Hi,
I just posted a more detailed article answering a previous question from a subscriber about a fast, easy and low-cost way to become a website designer.
The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages is a highly marketable skill. There is a huge and growing demand for websites and web content, especially for smaller organizations who often can’t afford to hire a full-service web design firm.
For details, check out: http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/becomingawebsitedesigner.htm
All the best,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Monday, May 09, 2005
Interested in learning website design
Hi,
When you state that website design work is a good choice for earning freelance income. Is it necessary to learn beyond HTML and so on? The resources that you recommend for learning copywriting and webdesign sound very impressive. However, I was wondering if there is a cheaper way of learning these skills.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi ______,
Thank you for your email regarding learning HTML and web design.
If I were in your shoes, the best investment I could make would be learning how to use a key piece of software for creating websites. By far the best software package I keep hearing about in the What You See Is What You Get category (WYSIWYG) is a program called Dreamweaver, by Macromedia. With WYSIWYG web editors, you don't have to know HTML. You simply type and drag and drop and cut and paste your way to build a web page.
I believe versions are available for both the Mac and the PC, so if you are PC-based and learn the program, you'll still be able to communicate with the Mac world, which is the dominent platform for the graphic arts community.
You can learn about Dreamweaver at: http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/?promoid=home_prod_dw_082403
Any of these programs have far more features than you can possibly wrap your mind around at first. The trick is to use the tutorials the software comes with, plus any free online tutorials (do a google search) and teach yourself how to do simple, competent web pages at first. Then you can gradually learn about other features, as you need them. As you surf the web, bookmark sites you like or designs you like, and keep them in a special folder.
There's nothing better than learning by doing. So build your own website as you learn Dreamweaver. If you have Internet access (which you obviously do), your Internet provider already gives you from 5-10 MB of web space as part of your subscription. So you can build your first test site there, at no extra charge. Once you're confident enough, you can build your own business site, with your own domain name, and promote your services as a web designer. I recommend using www.godaddy.com to both register your new domain name and host your site. It can cost less than $50 a year to both register and host your site!
And finally, purists and experts still suggest that you at least become somewhat familiar with HTML, even if you use a WYSIWYG editor that hides all this HMTL stuff. Many of them go in and "tweak" their web pages by hand, using HTML, to get exactly the look they want.
There are some free tutorials available to learn about HTML. Try:
A beginner's guide to HTML: http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/WWW/HTMLPrimerP1.html
And http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/
The ability to create attractive, simple and functional web pages is a highly marketable skill. Once you have created your own site showcasing a few examples of your work, your first prospects will probably be small businesses, consultants, and retail establishments in your area. Then, with experience, you can move into working for larger companies. Another benefit -- you can eventually do work for anyone, around the world, from your home office.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
When you state that website design work is a good choice for earning freelance income. Is it necessary to learn beyond HTML and so on? The resources that you recommend for learning copywriting and webdesign sound very impressive. However, I was wondering if there is a cheaper way of learning these skills.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi ______,
Thank you for your email regarding learning HTML and web design.
If I were in your shoes, the best investment I could make would be learning how to use a key piece of software for creating websites. By far the best software package I keep hearing about in the What You See Is What You Get category (WYSIWYG) is a program called Dreamweaver, by Macromedia. With WYSIWYG web editors, you don't have to know HTML. You simply type and drag and drop and cut and paste your way to build a web page.
I believe versions are available for both the Mac and the PC, so if you are PC-based and learn the program, you'll still be able to communicate with the Mac world, which is the dominent platform for the graphic arts community.
You can learn about Dreamweaver at: http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/?promoid=home_prod_dw_082403
Any of these programs have far more features than you can possibly wrap your mind around at first. The trick is to use the tutorials the software comes with, plus any free online tutorials (do a google search) and teach yourself how to do simple, competent web pages at first. Then you can gradually learn about other features, as you need them. As you surf the web, bookmark sites you like or designs you like, and keep them in a special folder.
