Five dollars might not mean a lot these days, but to the phenomenal site, Fiverr.com, your $5 can go a long way. Well some of you may have already come across this micro gig site but to those who have not, this is something you should start checking.

Fiverr is actually a marketplace that gives people the opportunity to showcase what they can do and what they are willing to do for $5. These tasks or gigs, as it is called in the site can range into many different areas like social marketing, graphics, fun and bizarre, technology to name some of the common gig categories. And if you are looking for some great ideas, you’ll probably find the weirdest and some of the most creative gigs in this place.

So what does it take to get started with Fiverr? Once you have signed up, you have two options. If you have the talent, skill and the guts, you can earn an extra income by offering your own gigs. Otherwise you can request or pay for gigs that you want. Imagine getting a logo designed or a header for your site for only $5, well, that’s definitely a bargain. If you are concerned about the quality, Fiverr is as equally concerned with that too. Definitely they won’t be able to filter out all the good service providers just as oDesk or Elance can’t filter their freelancers. So you’re main help in ensuring that your gig is good quality are the feedbacks from other users. This is also reflected on a seller’s level.

There are 3 different levels of Fiverr sellers.

Definitely, there are top rated sellers who take things seriously even if you are thinking that it’s just $5. So if you are thinking that you are not going to make enough money from this site, think again.

If you just work hard and dedicate enough effort and skill on your gigs, you’ll definitely get repeat gigs that will result in volume sales. Which means you can have an additional source of income while doing your usual freelance work. So is Fiverr worth the effort? I say, yes.

Check out these top sellers:

Is it worth a try or it’s just a waste of time? Get those comments coming!

When I first started out with my freelance job, my first computer monitor was a 14 inch AOC LCD monitor. It satisfied pretty much of what I need it for, ie. writing articles, link building work like blog commenting and directory submissions. But as new opportunities have come my way especially with data entry and shopping cart management, the need for a bigger screen becomes imminent. As you probably have experienced, data entry jobs would require copy pasting of data from a source to a destination database (in most cases) and working on a 14 inch screen presents a big limitation on what you can do and how much space you can allocate for the source and for the destination window. You simply couldn’t move as freely as you wish and the Alt Tab short cut to open a previously opened window is becoming too straining to the eyes. Thus productivity is hindered by a big margin.

In a study conducted by John Peddie results show a staggering 42% improvement on productivity with the use of dual monitors. Another study, this time by an NEC commissioned research team at the University of Utah found that people who used two 20-inch monitors were 44 percent more productive at certain text-editing operations compared with people using a single 18-inch monitor.

No less than Bill Gates himself advocates the use of multiple monitors. (I wonder if all Microsoft employees get the benefit of multiple monitors in their workstations) In a CNN Money article “How I work: Bill Gates” disclosed,

“On my desk I have three screens, synchronized to form a single desktop. I can drag items from one screen to the next. Once you have that large display area, you’ll never go back, because it has a direct impact on productivity.”

So if you think you are ready t jump in, here are a few things you need to get you started with a dual screen setup.

Video Card

If your current computer setup doesn’t support another slot for the second monitor you will have to invest on a Video card. I got mine for less than Php 3000 or roughly $60-70 for a Palit Daytona. I won’t go into the detail of installing a video card but you can check out this link on how to install a PCI Card

Monitor

VGA/HDMI Adapter

One thing that I didn’t like with the Samsung monitor is the fact that it has an HDMI port but it doesn’t come with an HDMI cable. You will have to shell out again for the adapter. You can easily find an adapter for VGA output that cost less than a hundred pesos. I bought mine from PC Express.

Third Party Software

If you have kids to send to school, a mortgage or loan to pay, a sickly family member, then those are just the tip of the iceberg that you have to deal with and make sure that are carefully addressed. It’s good to be filled with enthusiasm when you are starting on freelancing but the fire of enthusiasm can be doused if you take things for granted.

