Comments on: Starting out tips for freelancers http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers Tue, 08 May 2012 15:10:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Marie http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-13003 Marie Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:37:02 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-13003 I've discovered that you don't update because I check your blog everyday. If I stopped checking I guarantee you would update!!!! I’ve discovered that you don’t update because I check your blog everyday. If I stopped checking I guarantee you would update!!!!

]]> By: Payal http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-13002 Payal Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:07:48 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-13002 ... and the Reapers will pop out of the sky and eat us all up! Hello, my JavaScript instructor :cool: … and the Reapers will pop out of the sky and eat us all up!

Hello, my JavaScript instructor :cool:

]]> By: Ticklish http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-13001 Ticklish Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:36:12 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-13001 A post about work requieres a post about JS or you might just cause a paradox which ruptures space and time and makes reality unfold into a pink thread that gets stuck inbetween everyones teeth when they try to eat. The end is near, the end is near... and so on and so forth. I know it is hard to take reality seriously but this really is one of those cases when you should. A post about work requieres a post about JS or you might just cause a paradox which ruptures space and time and makes reality unfold into a pink thread that gets stuck inbetween everyones teeth when they try to eat. The end is near, the end is near… and so on and so forth. I know it is hard to take reality seriously but this really is one of those cases when you should.

]]> By: Payal http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-13000 Payal Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:55:45 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-13000 In my case, when I started out, I was totally dependent on what people were willing to pay me. Even 10 years ago, writing technology features for Rs. 500 was pathetic, but the experience was totally worth it! Later on, as you get to know more people, and pick up more experience, it becomes easier to negotiate better rates. You also get exposed to a wider range of clients—from the <em>kanjoos</em> types to the professional ones, so you get an idea of how far you can push things ;-) In my case, when I started out, I was totally dependent on what people were willing to pay me. Even 10 years ago, writing technology features for Rs. 500 was pathetic, but the experience was totally worth it!

Later on, as you get to know more people, and pick up more experience, it becomes easier to negotiate better rates. You also get exposed to a wider range of clients—from the kanjoos types to the professional ones, so you get an idea of how far you can push things ;-)

]]> By: Alpana http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-12999 Alpana Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:07:42 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-12999 really good one. But how do you determine the monetary value of your work? How and where do you get the info? really good one. But how do you determine the monetary value of your work? How and where do you get the info?

]]> By: Nimish http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-12998 Nimish Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:41:03 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-12998 And as for the perception that one doesn't "really work," heck, that's just the swine being jealous! Every full-time professional wishes they were in our shoes/sandals/hawai chappals/whatever!! And as for the perception that one doesn’t “really work,” heck, that’s just the swine being jealous! Every full-time professional wishes they were in our shoes/sandals/hawai chappals/whatever!!

]]> By: Nimish http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-12997 Nimish Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:34:13 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-12997 Neat! I would add: "do not try to make too much of a fuss over contracts." Remember, you are not likely to have the time or inclination to drag the blighters to court and anyway, they are likely to have better lawyers. A better option would be to try to make the client so dependent on you that he/she/it would be terrified of losing your resources. Neat! I would add: “do not try to make too much of a fuss over contracts.” Remember, you are not likely to have the time or inclination to drag the blighters to court and anyway, they are likely to have better lawyers. A better option would be to try to make the client so dependent on you that he/she/it would be terrified of losing your resources.

]]> By: Payal http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-12996 Payal Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:23:15 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-12996 I got one of those "Oh, nice life" type of comment from a friend today! I know there was no sinister or offensive intent behind it, but it still touches a nerve! Yes, it's a choice—and yes, it's <em>nice</em>—but it's not <em>easy</em>. For one, I know I do the equivalent of more than one "job". I am always working when I'm home. It's scary being a freelancer, because the cash flow can be erratic, and if you're on your own it's bloody terrifying! But would I exchange it for the hassle of a full-time job? Which gave me financial security but made me an emotional mess? Um... I think the answer is obvious ;-) I got one of those “Oh, nice life” type of comment from a friend today! I know there was no sinister or offensive intent behind it, but it still touches a nerve! Yes, it’s a choice—and yes, it’s nice—but it’s not easy.

For one, I know I do the equivalent of more than one “job”. I am always working when I’m home. It’s scary being a freelancer, because the cash flow can be erratic, and if you’re on your own it’s bloody terrifying!

But would I exchange it for the hassle of a full-time job? Which gave me financial security but made me an emotional mess?

Um… I think the answer is obvious ;-)

]]> By: Proteeti http://writeside.net/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-12995 Proteeti Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:51:47 +0000 http://writeside.net/blog/scratchpad/starting-out-tips-for-freelancers/#comment-12995 Great post, Payal. More so because I'm in the same boat too - and I know exactly what you mean. I'm still having a bit of problems regarding the money factor - guess it's early days for me yet, so I'm still stuck in the discomfort mode when it comes to money! But the thing that bothers me the most is what you mentioned in the beginning - why, oh why, do people not take us seriously, or treat us like the professionals we undoubtedly are? Since I gave up working full-time, I've been regarded with pity, told to my face that I 'don't work', and had what I do dismissed as 'just chilling'. It's infuriating, and demoralising. :sad: Great post, Payal. More so because I’m in the same boat too – and I know exactly what you mean. I’m still having a bit of problems regarding the money factor – guess it’s early days for me yet, so I’m still stuck in the discomfort mode when it comes to money!

But the thing that bothers me the most is what you mentioned in the beginning – why, oh why, do people not take us seriously, or treat us like the professionals we undoubtedly are? Since I gave up working full-time, I’ve been regarded with pity, told to my face that I ‘don’t work’, and had what I do dismissed as ‘just chilling’. It’s infuriating, and demoralising. :sad:

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