Chris Brogan: Social Media Starter Moves for Freelancers
dayngr
· 1 year ago
Fantastic information, very thorough.
Kim Dushinski
· 1 year ago
Excellent post Chris! I am going to take action on my blog based on these tips. Thanks so much.
GeekMommy
· 1 year ago
Thank you. This is something I think many people will find incredibly useful! (Yeah, me too.)
Michael
· 1 year ago
Chris,
This is BY FAR the best post / explanation that I have read about the HOW of using social media to build an online business presence, especially geared towards the freelancer. Thanks for sharing this. Absolutely awesome!!!
@marcand on twitter
pamslim
· 1 year ago
Great, great stuff Chris!
I came to your site to read something else you wrote via Twitter and saw this.
How you find time to do it all is beyond me.
But I really appreciate that you write great articles like this one!
Mike O'Hara
· 1 year ago
Chris
Your posts are always good, but this one is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing such thought-provoking and useful info.
One strategy you didn't mention (which I'm starting to experiment with) is the "honor payment" system.
As a freelancer in a new and developing market like social media, it's often very difficult to know how much to charge for your services. If you pitch too low, there's a danger you won't be taken seriously or that you'll come across as desperate. Too high, and there's the possibility you'll be undercut by a competitor or outside the client's budget. Not only that, but the client may not fully see the value of what you're delivering because you haven't actually delivered it yet (and this is still new ground we're all breaking here, don't forget).
So, if you're good at what you do and you know how you can add value, why not ask the client to pay you what THEY think the job is worth?
The advantages are many:
- It gets rid of all price negotiations - There's no way you'll be undercut by a competitor - It shows the client you have full confidence in your ability to deliver - You'll pull out the stops to deliver customer satisfaction - If you do a good job, there's a strong chance you'll get paid more than you would have originally pitched. - You'll probably get repeat business and excellent referrals
The disadvantages?
- You might not get paid for your work.
But I think that's unlikely, unless you do a crap job or you're doing business with dishonest and unscrupulous people (who are best avoided however you price your services).
I've just started experimenting with this, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Something to think about anyway.
Keep up the great work Chris, I always get inspired by your blog posts.
All the best Mike (twitter: mike_ohara)
MadWoman
· 1 year ago
Excellent post filled with great tips that I will be utilizing with my own blog. I will be passing this on for sure! Thanks Chris!
Meg
Marla
· 1 year ago
Great 101 article, I'll def be following your project along! It was nice to meet you at sxsw, and I hope to catch up with you at one of your conferences.
Marla @trevinorama
Joanna Young
· 1 year ago
Nice round up Chris.
I liked the point about posting great stuff just before a conference. I'll make sure I have some good things on the site before I come to Chicago in May!
Joanna
webrex
· 1 year ago
lined here from Darren's blog. thses are wonderful advise and i will be utilizing with my blogs
What you say about "Don’t be so eager to get paid for every little thing you do." is very true. Of course, being careful about what you don't get paid for is the key. Here's an example of how it can work well for you, though.
Let's say you have a friend/acquaintance who is starting up a small business. You know they don't have much money, but they need a web site. Rather than turning down an opportunity because they don't have the cash, negotiate a small fee (that maybe can be paid partly in gift certificates or in exchange for some of their services). Do a fabulous job on their site, and they will not only tell everyone they know (like their friends who HAVE money to spend!) but down the road when they are successful they will come back to you to build that online shopping cart or reservation system or hire you to help them make a podcast, etc.)
Offering something for free is fine, but ensure that the recipient of your free services or advice is aware that you are a professional and that your time and skills are worth something, even if its not monetary. They will always come back for more.
Donna Papacosta
· 1 year ago
EXCELLENT ADVICE, Chris, which I will be forwarding to every freelancer I know!
Mike Desjardins
· 1 year ago
Awesome post, Chris. I think this is one of your best yet. I'm going to take some of these examples and run with them (I've been mulling over getting into the freelancing/contracting thing for a while now).
The only reservation that I have is with attending conferences. How the heck can people afford those things when they're just starting out?
I suppose it's a case where you "can't afford not to," but I always get a bit squeamish when I see how much I've got to fork over to attend one.
Martin Buckland
· 1 year ago
Very detailed, thought provoking article. You have encouraged me to return to blogging!