1. Savings

There is actually no exact figure or amount that you should have in your savings to start a freelance homebased work. But as a rule of thumb, it is advised that you have funds that can sustain your needs for a 6month period. That is considering unexpected end of work, low income flow, or a sudden sickness which means no earnings for you. This is also to buffer the transition period of your 9-5 work to the freelance home based work.

2. Health Insurance

Health is wealth. I think that is something that we can all agree on. And if you do agree, you ought to agree as well that getting a reliable health insurance is a must if you will be hopping on the freelancer’s wagon. If you are enjoying free medical and dental benefits, hospitalization for you and your dependents, then you “must” (emphasis added) also ensure that you and your family enjoy the same benefits after you resign from your 9-5 work. It will make you feel more secure and confident that your funds will not be depleted in cases of sickness in the family.

3. Skills and Education

At this point, your resume and experiences, as well as the skills acquired will be your key in securing a job. Your marketability to employers will depend on how well you have established your skills and your proven track record will mean a lot. But the more well rounded you are, the more opportunities will be available for you. If you know just the basic, try to at least advance your knowledge. Take as much relevant training and certifications that you can and make sure that you brush up on your English communication skills. Make sure that you can effectively communicate not only on your line of expertise but also on a personal level. Remember that you are not only selling your service, you are selling yourself.

4. Materials and Equipment

Many online opportunities are available today and one of them is online tutorials. And if you would consider applying for such a position you must take into consideration the material requirements of the job. Do you have a reliable internet connection? Is your office conjucive for classroom type of environment, no noise, no distractions? Do you have a noise cancelling microphone? etc. etc. This may not be true in your case but it would also be a good thing to consider. Whether it is just plain writing that you do, or coding and other programming jobs, your clients may call you from time to time and may bring a bad impression if your room is noisy, your internet connection disconnects. It would be a wise investment if you can purchase the following:

UPS or uninterrupted power supply
printer, scanner, and copier
mic & headset
back up wireless internet subscription
portable HD drive

5. Network and Resources

Working online as a home based freelancer doesn’t mean that you have to alienate yourself from the outside world. It is even more advisable that you create a bigger network now, whether online or offline, than ever before. Why? Because your network can be a good source of referral projects. Word of mouth can travel at lightning speed and creating a good network that can help you spread the word about your work. It can bring countless potentials at your doorstep. Join likeminded people. There are freelancer forums and discussion boards, as well as websites that cater to online freelance works. And remember, always maintain a good reputation with the people you deal with, both client and colleague because a bad reputation is a devourer of your income.

Create a list of where you will get your clients. Evaluate the Terms of Service and check for user feedbacks.

NOTE: This post was originally posted on my blog: DrEy’s CaLl CeNtEr WeBlOg under the title: Cheklist for Online Homebased Freelancer

Before I divulge my plans for 2012 let me share a few things I’ve learned as a full time freelancer. These are practical things that helped me survive the year, from family life, to work ethics, and social life which I hope will help you too.

1. It’s a family business

I’ve learned that working as a freelancer is not a “you mentality” but it is and should be a family business. You are just working as the main character but in essence, your wife, your son or daughter has a big part to your success as supporting roles. They need to understand what you are doing in order to support you in little ways. My 2 kids know that when I put on my headset, they have to keep quiet because “George” is on the line. My wife knows that when I am slumping on my chair, I badly need a back massage.

2. Full time doesn’t apply to job only but to family as well.

It was a challenge for me to get over being an overtime father and switch to full time family man. But when you get hold of the balance you will surely be more satisfied with your work, be more happy with your family and live a healthier life. My usual line when my wife tells me that I no longer have time for them is to say that all that i’m doing is for them (which is true). But of course it’s not all about the money. Spending a few hours with the kids, teaching them their alphabet, putting them to bed and playing with them have become my goal to keep me sane and family oriented.

3. It pays to socialize

Social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, as well as blogs are essential parts of freelancing. The first few jobs that I took were courtesy of my defunct blog “pinoyfusion”. My current work as a research person was because of comment I made to a blog. So you can see how this little things can mean really big in making yourself visible in the radar. Let the world know that you exist and that you have a special service that you can offer. Word of mouth can do wonders for your career. But as a word of caution, make sure that you know what reputation management is as well.