There's nothing better than learning by doing. So build your own website as you learn Dreamweaver. If you have Internet access (which you obviously do), your Internet provider already gives you from 5-10 MB of web space as part of your subscription. So you can build your first test site there, at no extra charge. Once you're confident enough, you can build your own business site, with your own domain name, and promote your services as a web designer. I recommend using www.godaddy.com to both register your new domain name and host your site. It can cost less than $50 a year to both register and host your site!
And finally, purists and experts still suggest that you at least become somewhat familiar with HTML, even if you use a WYSIWYG editor that hides all this HMTL stuff. Many of them go in and "tweak" their web pages by hand, using HTML, to get exactly the look they want.
There are some free tutorials available to learn about HTML. Try:
A beginner's guide to HTML: http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/WWW/HTMLPrimerP1.html
And http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/
The ability to create attractive, simple and functional web pages is a highly marketable skill. Once you have created your own site showcasing a few examples of your work, your first prospects will probably be small businesses, consultants, and retail establishments in your area. Then, with experience, you can move into working for larger companies. Another benefit -- you can eventually do work for anyone, around the world, from your home office.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Friday, May 06, 2005
Some advice for working from home?
Hi,
I wonder if you can give some advice?
I really want to start working from home and wonder if it would be possible to learn a skill and then become a freelancer over the internet?
I am interested in writing, computers, web design, computer programming, proofreading, or anything that can be done at home. What do you recommend?
Dear ______,
You have listed some great choices for earning freelance income.
I would personally recommend freelance copywriting or website design work (HTML and creating web pages). There is a huge demand right now for people who know how to write effective sales copy, or who know how to write quality content (articles, profiles, case studies, white papers) for the Web, or who can design and create attractive and highly functional pages for Web sites.
Mind you, don't think of this as a get rich quick scheme. It's a job, or even better, a small business that you will start in your free time and grow into a second income stream and perhaps a full-time freelance income some day.
They all require study, practice, hard work and most importantly -- a natural interest or passion. Because if you like what you're doing, you'll find it much easier to put in the hours learning your craft and practicing it.
Here are some resources I'd recommend:
Michael Masterson's Accelerated Course for Six-Figure Copywriting
The AWAI Secrets of Writing for the Internet course
The AWAI home study course on Graphic Design
You can also visit my Website and see other work from home opportunities at http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/selfemployment.htm
To get an idea of the kind of projects you could pick up and work on at home, visit:
www.workaholics4hire.com
http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/jobopportunities.htm
I hope this helps and I really encourage you to try it! Doing what you love... having your own business... being your own boss... and gaining more control over your own life... is one of the most satisfying and fulfilling ways to earn a living.
Regards,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
I wonder if you can give some advice?
I really want to start working from home and wonder if it would be possible to learn a skill and then become a freelancer over the internet?
I am interested in writing, computers, web design, computer programming, proofreading, or anything that can be done at home. What do you recommend?
Dear ______,
You have listed some great choices for earning freelance income.
I would personally recommend freelance copywriting or website design work (HTML and creating web pages). There is a huge demand right now for people who know how to write effective sales copy, or who know how to write quality content (articles, profiles, case studies, white papers) for the Web, or who can design and create attractive and highly functional pages for Web sites.
Mind you, don't think of this as a get rich quick scheme. It's a job, or even better, a small business that you will start in your free time and grow into a second income stream and perhaps a full-time freelance income some day.
They all require study, practice, hard work and most importantly -- a natural interest or passion. Because if you like what you're doing, you'll find it much easier to put in the hours learning your craft and practicing it.
Here are some resources I'd recommend:
Michael Masterson's Accelerated Course for Six-Figure Copywriting
The AWAI Secrets of Writing for the Internet course
The AWAI home study course on Graphic Design
You can also visit my Website and see other work from home opportunities at http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/selfemployment.htm
To get an idea of the kind of projects you could pick up and work on at home, visit:
www.workaholics4hire.com
http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/jobopportunities.htm
I hope this helps and I really encourage you to try it! Doing what you love... having your own business... being your own boss... and gaining more control over your own life... is one of the most satisfying and fulfilling ways to earn a living.
