Freelance Blend Podcast

You took a lot of courses already, you are aware of different ways to be a successful freelancer or work-at-home professional, you have monetized your online business but somehow, you are still at lost which path to take. Does that sound familiar?

Most of us have been through the same dilemma of finding a niche that you can flourish in. In FBP 158, Blender Jorel asks about finding a freelancing career in a maze of all possible choices.

Passion vs. Curiosity

Much has been said about following your passion these days. While this is true, the advice does not apply to everyone, especially for practical reasons. For example, my passion is basketball. I enjoy playing and watching games but there is no way now that I can monetize that passion (maybe I will one day!)

It’s not really “follow your passion” but follow your curiosity.

That is always my advice.

Four years ago, I was interested in freelancing not because I was a freelancer but because I was a graphic design hobbyist. It started not as a passion but as an area that I was curious about.

Now how do you find your natural inclinations? Listen to the podcast to know my tried-and-tested ways on how to find out your interests. My wife did this too and this is how we found out what niche she would be most effective in.

In the end, it is a matter of trying out what you are interested in. There’s no guarantee of success but even if you fail, the most important thing is to learn from it. Then pick yourself back up and try the next one.

Got a freelancing or online business question? Send it through our Facebook page or email me at [email protected].

Join our Facebook group chat too at www.freelanceblenders.com to get access to more advice from other freelancers.

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.

I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur. 

Get “The Most Awesome Apps, Tools & Resources” Ebook Now!

We’re on a streak! Since I haven’t answered questions in a while, here’s another recording of AskMarv. You’ve got online work questions, I’ve got answers!

In this episode, Blenders Renee, Jeane, and Patrick posted their questions:

* How can I secure employers and how long will it take for me to have freelance projects?

* How can I make it big in this industry and make a difference as well?

* I would ask how you started and ask for some tips and advice on how to improve my business and to increase my value.

Gaining Peace of Mind

No one wants to be always wondering if he/she will still have clients next month.

One way to get peace of mind as a freelancer is to secure a selected few long-term clients instead of always being on the lookout for new ones. To achieve this, present options on a client call. Prepare proposals for a project-based approach and for a retainer arrangement.

Explain how a retainer contract can be a win-win for both sides: knowing that an expert will be on-hand and that monthly bills will be paid on-time can make both client and freelancer sleep better at night.

Making A Difference in The Freelancing Industry

Your community responds to what you give. One proven way to make a difference is to choose a niche and share what you know. Be an expert at what you do and help others out.

Take for example Neil Reichl. He worked on his skill set and then started helping freelancers to learn how chatbots work. The result? He is now who is now the go-to ChatBot guru in freelancing circles (see FBP 151 for our interview).

Increasing Your Value

Don’t be complacent with the skills that you have now. Remember that there will always someone better than you. So if you want to increase your value, never stop learning. If you continue to upgrade your skills, you’ll always stay relevant in your industry.

Do you have questions? Message us on Facebook or email me directly at [email protected].

Better yet, join our Facebook group at www.freelanceblenders.com so you can get access to more freelancer wisdom!

 

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.

I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur. 

Get “The Most Awesome Apps, Tools & Resources” Ebook Now!

It has been ages since we featured the last Ask Marv version but this time, we’re back with a list of questions. In answering these questions, I share my own freelancing journey starting from building a freelancing group, learning from experts I got to know in the industry, and then eventually becoming a freelancer.

Listen in and get to know my answers to these questions:

How can I get clients without going on Upwork?

How to approach clients?

What questions should I ask clients on the first hop-on call and are their scripts I can use?

How much was your initial investment in your first online business?

When do you call it quits with your day job to embrace freelancing full time? How long did it take for you to earn enough income from freelancing that made you finally quit your day job?

Got any freelancing-related questions? Feel free to send me your inquiries via http://www.freelanceblend.com/ask-marv/ or join the Freelance Blend Facebook group.

Better yet, come and meet similar minded people at our next Creative + Entreps Meetup! Join us on May 31st at Work/With at Bonifacio Global City. Visit this link to sign up: www.freelanceblend.com/meetupmay2018

Links

* Watch this episode on Youtube

* Listen to us the Freelance Blend Podcast, now on Spotify.  Follow us at www.freelanceblend.com/spotify!

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

 

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.

I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur. 

Get “The Most Awesome Apps, Tools & Resources” Ebook Now!

Multiple studies show that video gets the most user engagement on Facebook, with 10 times more engagement than any other type of content. This translates to 49% faster growth if your business has video content on Facebook. However, not all videos are created equal. Some fail to reach their target audience and some, while they reach their views count goal, do not convert to sales. This is the sales conversion gap that our FBP 155 guest foresaw as an opportunity.

