Q&A: Freelancers, Full-time or Part-time?

Posted by Stef G. on Feb 18, 2012 in Q&A | 2 comments

I recently came across an article by freelance writer Pinar Tarhan where she lists the benefits of being a part-time freelancer.

In a nutshell, she points out how having a part-time job while freelancing helps her financially, keeps her from finding work at cheap content mills, and that she’s a happy freelance writer. It’s interesting because it’s a different perspective from the usual “I’m free from the corporate world” outlook that most freelancers revel in.

Scrolling down the comments, I was a bit surprised that there were several freelancers who agreed that having a part-time job while freelancing keeps them financially safe and socially sane.

I always thought that being a full-time freelancer was the target for most freelancers. Having a large stream of work, always busy during the day, an almost stable income every month—isn’t that what we all want?

I guess it isn’t the case for everyone.

Personally, I want to freelance full-time because I love working from home and I want a good and stable stream of income every month. But I gotta be honest. I can’t imagine myself writing web copy and product descriptions 8 hours a day and missing out on moments when I can play with my daughter, sit down and read, or write on my journal. So in the end, I’d probably still be a 20-25 hours/day freelancer even after graduating and settling down.

So I’d like to get an idea of what kind of freelancing schedule you abide by: Do you currently freelance full-time or part-time? Which do you prefer and why?

Five Important Lessons After Writing for the oDesk Blog

Posted by Stef G. on Feb 17, 2012 in oDesk | 5 comments

I decided to step down from the oDesk Blog.

It was difficult making such a decision, but it had to be done. School, TFP and my other projects, as well as personal reasons had to be given more priority.

But I will certainly miss the oDesk Blog team. Working with experienced freelance writers from around the world has been a great experience for me with lessons that I will carry over in the next chapter of my career as a freelance writer.

Let me just share a few that I believe other freelancers can benefit from:

Philippine Banks: How Much Do They Deduct from Your Funds? [Survey]

Posted by Stef G. on Jan 18, 2012 in Getting Paid | 0 comments

Money transfer services are an essential part of a Pinoy freelancer’s business, since majority of the clients s/he services are located abroad.

Thanks to PayPal, Payoneer, Google Check-out and the oDesk Local Funds Transfer, Philippine-based freelancers can receive funds in foreign currency and convert them into Philippine peso.

Now with so many banks to choose from, it’s important to know which bank transfers funds free of charge or how much a bank charges/deducts for such transactions (remittances, as they usually call them). I’d like to find out just how much these banks are really charging.

I created this survey to see which banks Pinoy freelancers use to receive funds from clients and online transactions and how much they deduct. I sure hope you can support this little project of mine by:

• Answering the survey (if you use money transfer services)
• Sharing the survey to fellow freelancers as well.

The final results will help inform freelancers canvassing for banks to receive their funds online.

Thank you!

Q&A: How Do You Keep Focused When Working from Home?

Posted by Stef G. on Jan 13, 2012 in Q&A | 10 comments

I ask this question because I think this is an itch on the back that freelancers continue to scratch everyday.

Working from home has its benefits—you can jump into bed, spend time with family, much on snacks, insert small breaks, etc. But when it’s time to focus and work, that’s when the difficulties crop up.

12 Ways to Grow Your Freelance Business [oDesk Blog]

Posted by Stef G. on Jan 6, 2012 in Freelancing Tips | 9 comments

Freelancers, you are entrepreneurs—small business owners of your own making. You are in control of your work, who you work with, when you work, and where you work; hence, you can do more for your freelance businesses this time around.

In this latest post of the oDesk Blog, I share 12 ways freelancers can grow their freelance businesses. From increasing one’s freelance rates to building your own team of freelancers, there’s so much that you can do to expand what you can offer to clients all over the world.

You have the power, the skills, and the potential. Take that first step to building an even bigger business for yourself.

The Secret to Fulfilling All of Your Freelancing Goals

Posted by Stef G. on Jan 3, 2012 in Freelancing Tips | 9 comments

“Earn P100,000 every month,” “Find at least 50 trusted clients,” “Win at least 40 long-term projects this year” — these big freelancing goals are like 50 feet–high castles that tower over our heads. The prize is at the top and we take it unto ourselves to climb their treacherous walls to reach it every year.

How many times have you tried climbing those walls last year? Were you able to reach the top and successfully meet your freelancing goals? How many castle walls do you plan to climb this year?

Intimidating as they may be, freelancing goals are achievable. It is possible to climb to the top, win the prize, and become successful. And it’s in this post that I’ll share with you the secret to finally fulfilling all of your goals this year.

New Year’s Goals for Freelancers

Posted by Stef G. on Dec 31, 2011 in Freelancing Tips | 1 comment

Ah, the age-old tradition of prepping one’s self for the new year through resolutions. I’m sure many of us already have our goals ready, whether they are written down in paper or kept within the warm walls of our hearts.

The past year was certainly full of lessons and new experiences. In my case, it taught me the value of doing what I love, to extend help to others in any way possible, and to think outside the box if I’m to be successful as a freelancer and as a person.

But despite all the achievements, challenges, and opportunities, there is still room for more. There is still a 12-month long chance to improve, to do even greater things, to make changes, to create, and to live life to the fullest — that’s the beauty of it all.