When you surf the internet looking for advice and information about hiring a freelance editor or writer, you’ll find many myths floating about. Too often, I’ve been called in to help out a would-be writer after she’s plopped down several thousand dollars for editorial or ghostwriting services, only to find herself no closer to a publishable manuscript. I get frustrated when I hear such stories of editing gone bad! That’s why I’d like to bust some myths about editors and agents I’ve come across on the web to help you avoid hiring the wrong freelance book editor.

MYTH 1: An excellent editor can help you with any type of book you’d like to publish.

REALITY: Editors specialize. They can’t be an expert on everything, and an editor with integrity will tell you flat out that she isn’t the right person to help you with your book. She may be able to recommend a trusted colleague, but not always, because she may not know editors who work in your genre. Ask a lot of questions and do your homework before you commit to hire a freelance book editor.

MYTH 2: Editors at book publishing houses don’t edit these days.

REALITY: Traditional book publishers who pick and choose which books they’ll publish and pay you for the privilege of publishing your book do include editing as part of their publishing process. If a "book publisher" doesn’t edit your book for free prior to publication, you’re working with a vanity press, not at "book publisher." A vanity press essentially prints your book for you and offers adjunct services, some for free, others for a fee, and the quality may not be good. Do your research and know whether you are working with a publisher or a vanity press. That said, book publishers are looking for manuscripts that only require light editing, not a major overhaul
. You or your agent may decide to hire a freelance editor, book doctor, or writer to get your manuscript in shape for submission to an editor.

MYTH 3: A freelance editor who helps you prepare your book proposal to sell to a traditional book publisher does not need to know the marketplace.

REALITY: If you’re saying to yourself, "I want a book deal!" you need someone who is knowledgeable about what publishers are looking for and keeps up on the latest trends, even what books are "in the pipeline" (not yet published but under contract). Work with a savvy professional freelance book editor and you’ll maximize your ability to get your book published.

MYTH 4: All editors do the same type of work.

REALITY: There are several types of editors. Some editors are in-house acquisitions editors at book publishing houses and they may not do the actual line editing or structural editing of your book. Their job may be simply to find book projects they think are viable in the marketplace and, often, to oversee their publication (sometimes this job is handled by others in the house). Freelance editors are often developmental editors who restructure manuscripts, clean up marginal writing to make it less awkward, and add in transitions and headers (this is often called heavy line editing or book doctoring). They will also fix grammar, and, sometimes, offer writing advice so that you can do this work yourself. Freelance editors can also be light line editors or copyeditors who do little work with the structure of the book and mostly fix grammar, styling (such as when to hyphenate words) and mechanics (spelling and punctuation). A fantastic copyeditor (or light line editor) doesn’t necessarily do developmental editing. A developmental editor doesn’t necessarily copyedi A fantastic copyeditor (or light line editor) doesn’t necessarily do developmental editing. A developmental editor doesn’t necessarily copyedit. When you hire an "editor," be clear on what type of "editing" you are seeking.

MYTH 5: A great editor can proofread, copyedit, and do heavy structural and line editing at the same time.

REALITY: It’s a waste of time to bother proofreading or copyediting a book that needs major structural changes and extensive line editing until that work is done. An excellent editor cannot keep her head on the big picture while devoting attention to typos and grammar glitches. The final polish is just that. There’s no point in fussing about typos in a section that may be edited out or totally rewritten.

MYTH 6: You can always find a terrific writer or editor last minute because there are so many of them out there.

REALITY: Great writers and editors are often booked up months in advance and, like everyone else, they enjoy some time off in the summer or around the holidays. If your dream is to hold in your hands a fabulous book with your name on it, plan ahead and procure a professional editor or writer early.

Author: Nancy Peske

NANCY PESKE is a professional ghost writer, editor, and book doctor as well as a bestselling author and member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She has been in the book business since 1987 and assists would-be authors in achieving their dream of creating a published book. Visit http://www.nancypeske.com or http://www.nancypeske.wordpress.com for more information about how she can help you get a book published.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Peske

Information on Online Freelance Work and Freelance Writers Invoice.

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As a freelance writer, you sell your time, talent, energy, and skills in the marketplace; and you expect to be paid for those things. Supposedly, you know how much time you have invested in a project, what your efforts are worth, and how to carry on such a transaction in a civilized, professional manner. But have you mastered the basics of managing all of the financial aspects of your business? Here are the ten steps you should be taking.

