Posts Tagged ‘freelancing’

Happy One-Year Anniversary!

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Wow, What a Ride!

Tuesday, August 19, 2009, I celebrated my one-year anniversary as sole proprietor of Ridge View Media, my freelance consulting business. To commemorate this occasion, and to thank certain people and companies, I used Articulate’s new Web-based screen casting tool Screenr to create an anniversary video.

The funny thing is, there’s a “Freudian slip” in my narration. I mention my first “12 years” instead of my first “12 months”. I had to laugh and left that in the video, because some days it felt like it had been 12 years. :-)

Enjoy! And, if you played a part in RVM’s success as either a client or a partner, my heartfelt thanks go to you! You mean a great deal to me.

I look forward to the second 12 months! ~Jenise Cook

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Freelance Client Relationships | Video of the Month 200907

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Humor and Reality Do Mix

As of today, this YouTube video has had 993,374 views: The Vendor Client Relationship – in Real World Situations, posted by zeorge497. You can also visit: http://vendorclientvideo.com

I’m guessing that you may have already viewed this video. It touches a nerve because it’s close to real situations many people have experienced. Take a look, and then my comments follow below.

The good news is that I’ve had very few freelancer/potential client conversations like what you see in the video. I try and be up front with services and fees, and discuss project needs in a way that may fit the client’s budget.

But, I’m posting this video for July because I feel it’s well done. And, funny!

It also encourages me to finish some client communication pieces I’m developing to help make the project/service fees conversation easier to have with new clients.

Hope you had a good July, and now Happy August!

My Comic-Con post truly is coming very soon!

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More Businesses Are Using Freelancers

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

The “Secret” Is Out!

Some in our culture are talking about secrets, or The Secret. However, in these challenging economic times of 2009, with bailout after bailout, runs on bankruptcies, layoffs by the thousands, market downturns, … (okay, I’ll stop now.), I do look for and find good news! This past week, I stumbled upon freelance news at CNN.com’s Living section.

Businesses Are Hiring Freelancers!

The gems I want to pull out of the article for you are these brief points.

Businesses benefit most with freelancers when they:

  • are project-based with one-year cycles.
  • need work for a short time; it’s easier to hire a freelancer than getting an internal position approved.

Businesses who hire freelancers don’t have to:

  • purchase benefits.
  • pay payroll taxes.
  • buy new equipment or programs, nor upgrade licenses.
  • find work space for a new worker.

Click either the image or the link to read the article:

Cnn.com/living: More Businesses Using Freelancers

Looking Ahead to 2009

Businesses will be going through tumultuous times this year. One of the best things that they can do for the employees who remain (and who are doing the work of their laid-off colleagues on top of their own tasks), is to bring in a proven freelance consultant. That freelancer can help keep the business’s products and services flowing through the profit channels to their loyal customers.

I’m “Always Learning” and researching interesting topics, so I’ll share a few more links with you!

CareerBuilder.com’s 7 Hiring Trends to Follow in 2009:

“Trend No. 7: Freelance or contract hiring

To continue their cost-cutting efforts, employers are using freelance or contract workers to help support their businesses. Twenty-eight percent of hiring managers expect to utilize these workers in 2009.”

WCCO.com St. Paul Design Firm Changes Name, Expands

My Notes: Owner Renita Van Dusen says that she’s going to hire freelancers for awhile for her growing business. Why? To avoid the pain of laying off employees. I do want to emphasize that layoffs are very hard on the managers who have to give their staff the bad news:

“Despite her rising revenue, Van Dusen has decided against her earlier plan this year to expand her staff by one or two employees. The economic fallout of the past few months has her feeling nervous.

She never wants to be in the position of laying off employees because her business grew too fast, so she’s relying more on freelancers. “I’m just trying to be very careful,” she said.

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Blogging, Freelancing, and the Economy

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Where Have I Been?

I stopped blogging because I got busy. Mid-August, I launched my own business, my sole proprietorship, freelance, independent consulting business. Yes, I joined the work-at-home, bunny-slipper-brigade, telecommuter, virtual worker workforce!

My blog nagged at me several times a week… for months. Funny how an inanimate, cyberspace tool can do that. However, this past week, I discovered that I’m not alone in neglecting my blog. What a relief! Both Debora Gallo (of eBites) and Lee LeFever (of Common Craft) published posts that describe their own blog neglect. It’s nice to find out I’m in good company. Take a moment to read their musings:

Debora Gallo, “It’s Not Just Me”

http://ebites.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/its-not-just-me/

Lee LeFever, “Why I stopped Reading Blogs (for awhile)”

http://www.commoncraft.com/why-i-stopped-reading-blogs-while

My situation wasn’t so much not reading other’s blog posts as it was getting used to running my own business. I had two clients keeping me busy, an attorney to chat with, and a CPA coaching me through tax consequences. I attended workshops and continued to network, marketing my business so I could gain clients for 2009. On top of that, of course, I continued to manage the home front, and use my virtual worker status to help a family member with some personal issues.

Things are falling comfortably into a routine, now, and I still value writing for my blog. I see the need to create a blogging schedule and stick to it. The blogosphere gives us a great cybervenue for the sharing of ideas, and I hope to give you something of value and encourage conversation and collaboration.

Freelancing and the Economy

While I was busy not blogging, some people have said to me, “Wow, Jenise, what a time for you to go freelance… in this economy!” Although I’ve been planning and preparing for this business move for about a year, I had no control over anything when I pulled the trigger. It’s difficult enough to time the stock market if you want to buy-sell stocks, let alone choose when you’re going to “go for it” and pursue your dreams.

Family and I are frugal, cautious, and seek wise council from others, including our Higher Power. But, sometimes you just gotta go for it. Otherwise, you’re still on the sidelines watching the game instead of playing in the game and running for goals or touchdowns.

Again, I found that I’m not alone. Bob Younce writes on “The Writing Journey” blog, and his post on freelancing in this economy is a great read.

Bob Younce, “Writing Your Way Out of a Recession”

http://writing-journey.com/internet-writing/writing-your-way-out-of-a-recession

So, that’s where I’ve been instead of blogging. I’ve been learning, networking, designing, developing, and having a great time!

As for the economy, it’s one day at a time for me. Let’s all do what we can for today, plan for tomorrow, but focus on what’s in front of us today. Despite the news, I do encourage you to pursue your dreams. You’ll need to plan, set aside contingency funds in a savings account, and plan…plan…plan.

I look forward to you joining the game from the sidelines, and writing about your experiences in your own blog!

Together, you and I will be “Always Learning” about business and making dreams come true!

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