How to (and how not to) Do Freelance and Work-At-Home Jobs

It doesn’t matter whether you are doing some writing on the side, whether you’re fixing computers, or maybe even changing car alternators for a fee. Any kind of work that you line up and find your own clients for is defined as freelance work. It might be done in conjunction with your regular job or on its own.

Some people view freelance work as not real work. Even though it can pay some big money, freelancers often treat their clients with a certain measure of disdain, as can be seen in the following excerpt of a letter written by a real freelancer to on of his/her clients:

"Dear XXXX:

I guess I could do this job. It’s not what I’m the most qualified for, but I’ll get up to speed eventually. I’ll send you my first copy and see how things work out. We can take it from there once I get back from my vacation.

-XXXX"

Would you hire this person to do any of your freelance work? I know I wouldn’t! The bottom line is simply this: if you wouldn’t do something in your normal job, then don’t do it in your freelance job. Clients do not usually see you face-to-face when you perform freelance work for them, so all you have to go on is your correspondence. Thus, you have to be even more professional in your e-mail and letter exchanges with clients than you would with your up-front and in-your-face real live boss or coworkers.

Of course, formal and profesional correspondence is only part of the equation when looking for freelance work or when dealing with clients. Luckily, there is a wealth of information on freelance work from Sylvie Fortin. This woman, who is a full-time real-world freelancer, has written a great guide to freelance work and work-at-home opportunities, called "You Can Work In Your PJs".