1. Hire an accountant, preferably one who specializes in small businesses and will be accessible when needed. Work with that person to set up your business, even if it is just part-time freelancing. Ask him or her to answer the questions you don’t know enough to ask and to give you a road map for what to do and how to do it.

2. Open a separate checking account for your business. This will eliminate the confusion of trying to sort out what is a business expense and what is not. It also will clearly spell out what is coming in and what is going out — the point being that supposedly you can’t spend money you don’t have.

3. Use one credit card for business purposes, and don’t use it for anything else. If you get one that sends you an end-of-the-year itemized report of charges, that will simplify your record keeping enormously.

4. Invest in a time-and-billing software program. I use iBiz (for the Mac), but I’m sure there are several other good ones out there. Such software does amazing things and often interacts with check-writing programs so that everything becomes part of a seamless process. It will keep perfect track of your time with a simple on/off switch and multiply that by your hourly rate. It will maintain a record of every client’s or publication’s information, agreements, projects, invoices, and payments. It will create reports in as much or as little detail as you desire. And it will serve as proof that you put in the time you said you did.

5. Get it in writing. Don’t start anything without a signed letter of agreement stipulating what, when, and how much. Then, be prepared to live with your estimate or arrangement. This sounds easy, but you have to be extremely disciplined and self-confident to tell a client or editor that you won’t begin the project until you have the signed contract in hand.

6. Send out invoices, at the same time every month, upon completion of a project, or at specific intervals — whatever has been agreed to on the front end. A time-and-billing program will set up a template for your bills and allow you to customize any aspect, from marking up expenses, to listing every activity and expense, to including personalized messages. These are just the basic things such software can do for you. Read the manual, or take a course to learn the finer points

7. Follow up on late payments. Spell out your terms at the outset and on your invoices. Send second and third notices. Then, make the phone call, or perhaps more than one. If you say, "My lawyer will be in touch," be sure your lawyer writes a letter on firm letterhead. (It won’t do any good unless you are planning to bring suit, but it looks impressive.) If you threaten to turn the matter over to a collection agency, do it. If you say you will take the case to Small Claims Court, do it. A word of caution though: Small Claims Court is great in principle, not so great in practice.

8. Keep orderly records. Keep track of everything, especially your expenses. Ask for, record, and file receipts. Know what is deductible and what is not. A good accountant will find legitimate deductions you never dreamed of. Immediately record mileage, parking charges, tips, reimbursable and billable expenses. If you don’t do it on the spot, you will not remember. Believe me, it will go up in a puff of smoke.

9. Save for taxes. That means putting away the correct percentage of every fee in a separate account. If you’ve never paid quarterly estimated taxes before, the first time they are due and you are caught unprepared will be the rudest of awakenings. It’s a mistake you are not likely to make twice.

10. Keep your own credit record clean. That means paying your own bills on time, not spending more than you can afford, and making wise purchasing decisions. While your clients may get away with not paying, you never will. Don’t ask me why.

Sound like a lot of work? Well, that’s because it is. On the other hand, when you set up the systems at the very beginning, with the help of your accountant and computer guru, managing your business finances will become as routine as checking your e-mail.

Author: Bobbi Linkemer Bobbi Linkemer is a freelance writing coach, ghostwriter, and editor. She is also the author of 14 books. Bobbi has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs who want to enhance their credibility and build their businesses. Her articles on writing regularly appear on ezinearticles.com and other top online article sites. Visit her Website at: http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobbi_Linkemer Information on Online Freelance Work and How To Make Freelance Bid.

Invoicing For Freelance Writers and Editors – What’s the Fear

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A good way to start your freelancing career is to utilize the freelance bidding sites on the internet. There are several to choose from and they can help you build a portfolio of experience to start your own business down the road.

Each bidding site runs a little differently, so you’ll want to check each one out to see what exactly you need to do. Most offer different levels of memberships that range from paid to free. The benefits of each membership package will vary with each one.

You will simply sign up for one of the membership packages and type in your information in the profile section to show what experience you have in a certain area. This is where the clients will see what skills you bring to the table and help them determine if you are someone they want to work with or not.

Everyday clients will post the projects they need done on the site. The freelancers who are capable of performing the task will place a bid for the project. The clients will periodically check the bids to see who has the best bid and who seems to be the most experienced for what they want done.

Some projects will have a specific time period that they will be accepting bids on the job and once that period has been met, the job posting is then closed and a decision is made. Some project postings may be closed before the time period is up, so getting your bid in right away would be helpful.

