Adventures in Freelancing - by Freelancing Rowan

The Resume

October 18th 2006 13:58

So, I had finally sold myself...my lovely first client sent me all of her info, and I had it done and ready for her to check out within 24 hours. She loved it, I made a few cosmetic changes and POOF! job well done. She had some amazing skills so I'm sure she'll find the perfect job in no time.

I quickly relisted the auction, but no takers. Relisted again, no takers. I began to doubt my new venture, and started combing the internet for freelance links and stumbled across Freelancewriting.com. They've got tons of information, plus a great job board...and best of all, it's FREE. For some reason I have issues with paying to access job info. I can't help it...it just seems wrong to me. Anyhow.

I inquired about several jobs, and was awarded four off the bat. Some paid a pittance, some paid more...but my main concern was would they really pay AT ALL? I'd heard horror stories about freelancers completing work only to have it stolen, used without their permission or pay. And I didn't actually KNOW any of these people...they were just a name on a screen. I even faxed my social security number to a company in order to be paid as an independent contractor. Was I slowly losing my mind here? I mean, REVEALING MY PERSONAL INFO TO STRANGERS TO EARN A FEW BUCKS...if I was LUCKY?

Tomorrow, I'll tell you all about the first job experience...website copy.

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Posted By: Freelancing Rowan - Category: Freelance Work

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How the H E double hockey sticks do I DO this?

October 10th 2006 14:20

When you decide that you don't like your job...and you don't want to GO anymore...what comes next?

Much thought, that's what. I nearly drove myself (and my poor spouse) insane for six months blabbering about what we should do, where we should go, how much money we needed to make, how we were going to make it...GAH. I'm getting nauseous just typing about it.

I've been writing 'on the side' for years, and I also do website design and provide virtual assistant services; until now, I never thought I could make a LIVING doing these things, and have been terrified at not having the security of a weekly paycheck. Okay, I still AM but we've figured out what steps to take to fix that straight away.

We live in an area experiencing a mini boom, and we've got an old victorian home that we've done some work on already. Frankly, it's too damn big for us...and we hate winter...so we decided to put the house up for sale, take our profits and move somewhere that will allow us to purchase a home outright. We wanted to do this anyhow, before I considered working exclusively for mysel. But, as it happens, no mortgage means no full time job needed...and that means freelancing may be enough to take care of all expenses. So, three weeks ago I put the sign out front and we've had some lookers and are waiting for an offer.

Once that was taken care of, I began examining the freelance market in earnest. Had things changed enough since I was a young adult to make a career feasible, or did the internet make things even more difficult?

The first place I looked was Ebay...I've been a seller for years, misc. items and such to make extra cash. Again, not enough to make a living, but a nice supplement. To my surprise, folks were indeed selling their freelance services. What could I do that was quick, easy, and in demand? And the lightbulb went off...I've been writing resumes since college, so I got to work and listed my auction. Six days later, when I had nearly given up hope, someone bought it. I had actually SOLD MY SERVICES and MADE MONEY. Imagine that!

More to come, of course...stay tuned!

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Posted By: Freelancing Rowan - Category: Freelance Work

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In the Begining...

October 10th 2006 13:41

Welcome, dear reader!

I've been working at a dead end job as an office manager for nine years. While the work is enjoyable and creativly satisfying, I've grown increasingly dissillusioned with my boss. Sound familiar? Sure it does. I've put my house up for sale, and when it's gone, I'M gone...headed for greener, warmer pastures and a home with no mortgage so I can attempt to live the dream of being self employed.

Since we're in the 'getting to know each other' phase, let me tell you how I got here. I graduated from high school in 1988, then attended college for 2-1/2 years as a journalism major. (Stop screaming QUITTER, m'kay? Thanks.) During that time period, I was employed (though not gainfully) as first a clerk in a local library, then promoted to Branch Librarian. Wonderful job, that. Alas, the pay sucked wind and 'real' life forced me to find a 'real' job. Much to my horror, I found myself waitressing at a local resort for the next six years.

In 1996 I met my husband, and in 1997 I quit the waitressing job, taking a huge cut in pay to become the office manager here. We sell garden accessories and florist supplies wholesale...when I came on board, our sales were right around 500K. Now, they're approaching a million. I handle all the customer accounts, design and maintain the website, create all our advertising material, and keep the business running smoothly while my boss is out galavanting. My reward? Nine years later, I'm making 10.40 an hour. The boss is making what I make in a year in a month and a half. While grateful at first, said boss is now NOT and spends a good portion of time whining about our lack of profit. I've printed out plenty of reports illustrating that the boss is SPENDING too much, and it has nothing to do with productivity or sales, but it has fallen on deaf ears. The boss recently spent nearly a thousand dollars on craft materials for personal use, while I struggle to pay my mortgage.

Yes, yes...it's the perogative of a business owner to reap the rewards of sucess and perhaps I'm wrong for being jealous. So sue me. Either way, I came to the conclusion that I want to be the boss from now on and keep all the money my business earns. I've started this blog so I can share my adventures with you, and hopefully provide you with tips, tricks, and much more so you can quit your damn job someday, too.

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