The Lady Programmer

Unlike an employed job, freelance is more like having a batch of jobs to juggle and then nothingness. It is like a roller coaster ride to the top – where you earn a great deal and to the bottom – where you get all the time to sleep and eat and earn nothing.

photo credit: hopee (SXC)

If you are stuck with nothing to do for a longer time, then this is probably the time that you can be able to do other things that may be related to your job interest. Consider the following:

1. Get additional relevant trainings. You can learn by yourself or get some training to further upgrade your skills. If you like to learn Java then you might want to get interested in their free online courses.
2. Take new tests and certifications and retake old ones. Online tests offered by sites like Brainbench is an easier way for you to prove your skills.
3. Spice up your profile. Take a long hard look at your existing profile. Rewrite parts that need to be reworded. Update your profile so that it reflects your accomplishments. I have written some tips on this. Do not forget to update your portfolio.
4. Apply to jobs. There are several freelance sites to look around. This strategy can keep you busy with work rather than keeping a single site around.
5. Learn new skills, or monetize your hobby. With the internet around, this is at all possible. There are too many hobbyists who have turned themselves entrepreneurs because of their hobbies. Remember that freelancing makes you an entrepreneur in many ways and one of the main formula for a successful business is a deep liking for the product or service that you offer.
6. Keep up with friends. Networking skills is a must for successful freelancing because this opens up more potential opportunities and fruitful contacts. In my case, I always find opportunities from friends of my friends.
7. Rest. This is very important. If you know you will be having nothing to do for quite a while and have enough money to go around, then traveling may help you gain fresh insights and even put more important contacts on your list. If you are a homebody, then lots of sleep will do.

There are truly more possibilities to this. Freelancing need not to be confined to simply finding the next job, or catching some sleep. This kind of lifestyle needs a lot more creativity to be successful in this endeavor.

Don’t lose hope when a buyer decides to put you up on a low rating! Being given a low rating for your latest job does not mean that you will not be able to get freelance jobs in the same freelance company in the future. Giving up on a single job means accepting defeat on the first try.

Successful freelancers in freelance sites have stayed through with the site even with their low ratings. Some even stayed for a year or two, and despite having a low feedback rating, they were able to take on more jobs and have gotten higher feedback ratings, very satisfied client base backed up with very moving positive comments.

photo credit: xlucas (SXC)

If I were to experience this situation, this is what I would have to do if the feedback really applies to me:

1. Pursue additional training to enhance my skill in this area. I might have to come up with sample work after the training to be able to justify what I had done with the previous job. Also, certifications can be a lot helpful to this one. Self-training can also be done if there is no available trainings around.
2. Apply to jobs where I am really good at. If I am better at programming than writing then I would have to pursue programming jobs instead. If I am better at doing VB.NET projects rather than Java programming projects, then I would have to pursue VB.NET projects instead.
3. Build a job experience on a specialization. In freelancing, it is better to specialize at a skill rather than knowing too many skills. In VB.NET you can be a database developer, an embedded programmer, a graphics expert in that single language. Just the same if you are striving to be a database expert, then be a database developer in several languages instead.
4. Find other clients. Many clients are open-minded and would still give chance despite a negative feedback rating.
5. Improve other areas that might have led to this incident. Most likely poor communication skills are the culprit. Consider several ways to communicate to a client, such as using voice communication, the Japanese HORENSO communication system, making regular daily reports, using email and of course, using instant messaging.

What if the feedback does not really apply to me? If a potential client notices it then you will have to explain why the feedback is so. Be honest, but it is not necessary to divulge all the juicy details. Perhaps you might tell him that you agreed to disagree about some details of the job. Try justifying that the feedback is false through some of your sample work, certifications, employment history and test scores. The client will easily see how you are able to justify yourself and will likely be convinced to hire you for their job.

Chances are, freelancers have experienced working in an office setting. The transition from office to freelancing can be quite difficult, as freelancing involves a different set of skills. The successful freelancer has inherent skills that guarantee his or her success in this kind of workplace, which could be a lot different from that is experienced in an office setting.