If your bid is chosen by a client, you will be notified, through the site, about the particulars the project holds. The client will probably verify the bid price with you before going any further. The account you have signed up for will provide you with a way for the client and you to contact each other while keeping your personal information safe.

Payments for the projects completed and accepted by clients are usually paid through the escrow accounts that the freelancing sites have set up. While you have the option of being paid directly with checks or through PayPal, it is recommended that you use the escrow account offered to you by the site.

In most cases, the client would have to pay the pre-determined amount for the project before you start working on it. The payment would sit in the escrow account until you complete the project asked of you. Once it’s accepted, the payment can be released to your account for you.

Each site is different in how they work, but most ask you to pay a certain percentage of each project you work on. This could be paid through the escrow from your project payment. Some memberships that are paid give you the option of waiving that fee, so you will want to check each site before deciding which one works for you.

Each person that works on a project on a site will receive some type of feedback for the quality of work they performed for the client. If you did well and met the deadline asked of you, you will receive good ratings. The more you find work, the more ratings you can build up in your profile.

The highest ratings usually get the highest paid work, so be sure to do your best on every project you win through these sites. A bad rating can hurt you and could be difficult to overcome in the long run. It can make the difference in the amount of bids you win or the possible ongoing work you could have been hired for. Some employers skim through these profiles looking for freelancers to do ongoing jobs for them and aren’t interested in posting them for bids.

Your portfolios can be built with the work you do on these sites, which can be useful in the future if you choose to go into business on your own.

Author: Nell Taliercio

Do you want work at home jobs and freelance gigs? Get free advice and company links for work at home moms at http://www.mommysplace.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nell_Taliercio

Information on Online Freelance Work and Freelance Bookkeeping.

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Freelancing is a common way for people to earn a living these days. The advent of Internet has shrunk the world into a global village, and geography is often irrelevant to a position. Freelancers are doing a great job in every other industry and the employers have realized the true potential of freelancing. There are several advantages for companies in opting for freelancers rather than having their own staff. As the freelancers work from their own home based offices, the companies are able to save money on office space and equipment.

When dealing with freelancers, there are no conflicts, local politics, gossip, and distractions that affect the quality and productivity. As the freelancers work on flexible schedules, they work round the clock whenever they desire and finish the work as quickly as possible. This makes the execution of work much faster.

Bookkeeping is one of the areas where many freelancers work. It saves a lot of time and resources, both for the company as well as for the freelancers. Companies can allocate their resources and can bring about more productivity by focusing on their core areas of business, rather than spending on bookkeeping and other administrative activities.

Small and medium businesses form the backbone of any industry. So, it is important for these organizations to be cost effective to stay in the competitive markets. They also have to save their resources to expand their activities. These companies can cut their administrative costs to a great extent by employing freelancers for bookkeeping and other administrative functions.

Companies can approach freelance agencies which provide with resources for bookkeeping. Freelancers usually quote on an hourly basis, keeping in mind the amount of work they can do in an hour. So, execution of work is faster and the cost of freelancers is very cheap when compared to the organized workforce in the workplace.

Freelancers also enjoy innumerable benefits. As they tend to work from their homes, they have flexible working hours and have no necessity to commute everyday to offices, and thus save a lot of time and money. At home, there aren’t any office disturbances and interruptions like the ever ringing intercoms, urgent calls from the bosses, and frequent meetings.

Freelancing creates the feeling of being an entrepreneur rather than working under somebody. They decide their working hours, quantum of work, and remuneration instead of following others’ hard and fast rules.

Companies can opt for experienced freelancers who are diligent about the quality of work, deadline, and efficiency. They can get regular updates from the freelancers and keep track of their transactions anytime they want.

Author: Ken Marlborough

Bookkeeping provides detailed information on bookkeeping, bookkeeping services, bookkeeping jobs, bookkeeping software and more. Bookkeeping is affiliated with Business Administration Degrees.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough

Information on Online Freelance Work and Freelancer Field Guide.

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What is Outsourcing?

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Outsourcing is a great way to earn extra money or even a full time living. When a company outsources its work this means they are looking for people outside the company (you) to complete jobs for them on a contract or short term basis. Most freelance work can be found on freelance marketplaces across the internet. For a list of freelance websites search Google, or some of the freelance directories available.

