Calling all Freelancers..."Fantasy Support Infrastructure".

Bruce,

Something of great value would be related to the 'other skills and expertise' piece. In particular a place where reasonably savvy instructional designers - who can't do the whizzy javascript stuff etc - can meet and commission techie guys who can.

Also perhaps a resource that provides guidance and indexes to things such as pros/cons of various LMSs.

JOhn.a.

Bruce: A little heady, but I think I get the gist. All right, what would help me:

• A larger network of colleagues who do specialized work that I need (graphic designer who gets e-learning, dude that does simulations, VO guy with Brit accent, etc., etc. Be great if I could just pull up a list and know the people on the list have been vetted. That'd be huge, as they say here.
• An easier time-tracking system. Mine's pretty archaic.
• Ways for me to not always be staring at a computer screen. It's an issue for all e-learning pros.
• A better process for keeping clients to timetables
• Perhaps some help with contracting (a biggie here in the US). My contracts could be tighter, and contracting is so darn important to the freelancer.
• Maybe a place where freelancers could share their success and failures.

Hope that helps a bit. --Daniel

Thanks Daniel and John...very useful

Bruce

Bruce, if we're talking "fantasy", I'd add to the list...

• a contact management/lead management system. That would be helpful for me if it was connected to a invoicing/blling. Something that connects:marketing to sales to sold -> developed...
• maybe integration to communications - like screenshare/virtual meetings
• How about "instructional materials" for us (how to run the business, not just develop e-learning)?
• Subscriptions to stock assets of all kinds
• user testing service

Great if it were modular and you could expand/contract your modules depending on your current situ.

Yes, I'd bring clients in, as long as it's secure...

Hope that helps.

Holly

Hi Bruce

Would this hypothetical model work on a subscription model?

As you are aware I am heavily invested (from a time point of view) in freeagent which does my contact management, time management, invoicing, financial tracking, and provides information to my accountant.

I would love if something you develop would plug into the API of freeagent (others such as harvest exist), also,  I would love a tool like what James Kingsley company have developed and access to stock photography, video conferencingfor a monthly fee.

Contracting help would be good (templates), stock assets would be good

Phil

Thanks Holly/Phil.

To answer Phil - there are a variety of models, from subscription to "free to use".

There are benefits of each when taken into account with a variety of other business concepts that we are looking at.

Bruce

LearnCreate

Chief Evangelist and Crowd Control

I think it would be great to offer an option for “shared projects”or a type of mentoring program. The newbie would gain experience and a degree of financial compensation, while the mentor would gain additional help for different projects and much of the compensation.  Of course, the newbie would need a certain amount of expertise, and it might be a little tricky matching up the right folks, but I imagine someone skilled in crowd control could find a way to make it happen!

Also- in the arena of partnership, perhaps a process of peer- review, providing thoughtful QA, suggestions and such…but with equal sharing of offering and receiving feedback.

wow - there are lots of ideas coming in here & seems like something that I would love to use.

I like Holly's ideas that it could be modular -- or especially for the value-added parts that some people might need & others not (subscriptions etc.)  Although I there are a few sites I like that have options such as Free/ monthly/yearly subscription or a Credit system - ie. buy X#credits for use in which area you need them because maybe you need stock photos one month, but only a couple. The next month nothing or everything. - which would be easier for newbies or part-timers that are never sure how big the next project will be.

-as mentioned a Qa/ review/ feedback area is a biggie - hopefully with an easy upload area - even if only temporary.

help wanted - services available - listings

occasional virtual conferences: Presenters on Adobe Connect over a weekend?