StartingOverNow.com
Articles
Freelance During Your “Meanwhile” Time – Five
Easy Steps
It’s no news to you that the economy is bad, nearly 9% of the U.S.
population is unemployed and the outlook for the immediate future is
not promising. So if you are one of the people caught in this riptide this
may be the time to think out of the box and try something new –
freelance work.
One of the best sources for freelance work is a corporation for whom
you have already done work. They will enjoy not having to pay
someone a full time wage and benefits. It will be more cost efficient for
them to hire you for a specific project than as an employee. I have
interviewed many people who started out freelancing, found that they
loved the flexibility this work for hire afforded them and stayed with it
permanently.
1. Create a portfolio with a binder and sheet protectors. In this
portfolio have examples of your work for when you meet with potential
clients. Include letters of reference from previous employers and
clients. Add photos if something you worked on is easier explained
with a picture.
2. Build a contact list of companies that would need someone with
your talents. These lists can be obtained by searching online, reading
your local business journal’s ‘Book of Lists,’ or by purchasing a list
from a mailing list broker. If you were in sales, contact businesses in
the same and related industries. If you were in human resources,
contact similar organizations to see if they have project work you may
be able to help with.
3. Send your potential clients a “pitch letter.” This letter should list
your background, experience in solving problems for other
organizations, the benefits of hiring experienced freelance talent, and
specific information about how you could help each specific company.
These letters should be personalized for each potential client. Call
them ahead of time and be sure you have the name of the person that
oversees your area of expertise. At the end of the pitch letter, write that
you will be contacting them in two weeks to set up a meeting.
4. Follow up with a phone call in two weeks and ask for a 30 minute
appointment. At this appointment showcase your portfolio and ask if
there is a small project that you could do on a volunteer basis for the
opportunity to prove yourself. They will be very impressed, as they
probably have never had someone offer to do work for them at no
charge.
5. Also, familiarize yourself with freelance web sites that bring
together freelances and project managers. The fee schedules for
these sites vary. Some are free. Be sure to evaluate them thoroughly.
Many people find work and hire talent via these sites. Some examples
are:
www.elance.com
www.gofreelance.com
www.bintro.com
www.odesk.com
www.guru.com
www.worldwideworkathome.com/freelance
www.freelanceswitch.com
www.allfreelance.com
Use your “meanwhile” time to explore new opportunities that just may
broaden your scope of expertise in the meantime. Start Now!
Get Mary Lee’s new FREE e-book “Make Your Wheel of Fortune Spin
on Balance" by clicking here.
Follow Mary Lee's career tips on Twitter.com at StartingOverNow.
For the FREE Worksheets: “It’s Not Who You Know It’s Who knows
You” and “Goals - What They Did for Me” go to: http://www.
startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html
Mary Lee Gannon is a career advice expert who went from being a
stay-at-home mother with four children to divorce, poverty and then on
to become a newspaper reporter, trade association executive director,
public relations consultant, and foundation president and CEO. View
Mary Lee’s free career tips, worksheets and Blog on her website at www.
startingovernow.com. Contact Mary Lee at info@startingovernow.com.
Easy Steps
It’s no news to you that the economy is bad, nearly 9% of the U.S.
population is unemployed and the outlook for the immediate future is
not promising. So if you are one of the people caught in this riptide this
may be the time to think out of the box and try something new –
freelance work.
One of the best sources for freelance work is a corporation for whom
you have already done work. They will enjoy not having to pay
someone a full time wage and benefits. It will be more cost efficient for
them to hire you for a specific project than as an employee. I have
interviewed many people who started out freelancing, found that they
loved the flexibility this work for hire afforded them and stayed with it
permanently.
1. Create a portfolio with a binder and sheet protectors. In this
portfolio have examples of your work for when you meet with potential
clients. Include letters of reference from previous employers and
clients. Add photos if something you worked on is easier explained
with a picture.
2. Build a contact list of companies that would need someone with
your talents. These lists can be obtained by searching online, reading
your local business journal’s ‘Book of Lists,’ or by purchasing a list
from a mailing list broker. If you were in sales, contact businesses in
the same and related industries. If you were in human resources,
contact similar organizations to see if they have project work you may
be able to help with.
3. Send your potential clients a “pitch letter.” This letter should list
your background, experience in solving problems for other
organizations, the benefits of hiring experienced freelance talent, and
specific information about how you could help each specific company.
These letters should be personalized for each potential client. Call
them ahead of time and be sure you have the name of the person that
oversees your area of expertise. At the end of the pitch letter, write that
you will be contacting them in two weeks to set up a meeting.
