Are Freelancing Websites Worth the Time and Effort? Getting Jobs from Freelance Websites.

Freelancing is a very brave choice for a work at home mom, but also can be a great and rewarding thing as well.  Working on your own terms, being home for your children and having that flexibility is something that we all dream of, right?  Often the choice to work from home and freelance would be one that is very carefully made; especially if one is moving from a full-time job to being a freelancer.  In that case, the transition would be done very slowly, often including working your full-time job in addition to freelancing for the first few months to even a year. However this transition is very worth it since statistics state that freelancers make 45% more over traditional workers.  The most common hourly rate for a freelancer is within the $20-$60 an hour range, depending on your industry.  In fact, some even get $80-$100+ per hour!

Something that I have frequently seen is a lot of freelancers considering using freelance "bidding" websites such as O-Desk or Elance to get clients.  After all, building up your client base and actually having clients to work for is definitely the hardest part of having your own business.  It's definitely the most exhausting and the one thing that causes business owners the most anxiety.  Trust me, I know first hand.

These websites are options but they also aren't options at the same time.  Now, what do I mean by that?  I say that only because they have just as many cons, if not more, than they do pros.

Freelance sites are run on a bidding & short proposal system.  Simply put, when you find a job you like, you enter your hourly rate (or full-project rate depending on what the project calls for) and write a short description (or proposal) or what you can do for the client and how you can benefit them.  Sounds simple, right?  Well, it is simple to bid for jobs that you are interested in, but very difficult to actually get a freelance project from the site.  This is mostly because there is so much competition.  Not only competition from other qualified freelancers but also competition from the overseas freelancers who work for just pennies.  The majority of these freelancers are individuals from overseas and underprivileged countries who post their services for anywhere from $0.88 to $3.00 an hour.  (Yes, I have seen $0.88.)  So let's put it this way -- if you're selling your services for a carefully calculated and qualified rate of $20 - $30 an hour and someone else is selling theirs for $4 an hour, who do you think is going to get the project?

Now, in this case  one would say that is definitely mixed up.  That the rate would equal the quality of work and they're "getting what they are paying for", which is true.  However people who need a quick project done without concentrating on quality would probably choose the person for working for less.  It's frustrating for us freelancers and a very sad fact, but most people are very concerned with price over quality of work.  Most of the clients don't take the time to read the proposals, no matter how compelling and professional they are, and they don't take the time to understand that the larger price tag includes experience.  It includes individuals with certifications, specialty schooling in their area of expertise, various tests and exams and extensive software training.  Qualified freelancers have a fully-stocked home office and have all of the programs up and running to assist their clients.  Now isn't that a professional that a client would want to help them out?

On the other hand, those websites are great for someone starting out.  A brand new freelancer with no client base may have to lower their rate starting out to get these jobs, but to a reasonable rate not to a rate that's below poverty level!  It is a good place to get clients and start building up a client base who will end up trusting you and possibly referring your services.  These websites are also a great way to gain multiple income streams while working at home, if you're able to handle it.  

I've used these websites before and while I have gotten some clients, I also feel like I sold myself short and under priced myself.  I ended up taking projects for 55% less than my normal hourly rate and it was even a rate that was $3 under what I was making in my full time job. (This is an example of what not to do!)  I find the process of weeding through the jobs posted to find just what you're looking for and writing a proposal that usually doesn't even get read is very tiring,  The time one puts into searching those sites could be better used marketing their own site and their own services via the internet and social media. 

From experience, I think your time (and money) would be best spent on creating your own website and looking for some local smaller clients for your first clients.  You still may have to lower your rate, but not to a rate that would cheat you out of what you deserve.  When you contact your prospective clients yourself (via e-mail, mailer or phone) you can sell yourself better.  You are able to attach info-graphics, media kits, examples of your work and so on.  Either way you market yourself, it will take time to build your client base and business to one that has a sustainable and steady income.  It's hard, but it is very possible.  

Have you used any freelancing sites?  Have you found success on any?

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Insanity Gone Viral

I actually saw this photo on Facebook last night and thought it was a joke... That was until I saw this actual article on Yahoo, then I just wished it was a joke.  Who, in their right mind, would leave their child in the car while shopping?  It doesn't matter if it's for two minutes, twenty minutes or two hours; you are a parent.  Your child is YOUR responsibility, not an inconvenience to you.

