Anyone know where to find freelance or contract work?

[-=Drifter=-]

Bill, it was just your birthday! Care to share what happened?
You don't need to worry. A man with your talent and your warm heart and caring attitude will have no trouble.

[Soquili]

Thanks Paul, Jim, and Bob.

Bob lets just say I wanted to give some workers a pay raise and the General Manager adamently disagreed with me and decided my services were no longer needed.

[geminiguy]

Bill, I had heard of this company before but never checked it out. Maybe worth a look. I'm gonna check it out myself later today
http://www.artisantalent.com/find-work/

[Soquili]

Thanks Paul I'll look into it.

[handrawn]

Really sorry to hear this Bill - I can't help in your field unfortunately - but I wish you the best of luck - you deserve it.

[Soquili]

Thanks Steve.

[iamtheblues]

Bill, I'm sorry to hear of your predicament, unfortunately I can't help out with site recommendations,
but I'm sure that a man of your obvious talents and skills in IT and graphics will soon find something suitable.
If it helps, we could all supply glowing references. We are all rooting for you.
Best regards,
Bob Taylor. (no relation)

ps: because of my own (minor) pc problems, I've come late to this thread.
Good luck, Bill.

[Soquili]

Thanks Bob.

[Ross Macintosh]

I live in a region where most businesses would be considered 'small businesses'. I imagine in that respect Tennessee is fairly similar. In my experience the quality of 'business graphics' here is relatively amateurish. By business graphics I'm referring to the graphics in proposals, reports, and in-house training materials. It seems most businesses can't afford to have a graphics-oriented person in-house and never think to outsource such graphics so they 'make-do' with clip art etc.

This situation has led me to think there might be an opportunity for folks like us to offer a service to businesses where we serve their limited graphics needs and can become 'indispensable' in making them look good. In my thinking it probably wouldn't take very many clients to be reasonably busy. Getting the work would definitly require a bit of salesmanship and legwork. By visiting local businesses, sitting down with the boss and discussing what you could offer, could lead to some work. Part of my thinking on this is that the in-house people they have attempting to address these needs now probably cost them more per hour than what we'd charge to give them a better product. The people they are using for this stuff were hired to do other stuff that they probably do okay. They do the graphics stuff because these small businesses have little other choice. So the sales guy makes graphics for the quarterly report even though he really should be focusing on his real job - sales!

If you did meet with some bosses I'd suggest getting your foot in the door with relatively low prices. It is your opportunity to show them how cost effect it can be to outsource, and how the quality can make them look good. With luck you'll soon be their 'guy' who handles all their hitherto unrecognized grapic needs.

Regards, Ross

[Soquili]

Thanks Ross. That follows in very well with Red's suggestion about the Chamber of Commerce.