issue 18 ::
september 2007

REPORTBACK: Cape Town get-together

Around 50 freelancers and clients gathered at the Exposure Gallery at the Old Biscuit Mill on 12 September. Business cards were swapped, old friends and colleagues were reunited and generally lots of creative energy flowed. Photos are up on our Facebook group.

The other thing that was flowing was Stormhoek's wonderful wine Shane Wilson gave a short talk on how Stormhoek's brand is built more on what's inside the bottle, than what's outside - and likened this to freelancers, whose repeat business relies on excellent quality, not just excellent marketing. Email info@freelancentral.co.za. for a list of outlets where Stormhoek wine is available.

A big 'thank you' to Shane, Stormhoek, the Exposure team and of course, all you freelancers who came along and made it a great evening. Watch this space for news of our next event.

PORTFOLIO CRITIQUES

Are you selling yourself effectively in your Lite or Full portfolio? Wouldn't it be great to have someone give you an honest assessment of your portfolio, and tips on how to improve it? Lite and Full members can get this by making use of our Portfolio Critique service, via our free Advice Line. Just call the Freelancentral team on 021 683 9416 or mail us on info@freelancentral.co.za.

SITE STATS FOR AUGUST 2007

• Hits: 217,129
• Page impressions: 67,054
• Unique visitors: 12,035
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PREPAID, AFFORDABLE ADSL

The Freelancentral team can't say enough good things about our broadband ISP, WebAfrica. We use their prepaid ADSL which costs just R70 per gigabyte. Once you've used it up, simply go online and buy another one. It doesn't expire at the end of the month and you pay only for what you use. Plus their customer service is outstanding.

Click here to find out more.

Don't forget to keep checking www.freelancentral.co.za and the Freelancentral group on Facebook for Placements and Projects adverts.

CURRENT PLACEMENTS AND PROJECTS

• 3D compositor for feature film (5 months, CT but will pay relocation and accommodation)
• 3D artist for feature film (5 months, CT but will pay relocation and accommodation)
• ** STOP PRESS: CLOSED ** Newsletter contributors (anywhere in SA)
• Flex web developer (JHB, contract)
• Web design/development (R10K, JHB)
• 2 x DTP/graphic designers (permanent, CT)

Remember that you have to be a Full or Lite member to view our Project ads. Upgrading your listing to a Lite portfolio is quick and easy - click here to find out how.

GET SET FOR SUMMER

Spring has sprung, the daisies are out and the temperatures are rising. The summer season will be here before you know it - but are you prepared? If you are a client, have you arranged cover for your creatives who'll be taking leave? Our top freelancers are already taking bookings for November, December and January so give us a call now to secure them. Find out how our Placements service works here.

And freelancers, now's the time to get your portfolio up to date and online on Freelancentral: clients are looking for freelancers NOW and if you don't have a porti with us, they won't find you. This is the best time of year to invest in a portfolio on Freelancentral - from just R75/month. Click here to find out how.

CHRISTINE ONLINE: A user-friendly approach converts traffic into action

So far we have covered Search Engine Optimisation and Social Media Marketing, looking at how you can increase traffic to your website, but once you have traffic flowing to your site, you need to be able to convert that traffic into transactions or whatever goal you hope to achieve in your business model.

For this reason, Christine focuses on usability and your website's conversion ratings in this month's article. Read on...

SUCCESS STORIES GET 25% OFF

Don't forget that if you send us your Freelancentral success stories and we publish them in our newsletter or on the site, you'll get 25% off your next month's Full portfolio. Submit your stories by just sending us a mail.

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