For those of you who do not know, this happened in New Zealand.  The Yahoo article states:

A photograph taken in New Zealand is causing quite an uproar around the world. The photo at the center of the controversy is of an infant asleep in a car seat locked alone inside a car. A note, seemingly written from the baby's perspective, is attached to the chest and reads, "my mums in doing the shopping, call her if I need anything." There is a phone number written at the end.

This child has to be a few days to a week old, sleeping peacefully in her car seat.  All her mother had to do was snap the carrier out of the base and place the carrier on the front of the shopping cart.  I mean, on average a newborn baby sleeps 16-18 hours out of the day, I doubt this little one was going to interrupt her mother's shopping.

Another part of the article states:

The couple also noted that the baby did look well taken care of and that they know how difficult it can be to get an infant to go to sleep.

I'm sure the baby was well taken care of however it seems like the mother feels the child is an inconvenience to her when she is going out.  It is the mother's responsibility to make sure the child is always well taken care of and that means not leaving her sleeping newborn in an unattended car.  Who knows what could have happened?  Someone could have stolen the car, kidnapped this baby, etc...  The worst part about the above quoted statement is that it seems this couple condones what the mother did by stating that they understand how difficult it is to get a newborn to sleep.  I actually couldn't believe what I was reading when I was reading it.

In my honest opinion, the New Zealand police should have at least charged the mother with child endangerment.  I can't believe they aren't charging her at all since a formal complaint was never filed.  It sickens me to know that this mother might continue to leave her child in the car while she's shopping, especially in this uncertain and dangerous world we live in.

Ok, Ok, maybe I've threatened to leave my kids in the car a few times, especially when we're going to Toys R Us, but I never do! (Even though the temptation is so strong sometimes.)

What do you think about this article?

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unHappy Meals coming to New York?

New York recently put in a bid to ban Happy Meal and Kids Meal toys from fast food chains.  They claim that the advertising of the toys is the reason children are so unhealthy.  Claims are, that the TV commercials announcing new toys every week, are manipulating children to eat unhealthy.  While I do think that the advertising has a lot to do with our children wanting McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, etc... It is the parents decision not to take them, even if our children beg, carry on and scream.  Our children do not run the home and therefore cannot make parents decisions for them.  Even though it's difficult, parents have to say no and put their foot down when it comes down to it. 

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The REAL Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Shopping Addiction - I don't know that it's an actual illness/disease, but it is an addiction.  It's one that is very close to that of a drug addict or alcoholic; a shopping addict or shopaholic.  They definitely do exist and I am living proof!  I am here to tell you that is is just as damaging and just as debilitating! 

Not actually remembering when the addiction started bothers me.  When I was younger, of course I wanted every toy there was, but I learned the value of what I had.  We were a middle class family and since I was adopted, my mom spoiled me rotten.  I didn't get everything I wanted, but I got my fair share of things that were on my "want" list.  A lot of the kids in my neighborhood envied me because of how my mom spoiled me.  Of course, that meant that I always had to bring my toys out for everyone to play with.  I hated that, as did my mom!  But I digress...

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Light bulb off for Easy Bake oven in 2011?

My daughter got an Easy Bake Oven this past Christmas from Santa.  She absolutely loves it, and has already made me a "birthday cake" and many other goodies with it.  We got it for her because I remember the fun I had with my own Easy Bake Oven as a child!  Of course, mine wasn't as sleek and modern looking as this one is, but then again, that was the 90's! ;) 

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Got picky eaters? How to get them to eat.

My 5 year old claims she likes salad and vegetables...

That usually consists of maybe snacking on 2 baby carrots and a few leaves of lettuce out of her bowl.  Sometimes with French dressing, sometimes just plain...  That is her view of a salad.  She claims to her teachers and her friends that she eats healthy -- That would be her opinion of "healthy".  

Both of my kids are very picky eaters.  Their meals are very predictable.  Once they wake up my oldest usually eats toast, waffles or pancakes before she goes to school.  Usually.  There are days where she just doesn't want to eat and breakfast is a battle.  Occasionally I win the battle, but more often than not I end up just packing her more of a snack and send her off to school.  Battling with your kids is exhausting and sometimes you just have to pick your battles.  

If she's going to have a snack at 10:30 AM is breakfast that important?  Well, yes, but I justify it to myself so I feel better about packing her a heftier snack. (Which most of it usually ends up coming home anyway.)  

