Why I read Twodolla.org

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I decided that one of my main goals with this site was to explain more about blogs, technology and how and why I use them. I mentioned in a previous post that I used to read around 50 blogs, but I do not read any of them today. Why is that? I am not sure. But on the same token, why have I been reading some of the sites for so long?

I decided to figure out why I read twodolla aka Wendy’s Site. To begin, I guess I need a little bit of a history refresher.

Wendy started out as a reviewer for me around August of 2000. It wasn’t very long before I realized that I had a good reviewer on board. One who actually cared about the site she was working for. I started reading her blog a couple months after she became a reviewer. It was a “new” thing I was doing with all of the reviewers at that time. I read their blog to see if they were saying anything important, or not so nice about The Weblog Review.

I remember her having some funky light blue layout. Since then the site has had numerous layouts, some of which are memorable, others of which are not. But the design changes aren’t what keeps bringing me back to her site. So what is it?

To review her site for all of you would be stupid. You can find my review of it here. But what I will say is that it is what many would call a personal blog.

Personal blogs tend to be the hardest, I think, to actually enjoy. Most are drab and boring, every day life things. I am sure that I fall guilty to it too. It takes a specific type of person to actually read, enjoy, and understand what the author is trying to get across. While I am sure there are 1000′s of people reading Evhead each day, I wonder how many actually can say they enjoy and understand what he is trying to get across.

Wendy’s site has a lot of ups and downs in it. Just like a good book does. It doesn’t read like an autobiography, but yet you have that sense of knowing who she is. (More later)

Her charm, sense of humor and above all personality really shine through when it comes to her blog. From creating nicknames for people, to figuring out lyrics for music, it is all there. I guess the main reason why I continue to read her blog, after almost 3 years, is that it is still entertaining, and I still enjoy it. She has grown, and I have grown. It isn’t like we could map out the growth, but it is something that has happened.

I finally met Wendy for the first time last week. It was completely cool. There was no awkwardness to it. It was like going and seeing a good friend who moved away. We ate, we talked, we had a good time. I think the fact that I still read her blog makes a big difference as to why it wasn’t awkward. So why do I read twodolla? Because it keeps bringing me more of what I love, and then some surprises.

My personal guide to ‘Noodle’ Marketing

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Spaghetti is pretty easy to do – just noodles and some meat sauce. However, sometimes, while we’re so busy tending to the sauce, we forget that we have a pot of boiling noodles. The pot boils over. The noodles get soggy and the pasta has pretty much turned into red pudding.

Such is the case when we forget to market ourselves as freelancers when we get too busy tending to existing clients. The sauce is great, but the noodles need redoing.

1. Allocate time

Noodles need time to become perfectly al dente, so does marketing.

Don’t forget to allocate time to marketing yourself, even if you are determined to be extremely focused on a project. Remember, a project doesn’t last forever; but the way you build yourself up will have a lasting effect on your reputation as a freelancer, and consequently on the potential jobs you acquire in the future. Balance time between working on your project and marketing yourself.

2. Salt it up

Adding salt to noodles make them more flavourful.

Just because you’re busily tending to projects, doesn’t mean your marketing strategies should go stale. Continue on strategizing, networking and looking for media wherein you could further your career as a freelancer and gain for you more future projects and clients.

3. A simple stir

All you need is to stir the noodles to keep them from sticking. Over-stirring can ruin the noodles’ form and texture.

Sometimes simple strategies are sufficient marketing steps to take while you tend to projects at hand. A simple reply to a client inquiry or answering 3 client calls a day instead of 20 may be enough marketing strategies for now. You have to learn how to balance your time. You are only human after all.

4. Check if al dente

When noodles have become al dente, stop cooking them.

Don’t over-market yourself. Once you’ve taken enough steps to market yourself, there is no need to go overboard. Tend to your existing clients and the clients and projects you acquired because of the marketing you’ve done. You wouldn’t want too much on your plate.

5. Top sauce over pasta

After cooking the noodles, top them with sauce.

You’ve done your duty of marketing yourself properly; but you should always remember that the projects and clients at hand are your top priorities. By having this mindset, you also effectively build your reputation and market yourself as a reliable and efficient freelancer.

How hard is it to build a decent website?!

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So I am going over this list of “IT” companies in the area that I am moving to. The problem is most of these “IT” companies do not get IT. In fact, most of their websites have horrible navigation.

Making me want to just go over to the company itself, find the IT guy, and demand he quit and tell the head of the company that I am his/her replacement. Seriously, an IT consulting company should not, I repeat, should not have a website that was last updated in 1999 and still be in business!

A short guide to contractor accountants

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This may be the first time you’ve heard of contractor accountants. If it is, then let me tell you exactly what contractor accountants are and what they can do for us.

A contractor accountant is an accountant who specializes in freelance contractors. It is a special field in accounting that has only been evident for not too long. These accountants realize the different needs that a freelance company has. Contractor accountants will be the ones to provide you with year-end accounts, tax returns, corporate tax computations, dividends and payroll. Contractor accountants understand how difficult it is to run a limited company, therefore, they will be able to lessen all of your accounting issues.

Choosing a contractor accountant is not an easy job and should not be taken lightly. It is vital for your company to find a reliable and compliant contractor accountant. Choosing an unreliable accountant will result to wasted time, energy and effort. Here are a few suggestions on choosing the right contractor accountant for you and your business:

1. Settle on a specialist.

A specialist is more reliable in terms of expertise and reliability.

2. Review his/ her qualifications and recommendations.

You will gain the peace of mind by knowing that your accountant is reputable.

3. Review the services offered.

You should know what is included in the package. Let your chosen specialist elaborate what is included in his/ her price.

