The Principles of Successful Freelancing

by Burke, Miles

• ISBN13: 9780980455243
• ISBN10: 0980455243
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-01
• Publisher: O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES INC.

Summary

More and more people worldwide are ditching the 9-5 office job and the long commute in favour of the independence that comes from self-employment. Full of anecdotes and practical advice, this short, hands on guide is written for people who want to become freelancers in the technology sector.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xv
Who Should Read This Book?	p. xv
What's in This Book?	p. xvi
The Book's Web Site	p. xvii
Updates and Errata	p. xvii
The SitePoint Forums	p. xviii
The SitePoint Newsletters	p. xviii
Your Feedback	p. xviii
Conventions Used in This Book	p. xviii
Tips, Notes, and Warnings	p. xix
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Considering Freelancing?	p. 1
What Is Freelancing?	p. 2
Why Freelance?	p. 3
Advantages of the Freelance Life	p. 4
Disadvantages of the Freelance Life	p. 5
Are You Freelance Material?	p. 6
Technical Skills	p. 7
Business Skills	p. 8
Organizational Skills	p. 8
Interpersonal Skills	p. 8
Successful Freelancer Personality Traits	p. 8
Making the Decision	p. 10
Do Your Research	p. 10
Consider Your Situation	p. 11
Interview with Derek Featherstone	p. 12
Case Study: Emily and Jacob	p. 14
About Emily	p. 14
About Jacob	p. 15
Summary	p. 15
Prepare for the Transition	p. 17
Deciding How Far to Jump	p. 17
Freelancing on the Side	p. 18
Freelancing Full-time	p. 19
Taking Time to Plan	p. 20
Creating a SWOT	p. 21
Establishing Goals and Milestones	p. 24
Planning the Start-up Shopping List	p. 26
Creating Your Brand: the Preliminaries	p. 28
Using Your Own Name	p. 28
Using a Fictitious Name	p. 29
Considering Your Business Structure	p. 32
Engaging Assistance	p. 34
Asking for Advice	p. 36
Case Study	p. 37
Emily	p. 37
Jacob	p. 38
Summary	p. 38
Manage Your Money	p. 41
Accounting Basics	p. 42
Determining Your Costs	p. 43
Costs Checklist	p. 43
Considering Insurance	p. 46
Obtaining Accounting Software	p. 46
Hiring Professionals	p. 49
Calculating Your Rates	p. 51
Determine Your Overheads	p. 52
Allocate Your Salary	p. 52
Decide on a Profit Margin	p. 52
Work Out Your Realistic Hours	p. 53
Calculate Your Hourly Rate	p. 53
Cash Flow Is King!	p. 56
Encouraging Prompt Payment	p. 57
Dealing with Debtors	p. 59
Recurring Revenue	p. 60
Loans and Savings	p. 61
Interview with Mark Boulton	p. 62
Case Study	p. 64
Emily	p. 64
Jacob	p. 64
Summary	p. 65
Set Yourself Up	p. 67
Planning Your Office Space	p. 67
Considering Ergonomics	p. 71
Separating Work and Life	p. 73
Tracking Your Time	p. 75
Scheduling Your Time	p. 77
Discovering Your Personal Productivity	p. 78
Organizing Your Tools	p. 81
Registering Software	p. 83
Backing Up Regularly	p. 83
Polishing Your Contracts	p. 85
Case Study	p. 85
Emily	p. 85
Jacob	p. 86
Summary	p. 87
Win the Work	p. 89
Learning to Sell	p. 90
Determining Your Offering	p. 92
Asking Prospects What They Want	p. 93
Creating an "Ideal Client" Profile	p. 94
Reviewing Your Competitors	p. 95
Developing Your USP	p. 96
Understanding the Sales Process	p. 97
Overcoming Your Fear of Selling	p. 99
Controlling That Sales Funnel	p. 100
Asking for Referrals	p. 102
Creating "Brand You"	p. 103
Polishing Your Web Site	p. 103
Networking in Real Life	p. 104
Online Social Networks	p. 105
Public Speaking	p. 107
Marketing and Advertising	p. 108
Blogging	p. 110
Writing Articles	p. 112
Interview with Molly Holzschlag	p. 112
Case Study	p. 115
Emily	p. 115
Jacob	p. 115
Summary	p. 116
Give Great Service	p. 117
Benefits of Great Service	p. 118
Basics of Client Service	p. 119
Manage Client Expectations	p. 119
Maintain High Availability	p. 120
Practice Courtesy and Respect	p. 121
Be Honest in All Communication	p. 122
Be Proactive in Your Service	p. 122
Communication Tips	p. 123
Project Management	p. 125
Tackling Scope Creep	p. 127
Resolving Issues with Problem Clients	p. 128
When All Else Fails	p. 131
Being Ethical	p. 132
Case Study	p. 134
Emily	p. 134
Jacob	p. 134
Summary	p. 135
Achieve Work-Life Balance	p. 137
Looking After Yourself	p. 138
Caring for Yourself at Work	p. 139
Maintaining Health and Wellness	p. 140
Having Self-discipline	p. 142
Staying Connected	p. 143
Thinking Beyond the Office	p. 146
Supporting the Community	p. 146
Being Green	p. 147
Interview with Stephen Collins	p. 150
Case Study	p. 153
Emily	p. 153
Jacob	p. 154
Summary	p. 155
Where to from Here?	p. 157
Staying Solo	p. 158
Retiring from Freelancing	p. 159
Building That Business!	p. 163
Avoiding Skill Rot	p. 174
Case Study	p. 175
Emily	p. 175
Jacob	p. 176
Summary	p. 177
Good Luck!	p. 177
Index	p. 179
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