The Lady Programmer

I’m sure Mozilla Firefox 3 is a hot download right now. It got over a million pledges already when I signed up a few days back. Now the guys behind Firefox are now inviting everyone to make this as the most downloaded software in 24 hours.

Here is a link to this awaited download, the file is more than 7 MB:

ftp://mozilla.isc.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/3.0/win32/en-US/Firefox Setup 3.0.exe

Are you using a Mozilla Firefox? I am a huge fan of as I go about my programming projects. I just received in my email that there will be a new version (Firefox 3) that will be out on June 17, 2008. As I am writing this post, there are already 1,280,362 pledges including myself to set out a Guinness World Record of becoming the most downloaded software in 24 hours!

The Mozilla blog briefly mentions all about this huge countdown. The button provided below should take you to the PLEDGE NOW page.

I realized that I am not alone in my quest to find bigger dreams than working away in the comfort of the office cubicle. I got to read a rant from a shy writer’s dream – of being around with others who did not really believe what this writer can do. I could relate so much to this writer because I am in full-time freelance programming and blog writing. Many do not understand the nature of the job because they find this kind of work unstable – it does not guarantee fixed income plus the benefits that accompany a full time job.

Earlier this day, I happened to read several rags to riches stories. The most inspiring one is that of Oprah Winfrey, who started out as a very poor abused girl in her early age. But that situation was not a reason for her not to succeed: she went on to be one of the most influential women in the world. In the Forbes List she is also listed as one of the world’s billionaire’s. Look at Bill Gates too, who risked finishing college to build the world-famous Windows OS.

photo credit: arochman (SXC)

Now who says getting employed is better than being in the business or the freelance world?

I have been writing for a month now while I keep up with the latest in web design and SEO before I get to accept opportunities related to these skills. I have been blogging for some time and paid posts have really helped me fund these freelance programming ventures.

This blog has written out other paid opportunities from SocialSpark, but this post is actually the first time for PayPerPost, primarily because of this blog’s page rank (it’s zero). If you have noticed, I have some PPP badges right up at the sidebar of this site but ironically, my paid posts are published in The Single Parent Talks, another blog that I maintain.

photo credit: arinas74 (SXC)

I hope you have stumbled some of my posts on this blog, because I have taken some paid opportunities in SocialSpark as a blogger. I wrote about choosing Misaki as my Manga name with a sponsored badge at the bottom of the post. Not long I also wrote about SocialSpark soon after becoming a member.

I started out by putting up my profile as a blogger and then I need to have my blogs approved. I have only two blogs but only this one (The Lady Programmer) was qualified to accept such opportunities. Blogger.com blogs have a good chance of being accepted in the SocialSpark marketplace.

The difference between SocialSpark and PPP is that one can get to interact with other bloggers in the marketplace. Not only do I get some traffic to my blogs but I can also get to communicate with other bloggers. I even got to write a “spark” about another person’s blog – which helps me build my reputation and opportunities to write a post back to that person. “Sparks” can also help me write about something related to the theme of the blog. I just wrote a post about a mentor that can help new bloggers become better writers and I am hoping for a good post about this blog. Most of all, unlike PPP where you have to catch an available opportunity, SocialSpark simply puts your slot on queue until the opportunity is available – if it is I’d always get an email.

There are some similarities between SocialSpark and PPP as well. Both need manual approval of the post. Both need 30 days wait period before the payment is released through Paypal.

One of the challenges of the full-time freelancer is earning consistently, because paying the bills can be difficult when there is no expected income. Sometimes keeping up a client is not the key, so the freelancer has to learn how to spot opportunities to earn income.

photo credit: djayo (SXC)

So here’s my list:

1. Find other places that offer freelance opportunities. You might be able to exhaust job opportunities on one site, so you might need to find another site where you can get similar skills. I have an oDesk account as well as Elance and Guru accounts too. This way I do not limit myself to opportunities that are available on one site. I can work on two projects from two different sites at the same time. Of course, there are also offline options like the newspaper – I can simply run an ad advertising my services until someone gets interested with my skills.
2. Use other skills or hobbies to earn. Aside from programming and web design, I do some writing too. I write for two blogs and earn active income on some sponsored posts. I also have a third blog on the making. I can spend a few minutes to an hour of writing – this way I can maximize my time by earning a few bucks on the side.
3. Invest in passive income. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other forms of passive investing are other means to earn income without working for it. Even sites and blogs earn from passive income by putting up ads on the website to take advantage of the site traffic. In simple words, you can earn income even while you are sleeping.
4. Tell your friends about your services. Tell the world that you are available to render services. Be ready with your business card. If you are in the internet, a website or blog can help. Be ready with a portfolio of sample work.
5. Keep existing clients happy. Quality service and timely delivery will always help you keep your clients. If they are satisfied with your work, perhaps you might want to offer your services to win more opportunities.

Have you been able to get multiple streams of income some other way?