A few months ago, I created a mailing list to share opportunities with local freelance writers. Recently, one of the writers on the list had a less-than-impressive experience with one of the shared job boards. The communications he had with the prospective client raised some red flags for him, and we thought it might be good to point out some typical signs that a job is a scam. Your next project might be a scam if: the website is unpopulated or rife with errors – This is a good indicator that a) the company is not legit or b) they’re … Continue reading
Last night was the second NABS benefit that we’ve had the chance to attend, and like the one before this, it was a fantastic night. The event was held at Victoria BMW, and it was filled with local agencies, printers, graphic designers, photographers, and every creative group possible. Part benefit, part networking event, it was a chance to dress up and enjoy a night out with people within the industry. As a freelancer, it’s great to find events like this. Not only do you get to meet some of the key players in the local region, but you get to … Continue reading
How I Became a Fulltime Freelancer, And How You Can Too I’m often asked how one can make the switch from fulltime work to fulltime freelancing. They usually want to know if it was easy, but mostly they want to know if it’s possible to make a living at it. Here’s a brief version of my story – how I went from suit and tie to fuzzy bunny slippers and pajamas. I started freelance writing while I was completing my degree in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University, and continued after graduation when I was hired by a local … Continue reading
Got some great news today (sure, maybe it falls under willful interpretation – but I take the good news when I can find it!) “If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn’t bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented.” ― Stephen King Not only does this apply to my copywriting service (the one I supply to my outstanding clients in Victoria and around the globe), but it also applies to my fiction writing. A few months back, I wrote a … Continue reading
If you’re providing your clients with any kind of creative freelance service without a creative brief, you’re doing it wrong. You might be wasting your time and your client’s money, and that’s not a strategy for effective long-term relationships. (If you’re just here to find a creative brief template to use for your next project, you can find my current form right here. Feel free to use it or modify it to meet your needs.) What is a Creative Brief? A creative brief is a fairly simple document in principle; it’s a summary of the main points a project needs … Continue reading
Ok – maybe I failed my class on alliteration, but it might have been due to excessive time spent on the internet looking at brilliant infographics. They’re a great way to convey a message in a fun way that is easily shareable. Warning – you might accidently learn something from one (or more) – you’ve been warned! J www.FlowingData.com www.lokeshdhakar.com Not sure of the difference between a latte and a cappuccino? The next iteration needs a shot in the dark (shot of espresso in a cup of drip coffee) and a cafe affogato (espresso with ice cream) (read his … Continue reading
Freelancers for Hire in #YYJ and #YVR Yesterday we did a post outlining why a freelancer is a good option for local businesses, especially if you’re just getting started. Today we’re sharing the names and contact info of some of the local talent, to help your business do more while spending less. Please give them a call for your next project: (please contact me if you’re a freelancer near Victoria or Vancouver and you’d like to be added) In no particular order Copywriters/Communications/Writers Anabelle Fournier - Freelance Writer Nic Springer – BitPiston Lisa Weeks – Minding Your Own Business Lillian … Continue reading
If you’re running a small business in Victoria and don’t have a list of local freelancers at your disposal, you’re either paying too much or not getting the quality you need – or even worse – it might be both. Most small businesses understand the need to advertise, especially for those just starting up, hoping to create an awareness around their brand. The challenge is, money is tight. If you think an ad agency is the only option, you might be surprised to learn how much you can do yourself. While an ad agency is great for creating a comprehensive … Continue reading
Email Marketing for Your Business A few posts back, we wrote about the cost of some of the social media coupon sites like Groupon, Couvon, SwarmJam, and EthicalDeal; how they work, and what the costs are to your business. This post is going to look at how to develop your own email database, and what you can do with it. Why give over 75% away if you don’t have to? Gather emails You hopefully have something in place to gather emails from your clients, but if you aren’t doing that yet, here are a few tools that can help: Facebook … Continue reading
It likely won’t come as a surprise to anyone out there, but I am not a country boy. I get my meat and veggies the old fashioned way – from Glenwood Meats and Thrifty Foods. Other than spiders, I have a hard time killing anything (and even starting to get squeamish about squishing spiders – unless they get too close) So I was a bit surprised to receive an email today from a local 4-h Chapter – but quite impressed at the same time. Here’s a future marketer/salesperson/copywriter – he knows who he is targeting, and what needs to be … Continue reading
