Comments on: 15 Tips for Freelancers Starting Their Own Business http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/ The Web Practitioner's Blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: organic coffee lover http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-36896 organic coffee lover Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-36896 Great insights here that come in handy especially in today's financial situation. Thanks for sharing. These tips can help any freelancer get started on his business. Tip No. 8 helped <a href="“Virtues" rel="nofollow">http://virtuescoffeeroasters.com</a> when it was new in the business. Now 30 years later, the company's still keeping their customers happy. Great insights here that come in handy especially in today’s financial situation. Thanks for sharing. These tips can help any freelancer get started on his business. Tip No. 8 helped http://virtuescoffeeroasters.com when it was new in the business. Now 30 years later, the company’s still keeping their customers happy.

]]> By: Be a Tutor http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-22052 Be a Tutor Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:55:20 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-22052 Ed, your 10 points definitely are basic things to build a self-employment income on. It is the first foundation to build, and many commenters added more related points to that. I especially want to reinforce the idea that you should not take every job that comes along. If you think you need to do that for the money, then do something at the side for the money and build your business with integrity. There is also a place in business for giving back to the community, or even paying it forward. It is for that reason that I invest a certain number of hours per month tutoring less fortunate students who still need a tutor's help, but cannot afford it. This makes an enormous difference in their lives. http://www.beatutornow.com/blog @JonathanStark, I agree with your 10 points and I think they add an important second layer to the business foundation; however, not all of them are applicable to all small business. For example #6 Never bill by the hour. Some business is conducted only by the hour, for example tutoring. Also #8 Never commit to a timeline. Same thing; tutoring has a timeline because school and tests have a timeline. Therefore, there is a built-in timeline. Small business which focus more on design and creativity may be able to fit in with your rule #6 and rule #8. http://onlinemarketingplanner.net People working in sales also have their unique business platform on which to work. Sales can be very seasonally-dependent, and so hourly rates and time restrictions apply there, too. Especially if your business involves paying someone else for work they do in your behalf. Peggy Ed, your 10 points definitely are basic things to build a self-employment income on. It is the first foundation to build, and many commenters added more related points to that. I especially want to reinforce the idea that you should not take every job that comes along. If you think you need to do that for the money, then do something at the side for the money and build your business with integrity.

There is also a place in business for giving back to the community, or even paying it forward. It is for that reason that I invest a certain number of hours per month tutoring less fortunate students who still need a tutor’s help, but cannot afford it. This makes an enormous difference in their lives.
http://www.beatutornow.com/blog

@JonathanStark, I agree with your 10 points and I think they add an important second layer to the business foundation; however, not all of them are applicable to all small business. For example #6 Never bill by the hour. Some business is conducted only by the hour, for example tutoring. Also #8 Never commit to a timeline. Same thing; tutoring has a timeline because school and tests have a timeline. Therefore, there is a built-in timeline.

Small business which focus more on design and creativity may be able to fit in with your rule #6 and rule #8.

http://onlinemarketingplanner.net People working in sales also have their unique business platform on which to work. Sales can be very seasonally-dependent, and so hourly rates and time restrictions apply there, too. Especially if your business involves paying someone else for work they do in your behalf.

Peggy

]]> By: Guapa Media http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-21408 Guapa Media Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:19:35 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-21408 Thanx for this article! It helps me a lot! Thanx! Thanx for this article! It helps me a lot! Thanx!

]]> By: Troy-Bilt Tillers http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-20430 Troy-Bilt Tillers Fri, 07 May 2010 03:56:57 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-20430 These are great tips. I really think #7 is good advice. I recently contacted a few of my past clients and got great responses. It’s important to show how dedicated you are to serving them. Customer service is a large percentage of our business and we must acknowledge it! Great post. These are great tips. I really think #7 is good advice. I recently contacted a few of my past clients and got great responses. It’s important to show how dedicated you are to serving them. Customer service is a large percentage of our business and we must acknowledge it! Great post.

]]> By: sam free http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-19844 sam free Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:34:11 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-19844 I'm all for 10) and 13). I've turned lots of jobs down, and it's been giving me more good than harm, i have been able to concentrate on doing what i do best. Also, i think i have disrupted my clients for being 10-15mins early without even knowing it, good point on 13). I’m all for 10) and 13). I’ve turned lots of jobs down, and it’s been giving me more good than harm, i have been able to concentrate on doing what i do best.

Also, i think i have disrupted my clients for being 10-15mins early without even knowing it, good point on 13).

]]> By: A multitude of tips for freelancers — Proofreader jobs http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-18957 A multitude of tips for freelancers — Proofreader jobs Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:26:17 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-18957 [...] 15 tips for starting their own business [...] [...] 15 tips for starting their own business [...]

]]> By: Collaboration Cathy http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-18909 Collaboration Cathy Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:31:53 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-18909 Great tips. Still relevant as then. Having the right tools is also a part of it. I use HyperOffice to collaborate with my clients. I set up a "shared workspace" for every new client, which not only helps streamline file sharing, coordination of schedules, shared info etc, but also creates an impression of professionalism. Great tips. Still relevant as then. Having the right tools is also a part of it. I use HyperOffice to collaborate with my clients. I set up a “shared workspace” for every new client, which not only helps streamline file sharing, coordination of schedules, shared info etc, but also creates an impression of professionalism.

