Image copyright © Lodian, http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2420722

As much as websites have gotten easier, there’s still some things that you have to know how to do. Knowing HTML is a good place to start. Knowing how to compress images for web display is a good second skill. If you don’t know either… Let’s just say that you’re driving on bald tires. You can probably go for a few hundred miles, but I’m not riding in the car with you.
If your site is a blog and somebody else designed it for you, you can probably get by posting new articles, but if your site is more complicated - like a shopping cart, for instance - you’re eventually going to need some backup. You really have two choices…

» Read the rest of the entry…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Image copyright © surprise truck, http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=3892975

This one is tough, and I would imagine that it comes up for anyone that works freelance. Clients obviously can’t afford what you’re charging and they ask for a special rate because they “know people”. Why is this so common? I can give you some examples of where this kind of question does not come up…

» Read the rest of the entry…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I simply can’t say it better than the folks at Common Craft. This is the “Next Big Thing,” people. If you have a good, viral podcast, you will have a great marketing tool!

Yes, yes… you may have noticed that I have yet to start one… I’m working on that!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Image copyright © Piutus, http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=4193650

I get this call all the time. A client was just contacted by email or by a salesman on the phone. They were promised that they could get a higher ranking in Google if they paid some “service”… and the rate wasn’t cheap. If you gave me half of what you’re about to pay them, I’ll increase your Google rank and keep you there.

» Read the rest of the entry…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Image copyright ThunderChild5, http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2649467

How many mistakes have I made as a freelancer? So, so many… Hopefully, we’ll get to cover them all eventually, but let me touch on one that could kill you before you even get started. Please, with any project you’re considering, get a deposit before you start any work.

Do you think this is a little extreme? Think you might scare away prospective clients? Well, that’s kind of the point. Let’s think about what can happen if you don’t take a deposit…

» Read the rest of the entry…

Bookmark It