Thanks Chris
paul
· 1 year ago
As you were writing this post everybody moved on to FriendFeed.
Daz Cox
· 1 year ago
well said Chris, if your blog has a focus then it is silly to direct people away from it with random advertising.
I can't offer any social media success stories other than the satisfaction of being able to get my point across and allowing the world to see more if they choose, it's like buying a lottery ticket instead of just wanting to to be rich!
Laura
· 1 year ago
I think LinkedIn deserves a place in your Community Building section. I've made several contacts which led to paying work there.
I would also note that after doing all the stuff Chris just mentioned, you will likely be tired and lonely. Seek out other freelancers in your area for a bit of camaraderie to alleviate that. For example, a number of us get together every Wednesday morning (heading there soon myself! http://microcowrking.com) for coffee and work and talk about all our cool ideas. It's good to find out how other people are doing freelance work in your area - what's working and what isn't. For example, in your area, it might be a great idea to join the local chamber of commerce. In mine, it's a mixed bag. Sharing, commiserating - it's a need you'll have to fill at some point. Best to find the local freelance crew as early as you can and make friends.
The other note is that someone starting on the freelance path needs to know about the terror that happens the first time there's a 'thin month.' It may be seasonal, it may be due to larger economic forces, it may be because you've slacked on marketing/networking, but it will happen. You will need to be prepared - both financially and emotionally - to weather it. But that's probably a whole 'nother post!
Jeremy Vaught
· 1 year ago
3 things.
1. Fantastic post, I find it hard to believe you are constantly on the edge of being broke when you are always putting out such great content. And great seeing you again at SXSW.
2. @paul above, lol, because I found this post on FriendFeed.
3. to build on what Laura said. When I was a freelance PHP developer, almost all of my work came through LinkedIn. Often 2nd party (someone needed a PHP dev, they asked a friend if they knew anyone, that friend did a search on LinkedIn, and recommended me to the first person)
great new look on the blog btw Chris... ahh, just noticed it is Nico who did it, nice
@JayBe
· 1 year ago
FANTASTIC !!! Well done sir. One of the best "anythings" I have read in a good while. You have loads of great ideas and wisdom here Chris. Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Jeff
chrisbrogan
· 1 year ago
@Laura and @Jeremy - I added your advice to used LinkedIN in the community section of the post, with links to your sites. Thank you.
@Mike D - don't go right off. Go to some social events. For every event that costs your $2000 to attend, there's a free meetup near it. Guaranteed. Surf Upcoming and Eventful for that.
Brenda Thompson
· 1 year ago
This is definitely a keeper, that I will refer to again and again. Thank you!
Rick Wolff
· 1 year ago
I'll refer to this if I ever return to freelancing. I'll have to think of how (or whether) to repurpose a brain-emptying personal blog (name link above this paragraph) which, if all goes according to plan, will soon morph into an animation production blog. Chris, you make it sound like there's no room for morphing: either I'm in it up to my neck or I'm not. Either I'm selling myself or I'm ruminating about life. I'll have to do some serious thinking.
Annie Boccio
· 1 year ago
Excellent advice! Although I have to disagree with you - this is good stuff for the money-on-the-side freelancer, too, not just the put-food-on-table freelancer.
I'm refocusing my business site/blog right now and there are some great ideas here, thanks!
I've said it before and I'll say it again- without the contacts I've made through social networking I wouldn't be in business.
ignatia/Inge de Waard
· 1 year ago
What an amazing bundle of advice and a great read, thanks!
marshal sandler
· 1 year ago
Since I am a man of Good Taste ! I find this very Tasty Advice! I am amazed at how much real world information you give free to your readers ! The "Mugwumps get paid for less valuable information than you give readers free ! If the Social network finds an important name in history I hope you are recognized ! Upward Onward -A Fan !
Steve Woodruff
· 1 year ago
Can't think of a better start-up primer than this. Thanks for putting it together!
Jim Storer
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris. One suggestion I'd make for folks trying to break through and really get value from Twitter is to add their info to relevant TwitterPacks (http://twitterpacks.pbwiki.com/) and find/follow new people in their field. It's a great way to jump-start your exposure and build your conversation stream.
@jstorerj
Don Lafferty
· 1 year ago
This post captures my particular dilemma with blogging.
