The Freelance Jungle is back for May!

A writer, illustrator, theatre set guy and a IT/startup dude walk into a bar and balloons fall from the ceiling, eating contests ensue and everyone has a fair few belly laughs over the ultra loud music. Last time, we crashed a pub’s birthday party, got free drinks and free pizza, talked about theatre, freelancing, beer and went around the table telling our innermost freelancey thoughts. This month? You tell me! NOTE: We’re changing the... Read More

Yes, you do need a website

You would think the whole “do I really need a website?” question would have been put to rest a long time ago. However, in recent months I have come across opposite sides of the argument questioning whether a website is necessary. One end of the see-saw was a freelancer who’d used WordPress a few years ago, his search stopped working for some reason and he didn’t have the time or brain space how to work out how to fix it. The other end... Read More

Planning the Freelance Jungle for 2013

Who’s a cheeky monkey? A very quick note to say the Freelance Jungle is having a nap in December but will be returning for January 2013. It’s also jumped ship to Meetup so that you can join the group and catch up on the events you want to attend. The Freelance Jungle is a social club for freelancers. We get together, share our monthly stories and drink some fine jungle juice. It’s free, it’s not about presentations and people won’t try... Read More

Climb out of my ear please- I’m doing stuff!

“It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic, is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.” Theodore Roosevelt Everyone’s a critic Apart from a terribly delicious word such as ‘behooves’ getting airplay, good old Teddie is bang on the money. It never ceases to amaze me how many people feel it necessary to hack at the shins of the people who are just... Read More

Guest Post: Five Profitable Green Business Start Up Ideas

Carlo Pandian is guest blogging on a subject I just love- green businesses! take it away Carlo! Read More Like my style? Enjoy the content? Contact me if you need custom content created or marketing help!  Read More

The Rise of Co-working Spaces: A Sharehouse of Ideas

Larissa Meikle from the Loop pops buy to share some news and views on co-working! Take it away Larissa! Read More Like my style? Enjoy the content? Contact me if you need custom content created or marketing help!  Read More

69 Ways to Keep Your Sanity When Marketing

It was my birthday the other day and I realised I have been in marketing for over 17 years. In that time, I have seen a heck of a lot of things change. So it made me wonder how I have managed to stay sane, keep with the times and metamorphosis into a strategic freelance marketer. 69 Ways to Keep Your Sanity When Marketing is a result of that pondering. The various forms of advice help keep me going in the right direction. I hope you enjoy it and... Read More

Copywriting No-No List

Being a creative Sydney copywriter, I do dig around in cyberspace a lot checking out how people go about their writing. Sometimes I stumble across things that make me cringe, wonder what the heck the person was thinking or shake my head in bemusement. If you don’t want someone like me or your customers having the same reaction to what you write, avoid the copywriting no-no list! 1. Writing to ‘match’ your competitors. Find your own... Read More

Staying on the Ball

This week has been one of those weeks where my pencil didn’t seem sharp enough. As a creative copywriter required to churn out all kinds of assets each week, feeling flatter than a pancake that’s tangled with a steam roller is not a good thing. So I try* to stay sharp with the following things: Change Scenery I have an awesome setup at home, however it does become painful to spend home and work in the same spot. When I find this is the case,... Read More

Interns and Startups in Australia

It’s super popular to grab an intern for some extra work with your social media, blogging and whatever else you have going. However there is a lot of misconception about what you can and can’t do with an intern in the startup arena. Having investigated this for a couple of my clients, this is what I found out after speaking with Fair Work Australia.   Unless you are a registered arts body or not-for-profit, you need to either pay your intern... Read More

Rockin’ The Freelance Jungle

Put on your party pants and join us for a coconut of jungle juice- it’s time to get all Rockin’ with the October Social Club meeting for the Freelance Jungle! Welcome to spring time and the narrow end of the pointy stick we’ve called 2012. Perfect timing really if you want to have a couple of beverages, share a laugh and generally talk to current, past and future freelancers about what it’s like to put your bum in the wind and squeal “Yeee-ha”... Read More

Not everyone can write

Back in the 90’s when I left school and started studying creative writing, the amount of weather worm adults who gasped in horror at the idea of throwing away time, energy and brains on writing was astounding. I am sincerely glad I didn’t become a psychologist now, which was the second choice. With the rise of social media and blogging, it’s truly a great time to be a creative copywriter. Writing is the popular kid on the block. More popular... Read More

Be your own strategic freelance marketer

It’s easy for me to stand up on the roof and shout “look at me, I’m a creative Sydney copywriter and strategic freelance marketer!” but what would be the point if I didn’t take my own medicine and try to write a lot and market myself? When you become a freelancer your clients don’t just turn up at your door asking to hire you. Even the super popular ones are rocking it through making themselves known to people on a regular basis. You... Read More

Discordia is Live!

