I've always been a fan of comics, ever since I was a kid. I can't remember what my first comic was, but it was probably either:
-the classic Marvel set my dad gave me to read which included Fantastic Four, Spider Man and a couple others
-some Far Side comics my older brother kept around
-a G.I. Joe comic I found in a local bookstore
However it happened, my life has been marked with several distinct eras of comic fandom, ranging from Garfield and Far Side collections to manga libraries (Kishiro Yukito's 'Gunnm' is my all-time fav) and most recently, to American comics like Megatokyo (I know it's in a manga style, but it's by an American. Ha!), Strangers in Paradise, Watchmen and Dead Days.
Throughout my life and through my various phases of comic obsessions, I have always had a deep love and appreciation for the sunday funnies. These slices of Americana teach us life lessons, poke fun at current politics and give folks of all ages a good laugh on a relaxing day.
I was recently approached by comic artist Jeff Corriveau regarding his strip, DeFlocked. His strip is nationally syndicated, and is currently on it's trial run in several local newspapers. I have to say, I love his work. His artistic style is unique and inspired, his characters dialog is witty and sharp and is always good for a nice, hearty laugh. His characters, particularly Mamet and Cobb, personify the highest and the lowest points in all of us. Mamet represents the voice in our heads that thinks things we know we shouldn't say while Cobb represents the things we should be saying.
Add to that a lovably innocent brother and a young boy who has trouble fitting in and you've got a recipe for a surprisingly well-developed cast who has more to say than one-line jokes. Stop on by and give the editors a shout if you like his work! Think you know someone who might like DeFlocked? Send them the link!
Best of luck Jeff! You keep making it, we'll keep reading it!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tips for Successful Freelancing #5: Keeping Busy
Unlike regular careers, freelance writers cannot afford to work for merely one client/company. What if your company goes under? What if your project's funding dries up? What if there is a reorganization and you get downsized? While 'regular' jobs offer a modicum of safety, freelance writing is very fluid. You never know when a gig will get pulled out from under you. Keeping more than one client is absolutely essential.
When I started freelancing, it was for a single client. I was doing lots of work and making great money. Everything was kosher. I didn't know to look for another client even though business was good, so I just let it go. Big mistake. About six months after I started working, the company introduced a new deal. It seemed ok at the time, but it quickly became apparent that this new deal reflected changes in the company's leadership, changes in funding and most importantly, meant a lot less money for me. I tried in vain to hold onto my previous wage, but it just didn't happen.
I was faced with the harsh reality that sticking with only one client is a very bad idea. I struggled to find other gigs and got pretty desperate. I found another gig a couple months later but, much to my chagrin, funding for the project dried up and I was out another client. Finding new clients since then has proven to be more of the same: difficult. I've picked up a few new clients but I have yet to recover my previous salary, even with three regular clients.
While it may not always be true, I have certainly found that the only circumstance under which you can have too many clients is if you can't keep up with the workload. Until you reach that point, you can never have too many clients.
I know it's easy to rest on your laurels, especially if it's your first gig as a freelancer. But don't do it. It's a trap that is all too easy to fall into and very difficult to pull out of.
When I started freelancing, it was for a single client. I was doing lots of work and making great money. Everything was kosher. I didn't know to look for another client even though business was good, so I just let it go. Big mistake. About six months after I started working, the company introduced a new deal. It seemed ok at the time, but it quickly became apparent that this new deal reflected changes in the company's leadership, changes in funding and most importantly, meant a lot less money for me. I tried in vain to hold onto my previous wage, but it just didn't happen.
I was faced with the harsh reality that sticking with only one client is a very bad idea. I struggled to find other gigs and got pretty desperate. I found another gig a couple months later but, much to my chagrin, funding for the project dried up and I was out another client. Finding new clients since then has proven to be more of the same: difficult. I've picked up a few new clients but I have yet to recover my previous salary, even with three regular clients.
While it may not always be true, I have certainly found that the only circumstance under which you can have too many clients is if you can't keep up with the workload. Until you reach that point, you can never have too many clients.
