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 the famine side of the feast-famine freelancer cycle. Two questions: 1. Are there e-learning groups (besides Articulate of course) that have helped you generate leads/work? 2. How much of your work comes through cold calling? (I have an aversion to cold calling, but will pull up the big boy panties if need be.) I'm guessing that your work comes from a little bit of everywhere (traffic to your site, repeat business and referrals from clients, cold calling, etc), but I don't really know that till I ask. Thank you in advance for your time and input. --Daniel

Always a great topic, Daniel. We had a similar thread last year: http://community.articulate.com/forums/p/908/3243.aspx I've heard from several folks that their Screenrs helped get them gigs while others have received offers after sharing templates and other freebies in the community. A lot of work can be found from established vendors and boutique studios--companies who specialize in e-learning design and development. Getting into their contractor pool is one way to bring in steady work.

Hey Daniel, I'll echo the others here. I just finished my 90th day as a full-time freelancer. The biggest thing I've learned thus far is having a full project plate pretty much eliminates business development. To answer your first question, this community is by far the best I've associated with in terms of networking and leads. My participation here is not to get leads but to help others and share tips. Occasionally I'll get a ping either directly or as a referral. As for your second question, I don't cold call and don't anticipate ever needing to, nor wanting to. Couple tips that helped me over the past couple years to be able to go out on my own: 1. Follow Bruce's points about your site. Get some visibility. Even if you don't have a portfolio ready, at a minimum have a blog where you can share ideas, tips, etc. to show readers what you can do. 2. Follow other industry blogs, communities, groups and participate in those conversations and comment on articles. 3. Take small projects to get used to managing your time. Don't worry about money at this point. Your goal is to show you're a trusted contractor to your client. THAT will bring you return business and referrals. One of my first ever clients is still with me for two years now. 4. If you can, attend one or two of the big annual conferences. The sessions themselves are fabulous, but the face-to-face networking is invaluable. 5. Set some goals. Max # hours you can work a week. Manage 1, 2 or more projects at once? Learn a new skill. 6. Finally, be patient. It's about your passion for the craft and producing quality outputs. Your work will speak for itself. Crush it!

hello daniel, I think a good idea is to join some elearning groups on linkedin. beside tips and tricks there are some business opportunities. launch a search and join them!

Daniel - I'm coming up on my 5 year anniversary as a freelancer, and all my work comes from referrals - so network, network, network is my advice. I find that the online stuff typically supports or validates your track history, but may provide leads for you. Instead of cold calling, I`d be more strategic than that and figure out if you have any connection to an organization and get a warm intro instead. Kind of like "six degrees of separation". The ups and downs are a pretty natural part of freelancing and while it can be stressful, you have to know it's there and plan/prepare for it. Use the downtime to create a business development strategy, otherwise you might get a bit panicky and take anything that comes your way, which may end up being the wrong thing. Best of luck.

David: Thanks for the link to last year's discussion and the sharing idea. And, of course, for all your help on this forum and youtube (e.g., Audacity tutorials). Mindmapping tutorial was very helpful. Holly: Thanks for reminding me that this "downtime," which is actually nice to have -- I mean when you're slammed you can't really read about ID or learn new skills -- is the time to develop strategies for new biz. Congratulations on the five-year mark. That's cool. Hope we cross paths again. --Daniel

Freelancers -- where do you find most of your work?

BlackBuck
Community Member
13 years ago

@ Bruce and Holly

I apologize for my words. Thanks to making me correct. I will try to contribute in the forum and not going to ask questions related to my freelance work.

Buck
HollyMacDonald
Super Hero
13 years ago

Buck, I wasn't suggesting that you can't ask for advice around freelancing, I'm sorry if you took my comments to mean that. Ask questions about freelance work, just don't use the forum only to advertise.

I just saw this great tweet:

"In the social era, please practice listening loudly, engaging kindly, and delivering value enthusiastically. Give."

To me, that sums up the best way that I can think of to participate in this community.

Holly
DanielBrigham
Community Member
13 years ago

Holly:

Good point. How to get work? Give. Contribute something of value. If you are new to the field, then studying up (or skilling up as Kevin says) until you can.
DanielBrigham
Community Member
13 years ago

Hi, Bruce, Holly, Kevin, Belen, and everyone else:

What do you say about continuing this conversation under a new name? We are now talking about resources and techniques important to freelancers. A quick brainstorm of potential thread names:

Freelancers on Freelancing

Freelancers & Freelancing

Calling all Freelancers

Thoughts on Freelancing

Resources for Freelancers

Freelancers kicks serious A$$ (sort of kidding...)

Maybe Holly's idea about giving, something about Freelancers giving advice or something....

For instance, I'm in the process of bidding a few projects and would like to share 10 or so questions that help the client figure out what type of training he/she wants. Such a post might get lost in the curren thread. Let me know what you think.
BelenCasado
Community Member
13 years ago

I Love your idea, Daniel!

I think that it's important to have a good name for a good thread, a thread that's giving all of us the opportunity to share. Some of us came to this thread when we saw that your question could be ours. Some others, came when hearing the call for help, and gave valuable advice.

I like the names you propose, particularly "Calling all Freelancers", as this is for us all, those who are already free and those who are one step away of starting a new life...

What about something as "Freelancers share thread"?

As for questions to help the client, I think it's interesting to start the "new old thread" with it, cause setting a good scope I think is the key to build a successful course.

Well, this is my point of view,

:)
JamesPiechocki
Community Member
13 years ago
Join networking groups for e-learning developers such as your local ASTD chapter. Sign up with your university's alumni association. Go to cons on topics you are passionate about. Sign up on Linked In - lots of employers visit it now. Enroll at the big job sites: Indeed, Careerbuilder, primarily. Create amazing training and education.
JamesPiechocki
Community Member
13 years ago
...and have the world's coolest portrait, like Bruce.
DanielBrigham
Community Member
13 years ago

Belen:

Like the Freelancers Share idea. Goes back to Holly's point about giving. Another quick brainstorm, before I create that new thread.

Freelancers Share

Freelancing Discussion

Discussions on Freelancing

Freelancing Heroes

Freelancing, Baby!!!

Feel free to weigh in. I'll then go ahead with the new thread.
BelenCasado
Community Member
13 years ago

@Daniel, I like them ALL!

I can't make up my mind, though I specially like:

Freelancers Share

Freelancing Heroes

Anyone else to say something? I can't wait to see the new thread!

@James, thanks for these new references; I didn't know those sites.

Belen
HollyMacDonald
Super Hero
13 years ago

Bruce Graham said:

Freelance Heroes gets my vote

bruce

What he said