FREELANCE JOB REPORT
Make the right business connections in the world’s
fastest-growing freelance marketplace.
Issue 241 Professional Edition
(Dedicated to helping you find work and make money.)
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In This Issue:
1…..Equal Opportunities in the Freelance Market
2…..The Hidden Fortune in Freelance Web Writing
3…..Hot Job: Design a Fully Animated Flash Project
4…..Calling All Freelancers
5…..Jobs for Freelancers
6…..Delivering a Blow to Hoax Viruses
7…..Freelancers Finding Balance and Bucks
8..…More Jobs and Projects
9…..A Free Fast Track for Internet Searches
10…Cool Project: Write about Art and Society in Australia
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1. Equal Opportunities in the Freelance Market
Levelling the Playing Field
A recent study suggests that the number of disabled
persons in the workforce is growing. And freelancing,
perhaps, offers a great opportunity for this
important section of our community.
Although the world is slowly changing, the fact is that
people with disabilities face considerable challenges in
finding a job. As well as problems of access and the set
up of the working environment, there is a great deal of
blatant discrimination to deal with.
Freelancers, however, can often work from home, reducing
or eliminating the need for office visits. This can make
it easier to compete for work on level terms.
Sadly, it's not only the disabled who are discriminated
against. Prejudice relating to color, religion and ethnic
issues can also be a considerable problem. But once
again, freelancers are often insulated from such
problems, and have a chance to work on an equal footing.
So in the freelance world at least, we are taking steps
towards a better and fairer society.
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Last year I was going through a bitter divorce. I needed
time to rest,
and time to heal. So I only worked one week each month.
I made $105,453.83.
This stress-free business I'm in is America's best-kept
secret. I
invite you to join us. In fact, we might just hire you
ourselves.
http://www.thewriterslife.com/dm/pop13
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2. The Hidden Fortune in Freelance Web Writing
By Maria Veloso, Author of 'Web Copy That Sells'
During the first half of 2002, Tom Myer, a freelance
writer with 15 years experience, found himself working
pretty hard- but not getting a lot of results.
He was earning a decent income of about $800 a week,
which wasn't bad for a freelancer, but he wasn't landing
the lucrative jobs on the Web that he had heard so much
about. Then, in the Fall of 2002, his *income jumped
250%* to an average of $2,000 a week, and now for the
first time in his writing career, Tom is certain he will
earn a 6-figure income before the end of 2003.
What made the difference?
In October 2002, Tom had "stumbled" into the lucrative
career of web copywriting. In a matter of weeks, he
learned everything there was to learn about the hot,
in-demand craft of writing web copy - and his income has
never been the same.
The Web Price Index of B to B Magazine reports that
individuals who are skilled in writing web copy earn
$85/hour on the low-end, a median rate of $125/hour, and
a high-end rate of $235 per hour. These rates certainly
seem impressive when compared to the median hourly wages
of$15.93 to $20 for college-educated Americans in the
offline world. And since the craft of writing web copy is
surprisingly easy to learn, this presents a virtual
goldmine of an opportunity for those who enjoy writing,
and are seeking an Internet-based, work-at-home career
with minimal start-up costs.
"Web copy" refers to the words used to communicate a
sales message on a website or e-mail, and the people who
write these words are called "web copywriters." The main
objective of web copy is to generate leads, customers,
sales -and consequently, profits -for a website.
There is an insatiable demand for web copywriting
services, and a vast amount of work available - most of
it generated by 2.7 million direct marketing websites.
The work ranges from crafting web copy 'from scratch', to
rewriting existing web copy, writing e-mail messages to
prospects and customers, developing promotional articles,
opt-in offers, banner ad copy, or compelling search
engine listings.
At present, the bulk of that huge demand remains
unsatisfied -- or at best, is inadequately filled by
untrained writers or web designers that are not skilled
in writing web copy at all. Direct marketing website
owners are willing to pay top dollar to have web copy
written because the very survival of their businesses
depends on it.
Since there is currently only one institution (Web
Copywriting University) that trains and certifies web
copywriters, it will be many years before the supply of
web copywriters catches up with the ever-growing demand.
In fact, there is such a scarcity of web copywriting
professionals that the small handful that do practice the
craft collect incredible financial dividends and perks
that are not available to their technical counterparts
like web designers, programmers and engineers.
It's not unusual, for instance, for a website owner to
"bribe" a good web copywriter with a percentage of the
profits from his/her business, or even part ownership of
the business, in some cases. It's also not uncommon to
see skilled web copywriters branch out into profitable
joint ventures that pay exponentially more than $85 to
$235/hour. Some web copywriters who land only a
few of these joint venture agreements enjoy a *guaranteed
passive income* for the length of the agreements.