4. Follow up with a phone call in two weeks and ask for a 30 minute
appointment. At this appointment showcase your portfolio and ask if
there is a small project that you could do on a volunteer basis for the
opportunity to prove yourself. They will be very impressed, as they
probably have never had someone offer to do work for them at no
charge.
5. Also, familiarize yourself with freelance web sites that bring
together freelances and project managers. The fee schedules for
these sites vary. Some are free. Be sure to evaluate them thoroughly.
Many people find work and hire talent via these sites. Some examples
are:
www.elance.com
www.gofreelance.com
www.bintro.com
www.odesk.com
www.guru.com
www.worldwideworkathome.com/freelance
www.freelanceswitch.com
www.allfreelance.com
Use your “meanwhile” time to explore new opportunities that just may
broaden your scope of expertise in the meantime. Start Now!
Get Mary Lee’s new FREE e-book “Make Your Wheel of Fortune Spin
on Balance" by clicking here.
Follow Mary Lee's career tips on Twitter.com at StartingOverNow.
For the FREE Worksheets: “It’s Not Who You Know It’s Who knows
You” and “Goals - What They Did for Me” go to: http://www.
startingovernow.com/Articles-and-Tip-Sheets.html
Mary Lee Gannon is a career advice expert who went from being a
stay-at-home mother with four children to divorce, poverty and then on
to become a newspaper reporter, trade association executive director,
public relations consultant, and foundation president and CEO. View
Mary Lee’s free career tips, worksheets and Blog on her website at www.
startingovernow.com. Contact Mary Lee at info@startingovernow.com.
StartingOverNow.com
Articles
People who use the
FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
FREE resources on
this site are:
* Starting over in
their career or
personal life
* Empty nesters
* Entrepreneurs
* Networking
* Job Seekers
* Starting all over
again
* Going through a
divorce
* Looking for career
opportunities
* Seeking FREE
career advice and
education
* Finding mentors
* Setting new life
goals
To chart your road
map to success
click here for FREE
"Worksheets and
Articles."
Turnaround Solutions for People & Organizations
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
Whether you are an executive who is "stuck," your company needs
better productivity, or you are in a life transition you represent the
people and organizations Executive Leadership Coach Mary Lee has
helped. Learn how to clarify direction, create strategy, upgrade skills,
optimize your environment and wipe out fear and doubt. Make it fun =
get more done!
Mary Lee’s strategies from her book “Starting Over” helped her in her
own transformation from stay-at-home mother with four children living
a country club life to the reality of a difficult marriage, divorce, poverty,
welfare and then on to president and CEO. Eliminate self doubt, under-
performance, money fears, relationships woes, and negative influence
so that you may soar. Then lead others to improve their lives and your
business. Start now! For a FREE introductory coaching session via
phone contact info@startingovernow.com.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
FREE Resources
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
to help you:
1. United States of America's
primary source on career
information:
www.onetcenter.org
2. Wage Estimates
www.salary.com and Bureau of
Labor and Statistics
3. Organize Your Job Search -
Post a Question etc.:
www.cvtips.com
4. Starting Over After Divorce:
www.womansdivorce.com
5. Starting Over for Women:
www.makingbreadmagazine.co
m
6. Self Improvement:
www.selfgrowth.com.
7. Job Postings, Resume
Advice and Resources:
www.careerbuiler.com
8. Templates for: business
plans, competitive analysis,
start up costs and more:
www.score.org/business_toolbox
.html
9. Federal/Sate/Local
Government jobs:
www.USAJOBS.com
10. U.S. Government's Free
online courses, webinars and
podcasts for workforce
development:
www.onetacademy.com.
11. Occupational Outlook
Handbok 2008-09 by Bureau of
Labor and Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.ht
m
| Mary Lee Gannon is interviewed on Mind Your BIZness |
Listen to Mary
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Lee's interview
"From Welfare
to CEO" on the
Renee Bobb
Show on
BlogTalk
Radio.com.
Gannon Group/StartingOverNow.com
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Executive Leadership Coaching - Productivity Solutions for People and Organizations
Get the FREE e-Book "Lead Your
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Team with Values and Watch
Productivity Grow - A
Manager's Toolbox"
and the Executive Coaching Newsletter
.
Mary Lee Gannon's
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
Book "Starting Over" is
available in bookstores
everywhere or at
Amazon.com - 5 Stars!
Follow Mary Lee's tips
and information on these
Social Networking sites:
and information on these
Social Networking sites:
