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

Freelancers don’t do profit share

Don’t ask for credit as refusal often offends Small business owners, entrepreneurs and startups, listen up! I, and my fellow freelancers, can’t afford to work for you in the hope of payment sometime in the future. As cool as you think your idea is, as amazing as you think your revenue projections may be, the fact of the matter is when someone freelances, it means they make a living out of doing project work for clients. That money is then... Read More

Ode to a Glasshouse: Losing the plot over work

The Glasshouse, Woolgoolga To say this week has been busy (or a nightmare) would give busy or nightmare new meaning. Coming to the end of a 50 hour week and knowing I will be working tomorrow and Sunday too is a little daunting. Make hay when the sun shines and all that, and I truly do love my job. But sometimes being a freelancer can really suck. Sometimes having any job (even one you adore), is a big pile of poo. But instead of pushing through into... 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

Let’s get trekking back to the Freelance Jungle!

Who’s a cheeky monkey? Come down to the shores to frolic and play with other critters in the Freelance Jungle. Here is your time to purge those stories of nightmare clients, heap praise on the nice ones and generally talk about all your bumps and scrapes for yet another month of freelance life. The Freelance Jungle is for you if: Hot desking is a concept that means more than just keeping your toasted sandwich warm Some of the clients you’ve... 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

Be a friend to your fellow freelancer

As the year draws to a close I usually think about what things have really made it for me. This year without a doubt it has been a great year freelancing for me because of other freelancers. No, really, it’s true. That absolute rot people will try to sell you about competing with each other for work or having your money torn away from you is just that, absolute rot. It pays to make friends with your fellow freelancers if you are going to survive. Why... 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

The Ideal Freelance Client

Considering I’ve written some cheeky stuff about how to kill freelancer enthusiasm I figure it’s about time I also give a shout out to the qualities found in clients who make being a creative Sydney copywriter and strategic freelance marketer so much easier. In no particular order, here are the qualities that make for an ideal freelance client- for me anyway! Respects quotations and payment terms: It’s funny, a lot of people ask me why I tend... Read More

What we could all learn from Radiohead

Last night with tens of thousands of other people I was brutally assaulted, seduced and made to feel like I was privy to something huge yet private all at once. The circumstances of this bizarre yet thought provoking situation was seeing Radiohead at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Here’s the disclaimer: I am a card carrying Radiohead fan. I’ve often joked I could say my life is complete once I finally get to kiss Thom Yorke’s bung eyelid.... 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

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

How I help me get things done

In response to reading “Getting things Done” I have captured a few of my own personal points and organisational ideas. Hopefully they help you. Feel free to share what you find works too. I’m bang up for anything that improves productivity. Organising stuff: a) Asana is great for managing the workflow of a project piece by piece, but nothing seriously beats moving away from the desk and drawing things out manually on paper. b) To Do Lists are... 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 every office should have a Labrador

Morale Office Gibson T. Dog provides more than you think to the day to day operations of Unashamedly Creative.  Here in no particular order is why every office should have a Labrador. Lunchtime Companionship With a Labrador around, you always have a lunchtime companion who is very keen (and I mean VERY keen) on hanging out with you. You never have to feel like a complete Nigel eating lunch all alone with a Labrador around! Exercise is Mandatory It... 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