Mad Babble & Lucid Thought » Freelancing

How to create a Powerful Portfolio

Sven — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:33:31 +0000

Its French word “porte folio” which literary means page carrier. This carrier, a portfolio, is something a professional like you should consider all the time. Why? Portfolio is the key to your successful career. So why not create a promising portfolio for your target clients?

Easier said than done you say. Yes, it’s true that to create a portfolio is easier to say and the action that follows makes it really harder. This is especially true if you have too much or less information in your mind that you loose focus on what to put on your portfolio.
Online freelancers like you have greater chances of creating a flawless portfolio. The reason is that most of the free career-oriented websites have embedded online portfolio already. This allows users, job seekers in particular, to save their portfolios in the same site. What if no available pre-programmed portfolio available? What if you dislike the online portfolio structure?
This calls for your innovation. Follow the 1-2-3 steps of creating a powerful freelance portfolio and close that deal in your freelance career:

Clearly state your objectives. Use brief and powerful professional words.
Brag and be proud about your works. Give clients an idea on how you delivered successful projects.
Simple yet flawless portfolio structure. Always aim for simplicity but have a lasting impact.

Signs of Non-payment

Sven — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:31:16 +0000

Though freelance jobs are ideal for one and all, but the major drawback is that you may get cheated on payments if the things are not discussed and agreed upon beforehand. Though one can not predict as which project will not be paid for, but still you can get the things set right if at some point you get suspicious.
Here are a few things you must think over and make clear before starting any project, so that your efforts do not go waste.

If the client is unsure of the budget, you should get alarmed. This only shows that he is not serious about the payment part of it.

If the client is not ready to disclose the budget to you. This purely shows that either the budget is too low or he doesn’t have confidence in you. In both cases, you may get into trouble.

If he keeps saying that, he wants the job to be done at the cheapest price, without discussing it properly with you. This is an indication that he doesn’t value your work and efforts but is looking for an inferior quality job done for the lowest price possible.

The client is very difficult to contact, or doesn’t respond properly.

Communication with clients

Sven — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:21:58 +0000

Proper communication between the client and the service provider is the key to success of the project. The communication should be through some proper and a reliable channel. Failing to do so may result in getting the project cancelled. Regular communication with the client keeps reminding him of you and he may consider your services for his upcoming projects.

There are a number of methods and means of communication that you may choose from for the purpose. Emails, message boards, telephone, etc. are some common methods.

Email: while doing the project you must keep your client updated of the progress be sending emails. Even when you have finished with the project long time back, just keep sending him mails suggesting new ideas and other relevant things. This will make you remembered by him.
Have an occasional chat with him/them. Discuss business and other suggestions. You may also send your site address and updates of it.

Telephone: An occasional call will keep you in touch with your clients. You may do so in case of some urgent need of clarification during the project.
Visits: If your client is nearby your area, you should pay some personal visits. This will strengthen the reliability and your approach to him.

Message boards: If you have won a project through some freelance agency, communicating through message boards will be a safer mode to avoid any future controversies.