Daily links to resources for the growing freelancer.Tumblr (3.0; @abetterfreelancer)http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/<a href="http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2012/03/12/reinventing-the-office-how-to-lose-weight-and-increase-productivity-at-work/">Reinventing the Office: How to Lose Fat and Increase Productivity at Work</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23793043448http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23793043448Sat, 26 May 2012 08:59:36 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelancefolder.com/10-steps-to-a-client-winning-mindset/">10 Steps to a Client-Winning Mindset</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23730960127http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23730960127Fri, 25 May 2012 08:45:58 -0400aaronmahnke<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://assets.tumblr.com/swf/audio_player_black.swf?audio_file=http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/23728353462/tumblr_m4ksmwzcvP1qbpufe&color=FFFFFF" height="27" width="207" quality="best" wmode="opaque"></embed><br/><br/><p><strong>Episode 10 of the Home Work Podcast is <span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/5565/49552-010-cindy-caughey">here</a></span>!</strong></p> <p>This week Dave and Aaron are joined by <a href="http://projectedesign.com">Cindy Caughey</a>, a home-based presentation designer. While the conversation is more organic this week, topics covered include staying active while working from home and how to say no to work when it’s right there in your house.</p> <p>If you love us, be sure to leave a review in iTunes, and if you use an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, check out Instacast as a great way to subscribe to Home Work and the many other great podcasts in the <a href="http://www.70decibels.com/">70 Decibels</a> network.</p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?channel=podcast&subchannel=70decibels&source=70decibels">SquareSpace</a> and <a href="http://www.usefulfruit.com/">Pear Note</a></strong></p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>Show Notes:</strong></p> <ul><li><a href="http://projectedesign.com/">Projected Design</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.gtdtimes.com/2011/06/11/when-to-use-gtds-two-minute-rule/">How to use GTD’s two-minute rule</a></li> <li><a href="http://breaktimeapp.com/">Break Time for Mac</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/">The Pomodoro Technique</a></li> <li><a href="http://focusboosterapp.com/">Focus Booster</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.usefulfruit.com/pearnote/">Pear Note</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace</a></li> <li><a href="http://sleep.motionx.com/">MotionX Sleep</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merits-E101-Pedal-Exerciser-Assembled/dp/B000MGG9UC">Pedal Exerciser</a></li> <li><a href="http://swopper.com/www.swopper.com/index.html">Swopper Stool</a></li> <li><a href="http://odesk.com/">oDesk</a></li> </ul><p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p>Email questions, suggestions, ideas or comments to <a href="mailto:homework@abetterfreelancer.com">homework@abetterfreelancer.com</a></p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23728353462http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23728353462Fri, 25 May 2012 07:16:08 -0400aaronmahnke<p>I carry index cards in my pocket 24/7. Because I&#8217;m a nerd.</p> <p>But also because I&#8217;m incredibly interested in being as productive as I can. Forgetting tasks or ideas is a great way to ruin your career as a freelancer. Forgetfulness adds friction, and I prefer to be as <a href="http://www.getfrictionless.com">frictionless</a> as possible.</p> <p>Introducing the<strong> <a href="http://d.pr/D4i3">Frictionless Capture Cards</a></strong>. Created to help you remove frustration and stress from your workflow, these cards provide an easy way to capture thoughts, ideas or notes wherever you are. Just enough structure to help you focus, but not enough to get in the way.</p> <p>The Capture Cards are printed full-bleed on 70lb premium cover stock. They feel great in your hand, yet hold up well in your pocket. Try them. You&#8217;ll love them.</p> <p><a href="http://d.pr/D4i3">Grab a pack before midnight tonight</a> and use coupon code <strong>FRICTIONLESS</strong> to get <strong>30%</strong> off your order!</p>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23679867858http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23679867858Thu, 24 May 2012 14:03:32 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelancefolder.com/the-freelancers-ultimate-introduction-to-google-hangouts/">The Freelancer’s Ultimate Introduction to Google+ Hangouts</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23669225657http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23669225657Thu, 24 May 2012 08:40:49 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/clients/proposal-tip/">3 Reasons Your Proposals Aren’t Working</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23606476043http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23606476043Wed, 23 May 2012 08:55:59 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://the99percent.com/tips/7146/Tripping-into-Terra-Incognita-How-Mistakes-Take-Us-To-New-Places?