Freelance Heroes

Thanks for sharing that link Holly.  Haven't read the entire post yet, but liked one of the block quotes- "...being a good human is number one.  Nobody wants to work with an a**hole."

To Belen, et. al, on the motivation/boring click&turn projects, I liken it to actors in the movie business.  How many times do we read about actors/actresses who work on big budget, action-packed brain-candy films to "pay the rent" so that they can work on low-budget, "art" films that allow them to be creative and flex their acting muscles?  Sometimes we need to do the "page-turner" projects to pay the bills so that we can focus on the really creative projects that come along.  I'm not saying I like creating page-turner e-learning, and I try to not use it at all costs.  But, sometimes, it's what the customer wants (no matter how much you may try to be a good consultant and suggest a different strategy).  Just my 2 cents.

Thanks Bruce.  Can't tell you how many times I've "read the truth" from you in these forums! 

Thanks, Holly, for that. I laughed at "I won't work on-site. Those are the clients that suck." What strikes me about freelancers is that they really want to do a good job. Just because. And hey, if anyone is feeling guilty about how much they spend on their chair, I recently purchased a Lifeform, something like $1,100. Totally, totally (and one more time), totally worth it. The Hermann Miller Aeron wasn't cutting it.

Hey, now that you talk about chairs and other things such as "inflatable lumbar supports", I'd like to ask something to women and men that are not that tall: are really chairs, even the $1,100 ones, prepared for tables?

I always experience that tables are high and chairs must be adapted to them, but then you need a footrest.

The more you try that your elbows are on the table and at the same time in a 90º angle, the more frustrated you are... is this only me?

I'm thinking of investing in an ergonomic mouse. I use the mouse with my left hand but I'm right-handed. The thing is that ergonomic mouses for left-handed are more expensive and there're less models...

Well, this takes me to the question: what's the perfect equipment for a Freelancer Heroe?

Of top importance, a REALLY good mini-fridge

Bruce

As a not-very-tall (read: short) person myself, I don’t think the problem is the chairs, the problem is that all the tables/desks are too tall!!  J  I have always used a footrest – just a small stool so that my feet are dangling above the floor.  I also much prefer desks with the pull-out keyboard tray, it seems to make the ergonomics much better, at least for me.

I think the best investments I’ve made in terms of equipment are a good chair (at least, I thought it was good, now I want to try Daniel’s chair!); a 17” laptop (lets me work outside my office while still having a decent-sized screen); a fairly large monitor, which I use as a dual monitor when I’m at my desk, with the laptop screen as the other monitor; and wireless keyboard and mouse.  I have to admit, I resisted the idea of dual monitors for quite a while, and now I can’t imagine why.

I'm adding that to my Christmas wish list!  Or better yet, a wine fridge...  that would be an excellent addition to my office. 

If the desk is tall - theres always an option to easily turn it into a Standing Desk (which I've heard is supposed to be much better for your health-  not that I've tried lol )  Scary infographic here: http://dailyinfographic.com/sitting-down-is-killing-you-infographic  

I agree that Dual Monitors are most awesome!  

As for a mini-fridge, I'm still good with the big kitchen fridge as it is about 14 steps away & that way it can be called exercise to go there & back right? 

I think the next thing on my list is going to be some kind of tablet or iThing, using the excuse 'for testing purposes" - which would make it easier to work out on the deck or at the coffee shop. : )

-Karyn

Oops, Karyn, that infographic is too scary...

Don't you feel like standing up RIGHT NOW?

Today I've been specially busy, sitting long hours...

It's time to go for a walk, Kira!

I don't think the figures are all that scientifuc anyhow

since part mentioned sitting only burns 1 calorie/hr while technically "1 MET is meant to equal resting metabolism, and can be alternatively expressed as 1 calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour." so that would only be true if you only weighed 1 kg.

- but makes you think.

Kira looks like she'd love that walk right now.  So would Roxie, my work buddy:

Well, I remember now the words of my acupunctor. She said that I should stand up every 1/2-1 hour to "move the energy along the meridians".

And I had a software that told you: "you've been working in your pc for 1 hour. Now you should take a rest of 5 minutes. Walk around, stretch, go upstairs and downstairs...".