I truly love marketing. Being a creative copywriter and freelance strategic marketer is something I love doing. I live helping people. Putting truth and creativity back into marketing isn’t just a tagline for me, it’s the reality. And I really enjoy working with my clients. Yet sometimes I have felt recently that I’ve been letting the writer in me down a little. Writing to me is a deeply personal thing. I don’t expect everyone to agree with... Read More

Pinterest 101

Already making a huge splash in the market, Pinterest is proving extremely popular with people- especially women. So how do you make the most out of Pinterest for your business? Consider this your 101 on starting Pinterest on the right foot. The basics: Registration: If you are going to use an existing social media login for your Pinterest registration, Twitter is the better choice when compared to Facebook. Facebook only links Pinterest to your... Read More

The A to Z of Aussie Freelance Resources

If you freelance and you are in Australia, here are a few things that’ll probably make your life easier. If you have any to suggest, by all means send them through! Couple of notes: I have tried to be accurate with URL and description, however if I have got something wrong somewhere, do let me know this too! Any mistakes are not intentional. This list has been done voluntarily. I’ve tried to keep it relevant and helpful to Australia but not include... Read More

Call Out: Discordia Zine

Discordia Zine is on the hunt for women bloggers, writers, artists and illustrators who can be a part of new online content portal. We’re tired of feeling like outsiders in the female web world and women’s media. We feel that labels like ‘crafty mummy’, ‘lipstick lesbian’ or ‘suited up business woman’ just don’t apply. For us, the slew of women’s magazines and ‘believe in yourself’ online communities are irrelevant. And the... Read More

Freelance Jungle Rides Again!

We’re back in the saddle Sydney for our 2nd FREELANCE JUNGLE!   It won’t be this awkward, trust me. Excited? Oh you better be- there’s people and beer and conversation, oh my! Think of this as a social club for those of us who freelance and those who are thinking about jumping into the freelance pond. It brings us all together so we can have a drink, have a chat and just have a bit of FREElancer fun on a Thursday night.   You... Read More

Guest Post: Give a man a fish … Teach a man to fish

Continuing our freelancer guest post series is Karen Lambert- a personal coach who can help you build confident connections with clients, Angel investors and  more. Take it away Karen!     Give a man a fish … Teach a man to fish   So the story goes that if you give someone a fish they’ll eat for a day, but if you teach them to fish they’ll eat for a lifetime. The message – learn stuff that helps you to survive and you’ll... Read More

Guest Post: Social Media 101 (mark II)

Social Media 101 (mark II)   This is Part Two of a Two-Part Blog Series by the Queen of Social at Sarah Allen Consulting on how freelancers can use social media marketing to get results. If you missed Part One or would like a refresher, click here. Howdy freelancers.   You’ve had a few weeks now to digest Part One on Social Media 101 for Freelancers, which was all about the importance of seeing social media as a conversation, finding... Read More

Guest Post: Taking Care of the Basics

For this blog in our freelancer series Tony Keen from TK Proofreading is Taking Care of the Basics. Oh, and if you need a proofer and you mention this blog Tony is giving a generous 20% off his services! Take it away Tony! TAKING CARE OF THE BASICS You may be great at expressing yourself in the written form, but if you can’t get the basics right nobody will take what you have to say seriously. As a writer it really frustrates me to see the most... Read More

My Experience: Freelancing in account management by Carolyn Stebbing

Another freelancer has dropped by to share her experiences- welcome Carolyn Stebbing and her experience of freelancing in account management! Take it away Carolyn.   My Experience: Freelancing in account management by Carolyn Stebbing  Earlier this year I dipped my toes into the freelancing pond. I was keen to adjust my work-life balance and freelancing offered the change of pace I’d been craving. I figured that in between contracts I’d... Read More

Drivers Ed for Backseat Drivers

Anyone who has ever worked at an advertising or marketing agency, as a freelancer or in roles like product manager knows just how annoying backseat driving can be. Beyond being annoying backseat driving is downright dangerous. Let me explain why being a backseat driver not only sucks, it’ll cause you to crash. You asked for directions for a reason… When you approach someone for help it’s because you have already identified you need someone... Read More

Creatures of the Sydney Freelance Jungle Unite

Down in the depths of the Sydney jungle beats a drum calling all the freelance critters together. We’ll meet by the light of the moon, drink fermented beverages and tell tall tales of life on the edge of the freelance jungle in Australia’s biggest city. To be included ‘neath the night sky and talk turkey with the gang, all you need to be is the kind of person who can relate to the following: 1. Your washing doesn’t include much business attire,... Read More

