Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Hoping to Find Work Online? The Possibilities are Endless

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

If you’re looking for a change and trying to find work online, you might not fully realise the power at your fingertips. How much of a change would you like to make? Perhaps it’s time to set sail and enjoy a year working overseas. Perhaps you’d prefer to step out of the rat race altogether and do a little volunteer work overseas. Maybe there’s a specialist course at a foreign university that would make you a highly paid expert in your field upon completion. There are all sorts of possibilities, depending on your circumstances and level of courage!

It’s up to you to investigate the possibilities – and the information you need is all just a few clicks away. Most positions, voluntary and paid, can be found online and applied for online or by email. Numerous courses are offered online, or allow you to apply by email or online.

If it’s regular employment you’re seeking, the World is your oyster. Local and foreign job sites have numerous listings and many allow you to post a profile online so employers can find you. If you want to work from home, why restrict yourself to the local market? Telecommuting jobs are becoming more plentiful every year and some overseas firms will hire foreign workers.

Take advantage of the sites that allow you to post a profile or resume online. Each time you do you’re throwing another fishing line into the great see of employment possibilities. Start your campaign to find work online right now by posting your profile on WCYD.

Find Work Online – Tips for Tapping into the International Market

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

If you are one of the many skilled Australians hoping to find work online, you’ve probably considered offering your services to an international market. For those with computer related expertise or graphic design, typing, translating, writing or transcription skills, there is plenty of work online. Finding it can seem daunting but persistence can literally pay.

Here are some tactics you can employ to find work online:

  • Explore freelancing websites like Elance. Some find the rates on offer on freelance sites very poor but you can get a good idea of the types of businesses that look for the services you offer and the level of competition.
  • Set up a website for your business. This doesn’t have to be a costly exercise – there are sites that allow you to set up reasonable site for free or at a very small cost if you use your chosen domain name. Having a website will allow you to advertise far and wide on the Internet and direct traffic to your site address.
  • Place your business profile online at free sites like www.whatcanyoudo.com.au. When you write your profile, mention that you are able to service international clients. Use relevant keywords in your public profiles as this may help draw the right people to your profile page.
  • Place classified advertisements. In Australia, Gumtree is very popular. For the US, try Craigslist.
  • Pay Per Click advertising – search engines like Google and Yahoo offer pay per click advertising. You need to have a website to utilise this advertising method. It does cost money but you can target specific countries with this method so it’s well worth considering.
  • Set up a free account with a VoIP service like Skype or Oovoo – if clients want to actually speak to you you’ll be able to link up with clients anywhere from New York to Tehran using these services and have a face to face video call.
  • Don’t be shy – join Twitter, Facebook and any other social networking site that will assist you to reach out to the world and find work online.
  • Join forums that relate to the type of work you do or your personal interests. It’s a fabulous way of networking with people from all over the world and you never know when you’ll make a valuable contact. Many forums allow you to mention your business and place a link to your site in the forum signature. If you visit and post regularly on these forums you’ll not only meet a few like minded people but you may get a good flow of website visitors as people read your posts.
  • Set up a Squidoo lens. It’s like a free mini website.  You can advertise your services, link to your website or blog and even include photos of your work.

If you’re offering your services internationally, you’ll find a PayPal account very useful. Overseas businesses can pay by credit card to your PayPal account and you simply transfer the funds to your bank account. They do charge a service fee but making it easy for clients to pay you is essential!

The World is a huge place and we have unprecedented access to nearly every corner of it thanks to the Internet. If you want to find work online and you persist in your efforts, there’s every chance you’ll succeed.

Advertising Online for the Self Employed

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

If you’re self employed and exploring the possibilities of advertising online, the chances are you’re getting a little confused by all the options and suggestions. It is difficult to keep pace with Internet trends and technology (if you’re over 12) and after a few hours of Internet research it can become a case of “too much information”. Never mind – if you’re self employed and you want to begin advertising your services online, we have some simple tips to assist you in your journey. We know you’re on a tight budget so we’ll stick to the free stuff:

  • Start reaching out to the world – or just your neighborhood – by placing a free profile detailing your services or skills on sites that are dedicated to assisting people find work, like www.whatcanyoudo.com.au.
  • Place free advertisements in online classifieds. Two very popular ones are Gumtree and Craigslist.
  • Start a Facebook page and open a Twitter account – go on, you know you want to see what all the fuss is about! If you’re quite computer savvy enough to do this, grab the nearest twelve year old and they’ll have you social networking before they’ve finished the chocolate bar you’ve bribed them with.
  • Join a forum or two. Search for forums populated by people who might be able to use your services – you’ll find online forums relating to everything from renovation to parenting to technology.

