The Internet has made freelance work easier

The life of a freelance worker before the Internet was very different than it is today. In the past, any freelancer would need great mobility or a very sympathetic pricing plan from their phone company. In order to get around to pitch yourself to potential customers, you would require boundless energy, and an ability to deal with being told “no” face-to-face or over the phone.

So much of freelancing is about speculation, after all. You can try and sell yourself a hundred times and could be told “no” a hundred times – and the chances are that you will get at least fifty rejections even if you are excellent. Although the Internet offers no guarantees of acceptance, it does make things a bit more equal for the freelancer.

There are many sites on the Internet that offer the opportunity for freelancers to pitch to potential customers on specific jobs. A searchable database means you can even check for jobs that match up perfectly with your own specific skills and abilities. You can name your price and tell the customer how quickly you can turn a job around.

The days of having to get out there, pound the pavement and then be told “sorry, we’re not interested” are more or less over. Not to mention, the Internet provides a truly monumental research tool for the jobs that require a bit of extra knowledge. The internet is nothing less than a launch pad from which to set your career in motion.

Using a Blog to sell yourself, or others

Having your own blog not only works in lieu of a website, to advertise your business or sell products, but you can sell for others as well. Online blogging sites, such as WordPress and Blogger, are now a major tool for savvy Internet entrepreneurs to make money.

Although there has been some criticism of the “blogosphere” - as some people will insist on calling it - for being a window on a world of moaning teenagers, the simple truth of the matter is not only are many blogs a more reliable news source than the mass media, they also present the budding businessperson with a way to get money coming through the door. All it requires is a bit of thought, an idea and the motivation to make it happen.

Blogs are easily navigable sites that are equally easy to update. So it is not necessary to have any great knowledge of internet technology to keep one running.

It can be used in one of two ways. You can make your blog a pure information/entertainment site that people will read for the enjoyment of it. A blog with a reputation can attract advertisers, just as any newspaper or magazine can, providing a source of revenue. Or, you can use the blog as a way of promoting a more conventional business.

If your blog gains a reputation for being something that a lot of people read, advertisers may well approach you, or you can approach them offering a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get their product advertising space somewhere people are likely to look. There's also affiliate marketing programs with Internet sites like E-bay and Amazon. This can be enough for an individual to live on, although this is not going to happen instantly.

A blog can also be used like a website to promote yourself, or any number of products that fit the blog's topic. Then all you need is something they are prepared to pay for – and that can be almost literally anything.

Use the Internet to sell your skills

Besides selling products, the Internet can be used to sell skills. Making money from the Internet can be as simple as selling what you do best; that one thing you do well that sets you apart from the majority of people.

What are your skills? If you are unsure, look at what you have done successfully in the past. What business have you worked in most recently, and did you do well at it, and enjoy it? If so, there is a clear indicator of what you can do well.

What were you good at when you went to school? If it was languages, for example, you can set yourself up as a tutor in those languages, or a translator. If you have a college diploma, even better. Few subjects you can major in at college are incompatible with making money.

It comes down, as often as not, to doing what you are comfortable with. Your instincts will tell you what the path to follow is. Then it is simply a matter of honing the business to your key strengths.

Then there's how much to charge. Being a sound business mind includes setting a price that will attract customers, while not leaving you short.

There is some trial and error involved in setting a price, but instinctively you will have an idea what is fair. Some quick research will tell you what comparable businesses are charging for similar services. From there it is all about working to your strengths.

Blogging for customers is free advertising

There have been people – many people – who have set up a website and expected it to become lucrative immediately; without putting in the time and effort to let potential customers know they're open for business. Compared to setting up a business on Main Street, the Internet can deliver results for a relatively small outlay of funds. An advertising budget makes things easier, no one would ever deny that, but it is certainly not essential. Blogging is a cost-free method that only requires putting in the time and effort.

The Internet is crawling with forums and blogs for just about any topic of conversation you can imagine. Certainly there will be a blog that discusses topics that have a connection to your business.

By registering on these forums you can make your business known to a receptive audience. Many forums have anti-spam measures that prevent you from posting irrelevant content or linking without context, but you are usually allowed to link to your business in the signature box beneath your posts.

Depending on the nature of your business, the possibilities for promotion on the Internet are many and varied, and they make for a real opportunity to drive your business forward, usually at no extra cost to yourself.

Advertising your business without the cost

Advertising your business is important if you want to bring in customers and be successful. There are numerous ways of doing this, some of which are expensive and others which, as a matter of relief to the person looking to get a business up and running quickly and on a budget, are free of charge. And, it can be used whether you want live customers to walk through your door, or attracting visitors to your website.

Free promotion of a business has its drawbacks compared to paying for it; it is less direct and will not be as prominent. On the other hand, however, there are clear upsides to free advertising. For one, well, it's free, and for another it's really quite simple.

Getting free advertising is something that need only take half an hour – and that is allowing for writing the advertising copy and ensuring that it looks good. There are sites devoted to free advertising, such as Free Advertising Exchange and Craigslist. Both of these sites simply require you to write a short description of your business, prices and some contact details so that interested parties can get details from you and arrange a deal. An online search will list many more such sites.

These sites make their money by placing advertisements on the site from companies who will pay for exposure in a setting where people are looking to conduct business. You make your money by placing an attractive advertisement that will make potential customers want to know more. After that it is a matter of handling enquiries and arranging deals. All of that for zero outlay, too. Isn’t it amazing?

Tips and Tricks when designing a website

When setting up a website for an Internet business there are a few tips and tricks you need to be kept in mind. Certain dos and don’ts like these can be the difference between success and failure, and are the reason many companies outsource their Internet work to real experts.

The Internet is a serious business tool, and incorrect use of it can drive potential customers away. Keep this in mind when it comes to setting up a business website, and get unbiased feedback on it before you “go live”. It may take a bit of time, and may even require some spending, but the benefits of a good website are unarguable.

Having the content of the site written and designed professionally can be worthwhile. If you are good with words, it is less so. It is important to do as much of the work as you comfortably can. Badly worded text, however, can hold you beneath the water line.

A memorable URL for your site is also just as important. Trying to get people to remember a long website address is likely to result in them upping sticks and going elsewhere.

Try also to present a welcoming image on your site. Sometimes just being made to smile can persuade a customer to spend their money.

Other tips

• Good spelling is an essential. The potential customer may have doubts about your ability to deliver a good service if you cannot proof-read your documents.
• Readability is also important; no long, rambling sentences can be allowed.
• A poor choice of color combination is also bad; navy blue text on a bright red background will not do.
• Poor use of images is also dangerous. The wrong image, the wrong size, the wrong placement;  these are just three things that can make a potential customer’s mind wander. And if you let their mind wander, it may just wander all the way over to one of your rivals.

The site should also be easy to navigate and carry prominent contact details. Your potential customer may be very impressed by the flashing text and the snappy images, but if they cannot phone you or send you an e-mail, it won’t be much good to you.