Help, new to freelancing, problems...

[stacylee]

Dear Lori,
I have only been doing this freelance thing for about 2 weeks now. Went with Gofreelance.com, and, I don't know what to bid on jobs..in the job descriptions they clearly state what the job pays, but, then they want you to put in a bid amount when you apply..already didn't get one job, applied for more. I have skills, I just don't know what to do to land that job. Can you please help me? I need to stay home with my son, he was recently diagnosed with autism, and I know he needs me here.....Please help..my email address is true.scorpio@hotmail.com..

[Lori]

Hi Stacylee,

I'm so sorry to hear about your son. You can find a way to stay home.

One of the first ways to make money is to save it. Cut coupons, cook and freeze, replace your lightbulbs (seriously - I've cut my electric bill down $30/month with energy efficient lightbulbs)... I wrote an article (http://www.freelancemom.com/finance_LR.htm) a long time ago that might help.

It's always the hardest to get your first gig. Stay persistent!

Here are some tips on bidding on jobs (http://freelancemom.com/blog/archives/77) that I posted awhile back on my blog that might help you.

When I first started out I knew I wanted to succeed at any cost. So I bid low. Somewhere close to the lowest bids. That got me my first opportunities and also my feedback. Now I only bid top dollar and have more work then I can usually handle. Your business will grow and some of the clients you find for a one time gig will end up being ones you work with for years.

Also look locally. Put an ad in your local paper with your services.

Figure out what your bottom line is that you need to make. Figure out how much you can save in other areas of your life. Subtract that savings from your bottom line. Now you've got a realistic figure that you need to make from client work.

You can supplement that with things like auctioning on ebay in the beginning...

Where there is a will, there is a way! :D

Let me know how it goes - I'm routing for you!

Lori

[sarathy]

Prioritising things will help to a great extent. Keep aside a few hours of the day, just for work. During that time involve your kids in some activities or games, and finish your work within that time.