]]> By: May http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-18907 May Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:03:28 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-18907 As a developer, we sometimes lack of sales training. As a developer, we sometimes lack of sales training.

]]> By: May http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-18906 May Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:02:05 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-18906 I like tips 11. Freelances need to be a salesman first I like tips 11. Freelances need to be a salesman first

]]> By: bacterial vaginosis http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-17570 bacterial vaginosis Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:10:11 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-17570 Great info thanks Great info thanks

]]> By: Ryan http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-17028 Ryan Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:18:04 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-17028 With current Global Financial Crisis where most employer can't offer job security anymore. It's time to explore other income source and freelancing is a good option as it doesn't take much capital to start ( mostly only your time ) and the potential is quite huge. Internet also offer a major advantage to allow freelancers work without any boundries. Your article offer a great advice. Totally agree with Point No 10. We only good on certain thing and try to do all task by ourselves is not possible and waste our time. Build your business network with other freelancers and companies will expand your target market as your business network will most likely to refer their customer back to you ! With current Global Financial Crisis where most employer can’t offer job security anymore. It’s time to explore other income source and freelancing is a good option as it doesn’t take much capital to start ( mostly only your time ) and the potential is quite huge. Internet also offer a major advantage to allow freelancers work without any boundries. Your article offer a great advice.

Totally agree with Point No 10. We only good on certain thing and try to do all task by ourselves is not possible and waste our time. Build your business network with other freelancers and companies will expand your target market as your business network will most likely to refer their customer back to you !

]]> By: Diane Gale http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-16973 Diane Gale Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:05:41 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-16973 Awesome post guys. it is for sure really informative and it helped me out a lot. I will keep in mind the advice when I am starting my own business. Keep pumping the good contents dudes Awesome post guys. it is for sure really informative and it helped me out a lot.
I will keep in mind the advice when I am starting my own business.

Keep pumping the good contents dudes

]]> By: Social Suresh http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-16717 Social Suresh Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:02:11 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-16717 Try <a href="http://www.hyperoffice.com" rel="nofollow">HyperOffice collaboration software</a>. Its a real simple and comprehensive collaboration suite which brings all the tools a freelancer needs in one place. Try HyperOffice collaboration software. Its a real simple and comprehensive collaboration suite which brings all the tools a freelancer needs in one place.

]]> By: Ben Harvey http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-16278 Ben Harvey Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:35:11 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-16278 Great advice for anyone starting their own business! One comment for your readers on tip 11 - Work on your Sales Technique. A few years back I was handed a copy of Joe Girard’s “How to Close Every Sale”. I’ve read dozens of sales books and this guy taught me more than all the others combined in a just a few hundred pages of EASY reading. There is a reason he has the Guinness Book of Worlds for most cars sold…. No joke! Great advice for anyone starting their own business! One comment for your readers on tip 11 – Work on your Sales Technique. A few years back I was handed a copy of Joe Girard’s “How to Close Every Sale”. I’ve read dozens of sales books and this guy taught me more than all the others combined in a just a few hundred pages of EASY reading. There is a reason he has the Guinness Book of Worlds for most cars sold…. No joke!

]]> By: Ben Harvey http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-16277 Ben Harvey Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:28:58 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-16277 Great tips! I've just started a business myself and the two things that have been focusing in that have helped improve my businesss is 1) Organization and 2) Hunt down every sale. 1) Organization is important once customers begin to really pile up. I noticed that sales leads if received, even those i was really exited about, would get pushed aside and forgotten about the second the phone rang again. Now I keep an excel spreadsheet open at all time sto keep track of my leads. 2) I read a book call "How to Close Every Sale" by Joe Jirards Great tips! I’ve just started a business myself and the two things that have been focusing in that have helped improve my businesss is 1) Organization and 2) Hunt down every sale. 1) Organization is important once customers begin to really pile up. I noticed that sales leads if received, even those i was really exited about, would get pushed aside and forgotten about the second the phone rang again. Now I keep an excel spreadsheet open at all time sto keep track of my leads. 2) I read a book call “How to Close Every Sale” by Joe Jirards

]]> By: Efrat http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-16107 Efrat Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:36:19 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-16107 Thanks for the article ED. It is very informative. Thanks for the article ED. It is very informative.