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Getting Started

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The first thing that you should do is compile your past work history into a portfolio. Many freelance websites allow you to post your work online. The other option is to open a free hosting account and place your work into an online demonstration of your ability. Include references, past work, testimonials and anything else that highlights your talents. One thing this should not be is in resume format. The internet changes a lot rules for hiring employees and freelancing is changes them even more. Here you will find that experience and ability weigh more heavily in a hiring decision then education or status.

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Getting Hired Today

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The easiest way to find contract or freelance work is to visit one of the many freelance marketplaces available on the internet. A majority of the websites are divided into two sections, one for Freelancers (you) and the other for Project Managers (people looking to hire you). The first thing you need to do is register as a freelancer. Once registered be sure to upload a profile and details of your most recent work.

It is important to remember that work on the internet (especially when you are new) is built on trust. The best thing you can do to increase your chances of getting your bid selected is to put detailed information in your profile.

The basic setup for a freelance website is that the Project Manager will post the project and you as the Freelancer have the opportunity to place your bid for the work. A bid includes the time it will take you to complete, the price for the job and a short description.

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Placing the Bid

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Your bid should be a complete summary of the required work. It should be detailed, accurate and relevant to the project. This is why the biggest mistake you can make is placing a bid which contains: ‘can be done’ ‘I can do it’ or ‘No Problem ’. Even these are better then the copy and paste bid description. This is something like "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. WE GIVE U A 100% ACCURATE WORK." These bids are not at all relevant to the project.

Each project manager would like to think that his/her project is the only one that you want. They want to believe that you are gearing your whole day into getting this job. Increase your chances and move ahead of the competition by placing a short, polite description that is relevant to the project. Here is an example:

"Hi _(Project Manger’s name)_, I have placed the details of my bid in the private message board. I look forward to working with you and can get started immediately. Thank you for your consideration, __(your name)__."

That’s it for the bid. If your cost estimate and time to delivery are not completely off then you can increase your odds by posting in the private message board.

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The Private Message Board

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The Private Message Board is a feature on most websites that allows Freelancers to communicate with the Project Manager about the details of the job. Unless requested, this is the worst place to put your resume.

That’s right; don’t place your list of work history in your private message board. From the eyes of the Project Manager every one has the same resume unless you are getting interviewed for a job. If you have a resume, place it in your profile. The only mention of this material should be: "For additional references please see my profile located here: ___"

The rest of your communication should be about the project. Even if you already think you understand everything, ask the Project Manager about of specific details. This extra step will place you miles ahead of the competition. Asking questions shows that you are genuinely interested in getting an accurate description of the work involved. It communicates to the Project Manger that your bid will be exact and that you are excited about working with them.

In addition to asking questions, place your time zone and when you are available to work. Let the other person know that you are available via email and instant messengers. While you might be tempted, do not include your contact information. This is against most Terms of Service and gives the other person an impression of dishonesty.

The next thing you should do is repeat the same steps. It’s necessary to spread your chances over a few projects to ensure that you receive enough work. Unless you are experienced it is crucial that you start out slow. If you overload yourself with work, not only will you poorly perform on the work you were hired to do, you will receive bad reviews from everyone who hired you. The only thing worse then no feedback is having bad feedback.

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How to Get All Star Feedback

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Most websites rate each freelancer with a history of work called ‘Feedback’. This is a scoring system that allows Project Managers you have worked with in the past to record their experience with you. Starting out new you won’t have any feedback which will hinder your freelancing efforts. Start out slow by placing bids and communicating with Project Managers who post small, quick jobs. Go the extra mile with these people to ensure that they are happy and satisfied with the work. Check in consistently to report your progress, and make sure that everything is done to their exact specifications. When your work is complete, ask them if there is anything else you can do. Just one or two great feedback scores can boost your freelance efforts tremendously.

If you are desperate, offer to do work for free in exchange for a great review. Be extraordinary in your efforts to help and anticipate your employer’s needs. Not only will you receive great feedback but you might also gain a repeat customer.

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Advanced Field Tactics

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Want to get more bids accepted, race ahead of your competition and be able to pick only the best job opportunities? That is exactly what this section is about. We have already discussed the best and worst things to place in your bids and pmb. Now I will show you how to move your freelancing efforts up a few notches.

Private Message Board Tactics: Once the Project Manager responds with the answer to your question. Reply with "If I understand the work correctly, you require:" then make a numbered list of the work required as you understand it." At the bottom "If the above is correct, I can begin work immediately and have everything completed in under ______".

