Posts made in March, 2010

a week at ODESK

Posted by vienna on Mar 30, 2010 in Internet and Blogging, Work and Career | 4 comments

My first week of working as a freelance writer at ODESK is done and I am hooked!

enjoying a cup of coffee while working on my assignment

I suspect that the reasons are because this is my first job as a freelance writer and that I just love the assignment I got. The pay is ok. I mean, if I would have been based in the Philippines, a 3$/hr rate is very good but since I am in Europe, it means that it is because I really love the job.

My first week brought me 51$. If this will continue, it would mean that I’ll have 204$ in a month. Again, it’s not bad for doing something I love doing.

I am a member of ODESK since November 2009 but it was not until last week when I started to apply for jobs (and immediately got one). Now that I think of it, I would have earned more money, work history, and feedback if I would have started right away. What stopped me from starting right away?

I think the very first one was the TESTS. Yes, there are tests at ODESK but, except for one, you’re not required to take these tests. The only test required is the ODESK readiness test which would entail you to read ODESK’s FAQ or TOS and to download the ODESK software (which is completely safe). IT IS NOT DIFFICULT. And if you fail, you can do it again. Other tests are just there to help you land your first job. For a neophyte, you won’t have a work history to boast about so better take some tests. In this way, your future clients will have something to base your qualifications on.

The second reason was the TIME. I thought… I don’t have time to spare for serious freelance work. I just learned now that that is a complete crap. With ODESK, you control your time. If you have just 2 hours to spare each week, that’s also ok. There are job openings that only ask a few hours each week.

The third reason is because I thought, I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I still think I am not good enough for certain jobs so I don’t apply for them. Simple. When I think I can do a job, I go for it.

Anyone who’s really interested can be successful at ODESK. All you need is a computer and an internet connection and you’re set.

After reading this post and you are still doubtful about ODESK, you can look around for other success stories. There’s a big community of Filipino Odeskers online. You can find them on FaceBook and Ning.

So don’t be like me. Don’t get stuck because of reasons that are actually nonsense. If you really want to work online as a freelancer, ODESK is the best place for you.

level up

Posted by vienna on Mar 20, 2010 in Internet and Blogging | 5 comments

Ever since I learned about the world of blogging, I always wished to have my articles published on real online magazines (would also be super great if I get my work published on print). Of course, I have some written works available online but they are all self-published.

I’ve spent years contemplating on submitting my articles to online magazines but I never got the courage to do so. I always thought, who would want to publish the kind of writing I do? I mean, no fancy words, no long sentences, no impressive idioms, etc. It’s like anybody who completed first grade can write the way I do.

But because this deep conviction to bring my blogging to the next level can’t be suppressed anymore, I signed up for ODESK and looked for some writing gigs. I have to tell you that I wasn’t so impressed at first because some buyers offer really cheap compensation (I mean REALLY cheap). That’s disheartening but I told myself that if I really want to do this, I must not concentrate on what I will earn. I should concentrate on getting jobs and starting my portfolio as a freelance writer.

So I started applying for jobs. I sent out nine applications and from these applications I got one rejection and three interviews. And from these three interviews, I got one job and I refused the other two jobs because the job I accepted requires 16 hours per week and that’s already more than I can commit to my writing. I want to be able to do quality jobs and since I am just starting and learning the ropes of freelance writing, I avoided quantity (As you know, I don’t enjoy pressure).

I rescinded my application for the other six jobs I applied for. I didn’t wait for buyer’s response anymore because I already accepted an earlier job offer.

Now, I want to talk about the job I got.

When I got a notification from ODESK that I am invited for an interview, I was ecstatic and of course, nervous. In my mind, I immediately reviewed possible questions that might be thrown at me and the corresponding answers.  To my surprise, all I got was this:

Hi Vienna,

Thanks for applying. Do you have any blogs or writing samples that I can take a look at? It would be really helpful.

Thanks! S

So I directed her to this blog while thinking… oops, I should have updated my blog and written a better post.  I was sure I won’t get this job but I was surprised to see her reply:

Hi Vienna,
I took a look at your blog and I love it! I like your writing style, its reflective and gives the glimpse into your personal thoughts through your writing. I also really enjoy that you write casually and not forced (some people write like they have to prove something!) and that you also include photos with your entries.

I think you’re a good match! You can write about anything under the sun that is Wine, Food & Travel related. You can stretch the topic since it doesn’t have to be literal and can be interpreted in so many different ways. For food, you can write about your own herb/vegetable garden. For travel, you can write about past experiences, going to some place in town, or dreams of future vacations. For wine, heck – whatever floats your boat.

You can combine the topics or write them individually. Again, its completely up to you. There are no rules! You’re hired.

I’ll set you up with an account on the website, which is WordPress based. You can post the articles, I’ll review and publish them when ready. Just as a note, all articles also need to have a companion photo, which is located on the right hand side of the article page. This image will also be used as the thumbnail image on the homepage and throughout the site. You can also add multiple images in the body of your writing, just like you do in your blog.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll also need some time to set up your account… in the meanwhile, welcome to the team and I look forward to your writing

Cheers, S

Look at that! Somebody likes my candid way of writing. I was all smiles when I finished reading this message. I am really happy that one of my many dreams is about to come true.

I won’t tell you where my articles will be published yet. I’ll have to wait until at least one of my articles goes live.    c”)