ken_gitahi

I use Google Docs which has a word counter within it, but if I use it depends on the case. I do not check the word counter if I am doing my own writing. I just let the ideas flow and write as much as I can to ensure the content is as complete as possible. In any case, editing and proofreading oftentimes reduces the final count, so I do not see much use for a counter in these use cases. However, I use a word counter for client work to ensure I am hitting set word counts.

I use a very old keyboard that came with a desktop I bought years ago. I don't know if it is mechanical, through. I tried to use the one that came with my laptop, but the travel was too short, and the keys were too squishy. So I dug this one up and have been using it since. Funny thing is, the more I have used it, the easier it has become to type on it and so the faster I have become at using it. Maybe it is just wearing down over time!

You can, but you have to be strategic about it. Crucially, you need a strong skillset and be prepared to market yourself effectively. You must also be prepared to build a consistent client base and manage your own finances. This last one can be tricky, especially when it comes to taxes! However, with dedication and perseverance, you can successfully build a fulfilling freelancing career. By setting clear goals, networking with potential clients, and continuously developing your skills, you can increase your chances of success. Keep in mind what many people forget, freelancing is a journey, and it may take time to establish yourself as a reliable and sought-after professional. However, the upside of all this is worth it if you can hang in there.

I was just talking to a buddy about this the other day. We used to get steady work a few years ago, but it's much harder now. We would bid on Upwork (then called Odesk) and later People Per Hour, and we would get work easily. Now, it's all terrible. The job descriptions are too vague (meaning you risk scope creep and inadequate budgets if you bid for these jobs) and you are more likely to find a scammer than a legitimate client. It is all so frustrating now. About why I think this is the case, I think the pandemic opened up this world to more people and with the world economy how it is now, many more people are freelancing as a side job. Also, more people are ditching traditional employment (sitting in a cubicle for 8 hours) and trying their hand at freelancing. A personal anecdote, some of my friends who are not in the freelancing world are surprised that I work 8 hours a day like I would at any other job. The only difference is the location and that I get to work from home instead of an office.

Hello Bob. Welcome and enjoy your stay!

I am curious if anyone here has started a successful blog in the last year. From what I have been reading, bloggers have been facing a saturation problem, algorithm challenges, competition from social media platforms like TikTok, and monetization challenges. On Twitter, some say one of their biggest challenge is building an audience and keeping up with information flow and the massive amount of content being pumped out by/using artificial intelligence. So, has anyone started a successful blog in the past year? Say from early 2023? If yes, how did you do it, what challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

Used to read a lot when I was younger, and then that hobby died when I started working. However, lately, I read more than I used to in the past. The funny thing is that I read more documentation, news articles, and research materials than I do what one would consider traditional books.

All.the.time. Not having repeat clients is disastrous for any freelancer. Even when we do not speak for a few months, I know I can reach out and ask for some work because I have cultivated those relationships over the years and done a great enough job for them that they would not mind giving me more work if they have it.

Some of the most common challenges for me have been late payments, vague project scopes (clients not putting what they need in clear enough terms), and scope creep top the list. Additional ones I can think of include unrealistic deadlines, inconsistent communication, and the constant hustle to find new clients. These small but frequent irritations have sometimes turned my career into a juggling act of patience and persistence. However, you have to hang in there and earn as you go. You can learn to notice these things more easily as you become more immersed in this world.

Yes! You said what I wanted more eloquently than I could. I love Social media, but I hate the algorithms that trap people into not exploring what is just beyond their comfort zones

Spotify and YouTube for music and then we sail the high seas for everything else

We have a dry season that extends from December to February, then a rainy one from Feb to July, then a cold one from July to August, another dry month in September and then rains in October and November, sometimes December.

Social media is a great tool, but I think it has fragmented society. There are a lot more ech chambers and it's getting harder to reach people with reasonable debates because they are so set on their ways and opinions.

Things ate tough enough for new freelancers who are just looking for their first projects or their first significant client. Then they meet these scammers without knowing how to protect themselves and fall for their schemes. Sometimes I feel like experienced freelancers have the responsibility of educating new ones so they do not keep falling into these traps. Traps that are unfortunately becoming more sophisticated by the day. I hope every new freelancer sees this thread and learns how to protect themselves and what people and situations to avoid.

I have used them all, but I have settled on Chrome. Chrome used to hog memory on my system, so I switched to Opera. It started doing the same thing, and I switched to Firefox. Then, Firefox had an issue with some WebGL stuff I wanted to run, so I decided to look at Chrome again. Surprisingly, it is not the memory hog of the past and actually has useful features.

There are also some clients who assign tasks with unrealistic payment amounts and then scam you at the end. For example, a guy was saying on Reddit that he was asked to copy 12,000 words from several images and add them to a PDF for $4000 by a client on Telegram. That is a great deal, so they agreed. They did the work, albeit using some tools to help, but when it came to pay, the scammer told them to pay a fee to access their funds or have the finds sent to them. Something of the sort. They were told it was not a good idea, but they sent some money and never heard from the scammer again. I also mentioned previously some "clients" asking for a very specific "test" to get the job. One asked me to complete a test that was a 500-word "test" on "what would be the negative effects of Marxism on today's society". Really? That is the test? Nope, that is someone looking to get you to do their job for them.

From personal experience: 1. Never stop learning. The market shifts so fast and only freelancers who adapt survive 2. Put everything in writing. This will help avoid misunderstandings and scope creep 3. Do not do too much for free. Doing some work for free can be a great way of getting clients and exposure. However, do not go so overboard that you end up working so much and making too little to live on 4. Create the perfect work environment for you. That could be an office, a coffee shop, a quiet place, whatever. You will only be able to do your best work if you work in an environment that sits you best.

I have a diploma in Pharmaceutical technology. I finished uni then went on a different path of freelancing, so now I am a web developer. Even through what I do has nothing to do with pharmacy, getting that diploma taught me how to learn, research, source information., and other crucial skills I use today.

PHP. All those legacy websites will not update themselves now, will they? Seriously, I love PHP because it can be whatever you want it to be. Want to use it to build a simple website? Tack on some HTML and CSS and get going. Want something more robust? Reach for OOP, a framework like Laravel, or go with WordPress.

I dont care what they say... [ATTACH type=full" size="735x690]851._xfImport[/ATTACH]

I don't think doing so would be ethical. Then again, I am sure there are freelancers out there who would not care and would do it anyway.

I use Google Docs for the version control. Since the rise of Ai, one of my clients asks for the versions and I also want to follow the changes I have made, especially for large drafts that change a lot.

I think we will get a multi-thousand-word write-up for the changes. That will be something to read! I know it will take some time, and I am also interested to see how they do it. Half a billion blogs, all with multiple pages? Phew!

I have just looked, and I have client files from 2010 in my Google Drive and Dropbox folders! So, I would say the answer is indefinite. On a serious note, I try to keep client files for about 12 months after the project ends or after I stop providing support as per the contract. However, all my web development files are already on GitHub, so I do not have to think about those.

I started freelancing around 2010 in uni for some beer money. After graduating, I found that the available jobs were paying too little, so I keep at it. I have since built a successful career as a freelancer, hopping between developing WordPress and Laravel websites for clients and handling their copywriting needs.