Writing web copy that converts prospects into customers
is a discipline all its own. It's a highly specialized
genre of writing that combines marketing wherewithal with
an understanding of the Internet's unique culture,
mindset, psychology and "language." What most online
business people don't realize is that web copywriting is
distinctly different from regular advertising copy and
offline marketing communications. It is also quite
different from web content writing.
Just because someone is a skilled ad copywriter for the
offline markets doesn't mean his/her writing skills can
translate into effective web copywriting without the
proper training. Even some of the best copywriters for
the offline markets are not necessarily adept at writing
effective copy for the Web.
So how does one break into the lucrative niche of web
copywriting?
The craft of web copywriting -- and the marketing of web
copywriting services -- are infinitely easy to learn if
you're willing to learn a brand new discipline. You'll
need to learn.
· Why writing for the offline world differs from
writing for the online world.
· Why words are the true currency on the Web.
· How to rise above the 'noise' and 'clutter' of
the
Internet by arousing the Reticular Activating System
of your prospect's brain.
· How to write e-mail messages with a competitive
edge.
· Which words and language capture the undivided
attention of information-overloaded Internet surfers.
· Where to find - and how to approach - the direct
marketing websites that are in need of copywriting
services.
The best primer that reveals these fundamental concepts
is a book entitled, 'Frame-of-Mind Marketing: How to
Convert Your Online Prospects Into Customers'. It is a
must-read for anyone seeking to transition into the web
copywriting specialty. It is available as a *free*
download at
http://www.webcopythatsells.com/download.htm.
========================================================
Maria Veloso is the author of 'Web Copy That Sells: The
Secret to Creating a Profitable Website," and the
Director of Web Copywriting University, which specializes
in teaching copywriters, or writers of any genre, how to
transition to the lucrative web copywriting specialty
where a 6-figure freelance income is within easy reach.
Click here for details:
http://www.WebCopywritingUniversity.com/index2.htm
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3. Hot Job:
Design a Fully Animated Flash Project
An experienced freelance flash designer is required to
work onsite on a fully animated flash project. Please
forward your resume, links to previous work and interest
in project. The project location is in Bridgewater NJ
08807.
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4. Calling all Freelancers
Search the Six corners of the Freelance World
Allfreelance.com is six job sites rolled into one for
your browsing convenience. It's an all-inclusive site
covering most areas of the freelance community from web
and graphic deign, web development, writing, illustrating
and editorial right through to accounting, finance and
clerical.
Simply log in make your selection from the six on offer
or visit them all. Allfreelance.com lets you register an
account and search the job database for free. You can
also distribute your resume (for $20), add a career
portfolio ($15 p.a.) and access a range of portfolio
services (for a fee). The site also provides handy links
to other freelance job sites and lets you browse for free
articles and career tips. Well worth a visit.
http://www.allfreelance.com/
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5. Jobs for Freelancers
Design Symbol for T-Shirts
New Spider Web need an Artist to design a white tiger
with Chinese symbols beside the tiger. It will be printed
on black tee shirts. We need an artist to design the art
for screen printing. Please contact as soon as possible
for further details.
Help With a Reading Program
Scanlogic have an OCX coded in C++, and want a sample
program to show them how to read in a pdf file and write
a bitmap in delphi. If you are able to help, please send
an email as soon as possible.
PR Freelancer for Technology in Austria
Seeking experienced technology PR freelancer to provide
services to an important client in Austria. Budget is
around 2000 euro/month. Strong technology media relations
skills and clipping service capabilities required. If
interested, and would like more information, please email
your resume and query.
Write about Alternative Topics
A free, alternative monthly magazine to the entire Four
Corners area from Durango to Taos, Santa Fe to Sedona,
Albuquerque to Flagstaff and Moab to Telluride. Strives
to capture the interests, issues, characters, concerns,
humor, and literary voices of this unique place, with an
"underground" perspective that the region's mainstream
media cannot. Length: varies up to 4000 words. Queries
are preferred, but unsolicited features and essays are
welcome on spec; usually respond within two months;
response not guaranteed without a SASE. Pays: 10 - 20
cents per word one month after publication.
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6. Delivering a Blow to Hoax Viruses
Send Internet Pranksters Packing
We've mentioned it in previous issues and the experts are
sending out new warnings and upgrading old ones - beware
of hoax Internet viruses. Irritating and destructive
online pranksters are infiltrating our in-boxes on almost
a daily basis and the epidemic is picking up momentum.
Word on the web is that hoaxes are almost as damaging to
the way we work and play in cyber space as the real deal.
Cyber hoaxers often strike via SPAM and junk mail that
warns of malicious new viruses. You may already have
fallen victim to one of these hoaxes and have obediently
contacted everyone in your Address Book to notify them of
the 'threat', so they can eliminate the virus 'that never
was'. By following the hoaxer's 'elimination'
instructions you could end up eliminating vital computer
files.