4. Be In the Know

I’ve learned that in order to thrive in this fast paced environment, you need to be able to cope with the influx of information, explore new things and enhance what you already possess. What I like the most about this is discovering new tools so that I can work more efficiently and more productively. It’s almost futile to reason out and say that we don’t know, because with just a simple click on Google search almost everything is at your fingertips.

5. Spend Your Money Wisely

Work can sometimes be so unpredictable and so is the income. As a freelancer, i’ve learned that our focus should not just be on the earning but also on managing those finances. It didn’t become freelancer’s top concern for no reason. If we like to master our craft, budgeting will be the one of the most important lesson we should master next to time management.

6. No is sometimes yes.

This is the best freelance lesson that I’ve learned this year. Freelancing thought me that an opportunity to work with a prospect doesn’t end when you fail an interview or your proposal was rejected. It actually ends when you think that business is only “TODAY” and there is no point in exerting effort to communicate with someone who rejected you. It thought me that business starts the very moment you decided to apply. Whether your prospect accepts or rejects at the first meeting, tomorrow is business as usual because you’ll never know when the need arises that you will become the perfect peg for the hole.

I hope you’ve learned something from what I’ve learned. I’d be glad to hear your thoughts too!

Steve Jobs shared his candid opinion about rewards systems when he said: “The only way employees will fulfill your dream is to share in the dream. Reward systems are the mechanisms that make this happen. “However, reward systems are much more than just bonus plans and stock options. While they often include both of these incentives, they can also include awards and other recognition, promotions, reassignment, non-monetary bonuses (e.g., vacations), or a simple thank-you.”

But now that you are working as freelancer who will reward you for a good performance? Well, that’s a good question. I actually thought of that too. Let’s see.

Your Client

As a freelancer, you will definitely come across different types of clients. Some would probably arrange a reward system but in many occasions, this may not be the case, specially monetary based incentives. And therefore you should not expect for it to be the same as the call centers you have worked for in the past. Do not frustrate for the monetary incentives or rewards. Consider that some of you client’s may just be starting his business and may therefore have limited resources to fund a reward system.

Now that you are aware that the freelance environment is not the same as the call center, get into the mindset that reward should start from you.

You?

Pat yourself in the back if all you have is the project fee or hourly rate that you charge for your client. Now get into the drawing board and start learning how to reward yourself instead of relying on outside sources. This is particularly important to ensure that you don’t get burned out at work nor lose the enthusiasm in your new found career.

So how should you exactly reward yourself?
It is best to start your personal reward scheme by setting goals or milestones. This way, you not only reward yourself for the sake of it, but you are at the same time exerting an effort that will benefit your client and increase your productivity. You may include rewards which are long term or short term basis and are primarily budget friendly. You can also read a good step by step guide on creating a reward system by eHow contributor Jas Ireland

Consider a few things I’ve included in my personal reward scheme.

-Get a foot spa, a massage or whatever pampering you want together with my wife when we close a new deal for the week.
-Get a new laptop or DSLR Camera after we reach our savings goal
-A short vacation trip to Boracay next year.
-A guilt free sleep after doing overtime work.

Once you’ve setup a system, then you’ve just stepped up in the freelance game as a self motivated freelancer.

Now it’s your turn, how do you reward yourself? How do you motivate yourself?

Why is there a need to be an effective freelancer?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says it better: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might for there is no work nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest. The thing with freelancing is, a single instance of a bad output or a messed up project can spell the last thing you’ll ever hear from that client again. The lifeblood of successful and thriving freelance career is word of mouth. If people only hear how bad you work, you will never go far enough. You will either find yourself diving with your rate just to be able to get some work. Else, you’ll be deserting this profession with a not so graceful exit.
If you want to be able to demand good pay rate, keep your clients happy. If you want to benefit from free advertising through word of mouth, be an effective freelancer. Bottom line is, if you want to keep a job for a long time, be an effective freelancer!

