The Changing of the Tides

Working as a freelancer has many challenges, and that includes the unpredictability whatever job you are currently holding. I stopped working at oDesk for a while because of three things. One is the sudden bout of dizziness that I got due to the unholy hours I kept in order to meet deadlines. Another was the severe attack of allergic rhinitis which rendered me incapacitated for 2 weeks running. And last, and most importantly, was the fact that we lost the help. One of the perks of being in the Philippines is that you can afford to have someone take care of the house. Only problem is, once these maids discovered an easier way of living, they’ll leave you dead flat – but that’s another story.

So, after a while I got back to oDesk; I was then back at working through until heaven knows what time, to the dismay and ever increasing irritation of my daughter. But what can I do, I had to earn a living. Amazingly enough, after a while of slaving away, I was contacted by a former boss. I was a bit hesitant at first, but after some talk and a little bit of persuasion (if ever there was some), I gave in. Hey, the deal was good, and I get to do something I haven’t done in all of my writing stints in my oDesk.

Now, this boss of mine is someone I eventually came to admire. Call me crazy, but I am suffering from a bit of hero-worship. Imagine having a boss who is highly motivated and highly passionate about what he’s doing. His dedication to his brand was infectious. Alas, I wish I can say the same for his energy for I’m already saying “uncle” by the time the clock hits 5pm, and yet he was still working up to 9pm my time (which was 5:30am his time). I did not mind the toxic hours I spent working with the brands. As with all my works, my dedication and passion for my work is stemmed on to the fact that my boss is available for communication. And I had to ask A LOT of questions as what I was doing was not what I was cut out for. What on earth do I know about brand managing when what I finished was nursing? Can you imagine a nurse managing a brand when she’s trained in managing a living, breathing, human being???

Regardless of my lack of experience, I love my job, and I’ve grown to love my company. However, the only thing constant in this world is change, and I had to suffer a whiplash of the effects of what my husband calls “Saturn returns” or something to that effect. Yes, he’s superstitious, but I cannot help but be amazed because what he’s saying actually turns out correct. Due to the changing of the tides, here I am returning back to oDesk. I haven’t submitted yet any applications of some sort. I’m still in a state of shock over what my boss told me… it was something I was dreading, yet anticipating for I have been feeling uneasy for 24 hours for some unknown reason. I can only be thankful that he’s still chosen to keep me for a while.

Love Your Profile: It's What Helps You Get A Job

Before buyers hire you on oDesk, they will have to look at your profile to see what capabilities you have in order to do the job well.  A bad or incomplete profile will easily put off any potential buyers from hiring you, regardless  of the fact that you are more than qualified for any candidacy that they have in mind.

• Your picture - see if your picture is clear enough to give your buyers a good image on what you look like.  Some go for looks as an initial check to see if the person is trust-worthy enough to be given a task that requires special attention. Are you smiling or sneering?  Do you look serious or scowling?  It would be best to have a profile picture that is clear and up-to-date. 
• Your skills - be sure that you showcase skills that you really do have, and are appropriate for the job you are looking for.  You cannot brag about your grand abilities on creating a website when you are applying for a job as a writer or blogger.
• Portfolio - take the time to fill up your portfolio with the best projects that you have created.  This can be a problem if you were employed as a ghostwriter, with specific instructions that the article you submitted is now owned solely by your buyer. If that will be the case, then....
• Job experience - fill up your job experience and just give a brief but highly informative detail of the project/s you have done for your buyers.
• Feedback - this can be a problem for those who are new to oDesk, but can also be hard for those who are currently employed by a buyer.  You must go great lengths to both exceed and surpass the expectations of your buyer in order to come up with a good rating after the job is done.  Always communicate with your buyer if you encounter problems and always be willing to do some changes if necessary with a work that you have already submitted.  Good working relationship will result to great feedback.
• Certifications -  there are certain websites such as Brainbench that will give you third-party certification basing on whatever skills you want to market.  They can be costly, but they can be a great addition to your portfolio.
• oDesk certification tests - if you cannot afford third-party certifications, oDesk has several tests according to your category that will help give your buyers an unbiased assessment of your capabilities regarding the job that they have in mind.

Now, these areas may seem standard and highly elementary. But if you go and take a look at profiles of successful providers in oDesk, you will be amazed on how they have constructed their information in order to get the best job available in oDesk.  

