I’ve just spent the last couple of hours devouring How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer – a brand new resource by Cyan and Collis Ta’eed from the wonderful Freelance Switch blog.
I’ve been an avid reader of the blog since it started and when I met Collis recently at Melbourne WordCamp he mentioned that this book was on the way – I was excited to hear that and have been hanging out for it to be released.
11 chapters and 212 pages of content – this book covers a lot of ground and is worth the read for anyone considering a Freelancing career (in any field) or anyone who is currently a Freelancer wanting to take it to the next level.
How to Be a Rockstar Freelacer applies to freelancers of many industries and covers everything from the general and introductory (definitions – ‘what is a freelancer’, discussion on location – ‘home vs office’ and setting up an ‘ergonomic office’) through to more specific topics (‘getting paid’, getting a portfolio together, hiring staff and how much to charge).
You can see the full list of topics covered on the sales page for the book (which I have to say is a refreshing change from many sales pages I’ve seen of late – no hype, no long pages with special offers etc).
The book is written in the usual crisp and polished style that readers of Freelance Switch have come to expect. It’s easy to understand, to the point and genuinely helpful – with lots of practical tips.
Of course my own interest in the book goes beyond the content – I’m also always fascinated to see blogs launch products like this – especially blogs with such a big following – as it’s another example of how blogs can be used to make money once they’ve gained profile.
If you’re a freelancer of any sort – (designer, journalist, blogger etc) then this is a book worth checking out.
This post contains affiliate links
I read about this book on PSDTuts earlier today (one of Collis’ blogs), I may have to actually buy this now!
I bought this earlier today too. I’m only three chapters in but it is a really good read. It’s good to know that others are enjoying it too.
I have already ordered my copy, I’m just trying to find some time to read it. There is never enough time in the day for everything.
You can win a copy over on my blog just for commenting on the announcement post :)
Darren, I think you missed off the obligatory ‘this post contains affiliate links’ statement at the bottom.
Other than that, it looks like a book worth investigating further.
The cynic in me is screaming “this looks so much like a paid post!” but we all know Darren Rowse wouldn’t do a paid post without labeling it such. Or, maybe I’m just overly tainted by the smarmyness of the typical ebook that I can’t accept that any ebook has any value.
I’m going to be picking up my copy once it comes out at LuLu in book format. Looks really good and I’ll be promoting it as an affiliate just because these guys are so good at what they do, I’m putting faith in this book
Freelancers can make some serious dough…I hope there is a chaper titled “How to Party like a Rockstar!”
This sounds interesting… and really useful too. Come to think of it – I may as well check this out.
Covering the whole “freelancing-scenario” is a tough one. There so many different elements in it. These elements require decent amount of focus just to handle them individually – not to mention handling them altogether. Sales, Design, Working, Creativity… you name it, they all are different areas that people are still studying individually. This kind of book is a much needed tool – and it should be used also by people who aren’t dealing with freelancing everyday. This would be a good lesson.
This is great, there are so many freelance websites and resources out there, hopefully this will be the one that puts them together in a useful and readable fashion.
It’s already on my wish list for Christmas!
I am no longer freelancing and I’m actually happy for the change. Maybe it’s just the stability of a salaried job, but the stress has gone down. Maybe I was just a bad freelancer and could have used this resource! :D
Everyone (premiere bloggers) seems to be trying to make money out of e-books. First Leo from Zenhabits now Freelancer, I am sure there has been other cases in recent past.
There is a great way to make money expecially if you have a huge reader base. If you have 20,000 feed reader and even 1000 decides to buy this book will result in $29,000. That’s a very good amount of money for the amount of work that will be put into it. (I am not implying that the book isn’t worthed, since I havent read it yet, nor am I implying that a lot of work/time hasn’t been put into the book.)
Since I don’t have a huge reader base like these bloggers, I have approx 200+ rss readers, I am going to give away my first e-book for free, which will be about 200+ pages long and fair amount of work is being put into it. By the time I will be done with this book, I am guessing I will spend about 50+ hours on it. Obviously the main goal for the e-book is to increase reader-base for my blog.
Maybe later I can think about charging my readers for e-books.
And no! The ebook is not about making money, its on the subject matter of my blog (computer Security)
I’m sure the ebook is supreme. Freelance Switch is a great read, eye catching site, and very well done. I recently began bidding on some projects at http://www.esalesguru.com I am slowly getting into the freelance biz.
Maybe this book is something I need.
paid post!
paid post!
paid post!
..and by the way “Freelancing like a Rock Star” ..LAME. What’s next? “Blogging like a Porn Star”? “Link Building like the CIA”?? ? You guys really make me laugh.
i don’t do paid posts/reviews supaswag.
I do use affiliate programs and there is one with this resource – however this is a genuine recommendation – take it or leave it.
The title of the ebook is intriguing – I’m a bit of a sucker for ebooks and my credit card over the last year shows it! Might give this one a whirl in the new year as I definitely want to move on from my current job which is wearing me down.
Alan
Unfortunately I was very unhappy with the contents, production value and price of the book. I wrote a full review at the web site. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs from FreelanceSwitch.com and it’s much better reading the site instead.
I like the book title and it has some great content. Plus, as Darren says, it is actually showing people how to become successful freelancers – not claiming that it will make you a millionaire overnight.
This is a refreshing change from some of the rubbish that’s out there.
Unfortunately there are a few e-books that give the rest a bad name, which is a shame, as writing an e-books is a smart way for a good blogger to monetise their website.
And I can’t imagine for one minute that a good blog is going to churn out a bad e-book, as it would damage their reputation.
i haven’t read it yet but i already have a copy just finishing how to be a rockstar wordpress designer