It’s worth taking the time to learn about advertising online because the way people search for services has changed. The result is that advertising online has become an important tool for the self employed.

Become Self Employed –Advertise Online

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

If you’ve longed to become self employed, there’s no better time to make a start, and no better place to make a start than “online”.  Whether you are a graphic artist, a website designer or other IT specialist, or a transcription typist or writer, the potential is there to establish your own small business using the Internet as a tool.

The best thing is that you can usually start out at little or no expense and slowly develop your business until it builds to a level that allows you to do it full time and comfortably exit your day job.

Are you really ready to become self employed? Working from home operating your own business is in many ways ideal – but it also requires you to take on all the responsibility for the work you do. You also need to develop the discipline required to choose to work rather than engage in the many other activities that can seem more appealing when you work from home.

If you’re convinced that self employment is right for you and you’re ready to take the first steps, then it’s time to get the word out about your services. Naturally, you’ll mention your services to friends and potential customers, but you’ll need to do a little more to get things going, and the Internet is a fabulous tool for doing just that.

There are many places to advertise your services online. From free and paid classified advertising, to paid banner advertising to social networking sites and beyond. Free sites like www.whatcanyoudo.com.au are certainly not to be overlooked – they offer free online advertising by way of a personal or business profile that prospective customers can view and contact you for a quote.

When you start out, you’ll want to advertise online in as many places as you can. It’s a good idea to monitor where your enquiries are coming from so you know which online methods and sites are working best for you. Doing this is simply a matter of asking your prospective clients where they saw your details. If you find classified advertising is working for you, then you need to schedule time each week to place your ads. When it comes to free sites like WCYD, once your profile is on site, you’ll only need to update your profile occasionally to keep the information current and fresh.

Another thing you’ll need to take into consideration it the geographical boundary of your services. Of course, this will depend in part on the type of service you’re offering and personal preference. Will you offer services across just a few suburbs, state-wide, nationally or internationally?

Make sure you’re equipped to handle any incoming jobs before you start advertising online – you never know just how quickly your wish to become self employed will materialise!

Tradespeople & Craftspeople – Use a WCYD Profile to Find Work Online

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

No matter what your trade or craft, if you want to find work online, there are now plenty of options – and you can start advertising online right here on WCYD. Whether you’re a plumber, carpenter, a dressmaker, quilter or an old fashioned milliner, adding a profile to the WCYD website could help you find work – and it’s completely free.

If you’re just starting to advertise your services online, don’t be timid! Seek out as many sites as you can that will allow you to add your profile for free. The next step is to write a profile that will help you to stand out from the competition and attract work.

You profile should:

  • Read well, be error free and contain good information about what exactly you do.
  • Contain a photograph. There is some suggestion that you gain a greater level of trust by adding a photograph to your profile. Depending on what you do, a photograph of your work might be more appropriate than one of yourself. Make it a good photo!
  • Encourage prospective clients to contact you. Copywriters refer to this as a “call to action” and it’s an integral component in advertising. It can be as simple as “email me today for a prompt quote”.
  • Not include any negative statements. Writing something like “no time wasters” makes people feel they cannot ask you questions about your service.

What are you waiting for? Start to find work online today by creating your very first profile here at WCYD.

Tradesman Online – be One or Find One!

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Whether you want to be a tradesman online or find a tradesman online, there are plenty of sites these days that can help, but what are the benefits for tradespeople and consumers of negotiating and booking work online?

For tradesmen and tradeswomen the Internet has provided an unequalled opportunity to advertise for free, or in some cases at a small cost. In comparison to the expense of weekly print advertising and traditional telephone book advertising, a successful online advertising campaign can be very cost effective.

The end result can be less annual advertising overheads for the tradesperson and, if the tradesperson elects to pass on the saving, a better deal for the consumer.

With more and more Internet savvy tradespeople taking to online advertising, the competition is strong too – which means consumers can look for several bids or quotes for their job to ensure they get a reasonable price.