It also ties in synergistically with Gary V’s manifesto commentary from yesterday reminding us that the reality of who we are can’t help but come through in our digital presence.
I’m a high tech sales professional with a long track record of success in my field. I’m also a writer. I write about issues pertinent to a broad variety of both professional and not-so-professional topics.
I want to be real.
I want to show my warts and weaknesses.
I want to share my personal struggles and triumphs with anybody who cares to listen.
I do this because nobody is perfect, especially me. As a student of human nature, [read: salesman] I know all too well that people have a tendency to compartmentalize, separating the personal from the professional and so on, and so on, until, in some cases, a person can change their persona as frequently as they change their clothes.
So is the answer to have more than one blog? Plenty of people do it.
One for the marketer in them and one for the mommy in them.
One for the PR professional in them and one for the surfer dude in them.
But as Gary V. reminds us, it’s only a matter of time before the two are linked, and do we really want our professional Self being judged by the musings of our personal Self?
How does a professional with something to contribute strike an appropriate balance between the two while remaining true to both? True in not negotiable, it just is.
I think you just gave me the basis for my next blog, Brogan.
John Morton
· 1 year ago
As everyone above me has already stated, thanks for the great advice. Simply by writing, you're following your own advice and look how it pays off!
I appreciate your emphasis on the "physical world" of social networking. Being Internet denizens, it’s easy to forget how much time we spend just looking at our laptops instead of people and the benefits of a meaningful face-to-face introduction are hard to top. I was lucky enough to attend SXSW this year and meet many people I’ve followed and learned from online, including you. That was a great experience, but I appreciate the one of posters above questioning how easy it is to spend the money to attend numerous conferences. I agree with Susan Murphy’s example of how to social network using your skills you’re selling, if you’re a web designer, help out individuals who need your help now but can’t meet your “official” rates. She writes, “rather than turning down an opportunity because they don’t have the cash, negotiate a small fee (that maybe can be paid partly in gift certificates or in exchange for some of their services). Do a fabulous job on their site, and they will not only tell everyone they know (like their friends who HAVE money to spend!) but down the road when they are successful they will come back to you to build that online shopping cart or reservation system or hire you to help them make a podcast, etc.)”
In that vein, I thought I’d offer my own example of how I do this. I’m an Interactive Marketing Creative but I also happen to be a geek when it comes to computers and since I can provide a level of personal computer expertise just by being myself, I get asked a huge amount of questions about buying computers, setting them up, buying software, home networking, etc. That is not my “job” but just a hobby of mine that it turns out other people have many questions about.
I go out of my way to help nearly anyone out who asks me about these issues but it’s never something I rarely take any payment for, but that process opens up a dialog with people that has let me showcase my knowledge in many other areas. For example, if I spend 30 minutes with “Creative Director A” helping her configure a computer for her daughter, that conversation will by default show my knowledge of how teens technology differently than her mother. When that creative director is looking for a creative mind to work on her next project that is focused on a new media/interactive brief, I believe my name will at least be on the short list of people to investigate for the job.
Elliott Ng
· 1 year ago
I like your comment about 1 off topic for every 10. Wow, that's hard. It also focused you on forming a focus for your blog. Thanks.
LaDonna Coy
· 1 year ago
In a word - Wow! Thanks Chris for a great post packed with practical steps I can take, now. I'm curious Chris - I know you use and invite others to join you on a wiki site from time to time so I'm wondering how using a wiki might also fit with this thinking?
Thanks again for a superb post!
Jeff Pabian
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the great post. The content and posts are very helpful during my transition period. Thank you all!
jen
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Chris, for a great post. I have forwarded this to a friend of mine who is transitioning to being a full time freelancer. I have been a consultant full time for three years. This post reinforced some things and made me re-think others!
Ria Kennedy
· 1 year ago
Chris, thanks so much. I have to say I like the part where you say "It just becomes your duty to decide which ones are eventually going to pay off, and which ones to stop doing."
I have tried different things, and some I disliked immediately. At first, I forced myself to try to like them and make the best of it. Then I started cutting things that didn't fit. But I always felt there was something wrong with me, that I didn't fit.
Well, b/c of you I just tried Ning, and I feel it has a lot of potential. So I think your advice to try and stop what doesn't work is spot-on and just part of the business of doing Social Networking.
