For the next 24 hours, iStockphoto is running a promotion and putting all their vector files on sale at 50% off!

But wait… it gets better!

Not only are their vectors 50% off, but our exclusive coupon code still works! That means you can get even more savings!

As freelancers we all know how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity for savings. We aren’t going to see a sale like this from iStockphoto again anytime soon so now is the time to stock up!

For your connivence, here is the coupon code you can use:

How to maximize your savings

1. Click on the button above to unlock the 10% off iStock promo code.
2. Select your desired credit package (remember it’s 50% off today only. Now is your chance to stock up for the rest of the year)
3. Enter the promo code at the bottom of that page and click the “Next” button.
4. Review your order and check out.

Enjoy!

However, if you don’t have the knowledge of setting up a website, well, there’s an easy way for you to create a portfolio that looks professional. Amongst the tens of website builders out there, there’s one that we want to recommend you because it’s extremely user friendly.

Imcreator.com is the first website builder to use HTML5 and it makes the whole process of creating a website look so easy, that you’ll feel ashamed if you don’t understand it.

First, you need to decide on whether you’re going to use one of the available templates, start from a blank page or start from one of your existing sites. The available templates are grouped in categories depending on the purpose of the site, with compelling and relevant content, so they’re pretty close to completion. The catalog you can choose from grows in number with every month that passes, as the guys from IMcreator have a very neat policy when it comes to the materials they make available. In short, if you’re a web designer and you want to submit your design to their catalog you can receive a cut each time somebody uses one of your designs.

The next step is to customize the chosen template by inserting text, photos, videos or whatever other content you might want. By clicking on the element you want to edit you’ll be presented with options of how it can be modified. You content will thus be adapted to the existing design.

Once the customization part is done, all you have to do is publish the newly created site on a new or existing domain. Once it’s live, IMcreator also makes it easier for your site to be updated, maintained and promoted, with its SEO friendly feature.

Therefore, this is one of the those tools that keeps your personal brand up to date and it will give you an edge when you’ll mostly needed. So, we truly recommend you to use it.

Contacting potential clients directly by email or phone is a great way to find gigs…if it’s done correctly.

Unfortunately, too many freelancers (and others) don’t know how to use email effectively. They fail to realize that email is a form of business communication. They make numerous mistakes and expect their emails to be effective.

Recently, Mihaela Lica Butler chronicled a common mistake in her post, Why “Hi There” in Emails Will NOT Get You Far. But that’s not the only email mistake freelancers make.

In this post, I list more than a dozen common email mistakes that no freelancer should ever make.

Common Email Mistakes

How effective are your emails? If your answer is “not very,” you may be making one or more of these common email mistakes:

1. Unsolicited mass emails. Do you create one email and then copy it to dozens of email addresses? Most people can tell when they receive a mass email, even if you’ve hidden the addresses of the other recipients. In fact, this is one type of email that usually ends up in the spam folder.
2. Not doing your homework. If you want your email to be effective, you need to first learn about your intended recipient. I’ve received a number of emails that leave me scratching my head as to why the sender ever thought I would be remotely interested in they sent.
3. Getting the name wrong. Be very careful about details in emails. An email with the wrong details leaves a bad impression. Make sure that you use the correct name of the person you are sending the email to. There’s nothing more embarrassing (or damaging) than misspelling a name or sending an email to the wrong person.
4. Too many mistakes. Typos and spelling errors count. Your email is a reflection of your freelancing business. If your email is full of mistakes, a prospective client may assume that your work will also be sloppy.
5. Not coming to the point. Most people are busy. They don’t have time to read long, drawn out explanations in emails. If you want the recipient to respond, stay focused on one or two main ideas. Use short, concise sentences to convey your message. Format your email so that the reader can scan it quickly and easily.
6. Not considering mobile devices. It’s increasingly common for people to check their email on their mobile devices. According to the post, Nearly 3 out of 4 People Delete Emails that Format Poorly on Mobile Devices, from Susan Gunelius writing on Corporate Eye your email should consider mobile devices.
7. Being too casual. Your email represents your business. It should be professional. Many freelancers are far too casual with their email communications. While a long-time client may appreciate a casual tone, you should use a more formal tone for an initial client email–at least until the client becomes more comfortable with you.
8. Writing in the heat of the moment. Many freelancers write and send an email when they are angry or upset. While it may feel good at first to send an angry email to a client or prospect, such an email almost never has a positive impact on a freelancing business. Write your emails when you are calm.
9. Unclear subject line. The subject line of an email is very important. In fact, it can determine whether the recipient reads your email. If you have a vague or unclear subject line, the recipient is likely to delete the email without even opening it. Your subject line should be interesting enough that the recipient wants to find out the email is about.
10. No call to action. As with any marketing document, it’s important to explain what you want the recipient of the email to do. Don’t make them guess. If you want them to purchase something, invite them to do so. Make it easy for them to follow through by including a link right in the email.
11. Making it all about you. As with any marketing communication, an effective email should focus on the needs of recipient. Don’t simply list features of your service. Explain how those features will help the reader. If the prospect realizes you understand what they need, they are more likely to be interested.
12. No contact information. If possible, you should provide more than one way to contact you. Make sure that your contact information is current. Also, be sure to explain clearly who you are and why you are contacting them. Include a link to your freelancing business website or even provide a phone number where your client can reach you.
13. Bonus: Not using an email signature. Email signatures are a great place to include contact information and a line about your freelancing business. Yet, many freelancers fail to set up this convenient tool.