This does two things, first it conveys to the Project Manager that you fully understand the work required. Second it shows the Project Manager just how much work is really involved.

Time: If your estimate of time to completion is 5 days and under write in your description and messages the time in hours, and always put "I can have this completed tested, installed and ready in under ___ hours." That ‘under’ statement really gives the impression of speed and excellence in your work.

If your project will run over 5 days, write out the dates that you will have everything ready, not just the number of days. "Today is the 15th; on the 17th I will complete the first mockups. Then on the 20th I will complete the admin section". Of course the hard part comes in keeping this timeline. If you can deliver each stage on time, and to completion you will receive great feedback, more repeat customers and great work opportunities.

Portfolio Tactics: If your portfolio is online, create a completely different portfolio for each of your talents. Not just a separate page, you will need to create a completely separate website. For example if you are a website designer, create a portfolio just for flash, one for straight HTML, and one for 3D graphics work. You can even divide by style of design. When you present your work to the future client, present the portfolio that best matches his/her needs. Even if you are multi-talented, presenting a list of relevant past work will give the impression that you are a focused, dedicated professional.

Presentation Tactics: Compile the information that you have received from the project description and the questions / answers from the Project Manager into a detailed proposal for your work. While the style of the proposal can change a simple effective method is to write it out on a simple numbered HTML page. Include the title of the project, your name and a bulleted list of the work required. At the bottom place any questions you have about the project in addition to your bid and the time to completion. Upload this page to your online portfolio and then post the link in the private message board. This one act will win your more bids then anything else you can do.

Follow Up Tactics: There are two types of webmasters. Those who post a project and it closes 1-2 days later because they know exactly what they want. Then there are those who post a project and wait 10-15 days before selecting a freelancer for the job.

For these Project Managers the best thing you can do is follow up. After placing your bid and inquiring via the Private Message Board the next step is to send the Project Manager a quick note after about 2 days. Something along the lines of "Hi, I just wanted to follow up with my bid and see if you had any questions or concerns. If you do please let me know and I will get back to you promptly. Thank you, _(your name)_."

This action shows each Project Manager that you are thorough in your work and care about getting their contract.

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Additional Help

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You now have all of the tools that you need to get started. Each step has been covered from signing up to getting great feedback. We have also gone over some advanced topics that will help ensure your bid is accepted over the competition. You are ready to start freelancing today.

I look forward to hearing from you and I hope that you have found this guide helpful and informative.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Peter Ferrigan

http://www.ContractList.com

Admin@ContractList.com

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Peter Ferrigan is outsourcing expert and Administrator of http://www.Contractlist.com He can be reached at Admin@Contractlist.com.
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Information on Online Freelance Work and Freelance Graphic Designer in Massachusetts.

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I’ve got a client on the East Coast that’s driving me nuts right now – woman’s clearly got OCD issues. Over this Easter/Passover weekend she has called and left me two messages (both extended beyond the 2 minute limit on my machine so she got cut-off in mid sentence), she also left me 6-7 emails (I lost track after 5). Even though we’re on record pace, she’s desperately trying to get her web site up and running for…well, there isn’t a specific event or date we’re shooting for, it’s just become an insatiable obsession for her.

She’s like Chicken Little running around screaming that the sky is falling because her web site isn’t up. Well this may be an insatiable obsession for her but not me – I’ve been down this road before, and I know the sky isn’t falling.  

This woman will keep pushing and pushing, calling at night, early in the morning and yes on weekends (holiday weekends too), to try to get me to work as hard and as fast as she desires. As a younger, more naive designer I would have begrudgingly followed her lead, but "homey don’t play that now". I of course want clients to get a terrific ROI and experience from working with me, but I don’t work on their schedule and I no longer put off people and events just to cater to their ridiculous demands. I often think, "Hey, just because you don’t have a life beyond this project right now doesn’t mean that I don’t."

I did the best thing I could do to ensure I enjoyed my family and my weekend: I just ignored her. Yep, just ignored her.

Depending on the career stage you are as a freelancer, you either applauded my decision or thought, "Dude, what are you doing? You’re losing business and you might even lose the client." You veterans probably applauded, because you know…

If you’ll allow me to back up just a bit, I’ll explain why I did what I did.

Remember the first company you worked for out of college? You know, the one that you’ll take just about anything just to get into the corporate world…well, I worked for a hospice company. While most fresh-faced kids in their first "real" job get to see how the world works, I not only saw that but I saw what people were like (really like) at the end of their lives. I saw people that were dying, which of course engrained an indelible impression on the rest of my life.

