writing
Since this is day one of the new blog (which I call "Orbiting Planet *buntu*), here's an intro. To read the rest, click the Read More link at the end of this teaser. The first post is titled "U Done Me Right. U Done Me Wrong." Enjoy! Ah, the first post of a new blog. It's opportunity. It's possibilities. It's the chance to create something new and exciting, or to totally fall flat on your face. I love the pressure. As I look around at this new place, I think I'm going to like it here. I'm excited by the shiny new glossy magazine that is Ubuntu User and I know you will be too. So, what shall I talk about? Apparently, I can talk about pretty much anything. Given that this is post number one, I'm going to start with a quick overview of what you can expect here. I've been writing about, talking about, getting exciting about ( and a whole bunch more abouts) Linux, including other free and open source software offerings (aka FOSS) for years. I've given talks on Linux, done Linux training, spoken at Linux User Groups, done radio interviews and shows about Linux and FOSS, and I've done a number of television appearances talking about, uh huh, Linux and FOSS. You might say I'm a little passionate about it. What's more, I believe that Linux and FOSS are good for the world. Click here to read more of this blog |
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Today, I start with yet another online presence. I have a new blog over at Ubuntu-User.com, a companion site to the new Ubuntu User magazine by the fine people who bring you the slick, shiny LinuxPro Magazine. The second issue of the quarterly Ubuntu User magazine, in which another new column of mine appears, is on store shelves now. I'm very excited about this new blog, the Ubuntu User column, and I'm totally thrilled about my new monthly column which will be appearing in the pages of LinuxPro Magazine starting with the December issue.
As I've mentioned before, and will mention again, freelancing is a business. Business requires customers, and freelancers who create content (writers, course developers, etc.) essentially have two types of customers: people who pay them to create, and people who read or use what's created. Sometimes both types are in the same entity, such as a company that hires you to create a course for their own people to use in-house around some of their own tasks. Many times both types are separate entities, such as writing an article for a magazine, which is then read by the people who subscribe to that magazine. As a business, you obviously need to cultivate both groups, yet in a way you can do both at the same time. The key is to always remember that you're promoting your business, and so don't break down into someone who spams everyone they know every time they do some little thing. At best people's eyes will start to glaze over and they'll miss the interesting stuff. At worst, all of your email to these people will end up being filtered automatically into the Delete box without a glance. |
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"Freelancer" is such a generic term, right up there with "Contractor" or "Consultant" for telling people absolutely nothing about what you actually do. As many people would be happy to tell you, the term "Freelance" comes from "Free Lance," basically a lance (mercenary) for hire rather than belonging to this or that noble's guards or army. This definition leads to all kinds of jokes about cut-throat industries, etc., but it's basically accurate. A freelancer is self-employed, moving from one job to another as time and work dictate. At any given time a freelancer may be working solely for one client, or for many clients at once. The next day, they may have moved on. The next year, they may still be working for the same people. -- Read the rest at YouWordMe.com
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