If you're going to go freelance, it's important to do your homework and have some idea of what you're in for. 'Seize the day' is a nice mantra for personal development gurus but 'fools rush in' to bankruptcy, especially in the current financial climate! By making a realistic assessment of your marketable skills, formulating a business plan, and preparing ahead for the ups and downs of freelance life, you stand a much better chance of success. There's plenty of good reading around on the topic. Look for up-to-date articles on art-specific business as well as general freelancing principles.
About.com's Guide to Web Design, Jennifer Kyrnin, has the answers for the question Should I Become a Freelance Web Designer?, while our desktop publishing expert Jacci Howard Bear asks Is Freelance Design and Publishing the Right Career for You?. Jennifer and Jacci both have a wealth of information if you'd like to explore their sites. You'll find most of the advice applicable to any sort of creative freelance work.
Richard Greenwald of the Wall Street Journal writes How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo. British web mag ComputerArts has a fantastic roundup of all their freelancing advice with the ambitious title of Everything You Need to Know About Going Freelance.
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Good night, Happy April Fool’s Day!
Uncle Pete never asked the Lord for anything, but one day he heard about this Oregon Lottery… He began to think about it, and think about it… Then a couple of days later, he asked the Lord,
“You know Lord, I never asked you for anything, I’ve been going to church every Sunday, praising you and thanking you for what I have, and I sure would like to win that lottery!”
Well, a couple of years went by and Uncle Pete still wanted to, and didn’t win that Oregon Lottery. One day while plowing a field he starts thinking about not winning the lottery, and get frustrated, so he decides to ask the Lord why He won’t help him to win the lottery.
He yelled up at the sky, “Lord, I never asked you for ana’ thin’ but ta’ win that there Oregon Lottery, and You never did help, well WHY?”
Then the clouds above began to part and in a booming voice he heard the Lord say,
“Pete, I’m gonna need some help on this, you have to buy a ticket first.”
Happy April Fool’s Day!