Orman Clark and the Business of Free, Video Interview
View awesome conference lectures, engaging how to discussions, and high quality freelance business advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch. This week we look at Orman Clark and the Business of Free by Freelancejam. Can you give great stuff away and expect to make any money? In this video Orman Clark discusses how he does it on a daily basis through his site Premium Pixels. In this episode we dig deeper into how Orman has crafted a site full of self-created freebie graphic files and used it to drive sales of his premium WordPress themes.
Is Talent a Myth?
Credit: Sharon Mollerus on Flickr
For as much as it seems that talent is a real driving force that allows people to excel at certain things I am equally convinced that it is totally overrated. Sure, some people have developed a knack for certain types of things. In my opinion anyone can learn to do anything and in reality talent is irrelevant and a myth.
If you happen to be pursuing something you feel you don’t have a talent for then you will likely find this perspective encouraging. I for one have come to make a living off of writing; something I most definitely don’t have a talent for. As such, I can’t help but consider how it is that I have succeeded at it, and ultimately what the real formula for success might be.
Secrets to Making Money Online
View awesome conference lectures, engaging how to discussions, and high quality freelance business advice via video here on FreelanceSwitch. This week we look at Secrets of Making Money Online by Darren Rowse.
In this video Darren discusses about how to strategically make money online and develop a long term business vision. Many of the ideas here could be applied to freelance business.
Cast a Vision – and Stick to It
Credit: Yuri Arcurs on Photodune
One of the most powerful lessons I have learned is to cast a vision and stick to it. This lesson applies to freelance work, but it also applies to life in general. Casting a vision for your career is hard and can take years to fully develop, which requires sticktoitiveness. But, if you apply tenacity over time, you will find the end result is powerful and motivating in a way nothing else can be.
Video Interview: Guy Kawasaki on the Art of Enchantment
View awesome conference lectures, engaging how to discussions, and high quality freelancing advice via video. This weekend we share the video Guy Kawasaki on the Art of Enchantment by Revolution.
In this video Brian Solis talks with Guy Kawasaki, former chief evangelist of Apple. Guy is also Co-founder of Alltop.com, Author of Enchantment, Reality Check, The Art of the Star, as well as Founding partner of Garage Technology Ventures. In between the in jokes of tech books and chummy camaraderie is some great information in this interview.
Guy is a charismatic, experienced web business professional, and offers easy to understand advice on enchanting customers. Check out the video interview with Guy at the jump. Run time is a little over 27 minutes.
Why it’s Great to Be a Freelancer in the Summer
Credit: elenathewise on Photodune
When you started out in freelancing, you probably daydreamed about the perks of the lifestyle: make your own hours, choose your own clients, do things your way. Then business picked up and you daydreamed less often. You found yourself working long hours, even weekends. Your choice of client became driven less by preference and more by the economy. And while you still do things your way, it’s definitely more of a give-and-take.
That’s okay; you still wouldn’t have it any other way. But why not let the summer take you back to that day-dreamy feeling that freelancing first instilled upon you? Here’s some suggestions to get it back, if only for the sunny months ahead.
20 Great Business Card Templates from GraphicRiver
I recently returned from a two month stay in Japan, where along with a bit of networking, I made sure to hand out a few business cards. Just a few days ago I received my first potential client contact from one of the cards I handed out. It further proved to me that the power of business cards has not diminished even in this digital age.
Here are a few standout business card templates from GraphicRiver that may get you kick started if you’ve been holding out on getting your business cards done. Sorry about the watermarking, but if you squint a bit you can make it go away 
1. BlackDot Business Card
Don’t Just Create…Create Opportunity!
Credit: elenathewise on Photodune
I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity lately, primarily because I am immersed in Julia Cameron’s book, The Sound of Paper. In it, she details her struggles and triumphs with creativity, emphasizing how seasons change physically–as well as in our creative lives.
That’s led me to realize that creativity is more than our ability to devise a winning slogan or a visually appealing website. Our creative businesses are also about what we create for ourselves. Meaning, you can put all of your energy into producing whatever it is that you’re good at–websites, print collateral, etc. But what opportunities do you create for yourself? Are you working on a book detailing your expertise? Are you getting the word out about your professional aptitude? Are you generating new clients?
Being a creative is not just about the artistic deliverables we physically create. It’s about opening doors–and you have to do that for yourself when you’re in business for yourself–no one else will do it for you. If you don’t, you risk growing stale. No one will know about your business. It won’t grow. And it certainly won’t prosper. Sure, there are off seasons when you’re focused on work. But how are you going forward?
Beautiful Business Cards from Creattica
Nothing quite matches the convenience of exchanging contact information like handing out your business card. Paperless office or not, business cards are still pretty darn useful.
So here are a few great choices from the Creattica network to give you a little inspiration to make your next business card design really stand out!
Need Fresh Inspiration? Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
Credit: Rodrigo Comisarenco on sxc.hu
Most freelancers maintain their success by moving forward: meeting a new client, landing your next big assignment, embracing the latest technology. But sometimes, the best way to gain momentum is to pause and look at what you’ve already accomplished.
Next time you’re faced with a slow day or need fresh inspiration, take a break to see what you can learn from your past.
FreelancerPro Interview: Never, Ever Get a “Real” Job
At just 26 years old, Scott Gerber is revolutionizing the way that people think about work. He is the founder and CEO of Gerber Enterprises, an entrepreneurial development and venture management company that has launched several successful businesses.
But his passion goes beyond business–he wants to help other young business people and thus founded the Young Entrepreneur Council, an advocacy group made up of many of the world’s top young entrepreneurs that works to help young people overcome the devastating effects of youth unemployment and underemployment by teaching them how to build businesses. Did I mention he wrote a book, too? There’s so much to tell–so I asked.
10 Ways to Increase Your Luck: A Musician’s Tips for Freelancers
credit: by kaibara87 on Flickr
Okay, admit it. You can’t even carry a tune in a bucket. Or perhaps the happiest day of your childhood was when your parents stopped making you take piano lessons.
So, what could you possibly learn from a book written for musicians? Quite a lot!
My own encounter with David Cutler’s new book, The Savvy Musician, happened by chance. I was browsing the library’s new books shelf, and there it was. The Savvy Musician includes vignettes of 165 working musicians who enjoy meaningful and prosperous careers. I’ll admit that I’ve only heard of Anonymous 4 and the Kronos Quartet. Maybe that means that my ears need to get out more.
One thing that these musicians have in common is a high level of skill. And luck. Continue Reading
