SavvyLancer » Tips and Tricks

5 Reasons a Resume Just Isn't Enough

Aimee — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:10:10 +0000

Hi, I'm Aimee. I'll be filling in for Danalyn on a few articles since she has so much on her plate at the moment. That's how it is when you're in high demand. We all want to be sought after for our skills right? This article will provide some good tips on putting your best foot forward to stand out from the crowd of candidates.

In the traditional brick & mortar workplace, cover letters may often get skimmed over or ignored altogether unless you really make a hash of it. Then it gets noticed for all the wrong reasons. However, due to the rise in online employment, cover letters have become more important than ever in securing clients and winning bids. Going from the traditional office job to work-at-home gigs can change the rules.

Continue reading: 5 Reasons a Resume Just Isn't Enough »

© 2009 - SavvyLancer. This Feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are NOT reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are viewing is guilty of copyright infringement.

Freelancing with Windows Calendar

Danalyn — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:09:17 +0000

In the past 6 years, my freelancing work day (on the weekends, when I was working fulltime) has always gone something like this:

Wake up at noon
Goof off for an hour or so
Play eenie meenie miney mo to pick a client project to start working on for the day
Goof off for another hour
Actually get started on the job picked earlier
Get tired of staring at the that project
Decide to start working on another client project
Goof off for another hour or so
Finally get started on the project
Get sick of looking at it
Go back to the first project
Lather, rinse, repeat for a few hours
Go to bed at 6am

That's hardly productive. Looking at that list, I'm amazed I can even tie my own shoe laces! So starting today, I'm trying a different method.

Continue reading: Freelancing with Windows Calendar »

oDesk Community: How to ask for help

Danalyn — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:31:23 +0000

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the oDesk Community Forums is there to help you. Whether you have a general question or need basic (non-account-specific) technical support, the buyers and providers on the forums are there to offer help, guidance, advice, and support. However, as with all social situations, there are certain [...]

Building trust: Recipe for success

Danalyn — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:45:30 +0000

In a recent interview I gave¹, one of the questions asked was:

Any tips on developing trust with new buyers?

This is what I had to say about it:

Just do the job and do it well – that's the best way to build trust and credibility.

Because I had to keep my answers relatively succinct, I going to elaborate on that answer a bit here…

Continue reading: Building trust: Recipe for success »

Getting buyers to approach you on oDesk

Danalyn — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:01:03 +0000

Every so often, whether it's in the oDesk Community Forums or via email, I get asked how much time I spend searching for and applying to jobs.

Truth be told, I don't spend much time searching at all – buyers find me, and they do the inviting.

Does this mean I'm just that good?

While sometimes I'd like to delude myself into thinking so, I'm really not.

It all comes down optimizing your profile to grab a buyer's attention and, more importantly, show up in buyers' search results when they're actively looking for providers.

Continue reading: Getting buyers to approach you on oDesk »

Writers: Got samples? Get a blog!

Danalyn — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:38:30 +0000

Often, when bidding on jobs, we want to do whatever it takes to secure the client. As a writer, this may mean providing samples based on what the buyer stipulates. While I still argue that this is a risky tactic in terms of your intellectual property, there are things that can be done to help avoid getting burned by scammers.

When it comes to intellectual property, it all boils down to who wrote what first.

Continue reading: Writers: Got samples? Get a blog! »

Desperate times: Don't let it show

Danalyn — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:42:20 +0000

Photo by: Marc Franz

Whether it's for additional income or full-time work due to company downsizing, more people are turning toward freelancing as the economy takes a nosedive. It's understandable that many people are desperate for money to pay the bills and keep food on the table.

However, there's a difference between simply being desperate, and acting it. There's nothing wrong with being desperate, but when you start to act it, it becomes potentially damaging to your reputation and credibility as a freelancer.

Continue reading: Desperate times: Don't let it show »

Buyers: Spec your jobs for better results

Danalyn — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:48:59 +0000

I've mentioned before how imperative it is for providers to be as detailed as possible when creating their profiles and writing effective cover letters. Buyers have the same obligation to their providers if they want to easily find the best possible candidate.

As a service provider, nothing is more frustrating than receiving a new invitation from a buyer with a job description that states:

Need new website design ASAP. Must have portfolio and 5 years experience. Please send quote.

Continue reading: Buyers: Spec your jobs for better results »

© 2008 - SavvyLancer. This Feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are NOT reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are viewing is guilty of copyright infringement.

Transitioning from print to web design

Danalyn — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:57:24 +0000

With the current economy in a constant state of flux, many industry professionals are looking for alternative streams of income. The simplest way to go about this is to expand your field of work. Making the transition from print design to web user interface design is as simple as knowing the difference in specifications.

Continue reading: Transitioning from print to web design »

Five tax tips for freelancers

Danalyn — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:46:41 +0000

It's mid-December. You now have exactly 4 months to prepare and shuffle off the paperwork to Uncle Sam for tax season. How many of you are prepared? Here are a few tips to help get you prepared for one of the only two things that are certain in life. Continue reading: Five tax tips for freelancers [...]