I know it's easy to rest on your laurels, especially if it's your first gig as a freelancer. But don't do it. It's a trap that is all too easy to fall into and very difficult to pull out of.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tips for Successful Freelancing #4: Taxes
One of the hard facts of freelance life is that next to none of your clients will do your tax withholdings for you like a "regular" employer. This means you will need to take a certain amount out of your paycheck each month for income taxes, state taxes (if applicable), Social Security and Medicare. A good ballpark figure for this is around 25%. This is probably more than you'll need, but it's much better to err on the side of caution. This accounts for what they call the "Self-Employment Tax", which is essentially a replacement for what would be withheld anyway.
If you make more than a certain amount of money in a given quarter, you will also need to file quarterly income tax returns. This is actually a good thing. Quarterly income filings serve two purposes that are beneficial to you, the freelancer. 1) They allow you to pay your taxes incrementally so you aren't lumbered with a $4,000 tax bill come April 15 and 2) they indicate that you are making enough money for the IRS to want a piece. Believe me when I say that if you don't make enough money to necessitate filing quarterly returns, you are in, to use a technical term "deep shit."
The cutoff for quarterly returns comes when you owe at least $1,000 in taxes that quarter. Generally, if you make about $8,000 in a quarter, you will need to file a quarterly return. $6,000> and you will probably not have to file quarterly.
Despite the dread associated with them, the IRS maintains a surprisingly helpful website, complete with all the forms you will need to fill out. If you're having trouble ascertaining whether or not you need to file quarterly returns, here is a link to the IRS Telephone Assistance directory.
http://www.irs.gov/help/article/0,,id=96730,00.html
Above all, remember to take the 25% for taxes out of your paycheck IMMEDIATELY. Either put it into a separate account or cash it and stick it in a jar and hide it. Do whatever you need to do to keep your hands off it! The last thing you want is to face April 15 without having saved for your taxes.
If you make more than a certain amount of money in a given quarter, you will also need to file quarterly income tax returns. This is actually a good thing. Quarterly income filings serve two purposes that are beneficial to you, the freelancer. 1) They allow you to pay your taxes incrementally so you aren't lumbered with a $4,000 tax bill come April 15 and 2) they indicate that you are making enough money for the IRS to want a piece. Believe me when I say that if you don't make enough money to necessitate filing quarterly returns, you are in, to use a technical term "deep shit."
The cutoff for quarterly returns comes when you owe at least $1,000 in taxes that quarter. Generally, if you make about $8,000 in a quarter, you will need to file a quarterly return. $6,000> and you will probably not have to file quarterly.
Despite the dread associated with them, the IRS maintains a surprisingly helpful website, complete with all the forms you will need to fill out. If you're having trouble ascertaining whether or not you need to file quarterly returns, here is a link to the IRS Telephone Assistance directory.
http://www.irs.gov/help/article/0,,id=96730,00.html
Above all, remember to take the 25% for taxes out of your paycheck IMMEDIATELY. Either put it into a separate account or cash it and stick it in a jar and hide it. Do whatever you need to do to keep your hands off it! The last thing you want is to face April 15 without having saved for your taxes.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Tips for Successful Freelancing #3: Time Management
If you're like most of us, you're probably pretty enamored with the idea of setting your own hours. Not being a slave to the nine to five or even worse, that ever-changing piece of paper with your name and different days every week? While it is true that setting your own hours *appears* to offer a certain flexibility in work schedules, the truth is a bit more clouded.
As a freelance writer, you are not bound by regular work schedules. Instead, you are bound by ever-changing deadlines. If you're lucky, you'll land some regular clients that expect a set amount of work at set intervals. I have one such client who requires three articles by the 15th of each month, then another four by the end of the month. It's a sweet gig. But not all gigs are so sweet.
Constantly-changing schedules and continually updated deadlines means that you HAVE to stay on top of scheduling. While you may superficially think you can set your own hours, really all that means is that you set the hours you work. In order to make a living wage, believe me, you will work just as much (probably more) than the average cubicle jockey. You may not work set hours, but you will definitely put in the hours to meet your deadlines.