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+The99Percent+%28The+99+Percent%29">Tripping into Terra Incognita: How Mistakes Take Us To New Places :: Tips :: The 99 Percent</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23541951877http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23541951877Tue, 22 May 2012 08:49:30 -0400aaronmahnke<p>If you hang around this site enough, you&#8217;ll notice that we use the word &#8220;friction&#8221; a lot to explain the stuff that gets in the way of us achieving our goals. As freelancers, we want to get better at what we do. This helps us earn more, do more and grow into better people and business owners. Friction, then, is our main enemy, and learning to attack it and remove it is key to our success.</p> <p>Our newsletter, Practically Frictionless, is a great example of one of the ways we are trying to guide people toward a freelancing experience that has less friction in it. It goes out twice a month, so if short lessons and suggestions about removing friction interests you, be sure to sign up today.</p> <p>But the concept of &#8220;friction&#8221; has gotten so big that it has started to outgrow the ABF site. So, as of today, all of the friction materials are headed to a new home and business, <a href="http://getfrictionless.com/">Frictionless</a>. A Better Freelancer will continue to do what it always does, never fear. But there is so much to teach and say about friction that it seemed natural to give it its own platform to grow.</p> <p>Some things to know about the site as you head over there:</p> <ul><li>There&#8217;s a <a href="http://getfrictionless.com/manifesto">Frictionless Manifesto</a> that you should download and read. Trust me.</li> <li>The Frictionless email <a href="http://getfrictionless.com/newsletter">newsletter</a> is the same as Practically Frictionless. You can sign up on either site for the same list.</li> <li>Look for future <a href="http://getfrictionless.com/books">books</a> that will expand the ideas of friction and how it can be removed from various areas of our lives.</li> <li>And be sure to take a look at the new <a href="http://getfrictionless.com/tools">Frictionless Capture Cards</a>. These custom-designed index cards are great for capturing ideas and tasks in the moment, before you forget them.</li> </ul><p>Head over to Frictionless today and dig in to the great resources that are currently available, and make sure you check back often to learn about new stuff!</p>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23487284419http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23487284419Mon, 21 May 2012 13:23:56 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/designer/stationery-brand-templates/">20 Modern Stationery Brand Templates Fit for Freelance Identity</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23288102790http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23288102790Fri, 18 May 2012 08:43:56 -0400aaronmahnke<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://assets.tumblr.com/swf/audio_player_black.swf?audio_file=http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/23285412527/tumblr_m47tucp9pe1qbpufe&color=FFFFFF" height="27" width="207" quality="best" wmode="opaque"></embed><br/><br/><p><span class="Apple-style-span">Episode 08 of the Home Work Podcast is <span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/5565/48988-009-communication">here</a>!</span></span></p> <p>Working from home can be like working on a desert island. Dave and Aaron discuss communication, the role it plays in the home office, and their favorite tools for staying in touch with the rest of the world.</p> <p>If you love us, be sure to leave a review in iTunes, and if you use an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, check out Instacast as a great way to subscribe to Home Work and the many other great podcasts in the <a href="http://www.70decibels.com/">70 Decibels</a> network.</p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS:</strong></p> <p>This week’s episode is brought to us by <a href="http://squarespace.com/70decibels">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://www.usefulfruit.com/pearnote/">Pear Note</a>.</p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>Show Notes:</strong></p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.sparrowmailapp.com/">Sparrow for Mac</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home">Skype</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gotomeeting.com">GoToMeeting</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat">IRC</a></li> <li><a href="http://highrisehq.com">Highrise</a></li> <li><a href="http://basecamp.com">Basecamp</a></li> <li><a href="http://campfirenow.com">Campfire</a></li> </ul><p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p>Email questions, suggestions, ideas or comments to <a href="mailto:homework@abetterfreelancer.com">homework@abetterfreelancer.com</a></p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23285412527http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23285412527Fri, 18 May 2012 07:13:24 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/the-business-of-freelancing/time-for-a-raise/">Time for a Raise – 5 Tips on How to Make