Be Careful Who You Hire And Who Hires You

oDesk may seem heaven-sent when you read the reviews given by both buyers and providers.  You get to have jobs that suits your preference, and work during the time that you specify.  But it's not all milk and honey in oDesk.  I have been hired by someone who did not pay for my articles though she got to publish them in her Magazine in Aruba.  I should have been paid around $32.00 but up to now, no payment has been made.  Recently I just got an offer to write articles with payment outside oDesk.  It's against oDesk policy to have transactions outside oDesk, for the risk of not getting paid is certainly higher.  I rejected the project and went on to look for other projects that are more lucrative and safe.

Be careful of your works.  Make sure your buyer will pay and that your provider will provide.

Finishing 3rd Batch of Articles

Thank goodness I finished this 3rd batch of children topics for my client's PLR site.  I got to finish off an hour early and have enough time to wind down to go to bed earlier compared to last night.  I'm torn between giving my client quality over quantity.  That's the problem when you're working per hour.  You have control over the content of your articles.  You can choose between producing a lousy article and a good article that your client would rave about.  So far, all I hear are good words from my employer.  I hope I can still continue producing such articles.  I like my new boss, and so far we have a good working relationship together.

In the span of less than a week, I was able to give her 36 articles about baby and child care.  Most of the articles that she's given me are quite challenging and it really requires that you be diligent enough to do all the necessary research.  Next round will be about health and wellness.  I can't wait to start that next round of articles.

Working Hours

Ever since I got this oDesk job that makes me write articles that I enjoy writing, I always work in a pace that to some may seem unholy.  6 hours straight of doing nothing but writing can be a really tiring endeavor that most of the time my husband disapproves.  My creative juices strike during the afternoon and continues on until the evening.  I cannot work if I am to wake up early, or sleep and then wake up to work and then sleep again.  I work better when I work continuously, but it does have it's drawbacks.  Imagine working from 1pm to 11pm in the evening.  Right now my eyes are so tired, but my mind is still so awake.  I have no idea what time I'll be sleeping, maybe sleep would come after thirty minutes or so.... and I'm still in my street clothes that I wore 10am this morning when we went out to buy my husband a 1GB RAM for his pc.....

I know right now I feel good working straight, but in the end it will catch up with me.... hopefully I've finished 20 articles for my client's PLR site......

When Writer's Block Strikes

Everybody has heard of a writer not being able to write because of writer's block.  It's very frustrating to writers when their muse leaves them high and dry, especially when there's a deadline to be followed.  So what do I do as a writer to get that writer's block away?

• Mostly, what I do is log off my oDesk team program and have some farming done in Facebook. Of all the farming games that I have played in Facebook, this one has stuck won the battle for permanency. 
• I gaze out of the window and look at people passing by.  Sometimes inspiration can come from what you see.
• I drink a can of soda and eat some junk food while I'm at it.  Hey, I've been working 8 hours straight, nonstop.  I deserve a little indulgence.
• I turn the music on, especially that jazz station Crossover 105.1.  I can have a choice between a web-based player or my cellphone. I would have preferred a component system, but ours got busted several years back.

Right now, I'm having some problems continuing over a project.  It is such a tough topic, I really am treading over it carefully.  Hopefully I'll be able to give my boss 10 articles by Saturday.  

Why I'm Working in oDesk

It is known that most nursing graduates often find jobs that are not entirely related to nursing.  Mostly, fresh graduates and board passers apply as call center agents for there is simply not enough room in the hospitals to accommodate them.  I was also tempted to apply as a call center agent, the only thing stopping me was my daughter.

When I reconnected with my old friend Valerie, she told me that she was working while inside the very comforts of her home.  I could not understand it, she's working, typing on something that has a deadline, and yet she's inside her bedroom??? What gives?  When she treated me out to dinner at Burgoo's she told me the whole story.  She's in fact working, and earning dollars through job postings in oDesk.  You can have the option of being a web developer, customer care provider, or a freelance writer.  All you need is an EON account to open up a subscription in PayPal so you can get your earnings.

I have always loved writing, and that can be attested to quite a number of blogs I have posted in my website.  I never thought there would come a time when I would be able to use the very thing that I love doing to earn me some money for my training.  I have earned as much as P4,000 in two weeks time just through writing in oDesk.  I can be charged by the hour, or per article that I submit depending on the needs of the buyer.  I am under no obligation from anyone that has hired me, for I'm a freelancer.  Meaning my time is my own, I can work any time that I want as long as I get to complete the jobs given to me on time. 

Consider having an account in oDesk so you can see what possibilities can be there for you.