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Posts Tagged ‘Networking’
4/27/2010 4:18 PM
By Sharon Potsch
Mobile University on April 28 promises to be a spectacular day. If you’re a designer and interested in how the changing world of mobile technologies will impact you, you should check out this fantastic event. One entry fee provides you with a day-long learning of mobile technologies and design impacts plus the opportunity to network with hundreds of potential clients and mobile freelance talent. Can you afford not to go?
Tags: Networking, networking events
Posted in Industry Events | No Comments »
11/25/2009 12:05 PM
By Catherine T
There may be several talent agencies in your area, and it's a good idea to make contact with all of them. Over time, you can narrow down the list to spend most of your time with one or two agencies who can consistently provide you with quality projects. If you want to take advantage of agency-paid benefits, you often must work a certain number of hours for that agency. This can be an excellent way to maintain your health insurance, but can sometimes shackle you to doing jobs that you wouldn't otherwise choose because you need to make up those hours — meanwhile turning down better opportunities from other agencies. At the same time, it is a good idea to maintain relationships with at least two agencies. One agency may be slow while another is busy so teaming up with two agencies would ensure more consistent work for a freelancer.
Tags: Networking, talent
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
11/22/2009 10:40 AM
By Catherine T
You've got a sharp suit, a fabulous business card, and a lovely gold pen — all of which are doing you no good at all when applying for freelance jobs at online job-brokering sites. These kinds of job boards require a different strategy for selling yourself.
Your key selling tool is the online profile you create at the job-brokering site. This may include a link to your website with your portfolio, but should also include well-written text emphasizing your freelance experience, software you use, any special areas of expertise, and details of the benefits you can offer a client.
If words aren't your strong point, you may want to hire or barter with a writer friend to craft this profile, employing keywords to help make you more "findable" and emphasizing your top selling points.
While the bidding nature of many freelance sites creates an impression of work going to the person who quotes the lowest rate, this may not necessarily be the case. If your profile and bid can sell the client on the value of your work, you may get the job without having to underbid anyone else.
Watch out for scam "clients," and seek out those who are willing to put all or part of the fee in escrow with the site proprietors to be sure you actually get paid. Also pay attention to whether or not other freelancers have left feedback for this client.
Finally, read up on the bidding site's fee structure before you put in a bid. Some charge per bid; others ask for a monthly fee or a percentage of your revenue.
Tags: advice, Networking
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
10/22/2009 11:40 AM
By Catherine T
In terms of online social networking, LinkedIn is one of the best Websites to use when you are getting ready to do a job search. You can have your graphic design resume on the site, or post an update stating that you are looking for work as a Web designer. By far, one of the best things that LinkedIn offers is the "recommendation request." You can request recommendations from contacts that you have in your network, and these will then be available for others to review. This can be a big plus, as they basically serve as a testimonial to your skills, ability and work ethic.
In order for the recommendation to be visible, you must approve it. This offers you the ability to pick and choose which will appear, which can help you customize the image you present to others. You can also return the favor and recommend others. Sometimes this will spur them to send a recommendation your way, but no matter what, it presents a good opportunity to network. Schedule a little time into your week to begin building recommendations for yourself on LinkedIn so that if you wind up looking for work, they are already in place for you.
Tags: linkedin, Networking, social media
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
9/28/2009 11:40 AM
By Catherine T
Facebook is one of the most popular social media services out there today. Although at first glance it may seem geared only toward personal relationships, you can also use the social networking features for professional networking–just make sure that you think it through first. If you are going to combine business with pleasure, you have to have a plan for doing so. Those who use Facebook for networking should be careful about the personal information that they post on the site, as potential co-workers or clients can see it.
That said, Facebook can be a great tool for keeping in touch with people in the field that you work in. Look up old contacts and see who you can find. Join groups that are related to your industry. Post updates that show people what you are working on. Another thing you can do is slant your profile toward showing off your work skills rather than sharing what movies and quotes you like. There is room for a job history, and adding an abbreviated resume, along with contact information may help you on a job search. There are many ways to make your Facebook account work for you professionally–just be careful not to overdo the personal information if you intend on using it for your career.