The one thing I noticed more than anything else was that whether the patient lived a good/tough life, was male/female or was old/Moses old was that none of them ever expressed ANY regret that they hadn’t worked harder in their lives. In fact, in talking with them it was hard for them to talk about anything but their friends, family and memories.

I have tried to carry that sentiment throughout my life, and at times not doing a very good job of it. There have been too many times in my career as a freelancer that I passed up on life’s memories just to cater to snarky, demanding jackass clients, so I could earn a buck and perhaps earn a testimonial and referral from them.

I won’t do that anymore, I will never do that again. I have missed too many wonderful times when I should have been enjoying myself and my family; instead I am banging out some project for a client that in a couple of weeks won’t care about me in the slightest.  

If you’re new to freelancing, I understand that getting your career off the ground is important – it should be. My career was and is still vitally important to me. But if I may give you a small piece of friendly advice…from someone that has seen first-hand how easy it is for demanding clients to suck you into their time frame and make you miss out on other aspects of your life, I suggest that you shut down PhotoShop, turn the computer off and enjoy yourself, your family and your life.

At the end of your life, and I hope it’s a happy and healthy life, I can promise you that you’ll never find "I should have worked harder" as one of your regrets.

This article a little different style and topic for me, I hope you enjoyed it. Please retweet this and share it with other designers out there…and feel free to comment.

* Wish you had more referrals coming in?
* Confused about how to price your work?
* Feel like clients try to take advantage of you?
* Wish you knew what to say to clients and how to say it so you sound more professional?

Truth is, freelancing is not an entry-level job that you’re going to find success in by learning as you go, searching for free info on the Internet and having a good attitude. I won’t help you with Photoshop techniques or color theory but I can sure as heck help you run a more profitable, enjoyable freelancing business. I’ve been in the field for over 10 years, I know what it’s like to struggle at first, and I know what you’ll need to know to become successful.

Author: Jeremy Tuber

If you aren’t you satisfied with the money you’re bringing in or the clients you’re getting and the success you’re achieving visit my blog at http://www.beingastarvingartistsucks.com and learn tips you can use today to help grow your business. Also check out my breakthrough books "Being a Starving Artist Sucks" and "Verbal Kung Fu for Freelancers" in print on Amazon.com and on your iPhone/iTouch on Apple’s App Store. Both books have sold in over 20 countries; find out why both aspiring and experienced freelancers are raving:

* "How I wish I’d had such a wonderful resource as this book when I first started my freelance business. This book can easily be the new freelancer’s Bible"
* "One heck of a book to help the wanta-be freelance design professional create an awesome business plan and marketing plan!"
* "This book should be passed out to every design student as they graduate."
* "I usually roll my eyes when someone labels a purchase as an investment, but that’s what this book is. Seriously, Kudos."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Tuber

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Does a career as a graphic designer appeal to you? If so, you’re not alone. This career path is becoming a popular one due to the fact that many students now have easy access to affordable graphic design programs at home. Many students are taking up graphic design as a hobby and then choose to later further their skill with a solid education in graphic design.

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design, in the modern day, generally involves using computer software to design media messages used for communication purposes. There are many types of graphic designers including:

- Logo designers
– Website designers
– Flash designers
– CAD designing
– Multimedia designers
– Photo editing/art

Most graphic designers start with designing banners, brochures, stationary, business cards, logos, websites and other corporate related design requirements. If you decide to pursue a career in graphic design, this flexibility gives you a great opportunity to expand your experience. You may easily branch out into other fields once you are an expert at using graphic design programs.

Graphic Design Programs

While there are many types of graphic design programs available, it is usually the same few that are used by most all designers. Most designers prefer to use a MAC computer, however many design programs are available on both the PC and MAC.

A few of the most commonly used professional graphic design programs include:

- Adobe Photoshop
– Daz Studio
– AutoCAD
– CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
– Adobe Illustrator
– Adobe Flash Professional
– Macromedia Freehand
– QuarkXpress
– Director
– Fireworks
– Paint Shop Pro

Graphic design jobs of all types require exceptional attention to detail and patience. Designers often work on the same project for weeks on end, so being able to cope with a repetitive environment is important. There are also often strict deadlines to meet.

Self Employment

Graphic design has a high rate of self employment due to the ease of delivering graphic design work. Graphic design can be undertaken solely at home on a computer and as such many people simply find clients through word of mouth, advertising and via the internet. It is certainly possible to make a good living running a graphic design business right from your home or from your own office.