My youngest usually has a bowl of cereal, waffles or pancakes for breakfast.  She is a great breakfast eater and will eat quite a bit, but put eggs on her plate and she'll complain to high heavens about having some protein on her plate.  (They will eat bacon.  Yum, fatty, fried artery clogging bacon.)

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What our kid's kids won't know...

While at work today (I know, shame shame) I was reading Yahoo and saw this article on the front page.  Thinking about this for a while, from reactions my daughter had to some items that we still have at home, this blog is long overdue!  Featured promidently on the front page was this article about, Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know About...  Having thought about this for a long time, I thought it's about damn time I blog about it...

We have lived in the same house all my life, and actually, my mom has lived there for 56 years as well.  So as you can imagine, our home is filled with items that are antique, vintage and just old!  There are things there from her childhood as well as mine.  (Yes, we STILL have old toys of mine -- we're packrats!)  Since we are going to have to be moving sooner or later, we have been slowly clearing through things we don't want anymore.  Now, you know kids are very nosey, and mine have been wanting to see and play with toys that we had put away that were mine.  I've heard many different things from them from, "Hey, this Barbie doesn't have fashionable clothes!" to "These toys don't make sounds?" and even, "This gameboy is black and white!"  Ahh, kids of the technology age...  I had to explain to them that the technology in the 80's and 90's really wasn't what it is now.  Video game systems were black and white for a while as well as pixelated when they finally got color.  Try explaining that to a 5 year old who ALREADY thinks you're old at 25. (And 3/4s!)

This article is right on at most of the items that they feature.  My kids only know about VHS tapes because I brought some up that have older kids shows on them. (And even then, they giggled about the poor quality! We didn't have HDTV back then!)  They have no idea what a cassette tape is, I showed them once and they laughed.  They asked how I got that into a CD player in my car. Ha! 

Most importantly, kids will not know how to use their imagination when they play with each other.  What about just going outside and playing a nice game of tag?   Video games and other electronic toys have prevented kids from being active.  It's difficult, these days to get kids off the computer, video games, etc... to actually go outside.  (I know this first hand.)  It isn't only the kids fault, some of their parents also encourage this and use TV, Video Games and so on as "babysitters".  However, that isn't the way that we should be dealing with our children.  Quality time is important for behavior and growth.

It's actually pretty intriguing how technology  has changed even from the 1980's when I was born.  Things have advanced so much and will just keep advancing in the future.  I found that article pretty interesting for many reasons. (Even though, I do disagree about the watch -- people still will wear watches as fashion pieces.  Seldom do people want to actually dig in their purse or reach in their pockets to find out the time)  Our children are the future.  They will see more changes and advances than anyone else. 

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It DOES get better. Bullying and the effect on confidence.

Bullying is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I had been the one bullied for years.  I was an adopted, geeky, slightly chubby, glasses & braces wearing child.  Now, you may think that adopted doesn't quite fit in with the other normal reasons to be bullied, but in my case it does.  You will never know what it feels like to be told by classmates that your mother didn't want you, that you were thrown in the trash, that you were unloved.  Of course, I know none of that is true, but that's now.  When I was a child facing these horrible things that I was told, I believed it.  I started to believe that maybe I wasn't wanted and maybe my [adoptive] mother didn't even want me.  When you feel unloved, out casted and unwanted, there is little that matters in life.  I had a taste of depression and anxiety at an early age because of the cruel children that decided to put me down and even worse, kick me while I was down. (Figuratively, of course...with words...)

When I was in fifth grade I faced bullying from a teacher. Yes, I said a teacher.  The main reason for her bullying was because I was adopted.  I don't remember exactly what she would say because I have pushed it out of my mind, but they were cruel things.  It wasn't only me that was being bullied, there was another adopted kid in the class who she picked on as well.  My "teacher"'s bulllying got so bad one day, I asked to go to the bathroom and just left completely.  I left my backpack there and just left.  I couldn't handle it anymore and cried.  That night, I had a nervous breakdown and refused to ever go back to that school again.  My mother transferred me to a public school.  