Challenges to becoming effective

There are various reasons why we are ineffective in what we do. Based on my observations and personal experience they include:
1. Distractions
2. Doubts in what you can do or achieve, skills, education etc.
3. Communication breakdown – when we stop communicating with
4. Greed – when it’s all about money that you think of and not your client’s needs
5. Procrastination – need i say more about this?
So How do we become effective?

Tips to Effective Freelancing

1. Keep the focus – multi tasking is a practice not many will be good at. Being focus is still the best way to go. But does this mean that I’ll only take one client at a time? Not necessarily, focus simply means devoting a specific time for a specific client.
2. Nurture the existing – I’ve been taught in my call center training that retention is better than acquiring new customers and it’s still the same principle with freelancing. If you have a way of keeping the existing clients. After all, when their business grows and they’ve seen your dedication, you will eventually reap the rewards of your loyalty.
3. Pray – this may be new to your ears, but prayer has been a secret weapon in my work as a freelancer. I do not have a college degree. But I must say that by prayer, I’ve learned things I never imagined I could do if I only relied on my own.
4. Stay Connected (communication) – Business is all about connections. The better connected you are the better chances of opportunities coming your way. There are so many social media platforms that you can use to stay connected. Twitter and Facebook, as well as blog commenting have been my primary choices in networking and the effort and time investment has paid off well.
5. Keep on learning – every search you make on Google or Bing or Yahoo is a step to learning new things. All major how-to’s that can pull you through the tech stuff is just a click away. All we have to do is to be diligent in finding them. Learn from you connections. The people around you, no matter how different their line of business or work can give you a big step towards learning new ideas that you can implement sooner or later in your freelancing.
6. Learn from mistakes – We don’t necessarily have to learn just from our mistakes but from other’s experiences as well. But I have proven that going through the situation is the most effective form of learning (at least for my experience) We you have a personal, first hand experience of a problem, you are better off at solving it than those who just read it in books or seen it on tv. So don’t frustrate when you commit mistakes, cherish them and keep them always in mind.
7. Maximize time – You can’t borrow from the past to make up for tomorrow’s lack. Use the time you have “now” for the things that needs to be done “NOW”. Think like a sprint runner or an F1 racer. A split second can mean a whole lot. When you work, every micro second counts. Make sure you don’t waste their time because you certainly wouldn’t want to waste yours too! Punctuality is not only about being on time, it’s all about character.
8. Honesty at all times – honesty is about setting the right expectation and delivering what you promised.
9. Get some feedback – there is no better way of knowing if you are being effective or not than asking the clients who you work for. That is why it is imperative to get a feedback from them. It would be ideal if you can create a list of questions to provide to them that focuses on certain criteria that you would like to evaluate, such as: deadlines, communication, language (are thoughts and ideas properly communicated?), etc. This will also help you better understand their needs and personalize your approach in providing your service.
10. Enjoy the privilege – there are millions who are out of work who would love to take on your work. So don’t just get frustrated with little challenges. Be happy you have a job. When you are happy with what you do and appreciate the privilege you have been granted, it’s easy to be effective. No matter how small or big your project is, learn to take it as a privilege and not a right.

The fact is, the internet is becoming the biggest job site you could ever imagine. Come to think of it, it’s not only limited to local opportunities but its global. So for those who wants to catch up on the booming online jobs industry, I have listed the eight most sought after skills on the web.

As a bonus, I have also added a few resources which would be a good place to start gathering information on how or where to get your dream jobs. Read on…

1. Virtual Assistant

– Newsblaze.com considered Virtual assistance (VA’s) as one of the latest and hottest home based businesses in today’s market. You may ask why, well, there’s a lot of reasons why this skill is such a hit. For entrepreneurs who want to keep the business rolling, getting a well rounded VA who could almost do everything, like managing a blog, social media accounts, office and admin works, customer service, this is such a big hit. Best of all, they are literally getting some quality service at rock bottom prices if they outsource the job from India or the Philippines. Chris Ducker of Virtual Business Lifestyle has actually taken advantage of this niche. Chris started an outsourcing company called Live2Sell that provides VA services here in Cebu and he’s been reaping the rewards for finding Filipino VA’s who simply provide awesome service at very low rates.