Tips for Advertising Online

If you’re a tradesman or tradeswoman who wants to find work or expand your business, you need to create a good online presence and promote your services via as many online avenues as you can. Here are some suggestions:

  • Set up your own website – so long as you have a computer a lack of funds won’t prevent you from setting up your own business site. Search “free websites” and you’ll find a variety of options. Of course, if you’re still a little wobbly on your “web” feet, you might need to grab a twelve year old to assist you!
  • Look for sites where you can register your business profile for free – like www.whatcanyoudo.com.au. Don’t be happy with just one site – free advertising is a gift; take as much of it as you can!
  • Spend time expanding and perfecting your online profile. List your trade qualifications and experience and make a mention of any particular expertise or experience you have that not all of your competitors may have.
  • Be contactable (be it via your email address or your phone number) and don’t forget to mention the area in which you work if it’s relevant – if prospective clients cannot see this they may pass you by.
  • Check your email daily and respond promptly to enquiries from prospective customers – in an increasingly impatient society, simply being the first to respond can get you the job.

Tips for Finding a Tradesman Online

Obtaining quotes online is not a lot different to ringing around for quotes – it’s just easier. You can do it at any hour of the night or day. Another advantage is that you can do any negotiating by email and you’re less likely to get pushed into accepting a quote you’re not really happy with. Here are some tips on finding the right tradesperson online:

  • Visit several job directories and locate appropriate tradespeople in your area. Read available profiles and put together a short list of those who have suitable skills and are in your area.
  • Don’t just obtain one quote – get three or more.
  • Provide a good amount of information about your job so the tradesperson can establish quickly if he or she is able to do the job. Most tradespeople will still want to physically view the job before giving you a final quote – but the more information you provide initially means you are less likely to be surprised by a price increase when they arrive to quote.

Whether you want to be a tradesperson online or find one, why not start at the WCYD site? It’s free to look for a tradesman online at WCYD – and it’s free to advertise your business.

Post Profiles Online – it’s Free Advertising

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

If you’re looking for work, a little free advertising won’t go astray. Put yourself ”out there” on the world wide web so people know you’re available for work. Posting profiles on appropriate websites is a great way of doing that. Whether it’s s social networking site like Facebook or a work related site like Whatcanyoudo.com.au, online profiles can generate inquiries from people who are seeking someone with your skills. It’s a great form of free advertising.

There are numerous sites that will allow you to post a free profile online. Not all of them will suit the services you are offering so you’ll need to spend a bit of time searching and identifying the sites that are appropriate. It could be time well spent – the more free advertising you can do, the more prospective clients will see your profile and the greater the chance of obtaining work through free advertising.

It goes without saying that you should start by placing your profile on Whatcanyoudo.com.au, but once you’ve done that, here are some other websites that allow you to post a free profile:

nowhiring.com.au

mycareer.com.au

ployme.com.au

linkedin.com

helperhire.com.au

Social networking sites like Facebook can work well too – but if you already use a site for personal communication, it’s a good idea to set up a separate profile that is purely professional.

There are many more sites than those listed above. You’ll never catch a fish if you don’t cast a line or two, or ten – so post profiles and start exploring the world of free advertising that is available online.

Free Advertising – Promoting Yourself Online

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

There’s nothing like a little free advertising is there? If you are a trades person or you operate a small business, an offer of free advertising is like a gift. You know you have to do everything in your power to promote your services – but if you need to advertise a lot and you have to part with hard earned money every time you advertise, your profits can quickly shrink.

One of the best places to find free advertising is online. The Internet offers several avenues through which you can obtain some free advertising to boost your income. Obviously, if you can only supply your services locally, you’ll need to choose sites where local clients are likely to find you and your advertisement won’t result in you spending time politely declining offers of work in New York.

Not all types of free advertising online work for all businesses but here are a few you might like to try – after all, they’re free!

Posting Profiles on Work Related Websites

There are numerous sites that allow freelance workers, tradespeople and small business operators to post their profile online. The sites you choose will depend on the services you offer. Some are completely free and others charge a membership fee or a commission. Some sites are restricted to particular business or service types.

Whatcanyoudo.com.au is completely free and anyone from tradespeople and IT experts to freelance writers and craftspeople can post a profile on the site seeking work. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a full time position of employment or offering your services as a sole trader or freelancer. Best of all, there’s no catch at all – it’s completely free advertising. Who could resist?

Of course, if you are a writer or IT expert there are also several freelance sites you can join. These sites allow you to bid for jobs posted on the site and usually charge a small fee or take a commission. If you’re a trades person, there are sites like ServiceSeeking.com.au that allow members to receive quote requests from website visitors for a small fee.

