Comments on: Growth in Temps: Bad Sign for Employees, Good Sign for Freelancers http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers Income-boosting resources for commercial writers Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:48:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Star http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4612 Star Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:12:17 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4612 A lot of verbiage to slap this poor woman... A lot of verbiage to slap this poor woman…

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4611 Jennifer Mattern Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:08:22 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4611 And I have to wonder why Sapna would troll in the first place -- commenting primarily to insult freelancers over a year after the original post went up. That says plenty.... And I have to wonder why Sapna would troll in the first place — commenting primarily to insult freelancers over a year after the original post went up. That says plenty….

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4610 Jennifer Mattern Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:02:00 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4610 If you truly feel that strongly that the benefits aren't in freelancing, there's a really simple solution. Don't do it. Or stop if you already are. Problem solved. For others, the benefits far outweigh including income growth that far exceeds interest on typical investments + raises of employees, plenty of insurance options that work for them (between spouses' plans, chamber of commerce options, professional org options and self-insured options), and not having nearly as many problems with keeping work as someone looking for a single job in this atmosphere. If you're not one of them, then it's not for you. Nothing wrong with that. If the benefits change in future situations, then it's an option always waiting for you. But the attitude from Sapna that it's so "funny" that others are able to responsibly run a freelance business and take care of themselves quite well that way despite the concerns of others who don't know how to do that in their own situation is ridiculous. If you're cut out for it, you make it work. It's not for everybody. The risks have their rewards for those who go out and find them, and if you'd prefer more traditional security than the kind freelancing affords, you have that option too. If you truly feel that strongly that the benefits aren’t in freelancing, there’s a really simple solution. Don’t do it. Or stop if you already are. Problem solved. For others, the benefits far outweigh including income growth that far exceeds interest on typical investments + raises of employees, plenty of insurance options that work for them (between spouses’ plans, chamber of commerce options, professional org options and self-insured options), and not having nearly as many problems with keeping work as someone looking for a single job in this atmosphere. If you’re not one of them, then it’s not for you. Nothing wrong with that. If the benefits change in future situations, then it’s an option always waiting for you. But the attitude from Sapna that it’s so “funny” that others are able to responsibly run a freelance business and take care of themselves quite well that way despite the concerns of others who don’t know how to do that in their own situation is ridiculous. If you’re cut out for it, you make it work. It’s not for everybody. The risks have their rewards for those who go out and find them, and if you’d prefer more traditional security than the kind freelancing affords, you have that option too.

]]> By: Star http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4608 Star Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:39:19 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4608 I am with Sapna--some of us are even working hard so that the health bill won't go into effect. Not only will you be able to buy, but will HAVE to buy or pay a fine--and the prices will not be cheap and care will be rationed even more than now. Those chamber health plans, if an area has them, are for those without pre-existings. Yes, you can set up a retirement account--anyone can. But you also pay both halves of the FICA, known as the self-employment tax, and then--take it from me--when you do collect SS or Medicare, you will be treated like a mooch and pariah. There are reasons to be or stay independent in this business, but in today's atmosphere, there are fewer, and access to insurance and at least in my experience, double-digit growth in reveues are not two of them. I am with Sapna–some of us are even working hard so that the health bill won’t go into effect. Not only will you be able to buy, but will HAVE to buy or pay a fine–and the prices will not be cheap and care will be rationed even more than now. Those chamber health plans, if an area has them, are for those without pre-existings. Yes, you can set up a retirement account–anyone can. But you also pay both halves of the FICA, known as the self-employment tax, and then–take it from me–when you do collect SS or Medicare, you will be treated like a mooch and pariah. There are reasons to be or stay independent in this business, but in today’s atmosphere, there are fewer, and access to insurance and at least in my experience, double-digit growth in reveues are not two of them.

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4607 Jennifer Mattern Sat, 11 Jun 2011 13:55:02 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4607 Right Sapna. Being able to consistently see double digit "raises" every year (unlike any employee I've ever met) is getting "screwed." Being able to take part in professional organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and other options to take advantage of health insurance benefits is getting "screwed." Being able to set up our own retirement accounts without an employer (which don't all match, so there isn't always that clear cut a benefit) is getting "screwed." It just sounds like you need to do more research. Right Sapna. Being able to consistently see double digit “raises” every year (unlike any employee I’ve ever met) is getting “screwed.” Being able to take part in professional organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and other options to take advantage of health insurance benefits is getting “screwed.” Being able to set up our own retirement accounts without an employer (which don’t all match, so there isn’t always that clear cut a benefit) is getting “screwed.” It just sounds like you need to do more research.

]]> By: Sapna Kumar http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-4606 Sapna Kumar Sat, 11 Jun 2011 02:39:22 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-4606 Freelancers are funny. They think they've got it figured out. But for those of us with pre-existing health conditions who are legally not guaranteed the ability to purchase individual insurance plans until 2014 (when health reform finally gets implemented), we are screwed. Thanks to employers figuring out that they don't have to insure people, those of us who need insurance to manage our health are left paying for COBRA for 18 months and job-hunting for that lone employer who will actually not take advantage of us and will provide benefits. And freelancers are really funny when they boast that they are not giving in to a J.O.B. Well, you are getting screwed walking around without health insurance or investing in a company 401(k). Freelancers are funny. They think they’ve got it figured out. But for those of us with pre-existing health conditions who are legally not guaranteed the ability to purchase individual insurance plans until 2014 (when health reform finally gets implemented), we are screwed. Thanks to employers figuring out that they don’t have to insure people, those of us who need insurance to manage our health are left paying for COBRA for 18 months and job-hunting for that lone employer who will actually not take advantage of us and will provide benefits. And freelancers are really funny when they boast that they are not giving in to a J.O.B. Well, you are getting screwed walking around without health insurance or investing in a company 401(k).