On the other hand, if you are solo professional who wants to start a VA business of your own but finds the web as an uncharted territory, here are some sites that I would recommend for you to visit.
a. IVAA - International Virtual Assistants Association
b. VA Classroom – a site co founded by Craig Cannings
c. VA Training Online -
d. VA Networking -

2. WordPress Developer

– Over 25 million people have chosen WordPress as their blogging platform, according to WordPress.org. And that is reason enough why wordpress developers can look to a bright future ahead in terms of job availability. Whether it’s WP theme you are developing or WP plugins, you’ll sure have millions of hungry users who can keep you busy if you do a good job.

3. Social Media Marketer

– This is probably one of the areas where most are already engaged unconsciously. The places where you frequently visit like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube or Flickr could actually help you earn if you take time to study social media marketing. You don’t really need to be a guru, you just have to understand how social media works and how you can implement it to your own system. Alright, to make things a lot clearer. Let me throw you some of the personal resources that I recommend if you are planning on exploring this area:
Socialmediatoday, Socialmediaexaminer, Mashable. Also, you can check out some well known figures like Brian Solis of www.briansolis.com Neal Schaffer, author of Maximizing Linkedin, Seth Godin, and Chris Brogan.

4. Web Designer

- As long as the web is there, web designers will always have plenty of work to do. But it’s not just being able to design. If you can throw in a couple more skills to add to your design skill, it would give you a better edge. Most people would actually prefer a one stop shop so try to learn a bit about the other areas. To get a good glimpse, check www.99designs.com

5. Content Writer

This is probably one of the most in-demand jobs online that helps you hone your craft but at the same time get paid.
Anne Waymaalso n has some great insights that you can use as well some great advice on how to monetize your writing. The fact is, whether you are novice or an expert writer, you can still write and earn by utilizing some sites paid to write sites like: Hubpages, Bukisa or create a blog of your own then monetize it. There is Adsense, Bidvertiser, and a couple other monetization techniques that you can use while enjoying your writing. You can also find opportunities as article rewriter, ebook writer, etc..

7. Apps Developer

– Apps or applications and software integrators are becoming a boom in the current market trend. And this will continue on as the landscape becomes more engraved in being mobile but consistently connected to the web. Google apps which has become one of the most popular and the never ending iPhone and Android apps are becoming increasingly mainstream. The possibility almost endless. And if you are keen on creating useful applications then you’re up to something promising in terms of generating a passive income source. Check out AndroidApps.com as well as iTunes store to get a feel of what the apps industry has in store for you.

8. SEO

- All the above mentioned skills has in one way or another a common goal, to be visible to their target markets. And SEO work will do that for them. I suggest, if you have already engaged yourself in blogging, and social media, SEO would be a next good stop to really maximize the efforts that you are pouring into your online work.
There are a few SEO sites where you could get some great insights and updates and I would suggest that you subscribe to their newsletters. Check out SEOConsultants for its 12 select blogs.

Yourself
Before somebody laughs at you when you tell them what you want to do, better have an introspection on where you’re at, where you wanna be and what you want to achieve. I guess what I’m saying is simply, convince yourself that you are really up to the challenge. Are you ready to live an uncertain career that many would-be freelancers dread? Is your family ready for the ride? OK, before I scare you off from turning to what you’d like to be, think on these things. Don’t just look at the good side. Open your eyes to the consequences as well, because there are also rough edges in this line of profession.

