1. Increasing Freelance Opportunities Through Bids By Nathan Sumner AET/545 University of Phoenix Gale E. Cossette, Ph.D.

3. Freelance websites

4. Customizing a bid

5. Writing an effective bid

6. Social Media Advertising

8. Title: Freelance Websites Scene: Freelance Websites Slide number: 2 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Use Freelance Websites Programmer Notes: The layout will include bullet points about the importance of using Freelance Websites and will include picture graphics. Freelance websites are crucial for newbies oDesk.com Elance.com Ajeva.com Freelancer.com Next Back Text/Audio Narration: A great place for new freelancers to start bidding for work is on freelance websites, such as oDesk, Elance, Ajeva, and Freelancer. Although there are many websites that cater to freelancers, these are the most popular and have the most work. A word of caution however: You will want to follow the training videos in order on each site to maximize your profile and bid on work correctly. Remember, your reputation is at stake.

9. Title: Customizing a Bid Scene: Customizing a Bid Slide number: 3 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Customizing a bid Programmer Notes: The layout will include bullet points about the importance of customizing bids for every project and some tips on how to do so. The slide will include picture graphics. Every bid should be customized Research the project owner Do they have a website? Look at previous projects they offered Spend quality time on each bid Use keywords from their ad to include in your bid Show how your skills fit the specific requirements Next Back Text/Audio Narration: Every freelance bid should be customized. Remember, you are applying for a job and no one likes to see a bid and cover letter that was created as a template. You should also research the project owner. Do they have a website that you can refer to for more information? Did they give you an example of what they want the final project to look like? Also, look at previous projects they offered to see a trend. Relax and spend quality time on each bid. Use keywords from their ad to include in your bid. They want to see if you are paying attention to their needs. Finally, write about how your skills specifically match the requirements of the project.

10. Title: Writing an Effective Bid Scene: Writing an Effective Bid Slide number: 4 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Writing an Effective Bid Programmer Notes: The layout will include bullet points about the importance of what to include in a freelance bid and will include picture graphics. Bid should be written professionally Drop the project owner’s name in the bid Include links or attachments of your portfolio Toot your horn-Testimonials Invite them to interview you via phone/Skype, etc. Next Back Text/Audio Narration: Each of your bids should be written professionally. If necessary, have someone proofread them before you submit them. Next, it’s a good idea to drop the project owner’s name (if available) throughout your bid letter (cover letter). People like to know you are putting their needs first. Most important, include either links or attachments to your portfolio of wok. This is your time to shine! Toot your own horn! It’s a great idea to include any testimonials from your previous clients to show your proven track record. Finally, invite the project owner to interview you via phone or Skype. This gives a personal touch and gives you the opportunity to elaborate on your previous work.

11. Title: Social Media Advertising Scene: Social Media Advertising Slide number: 5 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Social Media Advertising Programmer Notes: The layout will include bullet points on what social media advertising to use and how to leverage them into advertising for yourself. The slide will include picture graphics. Use Social Media websites Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Search jobs using keywords Post your news feed Your project availability Each time you complete a project (include link) Emphasize testimonials (Facebook & LinkedIn) Next Back Text/Audio Narration: We all know and use social media websites for fun. However, many freelancers secure work using them as well. You will want to create a profile on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Each website has its own job search feature. On twitter, simply type the keywords “web design freelance job”. Next, post your project availability on your news feed periodically for each social media website. You should also post in your news feed each time you finish a project and provide a link to the website you created. Finally, emphasize testimonials from past clients (usually found on Facebook and LinkedIn).

12. Title: Other Advertising Scene: Other Advertising Slide number: 6 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Other Advertising Programmer Notes: The layout will include bullet points regarding other forms of advertising to create more freelance opportunities. The slide will include picture graphics. Craigslist (use, but be careful) Email marketing Create “laptop ad” (SkinIt.com) Car door magnet (VistaPrint.com) Flyers Quit Back Text/Audio Narration: Yes, it is okay to use Craigslist to post an advertisement for your services under the “gigs” area. It’s not a bad idea to use your local Craigslist to post because that gives a project owner to meet with you face to face if they wish. However, be careful. The best way to create an ad for yourself is to create it using HTML coding and save the entire ad as jpeg image so spammers will not get your email address. Next, create nice HTML coded email advertisements to send to business owners you know. You can also create a sticker ad for your laptop using SkinIt.com. They are inexpensive and allow you to customize your ad. You would be amazed at how many projects I secure when people see my laptop at coffee shops. Finally, turn your car into an ad. VistaPrint allows you to inexpensively customize door magnets for your car!

13. Title: Assessment Scene: Assessment Slide number: 7 Animation (yes or no): No Graphics (yes or no): Yes Audio (yes or no):Yes Skill or Concept: Assessment Programmer Notes: The layout will include the assessment for this tutorial as well as a graphic. Assessment: Create a profile and bid for one project on one: oDesk Elance Freelancer Write an advertisement for your services on one: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Quit Back Text/Audio Narration: It’s now time for your assessment! This assessment has two (2) parts. First, create a profile and bid for one project on either oDesk, Elance, or Freelancer. Second, write an advertisement showcasing your web design services on either Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

14. References Brewer, D. (2009). Top 10 job boards for freelance web designers. Dustin Brewer.com. Retrieved from http://dustinbrewer.com/top-10-job-boards-for-freelance-web-designers/ Elance, Inc. (2011). Use the pyramid approach to build web traffic. Retrieved from http://www.elance.com/p/blog/2011/07/use-the-pyramid-approach-to-build-web-traffic.html Evans, S. (2009). How to find a job on Twitter. Mashable.com. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2009/03/13/twitter-jobs/ Kawasaki, G. (2009). Ten ways to LinkedIn to find a job. How to Change the World. Retrieved from http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html#axzz1SVghJVHu Kiviat, B. (2009). Using Twitter and Facebook to find a job. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1903083,00.html Masood, A. (n.d.). How to find web and graphic design gigs on Craigslist. Ezine Articles. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Find-Web-and-Graphic-Design-Gigs-on-Craigslist&id=2519796 oDesk. (2011). 5 social media tools and how to use them to find work. Retrieved from http://www.odesk.com/blog/2011/07/5-social-media-tools-and-how-to-use-them-to-find-work/ Sayno, M. (2010). Hot freelancing jobs to watch for. Ajeva.com. Retrieved from http://ajeva.com/blog/2010/06/hot-freelancing-jobs-to-watch-for/ SkinIt. (2011). Laptop skins. Retrieved from http://www.skinit.com/devices/laptop&page=1&browseBy=popular VistaPrint USA. (2010). Customer testimonial for VistaPrint’s car door magnets. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqXoI1XD0fA&feature=player_embedded