Workpost
· 1 year ago
We launched a few weeks ago thinking that we'd operate as a place to post and find work but the feedback we've received tells us that pros don't just want to find work but also want to be able to direct business to their blogs and company web sites.
Whether you're in the trades or a web pro, carefully shape the message of your sites. People may use social media, boards, search engines etc. to find you but it's to up to you to compel visitors to want to make contact.
Great article and comments, I plan to apply some of the advice to my own struggling businesses.
Ron
· 1 year ago
Chris, needless to say, thanks alot for the great post. I just started freelance writing not long ago as a hobby. Just wanted to put all my thoughts on paper. Once I saw that I was making some money, it struck me, theres a lot of potential in freelance writing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making millions , but my goals are sky high. For now I publish my work mostly on Triond. I also use AC and all the usuals. After reading your post, I feel that I have much more tools for better writing and editing. If you get the chance check out my blog, there you can find links to my work which was pretty successful. One again, thanks for the great post. Ron
Lisa Creech Bledsoe
· 1 year ago
Fabulous article. And having just posted a similar article myself and having gotten the suggestion that I should include a photo or other illustration (I hunted, then gave up), I'm smiling and enjoying your photo of the "(free?) lancers" in your photo. Creative and funny. Wish I'd thought of it!!
Lisa Creech Bledsoe
Velveteen Mind - Megan
· 1 year ago
Sound post. Thank you! Reminded me to Stumble it. A difficult habit to remember when reading solid content, but a valuable habit to develop.
Will be implementing most, if not all, of these points soon.
garaughty, The Blog Artist
· 1 year ago
Wow Chris, what a post/tutorial. I hope you know that you've just written the social media bible for freelancers... and everyone else!
Lia
· 1 year ago
Thanks Chris another gem. This comes right on time. Very inspiring
alexandrakesman
· 1 year ago
Thanks for writing about this Chris. This is EXACTLY the information that I wanted to pick your brain for! ;)
Jimmy Adames
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris.
Although, I have a long way to go this post is one to print, tape it on my wall and study it real hard because you just gave us an outstanding blueprint that goes beyond freelancing.
Jimmy A.
CherylT
· 1 year ago
Articles like this are the reason I follow you on Twitter. Thoughtful, helpful, and well-organized. A reason to check out other social media networks.
Landing the right project has always been my goal, although freelance helps in the interim. I'll be taking your suggestions to heart when I finally get around to my blog's redesign.
TheLightStuff
· 1 year ago
Proving once again the power of social media, the comments are almost as good as the article. I recently posted news about other people working to make connections both online and offline, but give hats off to yours. Truly a primer for freelancers willing to invest the time and effort.
Debra Murphy
· 1 year ago
Chris - great post and I was (thankfully) nodding yes to each one that I've done (or not done as the case may be).
As someone who has had her own business for 6 years, I started out doing the networking piece before the social networking one. But the rules really are the same. Just like you ignore the person trying to sell you at a networking event, you ignore the social networker who is trying to sell, not educate you. And the valuable content you provide in your blog is really no different than doing a one to one meeting with a colleague and providing some tips and advice for their business.
KarenSwim
· 1 year ago
Chris, this post represents a few of the things I've come love about the blogging community - generosity. Generously sharing information, ideas, success tips and link love. As I read, I spotted many things I've done wrong. In fact I could be the case study for "what not to do," but thankfully you've provided tools so that I can now set about running a proper blog. Thank you so much for the great tips.
Karen
Lori
· 1 year ago
it would be great if ..
"free" linked to kevin kelly's article about free
"long tail" linked to chris's blog - better yet, a great post about the long tail on his blog
you had a more prominent link to click on to take you to a page listing all the posts (thus far) in the social media 100 - rather than having to tag hunt
DEckoff
· 1 year ago
Chris, great article. Very practical, simple and actionable advice that everyone should follow, freelancers or otherwise.
I'm in the process of re-working my blog, and will be following your advice.
Bravo!
David
Chris Nadeau
· 1 year ago
Chris, great points and points well taken. I have stripped down my personal blog. I wasn't even making enough for beer money :-)
Whitney
· 1 year ago
Another fantastic post and great reminders about keeping our selves prepared for doing business. The more professional you are from the beginning, the easier it is to scale should a hobby become more of a business.