]]> By: Sele http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-15954 Sele Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:11:20 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-15954 Excelent article, well done.Thank you for sharing them Excelent article, well done.Thank you for sharing them

]]> By: Covert Hypnosis http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-15886 Covert Hypnosis Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:28:58 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-15886 These are some really awsome tips! Though, I have to agree with Johnathan Stark. A person who is already should be familiar with these matters. None the less, still great tips! Thanks for sharing! These are some really awsome tips! Though, I have to agree with Johnathan Stark. A person who is already should be familiar with these matters. None the less, still great tips! Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: John http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-15147 John Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:19:23 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-15147 I have been pretty much aware of having started your business as a freelance like <a href="http://reviewstoday.info" rel="nofollow">earn from home</a> and <a href="http://reviewstoday.info" rel="nofollow">internet business opportunities</a>. And I have been doing it ever since. I like the way you have control over your time and resources, of course the risk is greater but the rewards are greater too! It has been great. <a href="http://www.losefatbuildmusclefast.com" rel="nofollow">Lose Fat Build Muscle</a> I have been pretty much aware of having started your business as a freelance like earn from home and internet business opportunities. And I have been doing it ever since. I like the way you have control over your time and resources, of course the risk is greater but the rewards are greater too! It has been great.
Lose Fat Build Muscle

]]> By: susiq23 http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-14253 susiq23 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:05:42 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-14253 Excellent Article. I had planned to do freelance work after all, who doesn't need to improve their income nowadays in this recession. Your tips will be very helpful I am sure. Excellent Article. I had planned to do freelance work after all, who doesn’t need to improve their income nowadays in this recession. Your tips will be very helpful I am sure.

]]> By: Sarah Lynn http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-13859 Sarah Lynn Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:10:52 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-13859 These are great tips. I really think #7 is good advice. I recently contacted a few of my past clients and got great responses. It's important to show how dedicated you are to serving them. Customer service is a large percentage of our business and we must acknowledge it! Great post. These are great tips. I really think #7 is good advice. I recently contacted a few of my past clients and got great responses. It’s important to show how dedicated you are to serving them. Customer service is a large percentage of our business and we must acknowledge it! Great post.

]]> By: Maicon Sobczak http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-13828 Maicon Sobczak Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:18:54 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-13828 Thank for this valuables tips. Thank for this valuables tips.

]]> By: 100 Essential Tips & Tools for Writers of the Future | Associate Degree - Facts and Information http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-13603 100 Essential Tips & Tools for Writers of the Future | Associate Degree - Facts and Information Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:36:14 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-13603 [...] Get dressed: If you work from home, staying in your pajamas may be tempting, but getting dressed can help you feel more focused and energized. [...] [...] Get dressed: If you work from home, staying in your pajamas may be tempting, but getting dressed can help you feel more focused and energized. [...]

]]> By: Wii http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-10890 Wii Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:43:27 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-10890 Excellent Article. I had planned to do freelance work; after all, I could do with the extra income in these troubled times. I am having some difficulties working it out but soon I should get myself up and running. Your tips will be very helpful I am sure. TY Excellent Article. I had planned to do freelance work; after all, I could do with the extra income in these troubled times. I am having some difficulties working it out but soon I should get myself up and running. Your tips will be very helpful I am sure.

TY

]]> By: konteyner http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-10585 konteyner Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:09:09 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-10585 I agree to your Always Return Voicemail Messages. I am one that is guilty of not returning them in a timely manner and have tried so hard to be prompt.. it makes a huge difference I agree to your Always Return Voicemail Messages. I am one that is guilty of not returning them in a timely manner and have tried so hard to be prompt.. it makes a huge difference

]]> By: Make money http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-8417 Make money Sat, 23 May 2009 07:51:49 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-8417 I would say my biggest weakness is not replying back to email immediately. I usually procastinate till it is late I would say my biggest weakness is not replying back to email immediately. I usually procastinate till it is late

]]> By: supplement http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-8416 supplement Sat, 23 May 2009 02:31:31 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-8416 your article is very useful. this is all true. everyone who wants to start a business should know these things. luckily are we who visit your site because we got reminded of these things. thank ED. your article is very useful. this is all true. everyone who wants to start a business should know these things. luckily are we who visit your site because we got reminded of these things. thank ED.

]]> By: How not to 404 during a recession - a guide to surviving the turndown in the economy | blarnee.com http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-8415 How not to 404 during a recession - a guide to surviving the turndown in the economy | blarnee.com Wed, 13 May 2009 12:35:43 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-8415 [...] Vitamin: 15 Tips for Freelancers Starting Their Own Business You should contact the customer on a regular basis (every 3 months if the job is over) to inquire [...] [...] Vitamin: 15 Tips for Freelancers Starting Their Own Business You should contact the customer on a regular basis (every 3 months if the job is over) to inquire [...]

]]> By: Nintendo DSi http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-8414 Nintendo DSi Fri, 08 May 2009 18:44:52 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-8414 In my opinion an ofice is not essential just a good place for work to commence. However, you have very good points here. In my opinion an ofice is not essential just a good place for work to commence. However, you have very good points here.

]]> By: Css howto » Authentic Jobs: Advice for Staying Gainfully Employed http://thinkvitamin.com/asides/15-tips-for-freelancers-starting-their-own-business/#comment-8388 Css howto » Authentic Jobs: Advice for Staying Gainfully Employed Thu, 07 May 2009 14:50:18 +0000 http://thinkvitamin.com/?p=825#comment-8388 [...] Think Vitamin: 15 Tips for Freelancers Starting Their Own Business [...] [...] Think Vitamin: 15 Tips for Freelancers Starting Their Own Business [...]

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