Staying on top of deadlines is one of the most important things that you as a freelancer must do. If you miss a deadline, you may be forgiven. You make a habit of missing deadlines and your reputation will start to suffer. If your reputation suffers, you will find it increasingly difficult to attract reputable clients. Reputable clients = good work. Without a good reputation to back yourself up, you've got very little to stand on. Now, all of us started with little to nothing. Most clients realize that. Not all of them are willing to take a chance on an unknown. If you lead with your best foot forward and ace deadlines, you'll be in great shape.
If, however, you have trouble managing your time pre-freelancing, you may want to consider taking a time management class. It is all too easy to get distracted by things at home. TV, video games, books; they are all potential distractions that MUST be put aside if you ever wish to get work done on time.
I find it helpful to make a dedicated work area. I have a desk and a computer solely dedicated to work. It is well away from the living room (and the tv, the Xbox, etc.) and away from most distractions. I keep a poster of my favorite movie (which I find inspiring) and a calendar close by. My desk is clean, efficient and organized. Nothing that is not work-related touches this desk. This is what I need to do to keep myself on track. Mind you, this is not absolutely necessary to maintain organization, it's just what I find helpful.
I highly recommend setting aside an area strictly for work. If you find yourself getting distracted by things on your computer, get rid of them. It may take some shuffling to find the right area for you. Keep trying until you get it.
Bottom line: freelancing is a gigantic juggling act with time management being one of the things you must balance. If you can't learn to budget your time and allocate enough time to get things done and get them done well, you probably won't last long. If you can get yourself in order and make a nice little niche for yourself in your place of residence, chances are better that you will be able to work successfully.
As a freelance writer, you are not bound by regular work schedules. Instead, you are bound by ever-changing deadlines. If you're lucky, you'll land some regular clients that expect a set amount of work at set intervals. I have one such client who requires three articles by the 15th of each month, then another four by the end of the month. It's a sweet gig. But not all gigs are so sweet.
Constantly-changing schedules and continually updated deadlines means that you HAVE to stay on top of scheduling. While you may superficially think you can set your own hours, really all that means is that you set the hours you work. In order to make a living wage, believe me, you will work just as much (probably more) than the average cubicle jockey. You may not work set hours, but you will definitely put in the hours to meet your deadlines.
Staying on top of deadlines is one of the most important things that you as a freelancer must do. If you miss a deadline, you may be forgiven. You make a habit of missing deadlines and your reputation will start to suffer. If your reputation suffers, you will find it increasingly difficult to attract reputable clients. Reputable clients = good work. Without a good reputation to back yourself up, you've got very little to stand on. Now, all of us started with little to nothing. Most clients realize that. Not all of them are willing to take a chance on an unknown. If you lead with your best foot forward and ace deadlines, you'll be in great shape.
If, however, you have trouble managing your time pre-freelancing, you may want to consider taking a time management class. It is all too easy to get distracted by things at home. TV, video games, books; they are all potential distractions that MUST be put aside if you ever wish to get work done on time.
I find it helpful to make a dedicated work area. I have a desk and a computer solely dedicated to work. It is well away from the living room (and the tv, the Xbox, etc.) and away from most distractions. I keep a poster of my favorite movie (which I find inspiring) and a calendar close by. My desk is clean, efficient and organized. Nothing that is not work-related touches this desk. This is what I need to do to keep myself on track. Mind you, this is not absolutely necessary to maintain organization, it's just what I find helpful.
I highly recommend setting aside an area strictly for work. If you find yourself getting distracted by things on your computer, get rid of them. It may take some shuffling to find the right area for you. Keep trying until you get it.
Bottom line: freelancing is a gigantic juggling act with time management being one of the things you must balance. If you can't learn to budget your time and allocate enough time to get things done and get them done well, you probably won't last long. If you can get yourself in order and make a nice little niche for yourself in your place of residence, chances are better that you will be able to work successfully.
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