I think the one thing we always have to remember is that the internet is a small town, and reputation matters. This means assuming people have the best intentions; trust others to a reasonable extent; be open and helpful, but don't feel you have to give away the store; don't jump on every small critique or slight, and when leaving comments for others, think about how it would feel if someone were leaving this comment on your blog. Chris Penn reminds us Google is always watching, and this means that you should treat the information you put out there as something you would like your mom, spouse, best friends, third grade teacher, FBI- ANYONE- see and read.
This could make some people feel inhibited, and for others, the "anonymity in public" actually creates a sense of heightened freedom of speech. In the end, think of your blog and social media musings as an extension of yourself and what you're known for, and you'll do fine as you build your personal brand.
Your blog is you- as you said so well- it is your storefront, and a primary source these days of what you are about, so make sure it reflects you well, and then you never have to worry about what anyone will say about you- it will always be true, accurate and something you can be proud of. Reputation matters, so make yours a great one.
Robin Houghton
· 1 year ago
Great article, and I particularly liked your advice on social gatherings and making contact beforehand. Much of this is appropriate to all small businesses, not just freelancers, and I'll be talking about this on my blog. Many thanks.
Paul Caplan
· 1 year ago
Thanks Chris. I'm off to talk to a bunch of artists in Hackney east London (UK) this afternoon about just this using my ideas of VISION and PASSION. A Twittercomrade tweeted your post and I now have an interesting article to point them to and a great example to talk about in terms of how I got it!
Ronna Porter
· 1 year ago
Looks like this was a popular post! As I infer in my blog post, there's a ton of 'advice' out there for the 'entrepreur' and 'work at home' market, but little quality, practical 'how to ..' for the freelance PR. I'll share it widely.
Barbara Rozgonyi
· 1 year ago
Chris:
Started following you on Twitter and subscribed to your newsletter a few weeks ago - found out about you from the SOBCon08 promos. Enjoying reading your work and looking forward to meeting you in Chicago!
Love this: Your Blog, Your Storefront
How timely! I'm converting my site content to blog posts - what a rigorous creative exercise! After struggling with whether or not to promote my strategic communications practice on my blog, I let the numbers convince me. No contest: the blog outdraws my site on every level. Today, I added a post to promote my seminar PR ebook and am working on building out a products/resources/workshop section.
After reading your post, I know I'm going in the right direction! Let me know if you ever need a guest online PR blogger. See you in a few weeks!
Barbara/wiredprworks on Twitter
Malte Landwehr
· 1 year ago
Great article! My experience is, that commenting in related blogs, is the best way to establish yourself as an expert in your niche (at least among other bloggers).It is both quick and solid!
Copes Flavio
· 1 year ago
Great article Chris, it's full of great tips for starters (and not only!) :)
Mari-Lyn
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris, thank you for some of the ideas I will follow-up with. And Thank you, Thank you for writing about random ads on blogs or websites - to have ads it says (to me anyway) you're not serious and it really takes away from what you are saying as well. Some say, I do it to drive traffic, if you can write or give content to grow you own site what are you doing?
Thank you for explaining a "long tail."
Perhaps you could write about the new words and definitions for us learners.
Thank you Mari-Lyn
Mari-Lyn
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris, thank you for some of the ideas I will follow-up with. And Thank you, Thank you for writing about random ads on blogs or websites - to have ads it says (to me anyway) you're not serious and it really takes away from what you are saying as well. Some say, I do it to drive traffic, if you can't write or give content to grow you own site what are you doing?
Thank you for explaining a "long tail."
Perhaps you could write about the new words and definitions for us learners.
Thank you Mari-Lyn
jansegers
· 1 year ago
Nice list.
I would like to add a multiply.com profile and a tumblr microblog.
Nicholas Tolson
· 1 year ago
Off-topic, but it's a discussion I recently had with a co-worker:
You say: "Kill the calendar thingy. NO ONE navigates by it."
I am of the same opinion on Monthlyy Archive links, but you and almost every other blog I go to have them. I never use them, and don't understand how/why I would. I'm never going to say to myself, "Oh, I wonder what Chris posted in March!" If I'm just browsing a blog's content, I'm going to go back in time use the next/prev links to see the latest stuff (or go by category, more likely).
What say you? How are these different than the calendar things?