it Happen Painlessly</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23226601382http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23226601382Thu, 17 May 2012 09:01:48 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/the-business-of-freelancing/tips-to-keep-covered/">10 Tips for Keeeping a Freelancer Covered</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23162993192http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23162993192Wed, 16 May 2012 08:50:59 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/freelance-news/commentary-analysis/health-care-for-freelancers/">Health Care Help for Freelancers</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>Sign up today for our bi-monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, and discover new ways to think about removing the friction that keeps us from success.</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23101360780http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23101360780Tue, 15 May 2012 09:01:13 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelancefolder.com/tips-and-guidelines-for-smarter-price-estimates/">Tips and Guidelines for Smarter Price Estimates</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23036021123http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/23036021123Mon, 14 May 2012 08:37:44 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelancefolder.com/building-a-solid-client-base-for-repeat-projects/">Building a Solid Client Base for Repeat Projects</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22966803941http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22966803941Sun, 13 May 2012 08:57:06 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelancefolder.com/7-common-objections-freelancers-face-now-answered/">7 Common Objections Freelancers Face, Now Answered</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22898914045http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22898914045Sat, 12 May 2012 08:52:01 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/freelance-news/case-studies/learn-to-say-no/">Learn to Say No</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22838583236http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22838583236Fri, 11 May 2012 08:56:24 -0400aaronmahnke<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://assets.tumblr.com/swf/audio_player_black.swf?audio_file=http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/22836691360/tumblr_m3uwo9WAJi1qbpufe&color=FFFFFF" height="27" width="207" quality="best" wmode="opaque"></embed><br/><br/><p>Episode 08 of the Home Work Podcast is <a href="http://www.buzzsprout.com/5565/48438-008-music">here</a>!</p> <p>Everyone loves music. But does it fit into the home office? This week, Dave and Aaron discuss the place the music has in the home office, the challenges that it can present, and the ways to make it work for you. And Grunge.</p> <p><span class="Apple-style-span">If you love us, be sure to leave a review in iTunes, and if you use an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, check out Instacast as a great way to subscribe to Home Work and the many other great podcasts in the <a href="http://www.70decibels.com/">70 Decibels</a> network.</span></p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS:</strong></p> <p>This week’s episode is brought to us by <a href="http://squarespace.com/70decibels">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://www.usefulfruit.com/pearnote/">Pear Note</a>.</p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p><strong>Show Notes:</strong></p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.rdio.com">Rdio</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.pandora.com">Pandora</a></li> <li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shazam/id284993459?mt=8">Shazam (iTunes link)</a></li> <li><a href="http://rd.io/x/QFWqL2_B">Aaron’s Work Mix playlist</a></li> </ul><p>- - - - - - - - - -</p> <p>Email questions, suggestions, ideas or comments to <a href="mailto:homework@abetterfreelancer.com">homework@abetterfreelancer.com</a></p> <p>- - - - - - - - - -</p>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22836691360http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22836691360Fri, 11 May 2012 07:45:44 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/start/slay-the-dragons/">How to Slay The Dragons Of Your Freelance Journey</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22777097546http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22777097546Thu, 10 May 2012 08:41:46 -0400aaronmahnke<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/freelance-writing/evergreen-writing-strategies/">10 Evergreen Strategies To Boost Your Freelance Writing Career</a>: <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><hr><hr><p>And be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter, <a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter">Practically Frictionless</a>, coming soon!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/email_newsletter"><img align="middle" height="100" src="http://www.wetfrogstudios.com/bling/pf-header2.jpg" width="500"/></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22713525097http://www.abetterfreelancer.com/post/22713525097Wed, 09 May 2012 09:01:21 -0400aaronmahnke