Diana's Freelance and Marketing Blog

3 Ways Time Tracking Aids Your Freelance Success

Diana Marinova — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:00:37 +0000

Time management is a really hot topic among freelancers so in today’s video I’ll outline a few key benefits of time tracking. I use Toggl for that purpose but there are quite a few apps out there. Try several tools and choose the best to your liking. Watch the video or read the transcript below to learn three ways how time tracking will aid your freelance success.

The post 3 Ways Time Tracking Aids Your Freelance Success appeared first on Diana Marinova.

Deciding What Freelance Services to Offer

Diana Marinova — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 09:00:51 +0000

Many people come to me saying they don’t have a ‘freelance profession’ or they don’t know what freelance services they can offer to clients. Often they are stuck at this early stage because they put too much pressure on themselves, thinking there’s some kind of magic going on when working as a freelancer.

Let me tell you – whatever your profession is, what you do for a living and what services you offer wouldn’t change much whether you are working as an employee or as a freelancer. The new angel of being a freelancer is that you will have to manage your practice. No boss will tell you what to do – you will have to wear all hats in the office – a marketer, an accountant, a customer service agent, everything that has to do with your business smooth operations. But this won’t change the certain skills you use to offer professional services to clients.

The post Deciding What Freelance Services to Offer appeared first on Diana Marinova.

How to Develop Accurate Time Estimation Skills and Why You Need to

Diana Marinova — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:00:57 +0000

As a freelancer, you know how important good time management skills are for your success. I hope by now you have put into practice the time management tips I have shared across the blog. Today I’ll lift the veil on another side of time management – why accurate time estimation matters for your freelance success and more importantly, how to develop the needed skills.

First off, let’s define what time estimation is.

The post How to Develop Accurate Time Estimation Skills and Why You Need to appeared first on Diana Marinova.

5 Freelance Blogs I Follow and You Should Too

Diana Marinova — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:00:28 +0000

If you are a regular reader of my blog, chances are, you’ll find interesting some of the freelance blogs that I read. I have to admit some of them I don’t visit as often as I’d like but nevertheless, all of them would help you hone your freelancing skills, no matter your profession. Enjoy!

In no particular order, here are the freelance blogs I follow:

The post 5 Freelance Blogs I Follow and You Should Too appeared first on Diana Marinova.

Your Dream Life as a Freelancer Is Not Possible If You Don’t Do These

Diana Marinova — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 09:00:24 +0000

The freelance lifestyle looks pretty fun and easy from the outside, doesn’t it? You wake up when you want, you work from wherever and whenever you please, you travel a lot or spend time on hobbies more than any of your friends, you have plenty of money to secure your financial future and satisfy every crazy idea or craving you have, a dream life really.

But what many starting freelancers or outsiders don’t know is that achieving and maintaining such a lifestyle takes good organization and hard work!

Here are five things you should do to truly live your dream life as you wish.

The post Your Dream Life as a Freelancer Is Not Possible If You Don’t Do These appeared first on Diana Marinova.

Don’t Get Stuck in Your Comfort Zone

Diana Marinova — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:00:14 +0000

Just the other week my boyfriend and I were having dinner at a local restaurant in Kamala Beach in Thailand, celebrating Christmas. We were looking back at what an awesome year we had in 2015 and how many more great things we have lined up for 2016. During the conversation though, it became clear that I have been refusing to leave my comfort zone since we left Spain.

Apparently, I really loved the way we set up our life in Santa Pola and actively sabotaged everything that would remotely change any details in it, including working on new business ideas or any planned books. (You know, developing a business or writing a book is too much work and I like being lazy, enjoying my life as it is :)

It’s time for New Year’s resolutions and goal setting, but I have blogged about setting smart goals and committing all your resources to hitting your targets, so I won’t repeat myself. Instead, I’ll talk briefly about comfort zones.

Watch the video or read the transcript below to learn more.

The post Don’t Get Stuck in Your Comfort Zone appeared first on Diana Marinova.

My Year 2015 in Photos

Diana Marinova — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:00:54 +0000

You know where I stand when it comes to the meaning of freelance success, right? I don’t fancy myself a successful freelancer because I make a six-figure income (I don’t ;-) ) but because I have absolute freedom what I do with my time and I truly live my life on my own terms.

I am at such a stage in my life that I want to see the world. I want to meet new people, get to know new cultures, experience new things… so it’s only fair to show you what I’ve been up to during 2015 and why I think it was a successful year for me.

Remember that I was broke and jobless back in late 2009. It’s been only 6 years since I started freelancing and look where I got. I hope this post will inspire you to set your goals and free yourself in 2016. The only one standing in your way to freelance success is YOU.

The post My Year 2015 in Photos appeared first on Diana Marinova.

When First Approaching a Client, Your Goal Should Not Be to Get Hired

Diana Marinova — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:00:21 +0000

A common mistake freelancers make when first approaching a client is trying to get hired. I know what you’re thinking – “Wait, what? What do you mean my goal shouldn’t be to get hired?” Mind that the operative phrase here is “when first approaching a client” - when pitching clients or replying to prospects’ inquiries, that is. Intrigued?

Watch the video or read the transcript to learn more.

The post When First Approaching a Client, Your Goal Should Not Be to Get Hired appeared first on Diana Marinova.

5 Grave Mistakes Starting Freelancers Make

Sheeroh Kiarie — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 09:00:25 +0000

The idea that you could work online from home and have a thriving freelance business was unheard of 20 years ago – but not anymore. It is estimated that by the year 2020, 50% of the United States population will be freelancing. Still, many newbies who venture into this industry risk wasting time, losing money, or having their online accounts suspended for one reason or the other, and even worse, losing their morale in this exciting field.

That’s why I want to pinpoint some mistakes that you want to avoid if you have decided to launch your freelance career. I have crafted the solutions from first-hand experience. Let’s get exploring, shall we?

The post 5 Grave Mistakes Starting Freelancers Make appeared first on Diana Marinova.

Educating Freelance Clients They Get What They Pay for

Diana Marinova — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:00:01 +0000

Educating freelance clients that they get what they pay for is an important part of the freelance marketing process. As a freelancer and a client, I strongly believe it is the freelancer's job to sell themselves for the money he or she deems fair. Low-paid competition only makes it harder but nevertheless, it’s not the client’s fault there are people willing to work for pennies. The change lies within us, the freelancers.

So let me tell you a story about educating clients about your prices and why you should stand up for yourself.

The post Educating Freelance Clients They Get What They Pay for appeared first on Diana Marinova.