Mirth Nadir
· 1 year ago
Great post. I am going to investigate the facebook tips you gave me. Good work.
moody connell
· 1 year ago
I wish to cancel this service. I have been twice billed $7.00 and $39.90 for the same service. I do not get any value of this service and didn't authorize a second billing. Please attend to this immediately. moodyconnell@yahoo.com
moody connell
· 1 year ago
I need immediate attention to my complaint. I have been double billed $7.00 and $39.90 for the same service. I wish to cancel this service and receive no more billings. moodyconnell@yahoo.com
Chris: Thanks for this. I'm inspired. Looks like I'm the first one in here in a year. It's still inspirational and timely. Kate
Sweetchic Events
· 3 months ago
What a great post, I think I'll take many of your tips to heart, thanks!
Mallory Simons
· 3 months ago
Chris, as a newbie to social media for business, I found this informative and relevant. Thank you for sharing your expertise; I look forward to following you.
All Comments
This is something I think many people will find incredibly useful!
(Yeah, me too.)
This is BY FAR the best post / explanation that I have read about the HOW of using social media to build an online business presence, especially geared towards the freelancer. Thanks for sharing this. Absolutely awesome!!!
@marcand on twitter
I came to your site to read something else you wrote via Twitter and saw this.
How you find time to do it all is beyond me.
But I really appreciate that you write great articles like this one!
Your posts are always good, but this one is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing such thought-provoking and useful info.
One strategy you didn't mention (which I'm starting to experiment with) is the "honor payment" system.
As a freelancer in a new and developing market like social media, it's often very difficult to know how much to charge for your services. If you pitch too low, there's a danger you won't be taken seriously or that you'll come across as desperate. Too high, and there's the possibility you'll be undercut by a competitor or outside the client's budget. Not only that, but the client may not fully see the value of what you're delivering because you haven't actually delivered it yet (and this is still new ground we're all breaking here, don't forget).
So, if you're good at what you do and you know how you can add value, why not ask the client to pay you what THEY think the job is worth?
The advantages are many:
- It gets rid of all price negotiations
- There's no way you'll be undercut by a competitor
- It shows the client you have full confidence in your ability to deliver
- You'll pull out the stops to deliver customer satisfaction
- If you do a good job, there's a strong chance you'll get paid more than you would have originally pitched.
- You'll probably get repeat business and excellent referrals
The disadvantages?
- You might not get paid for your work.
But I think that's unlikely, unless you do a crap job or you're doing business with dishonest and unscrupulous people (who are best avoided however you price your services).
I've just started experimenting with this, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Something to think about anyway.
Keep up the great work Chris, I always get inspired by your blog posts.
All the best
Mike (twitter: mike_ohara)
Meg
Marla
@trevinorama
I liked the point about posting great stuff just before a conference. I'll make sure I have some good things on the site before I come to Chicago in May!
Joanna
regards
webrex
www.webrexia.com
Let's say you have a friend/acquaintance who is starting up a small business. You know they don't have much money, but they need a web site. Rather than turning down an opportunity because they don't have the cash, negotiate a small fee (that maybe can be paid partly in gift certificates or in exchange for some of their services). Do a fabulous job on their site, and they will not only tell everyone they know (like their friends who HAVE money to spend!) but down the road when they are successful they will come back to you to build that online shopping cart or reservation system or hire you to help them make a podcast, etc.)
Offering something for free is fine, but ensure that the recipient of your free services or advice is aware that you are a professional and that your time and skills are worth something, even if its not monetary. They will always come back for more.
The only reservation that I have is with attending conferences. How the heck can people afford those things when they're just starting out?
I suppose it's a case where you "can't afford not to," but I always get a bit squeamish when I see how much I've got to fork over to attend one.
Thanks Chris
I can't offer any social media success stories other than the satisfaction of being able to get my point across and allowing the world to see more if they choose, it's like buying a lottery ticket instead of just wanting to to be rich!
I would also note that after doing all the stuff Chris just mentioned, you will likely be tired and lonely. Seek out other freelancers in your area for a bit of camaraderie to alleviate that. For example, a number of us get together every Wednesday morning (heading there soon myself! http://microcowrking.com) for coffee and work and talk about all our cool ideas. It's good to find out how other people are doing freelance work in your area - what's working and what isn't. For example, in your area, it might be a great idea to join the local chamber of commerce. In mine, it's a mixed bag. Sharing, commiserating - it's a need you'll have to fill at some point. Best to find the local freelance crew as early as you can and make friends.