A self employed graphic designer does not have the advantage of the regular income that a paid employee has. There are also no retirement benefits. However there are other benefits to self employment including:

- Tax breaks
– Flexible hours
– Possibility to earn more money
– Choose your own clients
– Being your own boss

The negatives of being self employed are often significantly outweighed by the positives.

Graphic Designer Salary Guide

So how much does a graphic designer earn? That is the question asked by many budding graphic designers, but the answer is not black and white. In fact, compared with most other industries there is a wide variation in the salary of graphic designers worldwide. The average salary of a graphic designer in the U.S. is listed at about $45,000. However people who are self employed may earn double this amount, as will designers in higher positions in corporations.

Graphic design can incorporate many different paths including web design and corporate stationary design. There are many avenues for designers to take in order to earn high salaries in this exciting career. Graphic design was once a volatile line of work, however, now jobs are relatively stable and wages are on the increase. Despite the threat of overseas outsourcing, many graphic designers can still find work locally as companies see the value of having a designer on site rather than having to communicate with those in countries like India.

Graphic designers often boost their salary by becoming a freelancer. By freelancing you have unlimited income opportunities. The only limit is how much work you can take on and of course how many clients you can gather. Freelance is the same as being self employed, so you are not reliant on an employer and you can generally choose your own hours. You can also have the luxury of working at home. If you do not have a home office set up then it can be difficult to concentrate on work so some graphic designers choose to rent an office in order to separate their work and home lives.

Web design is a popular avenue for graphic designers to take due to the increased demand for high quality designers. Every business needs a website these days and if a graphic designer can offer a package of business card design, stationary and web design then they can earn significantly more money and out perform other designers who solely focus just on business card and logo design.

A graphic designer salary is never set in stone as there is so much scope for extra work and up-selling when it comes to offering your services. Being innovative and having good business sense will ensure that your career as a graphic designer is a successful one. If you’re artistic, creative, and like working with technology, consider a career in graphic design.

Author: Jennifer Charleston

Want to learn more about graphic design degrees and online graphic design courses? Review the free articles and resources we’ve put together at http://www.careertoolkits.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Charleston

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Outsourcing your web content can be a tricky business and when you are seeking a content writer for your website or blog, it is vitally important that you do due diligence and research any freelance writers you are considering working with. Essentially, anyone can set up a website call themselves a writer. They can and do make wild claims about their expertise when in reality, they have very little knowledge or experience. Freelance writers are not created equal and often the ‘expert’ writer you are paying to enhance your rankings or convert your visitors is totally incapable of doing so. In short, you could be paying a content writer to produce content which is of no higher quality than you could write yourself for free!

This is not to say that web writers are completely unnecessary, or that they are all a bunch of charlatans. Quite the contrary, they can offer exceptional value to your website. However, you have to find a freelance writer who has the knowledge, experience and skill to craft articles that have SEO benefits while captivating your readers. There are several ways you can research a freelance writer, check the quality of their work and establish if they are an authority in their field. Always remember, that there are plenty of writers out there and therefore, you have a plenty of choice. If your chosen freelance writer does not meet or exceed some very simple criteria, it is never difficult to another content writer that does!

1. Content Writers Write Content!

Every genuinely experienced freelance writer has a large body of existing work. Content writers, by their very nature, write content, so there should be a variety of their work online for you to review, including the content on their website. Before you outsource your web content, always ask for links to existing work and/or testimonials and check with the website owner that they are indeed the author. Also, check websites such EzineArticles to see if they have published work that you can be sure meets submission guidelines.

2. Background.

Never be afraid to ask questions about a freelancer’s background. Their academic qualifications, work history and prior experience will help you determine if they are qualified to undertake your project and if they are knowledgeable enough about SEO and Internet marketing etc. to provide you with value for money. There is no question that investing your money in high quality web content can increase targeted traffic and conversion for your website or blog. However, unless you choose your content writer with care and ensure that any freelance writer you entrust your web content to is suitably qualified and experienced, you may not reap the rewards of your investment.