Guest Post: Social Media 101 by Sarah Allen

Welcome to the first ever guest blog for freelancers! Take it away Sarah!   This is Part One of a Two-Part Blog Series by the Queen of Social at Sarah Allen Consulting on how freelancers can use social marketing to get results.   Did you know that a third of small businesses are now using social media, while 40% of companies still admit to having no training in this fast-growing medium?   One of the great things about putting social... Read More

CASE STUDY: AUSTRALIAN FREELANCE MARKET SURVEY

Background: As an Australian freelancer who is passionate about the local landscape, Rebekah Lambert, a creative Sydney copywriter and freelance strategic marketer, undertook a survey of the Australian Freelance Market. After searching for a good six months prior to launching the survey, despite inclusion of freelancing in Census data, articles written about freelance lifestyle and a growth in the provision of online portals dealing with and catering... Read More

Don’t be a Start Up Slum Lord

I was shocked and horrified to see a blog on an Australian women’s site recently about how entrepreneurial it was to use online auction sites. It really, really yanked my chain as both a freelancer and a woman that they would offer such a solution, especially under the guise of entrepreneurial spirit. Are you having a giraffe? I have worked with countless small businesses, NFPs and start-ups and I know the budget is tight but seriously, let me spell... Read More

The Australian Freelance Market

As an Australian freelancer who is passionate about the local landscape, Rebekah Lambert, a creative Sydney copywriter and freelance strategic marketer, undertook a survey of the Australian Freelance Market. The main aim of the survey was to understand the issue facing freelancers as well as gather contacts within the industry. After searching for a good six months prior to launching the survey, despite inclusion of freelancing in Census data, articles... Read More

Take Time Out for YOU!

It’s fair to say that we all work pretty hard these days, right? We’re constantly connected to work through emails on our phones. We’re always chasing down leads or ideas or working on grand plans on the outskirts of what we are trying to achieve. But you have to take time out for you, else you become some husk, some shell of what you need to be and let me tell you, both your productivity and your emotional, mental or physical health could suffer. How... Read More

So simple it has to work…

I recently finished reading The Secrets of Word of Mouth Marketing by George Silverman (have put up some pieces from it previously and still have another 5 pages of notes I may share, depending). Each time I pick up a book of this kind, it’s great to find some kernel of wisdom that really rings the bell. Here is that bell ringer for me. I wrote down a heading (like the studious little freak I am) of “Six Steps to Harnessing Word of Mouth” with... Read More

Tried and Tested Ways to Kill Freelancer Enthusiasm

So you’ve just hired a freelancer with the right attitude and skill set for a job and they are passionate and keen on the tasks ahead. Not happy with their go-getter attitude? Then you need to follow these Tried and Tested Ways to Kill Freelancer Enthusiasm! Hire them based on their experience then systematically devalue it Nothing says “cop that ya freelancer!” like a good old fashion devaluation of a freelancer’s experience. The best way... Read More

Why a freelancer community?

Some people have been asking me lately what the whole freelance survey is about (for your reference, here is the original post http://unashamedlycreative.com.au/2011/10/calling-all-freelancers/) or where it might lead. Here it is in nuts and bolts… Hello- is anybody out there? I started doing a full time freelance gig in 2009 whilst still employed because I wanted to see if it worked. I had some mates who had varying degrees of success across... Read More

Calling all freelancers!

Are you tired of auction sites trying to get you to work for $2 a 500 word article or deploy a whole website for $200? Have you had to mop up after countless el cheapie projects for your clients after things have gone drastically south? Do you sometimes wonder why employment agencies or digital/ad agencies pay you 30% of what they bill you out for? Are you working at places that don’t allow you to stretch yourself as much as you would like? Do you... Read More

Wondering how to be local, ethical and support fair trade? Hire freelancers!

People are becoming increasingly aware it seems on the impact on their environment. People are attending dinners based around the premise of 100 mile dinners aimed at reducing petrol usage and highlighting local goods. Sourcing uncaged chicken eggs and free range produce is increasing in popularity and people are thinking ethically about their purchases from overseas. In Sydney, where the cost of living keeps jetting through the roof and onto the... Read More

You know you’re self employed/freelancer when…

1.      Your washing doesn’t include much business attire, but you have a sensational set of “work pyjamas”. 2.      Debt collection is done through subtle begging and threats of standing outside non-paying businesses with cardboard signs stating “WILL WRITE COPY FOR FOOD”. 3.      An agency calls and asks how much you know about aardvarks for a two day gig, you put down your latest cardboard sign and respond with gusto as... Read More