A jam-packed issue this month! We had 275 freelancers and clients participate in our Freelance Survey - thank you all for your input. The results are being compiled and will be available to download from Freelancentral.co.za soon. In the meantime, we've included some highlights below. We're really excited about the Flying Solo Unconferences which we are co-organising in Cape Town and Jozi - this is going to be a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other so put your name on the list today!
issue 24 ::
June 2008
FEATURED RESOURCE:
www.freelancefolder.com
FreelanceFolder is a great blog and very useful resource for freelancers. It is written by freelancers for freelancers and sometimes the comments posted on each of the articles are as useful and interesting as the articles themselves.
Got a resource you'd like to recommend to the Freelancentral community? Send your favourite blog or website links, book titles or software recommendations to info@freelancentral.co.za.
CHOCOLATE WINNERS
Congratulations to the following survey respondents who won a box of decadent handmade chocolates from DCHOC: Saffron Creative, Charles Miller, Natalie Glinister, Assegai Design, Kaylene Wishnuff, Lisa Cilliers, Colleen Brennon, Pieter Goosen, Joanne Parry and Widad Sirkhotte.
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 021 780 1364 or mail us on info@freelancentral.co.za.
GET 25% OFF YOUR NEXT FULL PORTFOLIO
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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CURRENT PLACEMENTS AND PROJECTS
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Jo for the full details.
- PowerPoint operators for 5-day conference in October (CT)
- Web developer (ongoing p/t contract, CT)
- Publicist/media manager (ongoing contract, CT)
- Digital project manager/producer (6 months, R18K, CT)
- Mid/senior digital designer (permanent, R18K, CT)
- Web designer/developer to work on some very exciting sites (permanent, JHB)
- !!STOP PRESS!! PROJECT: CSS Expert to customise CMS portal (R10K, location-independent) (You must be a Lite/Full member to view Projects ads) !!STOP PRESS!!
The more we know about our freelancers, the more likely we are to call you when we get a brief in. So, if you are available for placements, please sign up for a portfolio ASAP. Upgrading to a Lite portfolio is quick and easy.
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
We're currently compiling the full report from our Freelance Survey but here are some of the highlights in the meantime:
- 71% of clients and 89% of freelancers find each other via word of mouth.
- The biggest challenge clients face in hiring freelancers is quality of work.
- Clients are most likely to hire freelancers for graphic and web design, illustration and photographic services.
- 52% of clients have hired freelancers they found on the internet.
- The 3 biggest challenges that freelancers face are finding clients, marketing themselves and getting paid.
- 86% of freelancers spend less than 5 hours a month marketing their services (47% spend no time at all).
- Freelancers' top reason for going solo is the freedom to work where and where they want to.
- Financial insecurity is freelancers' biggest headache.
- Find out what the top 10 things are that clients wish freelancers would do more.
- ...and the top 10 things freelancers wish clients would do more.
CLIENT INSIGHTS WORKSHOP
Do you want to know:
- What sort of work clients are most likely to commission?
- How clients look for freelancers?
- What their idea of reasonable payment terms is (this may surprise you)?
- What their one piece of advice would be for freelancers (we have nearly 40 of these!)?
- ...and much more?
Then you can't afford to miss this half-day workshop in Cape Town and Jozi! Based on feedback from around 40 clients who participated in our survey this workshop is for any freelancer who wants to improve their client relationships, expand their client base and secure more freelance work. Click here for more info and to book.
Flying Solo SA is a one-day 'unconference' where solo entrepreneurs and freelancers can meet and participate in a facilitated forum. Share experiences and tips, ask questions, get answers and generally improve your business smarts! Plus network with other soloists and explore potential collaborations.
To register for this event (it's free - you just have to buy your lunch and drinks) please visit the Flying Solo SA Unconference wiki and add your name to the list.
BEST PRACTICE: Taking a client brief
Most problems between clients and freelancers arise because the brief wasn't specific enough at the beginning. Don't rely on the client to provide a thorough brief - take responsibility for it yourself. Here is Freelancentral's guide to taking a great client brief.
FROM THE COALFACE: Juggling act
Last time I wrote I was a bit facetious about why I went freelance - not having attained an Audi Cabriolet etc. I'm not reeeaally that materialistic. Give me a pet dog and a nice book collection and I'll probably be happy until retirement. So why did I go freelance? Read on... - by Gareth Pike
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