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Featured Freelancer: Eva Blaskovic 11/22/11

Bio

I splice the worlds of Art and Science with a background that includes writing and editing, the sciences, business, finance, and teaching. In November 2010, I received a Teacher of the Month award at the Centre for Literacy in Edmonton, Alberta.

What is it that you do?

I am a freelance writer and editor. I write how-to, mentorship, educational, parenting, and travel articles, and have just completed the novel BEYOND THE PRECIPICE. More information can be found at www.siriusword.com/projects. A recent publication includes “Mentorship: Increasing Business Success.” The article is located at http://www.acti.org/newsletters/fall-2010-newsletter. A new article on working remotely with a service provider is pending.
I offer editing and proofreading services to individuals, businesses, and educational institutions. A complete list is on my website at http://www.siriusword.com/services.

What do you do to make the most of your business relationships?

I always believed business is based on relationships. In the writing and editing field, each project is unique and service must be tailored to the client’s specific needs. The most important thing is to listen to the client. Communication is ongoing during a project.

What is your advice to freelancers?

Freelancers need to know their target market. Know where the problems and deficiencies are in the industry and strive to solve them. Research a company you intend to approach and demonstrate how your skills fill that company’s need. Set yourself apart by going above the standard in service and performance, or some unique knowledge or skill.
Charge enough for your services to cover your time and all your expenses, including travel. The company that contracts out to you saves money because it does not pay your health benefits and can hire you based on amount of work available.

What is your advice to companies looking for freelancers?

Companies save money by contracting out to freelancers for specific projects. You can find freelancers by searching online, looking through business listings, or checking organizations, such as the Canadian Editors’ Association, which has an Online Directory of Editors. The filter can be set to select for a specific skill, genre, language, or location.
Referrals and websites are another way to find freelancers. Websites often contain biographies, experience, and type of work done. Local freelancers are convenient because you can meet them in person. Ask to see some of the work the freelancer has done.
Be clear about the expectations for each party. Realize that nothing is free, and the freelancer’s time has a price. For example, in the writing/editing industry, a freelancer may bill the company for time spent reading e-mails, researching or checking facts, and creating new material. Similarly, proofreading a document takes time, so expect to be billed even if there are no changes. The service provided was quality assurance.

Visit her at:

www.siriusword.com
http://twitter.com/#!/BlaskovicWriter
www.facebook.com/sirius.word