Hey I appreciate you guys checking out the blog, I am honored to share some of my experiences and expertise with you, especially if you're willing to consider helping to support me as well by purchasing a resource, passing along this blog or jumping into the conversation. I've provided this resource for you guys, and I appreciate you visiting me.
If you do purchase anything off of this site and share your feedback with other freelancers online, expect to receive some freebies, I will hook you up...even providing a little mentoring advice (no other author provides this). Just drop me an email and let me know what your question is - I will get back to you! I am here to support what you're doing, especially if you're returning the favor. I have a vested interest in helping you out, I just hope the feeling is mutual.
But to be honest with you, if you're just here to pick up as many free tidbits and resources as you can and then move on without commenting on any of the posts, sharing this blog with other freelancers or even consider purchasing a resource, I wouldn't try to stop you but I'd be lying if I said it was totally kosher with me. I don't know...I just don't feel right having the attitude that it's all about me and what I can get, I'd like to think you don't either. I've found that karma has a way of biting me in the arse when I am just
focused on just getting what I want and not caring about anyone else, but you've got to make the call for
yourself.
There are some blogs out there that sell advertisements to make revenue (that's how they support themselves), I didn't want to go that route. Instead, the premise of this blog is that if you like what I am writing about, if you've received good advice from reading through a good portion of my material (either through a feed over time or methodically going through page by page in one sitting), that you consider picking up a resource or helping me to promote the blog, is that fair to ask?
Why Buy the Cow When You Can Get the Milk for Free?
In Q1 of 2009, Forbes magazine reported that there were 80,000 graphic design freelancers in the US alone. Almost all of them are priced cheaper than you, and many are willing to make close to nothing just to say they are a graphic designer.
Some astute professionals have already pointed out that, "The problem is simply a result of an upside down economic model where the artificially high supply of designers is pushing the pricing downwards."
So we have a load of designers out there and not a lot of work to go around, what will you do to grow your business and gain a competitive edge?
If looking for free stuff on the Internet is your big plan, do you ever wonder if the other 80,000 plus designers haven't thought of this as well? How many do you think have access to the internet and a lot of free to search around?
If everyone has access to the same free information, and everyone's searching for it, can you ever expect to gain a competitive advantage?
There's a Ton of Free Stuff Out There if You Search Long Enough
Is it possible that this information is free elsewhere?
Hmm, it's possible I suppose.
But I can't help but wonder, how good, reliable and accurate is the information going to be if it's free? I've checked out these free message boards and posts out too and sure every once in a while you'll find a nugget of wisdom that may help, but is that really enough to get a constant flow of clients in the door?
There are some great blogs out there and I've even found a few terrific writers out there, but I can't say that any of them provided a way that would really bring clients in the door. How much time have you spent searching for stuff, how much has it grown your business to this point? Just something to think about...
While there are a few good resources out there (blogs, message boards, graphic design portals), what I typically find is similar to the local news - they're filled with things I already know and didn't need to waste my time on.
For example, working without a contract is risky, ensuring your portfolio is in top form is helpful, not wearing a speedo to your first client meeting isn't a good thing and being a freelancer requires a variety of skills. Ask yourself, "Has this really helped me grow my freelancing business and put actual money in my pocket?"
I guess I can't help but wonder, if folks really could help your business grow, and they spent a good amount of time putting something together for you, why would they make it free? How good is the information going to be in actually growing your business if it's free?
Dollar Wise, Day Foolish
I know everyone wants to save money, but what about saving time? If you run out of money but you have time, you can make more money. If you run out of time on this Earth, no amount of money will get you more time.
What I am saying guys, is that yes, you do want to be wise with your money but ask yourself, "How much time have I invested in searching for free resources on the internet, how much has it helped me grow my business?"
If what you've been doing to this point hasn't really amounted to very much in terms of additional dollars and cents, maybe it's time you consider a different approach.
Final Thought
Most of the freelancers that check out this blog are really cool people that aren't out totally for themselves, and I appreciate you guys - YOU are the people I am writing for.
For those freelancers (and I know there aren't too many) that blatantly try to score as much knowledge and support as they
can without having to pay for it, I can help but wonder if they see the
hypocrisy in all of it - these freelancers don't have any problem
sucking up as much free info as possible and then moving on, but they
want their own clients to respect their time and knowledge, and pay
them for it.
No, I can't stop these readers from behaving like marauding pirates or bloodsucking parasites but do believe that "what goes around comes around", and I hope that these freelancers attract clients
with the very same "me first" attitudes and values as they have shown
to others.
I don't have an issue with folks checking out what I've written (and picking up some good advice along the way), but if you're receiving this blog on a feed if you visit it regularly, or even if you're going through it now and methodically looked at each page at one sitting, consider picking up a resource on the products page, help me share this information with others out there, or even jump into a conversation by leaving a comment.