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How does the freelancer begin? For me, I began to research all the traits of a successful freelancer. Here is my list:

1. He or she must be able to have enough marketing skills. To be able to win a job the freelancer should be able to negotiate deadlines and defend his or her chosen rate or bid for a given freelance job.
2. He or she should be a master of finances. Unlike corporate jobs, the freelancer could expect swings in income: the income could be very high in one month while for the next month, jobs could be quite scarce.
3. He or she should also be very skilled in his or her chosen freelancing service. This is definitely a very strong point in freelancing. The more specialized the skill, the higher the pay. Specialized skills are quite rare, but with great skills clients will be able to pay willingly at the price that you have set. Also, these people are preferred over those jack-of-all trades type freelancer.
4. He or she should be a good communicator. The successful freelancer should be able to effectively communicate with the client: in a global job freelancing marketplace, English speaking skills is a must.
5. He or she should be very disciplined in maintaining a strict timetable of schedule. Freelancers work with several projects at once, because this keeps income flowing in. This could be quite tricky, but negotiating deadlines and keeping on schedule can really be a benefit.

Freelancing is not truly a job that everyone could really get into. If you are deeply interested into this kind of job, then it is a good decision to prepare yourself in having these character.

In the job assignments that I had, most of the communication is done by email or chat. I use Yahoo messenger and Google Talk as my main means of instant messaging.

photo credit: krimeboy (SXC)

Some clients prefer Skype as a medium, but with a slow connection that I still have right now, this is not yet a possibility for me.

So, how did it work out for me?

Good grasp of the English language. Most countries can understand English and this is the only way that I can communicate my thoughts.

Fast typing skill. I have fast typing skills which I find it an advantage, because I can express myself effectively using more words. This has also enabled me to correct typing mistakes.

Reply promptly. Reply to a client’s email, even if you cannot be able to immediately answer to it. Just be sure to mention a time when you can be able to get back and give the answer.

Be flexible. Offer multiple contact times and offer several ways of communication. I always see to it that I am available at the specified time. I also provide several means of chatting that can be suitable with the client.

Offer suggestions. Consider the context of the whole work. What are the alternatives that you have in mind? What do you think will make the work a whole lot better?

Communicate problems. Try finding ways to solve problems. Clients often appreciate when I get to try out things first rather than simply reporting these problems.

Archive everything. Archive or file your emails in a separate folder. Keep history of chat messages. I always go back to my emails and chat messages whenever I get to work on the client’s project.

Report regularly. For me, the best way is through email. I find it a necessity to email the client for the updates. This keeps him always informed.

Confirm everything. When I have to send a huge file, I see to it that I send another email to confirm it. It is even better if I use another medium such as the chat to confirm the receipt. This goes for anything that is sent to the client.

Put the job into writing. Before working on a job, I see to it that I am able to identify and write down everything that we have agreed. This means browsing through the email and chat history. Then I get to send that write up to the client to get his approval.

Be thankful. Thank the client for inviting you to an interview. Thank the client after the interview. Thank the client after you are done with the project. Saying thank you is not enough in instant messaging. Always send an email to formally document this important conversation.

Do you have something to add to this?

As a freelancer, one of the basic skills that I needed to develop is time management.

Except for the last stint that I had with a semiconductor company, I was not all too skilled at managing time.

But having the freelance life as the only means of income forced me to abide with the deadlines. The most tricky part is when you have to work with several freelance jobs.

photo credit: Bjay70 (SXC)

Some tips that I can share:

1. Schedule. Keep a calendar where you can write down appointments and deadlines.
2. Prioritize. Make TO DO lists for the day, the week and if you can, for the month and beyond. From that TO DO list, identify and number the work that needs to be prioritized.
3. Prune time wasters. Eliminate or simplify other tasks that are unnecessary.
4. Set time for chat. Set a specific time for turning on your instant messaging services. That goes for checking the email too.
5. Relax. Take regular breaks to clear up the mind. Keep a well balanced life between work and play.

Can you add more to this?