How it all started

When it comes to video marketing, all Blenders know that the number one person to go to is Dennis “Shoden San” Abad. (You have to listen to this episode to know how he got his Japanese-sounding nickname). But this video guru and co-founder of Shoot Practical Videographer School didn’t start with video marketing, he started with his first love from way back in high school: telling stories through videos.

When Shoden saw the need to connect compelling storytelling with actual sales data based on his own experience with client videos not selling well, he started learning digital marketing. The rest as we say is history. He applied the strategies he learned to put the content in front of the right audience considering their buying journey or what marketers call the sales funnel. It made sense to create engaging videos for clients and then help them get their content seen.

In this episode, listen as we discuss the lessons we learned from our corporate industry experience, how to become a video marketer, and how to incorporate video into your own personal brand. If you’re thinking of switching your career to producing and making videos for clients or if you are a business owner exploring the benefits of video, then this is the right episode for you!

Key Highlights

Listen to FBP 155 as Shoden and I discussed:

* How his interest in video started

* The benefits of working in a corporate world before going as a full-time freelancer

* What made him decide to quit his office job and be a full-time freelancer

* His experience working with international clients for VSLs (video sales letter)

* Classes they offer at Shoot Practical Videography school

* 3 types of videos that a Business Owner can use for his brand

* How he built his network through referrals

Quotes

* On why he keeps learning and improving his skills: “Video marketing does not exist in a bubble. It’s not the only thing that can help you to grow your business exclusively”

* On video as the future of content: “… Video has a strong capacity to help people change their perspective.”

* On why freelancers should consider video marketing: “Since video is starting to become mainstream, it’s very easy to include it in social media marketing. It’s part of the ecosystem.”

Links

* Watch this episode on Facebook Live

* Shoot Practical Videography School – Learn the basics of video making and video editing. Don’t forget to watch out for their Video Marketing course offering available in the next couple of months.

* Listen to us the Freelance Blend Podcast, now on Spotify.  Follow us at www.freelanceblend.com/spotify!

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

It has been said that Filipinos are one of the most hardworking people in the world. This is also the same observation that our guest for FBP 154, Brianna Carney, has come up with after staying in Asia for a year to gain more insights into the booming BPO industry.

With a business development background herself, Brianna understands the pain points experienced by businesses in building their customer-facing teams. In the US, finding top performers with the dedication and expertise means paying for higher rates which a startup company may not have sufficient funds for.

The Beginnings of CrewBloom

In her quest for bridging the gap between the demand for dedicated customer service professionals and the pool of resources available within the scope of a startup budget, Brianna found herself exploring the outsourcing industry, particularly in India and in the Philippines. From her extensive research and immersion, CrewBloom was born.

CrewBloom is a company that connects top Filipino BPO professionals with US businesses for long-term and full-time remote work. Unlike other freelancing platforms, CrewBloom has an intensive hiring and interview procedure designed to maintain the quality of service provided to their clients. The company vets every contractor, ensuring that they are highly competent and backed with the right experience in the BPO industry. As CrewBloom says, they aim to get the top 2%, nothing but the best from the BPO industry.

In our discussion, Brianna recounts the early days of CrewBloom, how she built the company, and how she found her Filipino co-founder, Kate Ringcodan. She also tells the story of learning Filipino ways of working and how they are building a company culture centered on people who love what they do. If you are a BPO professional looking to avoid long commutes and spending time at an office, it might be high time to explore and transition to working remotely.

Key Highlights

Catch FBP 154 and share this new opportunity with family and friends in the BPO industry. Listen to the podcast as we discuss:

The vision for Crewbloom

How Brianna met Filipino Crewbloom co-founder, Kate

Client Screening process

What you need to do if you want to apply as a Crewbloomer

Interview process for Contractors

Future improvements on Crewbloom as a platform

If you have inquiries on the hiring process or anything startup-related, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brianna or Kate. See their emails on the Links sections.

Watch the Interview on Freelance Blend TV

Quotes

On traveling and self-development: “The more we know, the more courage we have, the more we seek to learn and understand, the better we’ll be.”

On comparing Pinoy workforce with other emerging markets: “..Filipino workforce is being the most sophisticated and capable in the world today”

Links

* http://crewbloom.com/ – Connecting the best Filipino BPO professionals with US-based startups

* Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for inquiries

* Listen to us the Freelance Blend Podcast, now on Spotify.  Follow us at www.freelanceblend.com/spotify!

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

Special shoutout to Blenders who followed us on Spotify!

