Forum Discussion
Freelancers -- where do you find most of your work?
I know that question is sort of like where's your favorite fishing hole. Hi, all -- I've been a freelancer for about a year and a half now, and for the first time, things are slow. I guess I'm on t...
Holly: I second Bruce: nice niche marketing. So good, I may steal it (or you know, something similar). It all comes down to answering our own questions. What sets me apart? (Feel free to get a cup of coffee as Daniel squirms in his chair and writes about himself.)
Until I create a niche, I'd say it's my breadth of skill.
WRITING: I taught writing and rhetoric for a decade and am published, so I generally come up with interesting scenarios and questions for the learner. And there's no need for anyone to check grammar, spelling. I'm the expert there. (Reminds me of the Big Lebowski scene where they are "fixing the cable" -- Ich bin expert.
VOICE OVERS/AUDIO EDITING: o.k., o.k., I'm not as good or experienced as Bruce, but my work is serviceable and getting better all the time (thanks, in part, to Bruce). Clients generally dig the voice, and I can get re-records back to them super quick. I can do audio editing as well: edit narration, lay down background tracks, "fix" narration that has been poorly narrated, etc.
GRAPHIC DESIGN: My material generally looks pro, mostly because I'm really interested in graphic design and know the basic principles.
PROCESS: Because I am pretty much a one-stop shop, I have a good feel for the complex process of creating training and generally am good at explaining it to clients, especially those who are new to e-learning. I've been working quite hard at setting their expectations at the beginning of projects. Not doing so has come back to bite me hard in the past.
TEMERITY: I'm not afraid to fail or ask potentially stupid questions. One of my favorite quotes: "Life is like playing the violin in public, and learning the instrument as you go along."
That's what I'm working with. --Daniel
