This is a guest post by Paul Wallis. If you would like to write for the3dtechnologies, check our guest posting guidelines.
Freelancing is now an industry in its own right. It doesn’t matter what profession you’re in, you can make a lot of money, and really build a career, online. The key to success is knowing how to operate online. You need to know how to use SEO, how to create quality content, and how to show your skills to their best advantage.
The basics
Your money making equipment is your main business asset. You need a Websites. Get a good template which will do everything you need. You may require:
Image Credit: Angela
- Mixed media - Use a standard media format, make sure your media is top quality.
- Graphics – Style is fine, but make sure it’s all easy to read. Don’t use small fonts or other eyestrain-producers. Avoid glaring white screens if possible, use a softer tone.
- Case studies – For professionals, use report formats.
- Sample work – If you’re a creative person, use good “portfolio” standard work only. Some commercial samples are fine, but make sure they’re good quality.
Commercial content: If you’re a freelancer, you’ve probably done a lot of different types of work. Do not assume that your samples make it obvious how your work relates to potential clients. You must spell it out.
For example, for writers:
Categorize your work into industries and types of writing
- Articles
- Web copy
- Press releases
- Ad copy
- Direct response
- Technical writing
Explain your subject matter:
- Business
- Finance
- Journalism
- Lifestyle
- Health
Professional and technical freelance work: If you’re a professional in areas like accountancy, consultancies, financial advisory, etc:
Spell out your unique selling points, for example:
- Qualifications
- Professional awards
- Testimonials
- Achievements
- Case studies
(This is very like your professional resume content. Don’t hold back on telling people about positive achievements.)
Important: If you’re not sure how to set up a basic website, it’s easy, but make sure it gets done properly, and everything runs well. Get help if required.
Online Operations
For freelancers, there are a huge range of commercial operational possibilities, including:
- Blogs – A way of keeping current, particularly useful for experts and professionals in their fields.
- Ad revenue – Google Adsense is the standard, but you can also run paid ads.
- Links – Invaluable as a way of creating an ongoing network. Target your links to your specialties
- Backlinks – Articles or other information tracing back to your site
- Affiliates – Often useful, good for referrals and can also operate as separate business streams
- Search Engine Optimization – If you don’t know what this is, find out. This is how your site attracts hits and gets attention.
Doing business
All freelance business is contract work. You can check out Elance or the other freelance sites to see the basic standards. For advanced professionals, you may want to do your own contracts. The basic rule for freelancers is “No pay, no work”. Always check your contract for complaints or any signs of unreliability. Your time must be devoted to paying jobs. Don’t waste a second of it.
Getting your money
Payment needs to be through a reliable third party: Visa, Mastercard, and particularly PayPal, which is very well suited to online business.
About The Author
About the author – Paul Wallis is an award winning professional freelance writer, specializing in creative writing, SEO and journalism, working in the US, Canada, Australia and Belgium.