Now I think that, while my ID's hours will be the same, maybe I'll watch the movies from my static bike instead the couch...

I hope that, as Karyn says, these statistics aren't that scientific...

What do you do when your client gives you instructions of what they want, they validate the script, they validate the first demo, and when everything is done they send a long list of "changes" that makes your project a waste product?

This "client" is the company I used to work for before becoming a freelance. I was fed up, why did I accept this project?

I'd like to have an advice on how to get rid of a client. I was thinking about asking for a lot of money, but even if they pay, do I want to have them as clients?

Any idea will be welcome!

Hi,

I had that recently :(

Firstly - did they sign-off/agree the original design?

If so, you start a very clear, professional conversation, explaining that you are now charging again, (if you are), and that this is a waste of your time and effort. Agree to do it ONCE, but that you cannot go on doing this forever.

It may be that this client is seeing you as you used to be, and are trying to take advantage of you. You need to take the upper hand, and take control of the business relationship. It may be that they will completely change their behaviour and see you in a new light.

Do not necessarily rule out this client - but give them a chance. After all, money is money, and I am sure that someone else in the 24% (!) of unemployed in Spain would be very glad of taking your business.

Change the rules and working relationship in your favour.

Good luck.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

It worked!!

Once again, you're so right!!!

I sent them a long email explaining everything from a very professional point of view, and with a new proposal attached (which means for them paying double).

And they've just accepted. The price wasn't high as I expected less work load, but double is double so I'll start from scratch with this project.

For those who are inside the 24% of unemployed in Spain, this money would be "bread for today, hunger for tomorrow", but I agree that, having this situation, I'm more than lucky!

I can't really thank you enough for your wise advice!

:)

Happy weekend, freelancers heroes!!

That is great news

NEVER be scared to take control.

If they like what you say, you AND they win

If they do not like what you say, so long as you keep a professional footing, you have done the best you can, and cannot do any more. They may still end up agreeing to do what you have suggested as many people are just actively looking for solutions.

Have a great weekend.

Bruce.

I saw this on Twitter - thought it might be of use for some of the freelancers here. The article lists a number of collaborative services for reviewing creative work, and the annotation is very appealing: 

http://freelanceswitch.com/designer/best-collaborative-design-apps/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreelanceSwitch+%28Freelance+Switch%29 

Does anyone use any of these? 

Thank you, Holly, I think these are really interesting tools and I'd never heard about them...

I think is a good way to communicate with clients. 

I'll wait to see if anyone uses them  

Sorry guys click the wrong place

Awesome find Holly!  and perfect timing - was just going to look for something like this for an out-of-country client.

(That is... after I get back from a mini-vacation in Tofino/Long Beach ! )

I haven't seen these ones, but was going to also check : dabbleboard --- but I just checked & its shut down now

Posting a link to this in my work's elearning chatter group. Trying to create a ground swell of support to purchase.

Thanks Daniel!

A question for freelance heroes: what do you do in your inactive time as freelancers?

I don't mean your free time, but that time between projects that is 'empty' while you wait for audios, or a client's answer, etc.

Do you try to improve your skills as an ID? 

I've seen that I use this time to be in social networks related to e-learning, but, should I look for more clients instead?

What are your experiences?

Thank you!!

Hi Belen

Great question....

One way is to have no gaps...

Try and ensure that you enough clients that you always have activity. The down-side is that you can occasionally end up with MASSIVE peaks, where you just literally have too much work. It's all about setting expectations and project management skills.

I try and "rate" clients as "1", (urgent - do it!), "2" - (can move things around), and "3" - nothing happening. Every time a 1 is finished or drops to a 2, I try and raise a 2 to a 1.

Occasionally everything is a 1 (like now...), occasionally everything becomes a 3, (I sleep, do my administration and clean the office!).

You should always be looking for more clients....

Bruce

Belen,

One of the things I do is to look around at new software, technique, new sites for photos, videos, anything to learn something new and shortcut some of my future development process.  But yes, as Bruce says, ALWAYS be on the lookout for new clients.

RK