Comments on: Getting Started Freelancing: Act Like a Professional and People Will Believe You

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:52:36 +0000

@Ann Marie

I use Godaddy’s Website Tonight. I wanted something I could update myself and chose this program because it is easy to update even if you don’t known anything about design. It’s nothing fancy but it works for me! I got a 10 page website for a year and a domain name for 5 years for around $150. The investment paid itself off VERY quickly.

@everyone

Thank you for the info! I need to check out this edit tool on Word. I guess templates aren’t really necessary then.

By: Ann Marie

Ann Marie — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:21:34 +0000

@ Kathleen – I am struggling with all the options regarding the creation of a Web site. Who hosts for you and what are the things you like/dislike about it? What is the average start up cost for a new Web site? Thanks for the help.

By: Allena

Allena — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:49:48 +0000

I'm not sure what you mean by custom templates! However, if those involve extra "stuff" (formatting, etc) I would never use anything that gave my client extra work. I turn in my work according to the client's specifications: generally some form of Word (since I have 07, I make sure to save it in Compatibility Mode) or Adobe (I have and adore the full suite.) A note on expenses: I had $1000 in expenses for Jan and Feb! What the heck? Craziness. Allenas last blog post..Revisiting the Niche Debate

By: Genesis

Genesis — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:03:52 +0000

I just submit my work in Word documents unless the client asks for a different format. I don`t think there is anything unprofessional about that. Kathleen, for editing, I use the feature in Word that allows you to track your changes automatically and makes a note of it for your client. Tamara actually turned me onto it and it is an excellent way to make sure the client knows exactly what you`ve changed. All they have to do is "accept changes". Genesiss last blog post..Getting Out of Debt in a Lousy Economy

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:15:33 +0000

I remember reading a blog once about a writer using custom templates. Wish I could find that link! I’m not sure if that’s the norm or not. I just wonder if clients say, “Oh yeah, you can tell she’s a newbie,” when I send my work. Also, when I revise work, I don’t highlight the parts that were edited. Isn’t there some kind of special editing software for that? I wonder if I should start doing that too.

By: Lorna Doone Brewer

Lorna Doone Brewer — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:32:37 +0000

Now I’m all curious. Does anyone else use a custom template?

By: Lorna Doone Brewer

Lorna Doone Brewer — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:31:06 +0000

@Kathleen – Almost all of our work is turned in as MS Word .doc files. The only time we’ve ever had a problem was with .docx files, because many clients can’t open them.

Does that help?

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:02 +0000

I agree, you definitely need to spend some money to take it up a notch. I made my own site and it has dramatically improved business. I got free Adsense credits from my web host and used them too. Surprisingly, it got me a lot of great clients so I am going to keep using it and pay for it!

My question for you and other freelancers is if you use a custom template to turn in your work? I just turn my work in as word documents but sometimes I wonder if this looks incredibly unprofessional.