The other note is that someone starting on the freelance path needs to know about the terror that happens the first time there's a 'thin month.' It may be seasonal, it may be due to larger economic forces, it may be because you've slacked on marketing/networking, but it will happen. You will need to be prepared - both financially and emotionally - to weather it. But that's probably a whole 'nother post!
1. Fantastic post, I find it hard to believe you are constantly on the edge of being broke when you are always putting out such great content. And great seeing you again at SXSW.
2. @paul above, lol, because I found this post on FriendFeed.
3. to build on what Laura said. When I was a freelance PHP developer, almost all of my work came through LinkedIn. Often 2nd party (someone needed a PHP dev, they asked a friend if they knew anyone, that friend did a search on LinkedIn, and recommended me to the first person)
great new look on the blog btw Chris... ahh, just noticed it is Nico who did it, nice
Jeff
@Mike D - don't go right off. Go to some social events. For every event that costs your $2000 to attend, there's a free meetup near it. Guaranteed. Surf Upcoming and Eventful for that.
I'm refocusing my business site/blog right now and there are some great ideas here, thanks!
I've said it before and I'll say it again- without the contacts I've made through social networking I wouldn't be in business.
@jstorerj
It also ties in synergistically with Gary V’s manifesto commentary from yesterday reminding us that the reality of who we are can’t help but come through in our digital presence.
I’m a high tech sales professional with a long track record of success in my field. I’m also a writer. I write about issues pertinent to a broad variety of both professional and not-so-professional topics.
I want to be real.
I want to show my warts and weaknesses.
I want to share my personal struggles and triumphs with anybody who cares to listen.
I do this because nobody is perfect, especially me. As a student of human nature, [read: salesman] I know all too well that people have a tendency to compartmentalize, separating the personal from the professional and so on, and so on, until, in some cases, a person can change their persona as frequently as they change their clothes.
So is the answer to have more than one blog? Plenty of people do it.
One for the marketer in them and one for the mommy in them.
One for the PR professional in them and one for the surfer dude in them.
But as Gary V. reminds us, it’s only a matter of time before the two are linked, and do we really want our professional Self being judged by the musings of our personal Self?
How does a professional with something to contribute strike an appropriate balance between the two while remaining true to both? True in not negotiable, it just is.
I think you just gave me the basis for my next blog, Brogan.
I appreciate your emphasis on the "physical world" of social networking. Being Internet denizens, it’s easy to forget how much time we spend just looking at our laptops instead of people and the benefits of a meaningful face-to-face introduction are hard to top. I was lucky enough to attend SXSW this year and meet many people I’ve followed and learned from online, including you. That was a great experience, but I appreciate the one of posters above questioning how easy it is to spend the money to attend numerous conferences. I agree with Susan Murphy’s example of how to social network using your skills you’re selling, if you’re a web designer, help out individuals who need your help now but can’t meet your “official” rates. She writes, “rather than turning down an opportunity because they don’t have the cash, negotiate a small fee (that maybe can be paid partly in gift certificates or in exchange for some of their services). Do a fabulous job on their site, and they will not only tell everyone they know (like their friends who HAVE money to spend!) but down the road when they are successful they will come back to you to build that online shopping cart or reservation system or hire you to help them make a podcast, etc.)”
In that vein, I thought I’d offer my own example of how I do this. I’m an Interactive Marketing Creative but I also happen to be a geek when it comes to computers and since I can provide a level of personal computer expertise just by being myself, I get asked a huge amount of questions about buying computers, setting them up, buying software, home networking, etc. That is not my “job” but just a hobby of mine that it turns out other people have many questions about.
I go out of my way to help nearly anyone out who asks me about these issues but it’s never something I rarely take any payment for, but that process opens up a dialog with people that has let me showcase my knowledge in many other areas. For example, if I spend 30 minutes with “Creative Director A” helping her configure a computer for her daughter, that conversation will by default show my knowledge of how teens technology differently than her mother. When that creative director is looking for a creative mind to work on her next project that is focused on a new media/interactive brief, I believe my name will at least be on the short list of people to investigate for the job.
Thanks again for a superb post!
