Posted by Florante Valdez on September 1, 2010 ·
Many people decide based on their emotions and not on what is logical or what is practical. And most of these decisions are done in haste which almost always ends in frustration. It’s good to be enthusiastic but it’s better to be wise. In freelancing, it’s the same way. Take things with caution and decide when there is full understanding of the matter. And one of the best way of getting a good grasp at things alien to you is getting some advice from those “who’ve [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on August 3, 2010 ·
Image Credits: http://smallbiztrends.comI did have the same hesitations and questions at the back of my mind before I started my own freelancing. I’m sure it is the same with you at this very moment. It’s really difficult to put your hands on the rein when you have a stable job, a regular pay and a good benefit. But then again, the question is, IS FREELANCING FOR YOU?
Job Satisfaction
Many people walk to their offices and perform their duties with a heavy shoulder because they are no [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on July 30, 2010 ·
I know it’s easy to remind people not to buy this or that, but the impulse is really difficult to resist. Because more often than not, it is more tempting to splurge on your wants when you have the money rather than to think on how to wisely spend your hard earned income.
So I’m changing that style. As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. Go ahead, BUY BUY BUY! But before you indulge read through the shopping list I’ve prepared for you. Then go ahead and enjoy your [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on July 15, 2010 ·
I have been frequenting the LinkedIn oDesk group lately because I am monitoring a discussion that I’ve started regarding freelancing challenges. And I was surprised to see an entirely different look and feel of the groups section.
For one, there is now a slide gallery of recent posts that were made, a bar with tabs where you can give a thumbs up, comment, like, pass or flag for a post. Plus a Hootsuite/Facebook like status update console where you can attach a link and provide more detail [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on June 29, 2010 ·
Too much fantasy and sci-fi movies can sometimes rub off on us. I know superman is one of the favorites and he is certainly one of the most common roles many people want to play in their freelancing career.
But who wouldn’t want to be superman? And who have not done a superman act before?
Juggling 4 or 5 jobs, then taking even more even if it would mean a missed lunched or dinner, a 2hr sleep or just about anything that would mean sacrifice of personal comfort just to please the King Client, [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on April 27, 2010 ·
It was just a few days ago when I celebrated my birthday and reaching this age (no need to guess, i’m 31) is surely a miracle and a blessing beyond words. Yet it didn’t end there, I just received a notification that as of March, I was included in the Top VA’s in oDesk.
“Congratulations! There are hundreds of thousands of providers on oDesk, but you were one of the top performing ones in your category this month. Rankings are based on a combination of the dollar amount of [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on April 27, 2010 ·
In freelancing or in any other kind of job hunting, there are only two things that can hinder you from getting your dream job. First, you have no previous work experience and second, you have work experience but you have a tarnished reputation because of unsatisfactory feedbacks.
If you have just started getting jobs online, may this serve as a warning. Remember, you are building a foundation and your feedbacks will be the cornerstone of your future employability. But if you’ve already incurred [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on March 5, 2010 ·
If getting a job is a challenge, keeping a client is a feat. That’s what I’ve learned from the seemingly horrible experience of financial crisis. Many strive to get a job, but few has the wisdom to keep those clients. Many get hired for weeks or months but few last for years, nor get a repeat transaction.
If you are having this same problem you are not alone. You’ve probably thought life is so unfair and employers are opportunists, taking advantage of the employment drought. But [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on February 28, 2010 ·
I have reached my first milestone as freelancer just before the end of February by hitting my first 1000 hours on oDesk. Who could have imagined that i’d last this long. I don’t think that even my friends in the call center would actually think that it was possible. But by God’s grace, it’s now 1000 hrs and counting. It’s 1000 hours of learning, and exploring the different facets of working at home, online.
I’m very grateful to the first person who hired me and [...]
Posted by Florante Valdez on February 25, 2010 ·
I’m not a guru when it comes to freelancing. I have only been in this field for about 2 years. But, I have learned a handful of lessons that’s been helping me realize my dream of a successful freelance career. I must say that working at home as a freelancer is like a balancing act between success and failure. It’s like walking on a thin wire that a bad move can mean disaster. But it doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to succeed.
Is there any secret mantra to success?I don’t think so. [...]