An Authority in Your Field
We all have people we look up to in terms of our standards of success. Most often, these are the people who actually inspired us, challenged us or made us feel that we can do even the impossible things! If you do have one in mind, it won’t hurt if you will get his opinion or simply understand how he’s done things which eventually made him successful. It well help you boost your confidence and at the same time, help you create a similar pattern of success if you will not waver. You may not be able to duplicate exactly the success that they’ve made, but the lessons you will learn from them will give you a positive perspective on how to move one day at a time.

Your Current Employer
Many people try to scape their frustrations at their 9-5 jobs and turn to freelancing. Will you leave because you did not get the promotion you expected, the raise was not high enough, or are you simply uncomfortable with your boss. All these frustrations add up. But if you think that shifting to a freelance job will solve your 9-5 woes, think again.

Sometimes it’s really just a matter of asking, waiting and delivering. It’s all about loving what you do. If you love your job right now but you can’t seem to jibe with your employer’s whims then it’s a good thing to confront the issue. Give a shot on possible resolutions. And once all options have been exhausted, then make the final decision. Your employers may seem terrible but come to think of it, working with other people online doesn’t spare you from virtual bullies, conflicts or misunderstandings.

Another issue that’s a common reason why people jump ship to freelancing is the pay rates. Although you can literally dictate the price for your service, if you are still starting up, you may not be able to demand, compared to those who have already established their portfolio and have proven their worth and experience.

Your Prospect
Before you totally leave your current employer and step into freelancing, make sure that you have a client or company to work with right away. It’s like moving to a new house; make sure you have a house to move in before you actually take out all your things or you will end up on the streets. I know it’s difficult to assess whether a project will be long term or short term, but it would be safe if you can also discuss the duration.

Your Financial Adviser
I don’t think many of you have a financial adviser. But basically its worth discussing about your financial status with the people or person who have a stake if you turn into a millionaire (that’s being positive okay!).

Before I started with my freelancing, I had to apply for a loan to purchase some equipments. I bought a new computer, applied for my high speed internet, got me a hosting account, bought my first domain. And I believe that’s one of the best venture I’ve made in terms of using my credit. I said this because people use their credit for so many unnecessary things, but all tends to waste and things that easily depreciates in value. When I decided to apply for the loan, I kept in mind that this will not just be another cash out of my pocket but an investment that will pay me some returns.

In all these financial issues, I made sure that my wife is aware. We laid out our plans and options. We had a plan B in place. I also made sure that the institution where I loaned are aware of the risk I’m taking. But after those crunch times, I’m proud to say that we are debt free, all paid by my online freelance jobs.

Your Family
Whatever happens to your plan, whether it prospers or fails, the only true people that you can turn to with confidence is your family. Well at least that’s true for my situation.

My wife have been very supportive of this venture and has often given me not only the boost to keep on but has shared brilliant ideas that I could not have thought if I was only doing it on my own and just kept her in the backseat. All along she was beside me. I opened up the idea, we prayed for it, visualized it, wrote our goal on paper. And it’s been an amazing experience that has truly strengthened us in many ways.

Bottom Line
Whatever those other people said to you, the final decision still rest on what you will choose to do. It’s your choice to make. The people you have talked to can only share their two cents of advice. They can offer you a different perspective on the matter, but you will have to look at it yourself and find out which one works and which doesn’t. They will not coerce you into something. Whatever happens, the responsibility still hangs on your shoulder.

Job Satisfaction

Many people walk to their offices and perform their duties with a heavy shoulder because they are no longer satisfied with what they are doing, their salary and other areas of their employment. A Conference Board’s survey which polled 5,000 households in the US, found that only 45% were satisfied in their jobs. So why burden yourself and struggle to believe that that’s the right place or the right job for you?

Work on something you are happy doing. If you are feeling obliged to do something because there’s a supervisor who’s prying on you, a boss that you simply can’t get along with or a policy that you can’t agree on, then that’s reason enough to look for windows of opportunity. If you can’t help yourself but keep an eye on the ticking of the clock to hit 5 PM then it’s high time to reconsider your options about getting yourself into freelancing.