I continued to be bullied until I graduated HIGH SCHOOL.  The bullying even got so bad that I would get physically hurt and humiliated.  There was one time that I was walking to the front of the room for a presentation and someone actually tripped me purposely.  Things were thrown at me and (yes this happens in real life) kick me signs were put on my back.  In High School I would get actual death threats and threats to my well being because of dating guys or just walking past someone.  No one would help with the threats.  My school had just told me it was "childish behavior" that will go away.  They may have been able to write it off, but I had my mother pick me up from school every single day and drive me home, even though I lived right around the corner.  My fears and anxiety got even worse because of those who threatened me.  I would fear going to school or walking through the halls.    

Bullying and being degraded in such a way really takes a toll on your self confidence and the way you carry yourself.  For the longest time I hated myself.  I wasn't sure of my purpose here, just as the others do.  However, I never had suicidal thoughts because I knew that my family meant the world to me, even if people had been bullying me.  I was very depressed and never wanted to do anything because I was afraid that I would constantly get made fun of.  Even now, my confidence is still fairly low.  It has been built up a slight bit since I was younger, but it is still deeply impacted by my past.

Now, I teach my children to be respectful of others.  I teach them that they cannot make fun of someone because of their differences.  Everyone is special in their own way and no one deserves to be degraded or made fun of.  My girls understand and they are very respectful and polite little girls. (Well, when they want to be.)  Bullying is still a topic that is very important to me.  Maybe my story can help someone else who is going through the same thing.  There was much more that went on in the way of bullying besides what I wrote about up there.  Though, if I had gone through everything, we would be here for days...

(Inspired by Mama Kat's prompt: In what way were you labeled as a child and how did it affect you?)

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Are parents more cruel than their children?

I recently read this blog about a little 5 year old boy wanting to dress as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween.  His mom did allow it and he looked so adorable in the costume, however the little boy was very scared to go to school with the costume because he felt he would be bullied by his classmates.  The blog goes on to say how his mother encouraged him to go because on Halloween you can be anyone you wish to be.  The kids seemed to have no problem with it but the parents ridiculed him and his mother.

Many children are cruel and abusive to others, but some parents are worse.  I do strongly believe that kids can be whatever they would like to be for Halloween and that has no impact on who they are.  Just because this little boy wanted to be one of his favorite characters doesn't mean he's gay or setting a bad example for the other children.  If my daughter wanted to be Superman or if she wanted to be Spiderman, would that be a problem? Would I be ridiculed for letting her dress as a male character?  Definitely not.  That is a double standard.  It's just not right. 

Those parents should be the ones to blame when a child turns into a bully in the future.  They are the ones setting the bad example for their kid by criticizing a mother for letting her son dress up for Halloween.  I don't believe this mother should have told him no at all.  This is a 5 year old little boy.  At that age, they don't know the difference between gay and straight.  Kids have active imaginations and will like what they like.  Children do not understand stereotypes at that age and I don't think the other children would have had a problem with it; just their mothers.

I give the little boy's mom a lot of credit for being so calm when she was getting attacked by the other mom's for letting her son dress the way he did for the Holiday.  I would have went off on all of those parents because, how dare they tell another mother how to parent or dress her son?!  I actually feel sorry for those parents who ridiculed her because they are so closed minded.  I feel bad for their children as well because they probably won't grow up to be open to all types of people.  I just hope they don't become bullies who bruise other people's self confidence...

Halloween is made for children to use their imaginations and step out of themselves for the time being.  Children can be whatever they desire and that is the fun of that Holiday.

What do you think of this matter?

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"Mommy, why was your childhood so boring?"

I remember being a child and having to use my imagination to play with Barbies, my doll house, Polly Pockets, dolls and other various toys.  Back in the 1980's, electronic toys were few and far between.  When I had a toy that was electronic, it wasn't very advanced; they were just being developed and were very plain.  I would get out of the house daily and for a long time.  I got exercise by playing with my friends, by going to the park, riding my bike, my scooter, my roller skates/ roller blades and using my imagination to play different games with my friends.  

Fast forward to more modern days where preschoolers learn computers as part of their curriculum in school!  By kindergarten, children are computer savvy.  Hell, some kindergartners even have their own computers.  I see 8 year olds with their own cell phones, texting and even with their own e-mail accounts.  I'm not saying that knowing the computer when you're young is a bad thing, but I know many parents who have young children and don't monitor what they're doing online.  I know many parents who tell me they trust their children and don't feel like they have to monitor what they're doing.  It's not the fact of distrusting your children, but the fact of distrusting others and knowing the dangers that are out there in cyberworld.