* Glady Serrano-Unsay

* Enteng Nabablit

* Regie Bariuan

Sometimes life throws a curveball and forces us to change our game plan. From being a hotel reservations team supervisor to a food listing website owner, our FBP 153 guest just kept on opening doors of opportunities until he finally found what works. By 2018, Julian Canita is now the go-to person for Facebook Advertising in our freelancing community.

Julian and I teamed up last year for a Facebook Ads workshop and realized that we enjoy working with fellow Pinoy freelancers. Most of us have experienced this: client hires you for service X and during the course of time, asks you if you can provide service Y too. As the client proves that they can trust you, the more they would like to work with you regardless if the field is not your expertise. While most of us will accept the responsibility and learn about the task along the way, in FBP 153, we encourage you to refer an expert friend instead.

Aside from tips on how to work with other freelancers, we’re also giving you a sample pricing proposal guide when working on big projects involving multiple freelancers. And since we are talking about collaborating with others and helping out the freelancing community, here’s a bonus: Julian is giving a 20% discount to his Facebook Ads Basics workshop on May 5th at Warehouse Eight Coworking Space in Makati. This Blenders special will only be available within two days from the time the podcast is published. Hurry and book your tickets via bit.ly/JCBlenders to get the discount.

Key Highlights

For FBP 153, I recommend watching the video as we will share a sample pricing proposal for a collaborative project. Aside from the sample, you’ll get to know about:

Julian’s journey to becoming a Facebook Ads expert

How a community can help you grow

Why being laser focused in your field is an advantage

Sample pricing strategies for big projects

The many different ways of how you can price your Facebook Ads services

What do you think about the pricing strategies we shared? Leave a comment and let us know!

Watch the Interview on Freelance Blend TV

 

Quotes

On why you should get an expert to do the task: “You are able to provide a better service to your client… they know that you are looking out for them and their business.”

On why collaboration is key in communities: “Being part of a collaborative community, we are still able to provide the service as well as help out other freelancers…”

Links

* bit.ly/JCBlenders – Use this link to sign up for Julian’s Facebook Ads Basics workshop to get 20% off! If you know someone who can benefit from this workshop, tell them to sign up via this link too. The goal is to get your first Facebook ad running during the workshop itself. Participants will walk away with new knowledge that they can immediately apply in their business.

* Listen to us the Freelance Blend Podcast, now on Spotify.  Follow us at www.freelanceblend.com/spotify!

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

* Learn social media marketing basics and hacks in Marv’s Social Media Marketing for Small Business workshop on May 19.  Get an additional 20% if you sign up using the promo code BLEN...

My first few interactions with our FBP 152 guest was online via freelancing Facebook groups. Those interactions turned into in-person meet-ups, collaborations, and workshops.  He is the founder of Arrive Media, co-founder of Social Media Academy Philippines, and Head of Marketing at Sprout Solutions. He’s a growth hacker, a social media marketer, a keynote speaker, and a consultant for multiple brands and personalities.

Even with a full schedule, he still makes the time to help the freelancing community. It’s no surprise that one and a half year after he decided to share his prowess,  this digital marketing genius is now one of the well-known individuals in freelancing circles. Ask anyone from the Blenders group and they know the name Nix Eniego by heart.

An expert on the use of social media for marketing, Nix gives invaluable social media marketing advice in FBP 152. Nix never fails to bring substance to our sessions. If you’re a member of the Blenders group, you’ll know Nix also provides key insights on the group chat. And remember that time when he shared three forms of digital marketing that anyone can do for as low as P100 a day on FBP 137? That’s Nix for you. Passionate, encouraging, and generous in sharing his knowledge.

Key Takeaways

FBP 152 is a 2-hour session filled with actionable information that you can immediately apply to your social media marketing practice. Here are some of the points that Nix discussed:

How Facebook is the new form of word of mouth marketing

Rethinking your use of Social Media accounts

How to make good use of Facebook Groups (without creating one!)

See success stories using the strategies Nix shared

How Nix built 95% of his network through Social Media

His 3x3x30 strategy

* The Social Media Academy Course and what’s in store for students

The SMA Batch 3 registration ended on March 28th. Visit the site to get real-time updates when a new course opens up. You’ll hear both Nix and I sharing bonuses for the Social Media Academy course. Although we would like to extend these bonuses to everyone, these packages are only available for live viewers. That’s all the more reason to catch us live next time! 

Quotes

On getting clients: “Start by asking people what you can do for them.”

On how Facebook can bring leads: “I built connections the right. I built and showed up and gave value every day.”

Links and Resources

* Facebook Live Link

* Social Media Academy Philippines

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

 

 

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.

I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur. 