Regards,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
I'm not a professional anything...
Hello Barnaby....
I am not a professional anything. I am a house cleaner and want out.
Is there any way a person that is not from the corporate world can do what you do since I have no history to point people to in the business world.
I love to write but haven't found a way to make money doing it yet.
Was wondering if your book can help me.
Thanks
Hi ______,
And thank you for writing. It's an excellent question.
In your case, I would recommend that you invest a little money and time in developing a marketable skill that will allow you to earn a very good living working for yourself. This could be:
- Copywriting (direct marketing, online or web writing, or content development)
- Resume writing
- Graphic design or web design
- Virtual assistant work (see http://www.virtualassistants.com/ for details)
My website, www.outsourcing-yourself.com has a "Resources" page with Career Change and Training Opportunities that list several courses you can take to learn these new skills.
Or... you could even decide to upgrade your current work and start your own housecleaning business. This would involve finding others to do the actual cleaning... building a network of both customers and cleaners... marketing your business and meeting with customers. There's a demand for reputable and good cleaning people. Who knows, you could even expand your business to include other household help services. As our population grows older (as it is), seniors will need more help at home. This is a growth area.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of success!
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
I am not a professional anything. I am a house cleaner and want out.
Is there any way a person that is not from the corporate world can do what you do since I have no history to point people to in the business world.
I love to write but haven't found a way to make money doing it yet.
Was wondering if your book can help me.
Thanks
Hi ______,
And thank you for writing. It's an excellent question.
In your case, I would recommend that you invest a little money and time in developing a marketable skill that will allow you to earn a very good living working for yourself. This could be:
- Copywriting (direct marketing, online or web writing, or content development)
- Resume writing
- Graphic design or web design
- Virtual assistant work (see http://www.virtualassistants.com/ for details)
My website, www.outsourcing-yourself.com has a "Resources" page with Career Change and Training Opportunities that list several courses you can take to learn these new skills.
Or... you could even decide to upgrade your current work and start your own housecleaning business. This would involve finding others to do the actual cleaning... building a network of both customers and cleaners... marketing your business and meeting with customers. There's a demand for reputable and good cleaning people. Who knows, you could even expand your business to include other household help services. As our population grows older (as it is), seniors will need more help at home. This is a growth area.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of success!
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
I don't have 10 years of work experience
Question. I don't have 10 years of work experience I just went from college student to housewife how can your book help me? I just enjoy writing.
Hi B,
That's a wonderful question, and thank you for sharing it.
First, I'm not sure this is the right book for you. It's really designed for people who've spent 5-10 years and have an immediate marketable skill.
But don't despair. There are plenty of opportunities for you.
The first -- and hardest step -- is for you to envision what you would love to do, and what you would love to write about. If you feel passionately about a subject, then reading about it, researching, writing, and committing yourself to building a business around in for the long term won't feel so much like work. It will be a joy.
Let's say you're interested in parenting. You could research and write articles on a freelance basis for parenting magazines, websites and newsletters. Or you could decide to start your own Internet website as a highly-focused site centered around parenting. Selling your own books, ebooks, offering free articles, links to other parenting-related sites, and earning money promoting affiliate products.
This is just an example. You'll have to figure out what interests you the most. My point is, there's a demand for content out there, which you can fill.
If you're interested making a LOT of money from home, then you could try a home-study course in copywriting or resume writing. My website has a listing of several great courses. Just visit: http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/selfemployment.htm
They cost a lot more than my ebook, but they're an investment in your future.
I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide on.
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Hi B,
That's a wonderful question, and thank you for sharing it.
First, I'm not sure this is the right book for you. It's really designed for people who've spent 5-10 years and have an immediate marketable skill.
But don't despair. There are plenty of opportunities for you.
The first -- and hardest step -- is for you to envision what you would love to do, and what you would love to write about. If you feel passionately about a subject, then reading about it, researching, writing, and committing yourself to building a business around in for the long term won't feel so much like work. It will be a joy.