I understand the need for technology, however I also worry.  Kids aren't getting the exercise they need because of technology.  Sure, we have the Wii and I love Nintendo for coming up with such a great concept; a gaming system that conbines family time, exercise and fun.  Even so, children need fresh air and more physical movement.  I also believe they should go outside and enjoy their time because it's better than being stuck in the house.  Even voluntarily stuck.

It really dawned on me when I had brought some of my old toys up from the basement for my girls to play with.  My oldest, Alayna, asked me how did I play with the toys when it wasn't electronic.  I had told her that when I was younger electronic toys were just being created and she really thought my childhood was boring!  I had to explain to her that when I was a kid it was 1980 and most of our fun was created by ourselves.  We had to use our imagination to make the dolls talk and to come up with scenarios.   She didn't really understand why there was no electronics, but I realized that our kids now are brought up with Nintendo, Playstation, XBox, computers, toys that talk and walk and poop and pee...

My kids have great imaginations because that's how I raised them, but I think there are some parents who depend on the toys that do the work for them.  In fact, I know some of those parents.  More children should be limited to the technology toys and should spend more time with the toys that stretch the imagination and build the creativity.  Not even that, but kids should be able to get out of the house and exercise, play games outside, going to the park.  They need the fresh air.

Sometimes I see 4 and 5 year olds playing outside all by themselves.  While it's good that they're outside and getting the exercise, where are their parents?  I hear some parents talking about how they can't wait to get their little kids outside because they want the time to themselves. These are the parents who will act like the big and mighty protective parents when something bad happens, God forbid.  Honestly, I don't mean to criticise any parents, but when I see this and hear parents talking about this, I do go off.  And I have gone off on parents who have said they let their 4 and 5 year olds outside alone in a busy urban area.  It angers me.

What do you think about this topic?  What do you think about the parents who distract their children with video games and electronic toys so they can do what they'd like to do?

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Why do you write?

I think this is a pretty cliche post for any blogger to publish, but I also think it's important.  It isn't like we have to justify our thoughts, opinions and passions, but I think that so much can be learned by answering this simple question.  I also believe that every blogger has their own reasons for blogging, reviewing, writing about parenting and other issues close to their heart.  Why not learn about those reasons?

When I was young, I used to want to write a book.  I would write and illustrate "stories" when I was a kid and throughout my life.  Of course, they all started out being short stories with stick illustrations written on a few pieces of construction paper and tacked together with those gold swing tacks. The stories usually consisted of flying dogs and dolphins that could talk.  They all ended with, "And they lived happily ever after..." as well!  The most important thing, looking back, was that I had two passions and ambitions: Art and Writing.

At age 10 I was in fifth grade and when I transferred schools we really got into writing.  They encouraged us to share what we would write in class, and I had found that I had a talent in writing.  I now had even more motivation for writing.  It was now my inspiration to do something with my new found talent.  I wanted to be a writer and had dreams of publishing a novel.  (Which I did start and just never finished.)

There are many reasons why I write:

• I believe mommy bloggers have a few different (but important) purposes.  One is to spread the positive/negative opinions about products.

I've always loved to review products I purchased and loved to spread the word if I loved an item.  I would really promote it to death to my friends and family.  I feel that word of mouth is really better promotion/publicity than a company spending so much money on advertising.  If someone you know loves an item, wouldn't you want to purchase something that is tried and true?  I would!  I'd be more inclined to buy something that I know works!  That's why we usually check the reviews on products before we purchase them!

• Maybe, through my blog posts and obstacles and successes, someone can learn something from a post of mine.

This one delves deeper into my reasons for blogging.  I feel that maybe some of my difficulties or mistakes could possibly help someone.  If I impact at least one person, I feel like I have done my job.  Honestly, I feel like I am a very strong person for situations that I have been through.  I post so openly about them because I am proud that I have overcome so many obstacles in life, obstacles that I'm sure are very common amongst others.  Things that I'm sure I can help someone prevent or repair if they were in some of the same past situations as myself.  I feel very strongly about this, and I hope this is something that I can eventually do.

• To blog about their children and just brag!

Every mommy loves to brag about their kids!  Friends and family get tired of hearing about it, but I'm sure the blogosphere loves to hear about it!  :)  Even if they don't, I still brag!  

Most importantly, I write because I want to and because I love to... That's all that counts.

So, why do YOU write?

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