4. Check their accountancy knowledge.

IR35 and other taxes for contractors should be handled carefully. Apart from the IR35, there are other significant subjects that contractor accountants should be able to inform you in case you require the information.

Contractor accountants are there to guide you, inform you and advice you during times that you need their expert opinions. However, it would be best to set expectations beforehand. Your contractor accountant should be aware of the rules and deadlines. It is not acceptable to pay penalties due to late payments or error-riddled forms.

Contractor accountants are there to make the job seem like a walk in the park. They are expected to give you vital and useful information regarding your resources and how to improve them while filling up your tax forms thoroughly. Hiring a good contractor accountant will allow you to have more time for your business and clients.

So, what are you waiting for? Start looking for that perfect contractor accountant specialist now. If you don’t know where to start, here are the top 10 accountants for contractors in the UK.

Buying online car insurance is easy

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It’s no wonder computers and the internet has become such a great hit. You can communicate with friends who are thousands of miles away. You can research vital information in seconds. And, you can buy almost anything online too; from children’s winter clothes to online car insurance. Now this is what we call life!

The advantages of the internet definitely outnumber its disadvantages. The internet has made a lot of things easy and convenient. Let’s take online car insurance for instance. We don’t have to leave the comfort of our homes to get a car insurance quote. And, to place that cherry on top of the cake, we can find out the advantages and disadvantages of getting an online car insurance quote from articles like this one I’m making.

Here are a few benefits of purchasing your car insurance online;

1. Nominal rates.

If you will go to a car insurance dealer, the rates will not be the same as the car insurance quotes you find online. Actual car insurance offices have a greater overhead compared to their virtual office.

2. Comparison.

You can compare various online car insurance quotes from various car insurance companies. This will give you more options and choices that will help you in attaining a well-priced and full-featured car insurance quote.

3. Discounts and Special offers.

Most car insurance companies have special offers and discounts to make the package more attractive. More often than not, they also include special mileage discounts.

4. Convenience.

Whether you’re a full-time mom or a busy working dad, you do not have to feel inconvenienced. You can just go online and choose the car insurance package that suits your needs best. You don’t have to drive to a dealer, which translates into, you’ll be saving gas. And, the fact that it’ll take you around half an hour to purchase your car insurance is also a great advantage.

Purchasing car insurance is not that difficult to accomplish anymore. All you have to do is to go online, compare 2-3 insurance quotes that you deem appropriate for your needs, choose the one perfect for you and apply online! Online car insurance is the answer to all of past excuses in delaying our visit to the car insurance company. By going online, you can choose the best insurance quote for a cheaper rate without leaving the comfort of your home or office! Now, isn’t online car insurance just great?

A mini rant from the CM team

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God I really love it when Dave gets upset about something. Granted he has done an awful lot for the web and the blogging community as a whole. Things like xml-rpc, rss, soap, and I am sure there are other things he has done. But you gotta love it when he just flat out complains that someone is doing something other than his way. The latest rant? How MT and Blogger implement RSS. My money is on Thursday of next week until we stop hearing about it.

However I must admit that he brings up a good point in the article.
wouldn’t it be great if every blogging tool did Trackback the same way? Wouldn’t it be great if every blogging tool supported the same API? Sure it would. And if they don’t who does that help? The big guys. And who loses? The little guys, and the users.

The problem? Who’s specs should we use? Dave’s, Ev’s, The Sixapart gang? Or do we use a lesser known guy like Ruzz, or the people behind b2? Good thought, too late for it though.

The 4 Ws of subcontracting

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You have a new client who wants you to build an artsy website for a large sum. You excitedly accept the offer; while at the back of your head, you know that you know nothing about HTML. What you do know though is that you are a damn good graphic artist. So good in fact that you’ve decided that you should be called a graphic artisté, not just an artist. But HTML? What does HTML even stand for?

You may need a subcontractor.

1. Who?

A subcontractor is a person or company you hire to perform a duty or a part of the work.

Usually, work is outsourced when you are not capable of doing it or it is a task that can be performed by the subcontractor at a lower expense and/or with greater skill.

Subcontracting is basically finding someone who can do the work you can’t or don’t want to do. It’s kind of like making your nerdy classmate do your math homework for you, except you pay a fee, it’s legal and it doesn’t involve bullying.

2. Why?

People subcontract when they have skill gaps to fill and don’t have time to allocate to certain tasks. Deadlines are more easily met and functions are done more efficiently.

A note though – since you’re not the only one involved with the project, you have less control over it. When problems arise, you may be the only one held liable by the client, since you are the primary contractor.

To prevent confusion with possible inconveniences, you may set defined terms in your contract with a subcontractor, stating that responsibility will be shared amongst the two of you should a problem occur. Just make sure your subcontractor doesn’t sign the contract with an ‘X.’

3. When?

Subcontract if and when necessary. Evaluate the situation and determine if you really do need a subcontractor.

Subcontract if a project calls for special requirements you can’t fill or if deadlines are much too tight to be working on the project on your own.

Don’t subcontract if your client already has several freelancers working on that single project.

Subcontract if you have the necessary funds to pay or if it will still earn you a good sum if you hire a subcontractor.

Don’t subcontract if you just don’t like the client or you’re too lazy to do the work yourself. Just turn down the job if these are the sentiments.

4. Where?

Some have established relationships with subcontractors even before they start a certain project. They usually pass off work to subcontractors they know, trust and have had good working relationships with.

If you haven’t hired a subcontractor before, browse through forums and job boards. Post a job ad and filter through the responses and portfolios. Ask questions and get to know the one you’re hiring. But not too much questioning though – you may start sounding like a detective or stalker.