...]
Emma Jones | Working From Home
Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones offers us the first in a new series of pieces for our Working from Home section. Here she takes a looks at what freelancers with a home office can do to create a professional image for clients and a great first impression for customers [...]