Tags: facebook, Networking, social media
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
9/26/2009 11:37 AM
By Catherine T
It is important to get your social networking information out so that people can link up with you on the Web. Regardless of whether you only have a Facebook account or are involved with many kinds of social networking platforms, you need to connect with other people to make it all a success. How can you go about doing this? Here are some tips to help increase your reach:
- Add your account links to your signature block for all e-mail correspondence. That way people can join you on the Web with the click of a button.
- Make sure you have your social media information on your Website and/or blog. If you make it easy for people to follow you, they are more likely to do so.
- Add social media links to your business card. This mix of traditional and social media marketing works well.
- Take the time to add yourself to directories on Twitter. This means that those in your field will be able to find you more easily.
The idea behind social networking is to get a good number of followers that you can reach out to with information on a regular basis. Take a little time to make sure that you are doing what you can to help facilitate that process. The more people you are reaching, the better your visibility–and the more potential those social networking links impact your bottom line.
Tags: Networking, social media
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
9/13/2009 10:37 AM
By Catherine T
Maybe you've already got a website promoting your freelance work. Is it as good as it can be? Does it showcase your best, most recent work? Is the design up-to-date and easy to use?
Janet Green, marketing director for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, suggests going through the same process for yourself that you would for a freelance website client. If you aren't a web designer by trade, you may want to trade favors with a web designer friend to help you come up with a plan.
- Start by refining your needs and objectives. Be specific — not just "more money" but "income of at least $XX,000 a year from freelancing."
- Identify your target audience, and do research to learn as much as you can about these people's tastes and preferences.
- If you don't already have a serviceable domain name, get one that is easy to remember and clearly indicates your name and/or what you do.
- Map out the content that is going to be on your site. Put the most used links — including, of course, your resume and portfolio — on the home page.
- If you're not a designer, keep it simple. If you are, keep it simple and incredibly visually appealing.
Tags: Networking, Top-Rated Websites, web
Posted in Design Resources | No Comments »
8/28/2009 11:40 AM
By Catherine T
Facebook gives users a great networking opportunity–groups. Most of the free social networking sites have these, but on Facebook they are fairly easy to find and use. First of all, think of a keyword that will connect you with people in your field. For example, Web designers may want to type in "designers" to see what the return brings. Once you have entered a term in the search box, simply select "groups" and the site will give you a list of results that you can browse through. Another way to find industry groups is to look on the profile pages of other people in your field and see what groups they belong to.
There are several advantages to joining these groups. One is that you can raise your profile by being a member and you can also post on the group wall. Some groups have active discussion boards which can be a great way to network. Another perk of being involved with groups in your career field is that there are often a good amount of updates. Many times these groups will post current industry news or helpful tips. The best part is that there is no obligation. You can spend time on these pages when you have it, and skip participating when you are busy. This makes joining Facebook groups a win-win situation.
Tags: facebook, Networking, social media
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
8/26/2009 11:37 AM
By Catherine T
LinkedIn has a feature that is perfect for professionals that have a Wordpress blog. Using the "Wordpress Application," you can add your blog feed to your LinkedIn profile. Once you do this, it automatically updates when you post on your blog. This is a great way to keep people in the loop as to what you are doing. It is also a timesaver since you don't have to do it manually once you install it. This is one of several social media services that LinkedIn offers, and you can browse the rest in that area to see if any others might be helpful for you.
To find this feature (and others), go to the "applications" tab on the left-hand side of the page. Locate Wordpress and install the application–this only takes a minute. Next, it will take you step-by-step through how to finish adding your blog and then–you are done. Double-check to see that it is installed by clicking on your profile to make sure it is there. This feature helps you use social networking technology to the fullest to promote yourself on the Web. BlogLink is another application that you can use to add a blog to your LinkedIn page.
Tags: blog, linkedin, Networking, social media
Posted in Career Resources | No Comments »
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