The final piece in the Backpack for Freelancers Series is on collaboration. After talking about managing your projects and managing your clients, it’s not too far fetched to think you might want to share your notes, screens, to do lists, with a client you’re working with. As it turns out, collaborating is very easy with Backpack.
Last week, I talk about the project management aspect of Backpack, which I feel is the most obvious use for Backpack. However, a big portion of what I use Backpack for is management my clients- their projects, follow-ups lists, notes, and reminders to call or meet with them. Today, I will be talking in-depth about managing my clients with Backpack.
The tool I use most to keep organized is Backpack, an online organizational tool by 37signals. I posted it earlier this year as a resource, but since I’ve been busier, have found myself relying on it more and more. In this mini-series, I will take you through some of the things I use Backpack for, and how it can be beneficial to you as freelancer. Today, a brief overview.
Photo by L. Marie
As a software developer, we focused on process a lot in school, learning about serveral different types of processes from more traditional to agile. No matter what your profession is, it’s likely that you have your own process for a project. The process is important because it helps you more quickly get into a comfort zone for the project, making you more productive. Today we are going to take a look at mine.
Based on the the popularity of my comp work post, I thought it might be helpful to put together a post or 2 of comp work stories. So let me know your comp work horror story and I’ll post it up with your name and a link. Just use the contact form.
Hey Joe- I was wondering if you’d be able to give us a sample design so we can see what kind of work you do. It will help us make a decision on which designer we should go with.
This is not an uncommon email, especially in the world of web and graphic design. And it seems harmless to a lot of people. Sure, they just want a sample design. But they are really asking for free work. While you as a freelancer might be tempted to do comp/spec work to try and seal the deal on a contract, it’s not the way to go. Last week I posted 10 Reasons to Say No To Spec Work by No!Spec; here is my take on spec work.
Freelancing the Net is a blog dedicated to giving advice and tips to other freelancers or those looking to freelance. It is the first hand account of how a freelancer got to where he is, from the beginning up until now.
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