Family Preservation

I have been a strong advocate of online freelancing for one important reason, and that’s family preservation. I understand that many people are aiming at overseas works in the US, Canada, UK and other parts of Europe and the Middle East. But if many Americans are already unsatisfied with their jobs, I don’t think it would be any different to me.

I know the salary is way higher than what you can get (probably) But I believe that freelancing gives more benefit in terms of the bond that you’ll get in your family’s presence. Would you like your kids to grow without your guidance? And I’m sure, a million dollar can buy a lot of heaters but it won’t be warm enough to comfort your wife on a cold night. If you want to cultivate your career without sacrificing your family then working online at the comfort of you home is a perfect alternative.

Computers as Investments

There are a lot of people who are addicted to computers. Some would spend long hours in games and chatting and many other unproductive activities. And that’s just it. A pure waste of time and money. I love my computer too, because I saw a different potential to what it can do. I look at it as an investment that yields me a thousand returns and not just an appliance or a game console. If you think that way, then you are closer to concluding that probably, online freelancing is the right work for you.

No Where to Run

When you hit a wall and you have nowhere to run, that situation will bring out the best in you if you will face it and determine to get over that hindrance. I know it’s sad that many people think of freelancing as last resort, but it’s this last resort that has transformed many lives into satisfied and gave a new face to the word “work”. If you don’t have job right now, don’t keep on running and looking for that elusive career. Grab a chair and get in front of your computer. Try freelancing!

Bottom Line:

What worked for me may not work for you. Hence, whether freelancing is for you or not, remains to be decided. But if you have already made the first step, then don’t look back. Just look forward to your goal and remember why you are into freelancing. Again, freelancing is not for the faint of heart. If you can’t make a firm decision to pursue it full time, part time will always be an option. And hopefully, you’ll come to a point and say that “Freelancing is REALLY the right one for you!”.

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 shopping spree!

Computer and Equipments
I know you are itching to get the latest version of Mac as much as I do. If you can afford it, go for it! As an online worker who spends 40 hours or more in front of the computer, it is imperative that you invest in a machine that will give you the security and reliability in delivering your work. Whether it’s a Mac or a PC, what’s important is that it’s up to the task.

I’d also recommend that you get an uninterrupted power supply (UPS), external hard disk, extra battery pack for your laptop and a comfy office furniture that will make you work comfortably.

A Book or Special Training Course
Get a good book to read or a training course to enroll that will enhance your current skill set. I highly recommend The Wealthy Freelancer by Ed Gandia et al. It’s power pack with great ideas that’s relevant to our time and realistic. The 12 secrets that they have outlined will make give you a different perspective at freelancing and will open up your eyes that this is serious business!

There are many other books available out there and it’s always to your advantage if you keep yourself abreast with the latest technologies, ideas and innovations. You simply can’t afford to be left behind in this rapidly changing world. If you are having a second thought on investing on a short course, try ignorance. You’ll lose more clients from not knowing something that you could have provided if you keep on learning!

Domain and Hosting
If you don’t have a website or blog yet, it’s about time for you to take your freelance business on the web. Get a website. “A carpenter doesn’t have a house” won’t be applicable in this era. You need to get your name out, and tell the world what you can offer. Build a brand of your own and start leveraging the power of social media in getting more clients.

This is probably the cheapest item on your shopping list but the promise of return is enormous! So don’t just take it for granted. Get the domain name for your business, sign up for a reliable hosting provider. My current hosting is with www.GoDaddy.com and they are doing a great job, plus great discounts for domain and hosting. For the web design part, try www.99designs.com to get some help if you can’t do it yourself.

I know a whole day won’t be enough to get all of these and set up completely. It will keep you busy for a little while and ward off another attack of impulsive buying.

Bottomline: It’s not a sin to spend on something you really want to have as long as you can afford it. And there is a better word that we ought to learn about money that’s more powerful than spending, and that is INVESTING.

Now it’s your turn. The comment is open so get me another item on the shopping list for our shopaholic freelancer that is a worthwhile investment!

Image credit: www.thewealthyfreelancer.com