I have tried different things, and some I disliked immediately. At first, I forced myself to try to like them and make the best of it. Then I started cutting things that didn't fit. But I always felt there was something wrong with me, that I didn't fit.
Well, b/c of you I just tried Ning, and I feel it has a lot of potential. So I think your advice to try and stop what doesn't work is spot-on and just part of the business of doing Social Networking.
Whether you're in the trades or a web pro, carefully shape the message of your sites. People may use social media, boards, search engines etc. to find you but it's to up to you to compel visitors to want to make contact.
Great article and comments, I plan to apply some of the advice to my own struggling businesses.
If you get the chance check out my blog, there you can find links to my work which was pretty successful.
One again, thanks for the great post.
Ron
Lisa Creech Bledsoe
Will be implementing most, if not all, of these points soon.
Although, I have a long way to go this post is one to print, tape it on my wall and study it real hard because you just gave us an outstanding blueprint that goes beyond freelancing.
Jimmy A.
Landing the right project has always been my goal, although freelance helps in the interim. I'll be taking your suggestions to heart when I finally get around to my blog's redesign.
As someone who has had her own business for 6 years, I started out doing the networking piece before the social networking one. But the rules really are the same. Just like you ignore the person trying to sell you at a networking event, you ignore the social networker who is trying to sell, not educate you. And the valuable content you provide in your blog is really no different than doing a one to one meeting with a colleague and providing some tips and advice for their business.
Karen
"free" linked to kevin kelly's article about free
"long tail" linked to chris's blog - better yet, a great post about the long tail on his blog
you had a more prominent link to click on to take you to a page listing all the posts (thus far) in the social media 100 - rather than having to tag hunt
I'm in the process of re-working my blog, and will be following your advice.
Bravo!
David
I think the one thing we always have to remember is that the internet is a small town, and reputation matters. This means assuming people have the best intentions; trust others to a reasonable extent; be open and helpful, but don't feel you have to give away the store; don't jump on every small critique or slight, and when leaving comments for others, think about how it would feel if someone were leaving this comment on your blog. Chris Penn reminds us Google is always watching, and this means that you should treat the information you put out there as something you would like your mom, spouse, best friends, third grade teacher, FBI- ANYONE- see and read.
This could make some people feel inhibited, and for others, the "anonymity in public" actually creates a sense of heightened freedom of speech. In the end, think of your blog and social media musings as an extension of yourself and what you're known for, and you'll do fine as you build your personal brand.
Your blog is you- as you said so well- it is your storefront, and a primary source these days of what you are about, so make sure it reflects you well, and then you never have to worry about what anyone will say about you- it will always be true, accurate and something you can be proud of. Reputation matters, so make yours a great one.
Started following you on Twitter and subscribed to your newsletter a few weeks ago - found out about you from the SOBCon08 promos. Enjoying reading your work and looking forward to meeting you in Chicago!
Love this: Your Blog, Your Storefront
How timely! I'm converting my site content to blog posts - what a rigorous creative exercise! After struggling with whether or not to promote my strategic communications practice on my blog, I let the numbers convince me. No contest: the blog outdraws my site on every level. Today, I added a post to promote my seminar PR ebook and am working on building out a products/resources/workshop section.
After reading your post, I know I'm going in the right direction! Let me know if you ever need a guest online PR blogger. See you in a few weeks!
Barbara/wiredprworks on Twitter
Thank you for explaining a "long tail."
Perhaps you could write about the new words and definitions for us learners.
Thank you
Mari-Lyn
Thank you for explaining a "long tail."
Perhaps you could write about the new words and definitions for us learners.
Thank you
Mari-Lyn
I would like to add a multiply.com profile and a tumblr microblog.
You say: "Kill the calendar thingy. NO ONE navigates by it."
I am of the same opinion on Monthlyy Archive links, but you and almost every other blog I go to have them. I never use them, and don't understand how/why I would. I'm never going to say to myself, "Oh, I wonder what Chris posted in March!" If I'm just browsing a blog's content, I'm going to go back in time use the next/prev links to see the latest stuff (or go by category, more likely).
What say you? How are these different than the calendar things?
Please attend to this immediately.
moodyconnell@yahoo.com
I wish to cancel this service and receive no more billings.
moodyconnell@yahoo.com
moodyconnell@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Rachel