]]> By: Jenn Mattern http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-3584 Jenn Mattern Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:35:53 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-3584 Keep in mind that 100 visitors really isn't that many. So it might not be that you're doing something wrong, but rather that you just have to stick with it and grow that audience. It also depends what kind of visitors you're attracting. Are you getting traffic from more general search terms, or ones targeted to actual buyers (with blogs that's the difference between reaching colleagues and potential clients). I'd say definitely add a blog. They're great tools for A) showing that you know what you're talking about and B) improving search rankings due to the regularly updated content. Blogs also give prospects a reason to keep coming back, even if they don't convert to sales the first time around. They let you build relationships, which build trust, which leads to later hiring. I'm not sure what you're using to host your site now, but I generally recommend Wordpress -- whether for a blog, a static-looking site, or a static site / blog combo. WP sites tend to rank well naturally and once you have it setup, it's very easy to edit and update. I'd also reconsider the footer links. It looks like keyword stuffing for SEO more than anything else, and if search engines consider it the same it will hurt you -- not help you. They're also just too long visually for the limited space you have there. If you really want them for navigation, I'd try to get the Web guy to fix the footer and make it full width so they have some more room to spread out. Keep in mind that 100 visitors really isn’t that many. So it might not be that you’re doing something wrong, but rather that you just have to stick with it and grow that audience. It also depends what kind of visitors you’re attracting. Are you getting traffic from more general search terms, or ones targeted to actual buyers (with blogs that’s the difference between reaching colleagues and potential clients).

I’d say definitely add a blog. They’re great tools for A) showing that you know what you’re talking about and B) improving search rankings due to the regularly updated content. Blogs also give prospects a reason to keep coming back, even if they don’t convert to sales the first time around. They let you build relationships, which build trust, which leads to later hiring. I’m not sure what you’re using to host your site now, but I generally recommend Wordpress — whether for a blog, a static-looking site, or a static site / blog combo. WP sites tend to rank well naturally and once you have it setup, it’s very easy to edit and update.

I’d also reconsider the footer links. It looks like keyword stuffing for SEO more than anything else, and if search engines consider it the same it will hurt you — not help you. They’re also just too long visually for the limited space you have there. If you really want them for navigation, I’d try to get the Web guy to fix the footer and make it full width so they have some more room to spread out.

]]> By: CopyStratic http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-3583 CopyStratic Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:14:55 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-3583 Jenn, Congrats on your redesign. Wow, looks fantastic. I'm definitely not doing something correctly. Installed Analytics last Feb. and have well over 100 visitors, just no conversion. Also, don't have blog set up, which is big prob, I know. Web guy I'm talking to about helping is too busy with other projects. My knowledge of html is fairly limited. Ergo, stuck in a bit of holding pattern. Any recommendations? Daniel Copystratic.com Jenn,
Congrats on your redesign. Wow, looks fantastic. I’m definitely not doing something correctly. Installed Analytics last Feb. and have well over 100 visitors, just no conversion. Also, don’t have blog set up, which is big prob, I know. Web guy I’m talking to about helping is too busy with other projects. My knowledge of html is fairly limited. Ergo, stuck in a bit of holding pattern. Any recommendations?

Daniel
Copystratic.com

]]> By: Jenn Mattern http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-3181 Jenn Mattern Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:48:12 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-3181 Daniel -- Out of curiosity, what kinds of things have you been doing to help clients find you instead of the other way around. I never pitch to get business, and I get more inquiries than I can handle just through my blogs, professional site, and referrals so I pass a lot of those gigs off to clients. I haven't seen any kind of slow-down, and most business writers I know haven't either. I'm just wondering if you're doing something (or maybe NOT doing something) in particular that is causing you to face such a different scenario. Daniel — Out of curiosity, what kinds of things have you been doing to help clients find you instead of the other way around. I never pitch to get business, and I get more inquiries than I can handle just through my blogs, professional site, and referrals so I pass a lot of those gigs off to clients. I haven’t seen any kind of slow-down, and most business writers I know haven’t either. I’m just wondering if you’re doing something (or maybe NOT doing something) in particular that is causing you to face such a different scenario.

]]> By: CopyStratic http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/growth-in-temps-bad-sign-for-employees-good-sign-for-freelancers/comment-page-1#comment-3171 CopyStratic Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:47:15 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=188#comment-3171 Don't get me wrong. Love the idea of freelancing full-time. Just that rounding up new business is so blasted difficult, to say nothing of dead-beat clients who won't pay their bill. Was laid off from my Internet Copywriter job in December 2008 and had a pretty good run at temping and freelancing until summer 2009, and everything just came to a full stop. Nothing. No messages, no emails, no more work. It was pretty scary. Even considered waiting tables or going back to sub teach. Thankfully, I recently landed another temp job copyediting catalogs, brochures and newsletters. Always felt more relieved when I'm able to work a 8-5 gig and then carve out a few hours in the evening to promote the freelance stuff. Daniel Bartel CopyStratic.com Don’t get me wrong. Love the idea of freelancing full-time. Just that rounding up new business is so blasted difficult, to say nothing of dead-beat clients who won’t pay their bill. Was laid off from my Internet Copywriter job in December 2008 and had a pretty good run at temping and freelancing until summer 2009, and everything just came to a full stop. Nothing. No messages, no emails, no more work. It was pretty scary. Even considered waiting tables or going back to sub teach. Thankfully, I recently landed another temp job copyediting catalogs, brochures and newsletters. Always felt more relieved when I’m able to work a 8-5 gig and then carve out a few hours in the evening to promote the freelance stuff.

Daniel Bartel
CopyStratic.com

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