Your Turn

What tips do you have for writing effective emails?

Share your ideas in the comments.

You’re busy. You’ve got your freelancing business…and of course, there’s also life.

With all of that going on, it’s easy to forget to do some basic tasks. It’s easy to fall behind.

In this post, I list a dozen things that you need to update regularly if you want to stay current. If you find that you aren’t up to date in one or more of these areas, update it today (or as soon as you possibly can).

Get Up to Date

Is your freelancing business up to date?

It’s a rare freelancer who can answer “yes” to that question. If you’re like many freelancers, you’ve probably let a few things slide.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to bring your business up to date. Now is a good time to do just that and I’ll show you how.

Here are twelve important aspects of your freelancing business that may not reflect current information:

1. Online portfolio–Have you updated your online portfolio recently? Your portfolio should always reflect your current skills and very best work. If your online portfolio is over a year old, it’s probably out of date. Take a look at it and add some newer samples.
2. Blog–How often do you publish a new post to your freelance business blog? Most freelancers don’t post often enough. For your business blog to be effective, you should publish several new posts every month. If you don’t, prospective clients may assume you’re out of business.
3. Social media profile–Do your social media profiles accurately describe your freelancing business? Do they contain a working link to your website and freelance business blog? If your social media profiles are out of date, you could be missing on vital leads to new clients.
4. Online photo–When was the photo that you use online taken? Do you even look like that photo anymore? Is it a professional shot? If your online photo no longer looks like you, it’s probably time to change it for a newer and more professional shot that represents who you are today. You need to put your best face forward, literally.
5. Resume–Yes, freelancers still need resumes. Many organizations still ask for them before hiring freelancers for larger projects. If you’ve been ignoring your resume since you went freelance, now’s the perfect time to update it.
6. Software–Most software packages have regular upgrades and patches that need to be applied. Often those patches and upgrades fix problems in the tool. If you are several versions behind with your software updates, it’s time to catch up.
7. Smartphone apps–Likewise, your smartphone and tablet apps need to be updated regularly. Don’t ignore the update notifications that you get. Stay current.
8. Computer–How old is the main computer that you use for your freelancing business? Is it more than two years old? The good news is that if you use the computer mostly for business, you may be able to claim a tax deduction when you replace it.
9. Skills–Are your skills up to date? Do you know how to use the latest tools? If you want to stay competitive in your field, the answer had better be “yes.” It’s important for freelancers to get regular training so that they stay current.
10. Budget–Over time, your expenses can change. Your current business budget should reflect those changes. It’s a good idea to review your business budget at least every six months. If you don’t, you may find that you don’t earn a profit.
11. Business Goals and Business Plan–Are you meeting your business goals? What part of your business plan is working and what part is not? Like your freelance business budget, you should review your goals and business plan about every six months.
12. Contact information–It’s very important to keep your contact information current. Without it, prospects and clients won’t be able to reach you. It always surprises me when I find a freelancer’s website with no valid contact information.

Once you’ve reviewed and updated these areas, it’s a good idea to keep this list on hand for future reference. To stay on track, you’ll want to review these areas every few months.

What About You?

Is your freelancing business up to date? What other areas should freelancers update regularly?

Share your answers in the comments.

Image by xlibber