Let's say you're interested in parenting. You could research and write articles on a freelance basis for parenting magazines, websites and newsletters. Or you could decide to start your own Internet website as a highly-focused site centered around parenting. Selling your own books, ebooks, offering free articles, links to other parenting-related sites, and earning money promoting affiliate products.
This is just an example. You'll have to figure out what interests you the most. My point is, there's a demand for content out there, which you can fill.
If you're interested making a LOT of money from home, then you could try a home-study course in copywriting or resume writing. My website has a listing of several great courses. Just visit: http://www.outsourcing-yourself.com/selfemployment.htm
They cost a lot more than my ebook, but they're an investment in your future.
I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide on.
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Friday, January 28, 2005
The best time to make your move
Feeling a sense of frustration with a friend of mine who's big company was sold to an even bigger company, and now he's looking for a job.
After 25+ years in the workforce, he's got the skills to create his own consultancy and build a substantial client list. Instead, he's networking, working with headhunters, etc., waiting for some new job to come along.
He doesn't know it... but he's closer than ever from finally breaking free of this cycle of looking for a job... getting a job... and having the job disappear through no fault of his own. A little bit of networking... a few contracts and he could be earning more money, on his own schedule, with the ability to scale back gradually when he gets closer to retirement.
For one-person operations like us, only one or two projects can keep us busy all week. With a few tools like time tracking software and a simple web site, presto, he's in business.
This is the perfect time for him to try it out and get the satisfactionof the working on the projects instead of dealing with the bullshit of company politics.
For now,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
After 25+ years in the workforce, he's got the skills to create his own consultancy and build a substantial client list. Instead, he's networking, working with headhunters, etc., waiting for some new job to come along.
He doesn't know it... but he's closer than ever from finally breaking free of this cycle of looking for a job... getting a job... and having the job disappear through no fault of his own. A little bit of networking... a few contracts and he could be earning more money, on his own schedule, with the ability to scale back gradually when he gets closer to retirement.
For one-person operations like us, only one or two projects can keep us busy all week. With a few tools like time tracking software and a simple web site, presto, he's in business.
This is the perfect time for him to try it out and get the satisfactionof the working on the projects instead of dealing with the bullshit of company politics.
For now,
Barnaby Kalan
www.outsourcing-yourself.com
Friday, January 07, 2005
Welcome
Will this be the year you finally gain a little more control over your life... or earn some extra income by "Outsourcing Yourself"?
Right now, someone close to me is going through another job transition. Through no fault of his own, his company was sold to a major competitor. Many positions, including his own, went "poof." At 55 years of age, how likely will he be to find another high-paying position in his prime location? (He doesn't want to move from California and I don't blame him.)
Yet with one small contract project under way and a few nibbles on other ones, he's closer to making the transition to independent professional than ever before. Imagine, at 55, making the same or even more money, without a commute, with the freedom to schedule your life as you want, once you get established. And as a self-employed professional there's one more thing he could look forward to... the ability to "ease back" gradually into retirment when he feels like it. Work hard for a few months... earn some dough... take a month off to relax or travel. Start on a new project after that. Doesn't that sound like a more sane way to live and work at that age?
Until next time...
Barnaby
Visit www.reliancemarketing.com for more details about Outsourcing Yourself.
Right now, someone close to me is going through another job transition. Through no fault of his own, his company was sold to a major competitor. Many positions, including his own, went "poof." At 55 years of age, how likely will he be to find another high-paying position in his prime location? (He doesn't want to move from California and I don't blame him.)
Yet with one small contract project under way and a few nibbles on other ones, he's closer to making the transition to independent professional than ever before. Imagine, at 55, making the same or even more money, without a commute, with the freedom to schedule your life as you want, once you get established. And as a self-employed professional there's one more thing he could look forward to... the ability to "ease back" gradually into retirment when he feels like it. Work hard for a few months... earn some dough... take a month off to relax or travel. Start on a new project after that. Doesn't that sound like a more sane way to live and work at that age?
Until next time...
Barnaby
Visit www.reliancemarketing.com for more details about Outsourcing Yourself.
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