Author: Jay Neaves

Jay Neaves BA Hons Media & Communication Studies Author, writer and founder of The Professional Writing Service Jay Neaves is a former journalist who has published work in leading magazines and newspapers in both the UK and the US. The Professional Writing Service started life in 2001 as a part time venture that grew through little more than word of mouth. In essence, Jay was a victim of his own success and rather than turn away his loyal clients, Jay decided to take the service online as a full time business. Since 2008, The Professional Writing Service has gone from strength to strength welcoming many new satisfied clients while still providing his excellent service to his existing ones. Are you a website owner, looking for a professional content writer? Confused by article marketing or need an experienced article writer? Need someone to write a letter, press release? The Professional Writing Service offers a comprehensive writing and editing service for both the online and offline community. For a professional, friendly and affordable service, contact us today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Neaves

Information on Online Freelance Work and How To Get Paid For Freelance Work.

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Becoming a freelance writer is a great way to make a living from home. You don’t even have to be the greatest writer in the world, you just have to be able to research and write interesting copy about a wide variety of subjects. When you’re just starting out, it’s hard to know exactly how to set yourself up so that you can accept writing gigs.

Finding writing work is probably the biggest hurdle a new freelancer must overcome. You can begin by promoting yourself online or offline. If you want to start offline, you can print up some business cards and start networking in your local community with people who own businesses. These small business owners are great prospects because many of them don’t have the time or money to hire a staff person to write for them.

Working as an independent contractor, you can offer up your writing services to these entrepreneurs. For example, you could take a look at their website and offer to rewrite content to attract more customers. Many small business owners have just bare bones descriptions of what they do, which does nothing to excite potential customers.

You can also choose to find writing work online. There are several sites where independent freelance writers can bid on jobs posted by prospective clients, who need anything from email newsletters to professional sales copy. When you sign up at a bid site, you’ll be competing with writers from various parts of the world.

Most clients are looking for competent content, written in good English. You’ll need to produce their content at a competitive rate. You’ll also need to get used to meeting deadlines, so managing your time is a must when you have more than one assignment to work on.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to set yourself up as a professional in order to get paid for freelance writing work. Don’t get into this thinking it’s a hobby. If you want to make top money, you’re going to have to be somewhat aggressive about obtaining writing gigs and regularly promote your services.

Author: Nikki LeRoi

If you need some help getting started, there are some excellent online resources and guides that will point you in the right direction.

Discover the secrets to making big money as a Freelance Writer. Click here: [http://www.writing4pay.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikki_LeRoi

Information on Online Freelance Work and Find Jobs as a Freelance Video Editor.

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If you want to become a freelance video editor, one of the most important aspects of the job will be having the proper equipment to produce professional quality work. At the same time, when you are a freelance or self-employed worker, you want to cut down on equipment costs and other expenses that eat into your profit. So how do you find the balance between getting top of the line equipment and not spending too much money? This article will highlight some important points to consider when buying hardware and software as a freelance video editor.

The first main piece of equipment you will need is a computer, but this is a very important choice, as it will determine what software program you will be using. It comes down to whether you want a Mac or a PC. The advantages of the PC are that it will cost a lot less. However, the Windows video editing software costs more than the Mac’s main video editing software, so the prices might even out more in the end. It is also a fact that Windows computers are more of a hassle with things like viruses and bugs, but I do not want to get into a big Mac vs. PC argument here. Lets just say that Macs will allow you to use Final Cut Pro, one of the best video editing platforms to have right now.

Final cut pro will give you the ability to make professional quality videos and films. In fact, along with most independent and smaller studios, some Hollywood filmmakers use Final Cut Pro. The fact that many smaller film and video studios are using Final Cut is important because you want to be using software that is compatible with what other people in your field are using. You might have to share work with them at some point and having the exact same system makes that no problem.

Final Cut comes complete with everything that you need to make videos and DVDs with professional sound and visuals, and being an expert with it will open up opportunities to work for studios that use it if you decide to take that path at some point.

Once you have your computer and software there are just a few more things to consider. You will need some type of camera or Mini DV deck to import footage off of Mini DV tapes, the widest used format at the moment. This may not be completely necessary if you plan on only having digital files sent to you to edit. You will also need some decent audio monitors. Your computer speakers or headphones will not get the job done when it comes to professional audio editing, which is part of the freelance video editors job. For around $300 or less, you should be able to find some nice studio monitors that will let you hear the detailed and accurate sound that your cheap computer speakers will not.

Being a freelance video editor is about making your money go far to get you the best possible equipment. After that, its up to you to make high quality edits.

Author: Randal Stevens Look for more information online to find out how to become one of the many freelance video editors and how to make a freelance video editing website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randal_Stevens Information on Online Freelance Work and Example Freelance Bid Proposals.

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