A recent credit card commercial tries to demonstrate the dangers of hidden charges or needless charges from other credit card companies by pretending the card holder is being ambushed by some outlandish form of intruders. For example one features a group of frenzied Vikings attacking an unsuspecting card holder.

Just as the invaders are about to pounce on the unsuspecting victims, the ‘would be’ victims display the advertised brand of credit card and the attackers are foiled. “Good thing they had the “right” card is basically the message.

The tag line at the end is “what’s in your wallet?” Today, in this discussion, we have a similar lesson to learn. And we will pick up our discussion from Part 1 of freelance work to point out that lesson.

Let’s re-visit the commercial again for second however. Part of the underlying message is that most people assume a credit card is just another credit card. Many feel they are all the same. And/or that it doesn’t matter if you look into the details of how each card company handles their accounts. The moral of the story that if you don’t review the contract, you never know what could happen and that you won’t be ready for it.

My friends of the freelance world, guess what? This may be your lackadaisical approach to your services and your Internet freelance business. Is it? Or how do you know if it is or isn’t?

The first way to tell is to answer this question. “What is in your tool box?” No, not the tool box in the garage, the junk drawer in the kitchen, or in the trunk of your car. No, what tools do you have for your freelance business?

For example maybe you are a freelance writer. Do you have the right tools to perform your job in the most efficient and productive manner? Are you aware of what tools are available?

As always we start with recognizing there is a certain value in education and experience. Not necessarily college or special high school courses. Of course those are viable options. However doing some research and study in journalism, storytelling or creative writing could go a long way. Knowledge and then experience = an important tool.

There are of course many article writing software programs available also. These programs will help you learn things beyond the actual writing; how to submit and market your work, for example. However, many of these programs can also help improve our writing.

Do you know of places to submit your work? That is also a basic and valuable tool. Do you have editing abilities or the tools to help you? A real life editor may be your answer also, but by all means understand that you can learn how to use editing tools.

Are you more of a data person? Then are you aware of the software and other tools available to be a top grade data researcher or compiler? Do you have the speed capabilities to help you succeed?

Maybe you are a copy writer? Maybe you are a script writer or a story teller? A blogger? Doesn’t matter. You still need the tools.

You need SEO tips and practices, marketing ideas, as well as using the fancy schmancy applications that go with it. What kind of writing are you interested in or what type of writing would you be willing to do?

As we previously addressed there are many directions you can go. In addition to writing sales, scripts, blogs, or stories there is also journalism, product reviews, tutorial, or informative writing. Again you need a platform for this.

There are tools that help you to locate work or create opportunities for your writing. Just as there are programming tools that can enhance your writing. Including tedious tasks like spelling and grammar. Sometimes the spelling and grammar checks in your “word” or document writer are not very extensive. Not that they are bad or not helpful. If you want to step up your writing however, you should consider a more thorough tool.

Among the tools you acquire don’t forget the business end. You should have items like a letterhead, a nice invoice, contracts, business cards, rates, references, work samples/clippings, phone & fax machine, and a program to maintain your accounts.

I would also suggest that you use something like PayPal to receive and send money. In fact since the Internet is the key to your success and the hub of your work, you could perhaps streamline much of your activity and relegate as much as you can on line to free up more business time on line.

For example order your supplies on line and do as much shopping on line as you reasonably can. While we are on the time subject consider this. Time is another vital tool you need. Make sure you use it wisely in all phases of your operation.

Remember as a freelance writer of any type there is more than writing involved. In fact any type of freelance work is more than just performing the service you offer. You must care for the marketing, billing, accounting, web presence, communication, and so on.

Yes whether you are into freelance web design, development, graphics, photography, video, audio, editing, data, advertising, promotional material, logo building, marketing, illustration, writing, blogging, production, imaging, and the like make sure you have or know of the tools you can use for your success.

What’s in your toolbox?

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