But being caught in this trap could become a thing of the
past because you can deliver a blow to hoax viruses.
Hoaxbusters has given Internet users a site with plenty
of might. It shows you how to recognise Internet hoaxes,
what to do about them and offers lots more useful
hoax-related advice and protective tips to send Internet
pranksters packing.
http://www.hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
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7. Freelancers Finding Balance and Bucks
Another Freelance Success Story
The daily reality of most corporate employees is a lack
of flexibility when it comes to achieving a balance
between work and home lives. While some companies are
showing an increasing tolerance towards telecommuting,
often we are faced with the prospect of 'going it alone'
to create the ideal mix of rewarding career and
fulfilling family life.
Taking a step out of the work mainstream and becoming a
freelancer or independent contractor might seem daunting
at first. But, many people have evaluated their career
goals, family commitments, financial situations and
skills base and have then taken the leap. And they've
never looked back - both from a career viewpoint and the
benefits flowing through to their home lives. Click onto
the link to read a freelance success story - and it's by
no means one of a kind. It could be you.
http://tinyurl.com/7lgf
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8. More Jobs and Projects
Develop Crisp Interface for Travel Industry
A Microsoft Certified partner requires a web developer to
create a crisp interface for an application used by
travel agents selling holidays to the public. This
project is IE specific. The Forms contain a large amount
of grid based data displaying product prices and details.
etc. Please email your resume, quote and query.
Write Career Guides
FabJob are seeking one or two talented people to write
one or more FabJob guides on a contract basis (preferably
full-time, but we will consider part-time). They are
currently seeking writers for the following topics:
Become a Personal Shopper and Become an Image Consultant.
The pay is a flat fee of $1,500 U.S. payable upon
acceptance of each manuscript. Please contact for further
information.
Design a Four Color Magazine and more
FabJob have an immediate need for a talented designer to
work on several projects with a quick turn-around time,
including designing a four-color magazine ad, a trade
show booth printed materials such as brochures, coupon
and/or small catalogs, creating graphics for their
Interior Decorator book (e.g. outlines of furniture) Of
course you have Adobe Illustrator (version 8.0 or higher)
and Photoshop, and can prepare materials for print.
Please email and include a link to your website if you
have one.
Design a Fully Animated Flash Project
An experienced freelance flash designer is required to
work onsite on a fully animated flash project. Please
forward your resume, links to previous work and interest
in project. The project location is in Bridgewater NJ
08807.
Design a Website Banner
A graphic artist is required to design a website banner,
a website award and a thumbnail portrait. If interested,
please forward resume, ideas and rates as soon as
possible.
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9. A Free Fast Track for Internet Searches
Download a 5-pronged Search Tool
Speed is of the essence when it comes to searching the
web for business or pleasure. For many freelancers
plugging keywords into search engines is a constant
ritual of the workday and coming up with the best sites
can be time consuming. So, how can you fast track the
search process to speed up your work?
In a nutshell, there is Nutshell - the Tool Bar. It's a
browser search bar that lets you launch a 5-pronged
search effort targeting Google, Dictionary.com, Internet
Movie Database, Amazon and Daypop. It frees you from the
tedium of navigating your way to various search engines
and then having to type your query into each one. Best of
all, it's free and works with Internet Explorer for
Windows (versions 5.5 and later). So, what are you
waiting for?
http://torrez.org/projects/nutshell/
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10. Cool Project:
Write about Art and Society in Australia
Artlink, Australia, the quarterly that links art and
society. Open to a very wide range of writers throughout
Australia. "Because Artlink is a themed magazine which
tries to make art relevant across society, we often need
to find contributors who have expert knowledge of
subjects outside of the art area who can put the work of
artists in a broader context...email the editor with your
CV and two or three examples of previous published
writing." Expect writers to source the images for
articles and liaise with artists or galleries for
permission to use images. Payment: $200 per 1,000 words.
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Remember:
"Happiness...it lies in the joy of achievement, in the
thrill of creative effort."
(Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Testimonials
"I took a chance one day when I was flush and sent a few bucks to gain access to the Go Freelance Professional Edition. Since then, I've edited a sales letter, a follow-up letter, an 11-page Web site, and a brochure. I'm 'on call' to do pinch-hit proofreading for a medical newsletter editor in Florida ..and I've landed a gig editing a new Canadian magazine coming out this fall. All this from taking a chance on Go Freelance."
Karyn Martin
"Once again, you guys have come through with incredible results. Our job post definitely produced the type and quality of person we needed, and we found who we were looking for quickly. From now on, you're my first choice when I need to hire someone."
Steve Brownrigg, The Newsletter Company