Free Classified Advertising

One of the best places to advertise online for free in Australia is the very popular Gumtree.com.au. Gumtree is a high quality classified advertising site that offers free advertising for a wide variety of purposes. Visitor numbers are high and there are plenty of jobs and job requests posted there. If you find Gumtree works for you, they also offer premium advertising for under $20 that can keep your advertisement on the top of the listings for a period of time.

Craigslist is another site where you can advertise you services for free.

Google Adwords Trial Vouchers

If you have a business website and you’ve never used Google Adwords before, the chances are you’ll be able to find a free trial voucher that will enable you to try it out without cost. Go to the Google Adwords site to read more about this form of advertising.

The Downside of Free Advertising

There’s a downside? Only a very tiny one – you have to invest your time and effort to discover what might work for you and to ensure your advertisement or profile is as appealing as possible. The upside can be more money in your pocket, so free advertising can be well worth the effort.

Need extra money or some freelance work? So tell us mate – what can you do?

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Have you ever thought about going freelance or trying to make extra money from your hobby? New Aussie website www.whatcanyoudo.com.au is bringing freelancers and job seekers together with those who might need their services – and best of all they’re doing it for free! There are no charges involved for the freelancer, worker or the employer. Now that’s refreshing.

So, if it’s not a site that charges commissions for freelance projects or for advertising your position, what sort of site is it and how does it work? It’s all very simple really – it’s a community minded website that allows you to put up your profile and advertise “what you can do”. Anyone interested in your services can contact you. Likewise, if you have a job to fill or you need to find someone with a particular skill (whether it’s quilt making or bricklaying) you can advertise your position for all to see.

Most of us find ourselves looking for work or just for a little extra cash at various times in our lives. It might be because we’re unemployed, need a change, have debts we want to pay off quickly, or simply because we are keen to generate an income from a hobby or to work from home using our own skills.

Would you benefit from a profile on www.whatcanyoudo.com.au? Here are some of the many possibilities:

  • Are you a website or graphic designer, writer, artist, actor, dressmaker or otherwise creative individual? Advertising on the Internet is now one of the most effective ways to advertise your freelance services.
  • Looking for a change? If you’re looking for a change of career or perhaps just a  change of employer, sometimes you have to ask around to find opportunities. What better way to do that than to advertise your qualities and skills to the massive Internet audience? You just never know where that opportunity will come from!
  • Want to make money working from home? If you have a skill you think you can sell and you want to do a little market research before going freelance full time, this is a great place to start looking – find out who might be interested in your skills and what type of jobs might come your way. You could soon be making a little extra money from home.
  • Make money from your hobby! Whether you need the extra cash or not there’s something very satisfying about being able to sell things that you’ve made with your own hands – even if the amount you sell it for doesn’t quite compensate for the hours of work you put into it! From rocking horses to patchwork quilts to colourful handmade jewellery – you could turn your spare time into extra money and make the pastime you love even more enjoyable!
  • You might be simply looking for a job. Some industries are still not back in full swing after the global financial crisis and many tradespeople and other workers are still finding it tough to find full time work. Actively advertising your desire to find a job on the Internet can turn up all sorts of opportunities – you just never know who is viewing your profile.

When it’s free advertising and there’s no catch involved, what have you got to lose by adding your profile? Who knows, it might even be the launching pad you need for your new career or for your new life as a work-from-home freelancer! There’s no better time than now to get started so check it out today at www.whatcanyoudo.com.au.

Need to Earn Extra Money? Get Inventive!

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

A little extra money comes in handy for just about everybody. Whether you desperately need extra money to cope with mounting bills, to buy something special, or you’d just like to top up your regular income, we’re sure you’d agree that an extra hundred here and there can always be put to good use!

We’re also sure there’s something you can do to earn it! Are you creative? Can you write, paint portraits or make something beautiful or weird? Perhaps there’s something you can teach somebody else to do or maybe you have time to do some odd jobs on the weekend.

If you’ve been racking your brains and you’re thinking there’s just NOTHING you can do, think again!  Take a leaf from the book of the Western Australian women who recently started a thriving little business called The Poop Scoop. What can they do? Well, no doubt among other things, they are very capable in the field of scooping poop! Now you’d have to wonder why that service wasn’t being offered decades ago – could it be that nobody thought of it?

If you need to earn extra money keep those cognitive cogs turning and you’ll soon be putting up your profile on WCYD telling us what you can do.