A combination of relentless drive and plenty of hard work turned unfortunate events into opportunities for our FBP 151 guest. This guy with an easy demeanor and bright outlook has also proved himself to be resilient and a fast learner. In 3 years, Neil Reichl has turned from a pharmaceutical sales rep to a ChatBot marketing expert. All the long drives that he made while listening to podcasts when he was still a sales rep turned out to be the training ground for his digital marketing and freelancing career.

Why ChatBot Marketing?

An early adopter of ChatBot marketing, Neil recognized the need for a more effective way of getting leads and engaging with old both old and potential customers. With an even tougher competition now as all types of media are clamoring for a person’s already short attention span, how does a business get their voice heard loud and clear?

With email marketing effectivity slowly dropping (25% open rate, 3% CTR), Neil saw how more people, regardless of age or status, are now more likely to use Facebook Messenger as their main means of communication. It is not surprising that statistics for Facebook Messenger Marketing campaigns show an 89% open rate with a 50-60% CTR. For instance, the reach can be greater too as people who may not follow or “like” your page can still send you a message and contact you on Facebook.

Are you as interested as I am now? I too believe that ChatBot marketing is the next big thing so I signed up for Neil’s ChatBot marketing premium course to learn more about it. If you want to see a ChatBot in action, watch the FBP 151 video to see a demo of how a ChatBot can bring in more leads and convert fans into paying customers.

Key Highlights

FBP 151 comes with loads of useful tips from Neil. Also, you will get the chance to see us in our formal wear!

Neils’ journey from a pharmaceutical sales rep to a ChatBot marketing expert

The difference between Email Marketing and ChatBot Marketing

Reasons why Neil thinks ChatBots are the next big thing in digital marketing

How ChatBot Marketing can be used in different kinds of businesses

Skills needed for a ChatBot marketer

How the data from ChatBots can be used to build your list and direct them to your website

How Neil honed his skills and expanded his community as a freelancer

Tips for both new and experienced freelancers on how they can offer ChatBot marketing services

Steps to sign up manychat.com and test your own bot on a free Manychat account

Demo of how ChatBots can work for your page

At the time of posting, all the workshops mentioned in the video have already been completed. Join us on www.freelanceblenders.com so you can get up-to-date information on upcoming workshops and courses.

Quotes

Neil on how to effectively use ChatBots: “Courtesy should always be your first step”

Marv on taking new challenges from clients: “Say yes and learn it.”

Neil on avoiding analysis paralysis: “Take action!”

Links

* See a ChatBot in action here: http://bit.ly/chatbotMarv

* ManyChat, the app for setting up ChatBots

* Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com

 

Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?

If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the tr...

I grew up in awe of my father.

As a kid, I am especially fond of memories of flying in a plane with him as the pilot. There’s a special kind of delight that comes from knowing that my father is bringing us and everyone aboard to our destination, all safe and sound.

Two weeks from when I made this recording, my father passed away due to an unexpected massive heart attack. He was 73. While it came us a shock to all of us, we accept and know that his destination is God’s hands now where he is safe and sound.

I’m sharing the eulogy I wrote for his funeral mass to let everyone know how proud I am of my dad. If you are listening or reading this, all I ask is for you to please say a little prayer for him.

A Tribute to Capt. Percy de Leon‍‍‍

I stand before you today as the representative of a family still in shock and in grief.

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Capitan Percy was a truly remarkable human being…

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Husband to Mercy, father to Ayen, Bamm-bamm, Che-che and Dimples, son to Jose and Marciana, brother to Denty and Nimfa, grandfather to Jake, Kyla, Colin, Nadine and Caleb, friend and inspiration to many many people.

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Like most sons to their fathers, I have always looked up to him and was (and always will be) very, very proud of him and his accomplishments.

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This was especially true while I was growing up.

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I would always find myself telling my classmates, friends and anyone I knew that my dad is a pilot.

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In fact, I still do that today.

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I relish that reaction from people when I tell them…

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”My dad is an airline pilot and he is a captain at Philippine Airlines.”

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And they say, “Wow, your Dad is a Pilot!”

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“You’re so lucky!”

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I remember the many happy times we spent with him, Daddy bringing us with him to his trips abroad.

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We’d spend our summer breaks in Honolulu, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and I once even spent Christmas with him, just the two of us, in Chicago.

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And during those times, with Dad as the Captain, I saw how everyone — the crew, the passengers and the people around him — loved, respected and admired him.

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I saw how everyone’s eyes lit up whenever they see him.

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And I always told myself:

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“When I grow up, I want to be just like Daddy.”

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I wanted to have many, many friends too and gain the respect and recognition of my peers.

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I wanted their eyes to light up when they see me.

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I wanted to be just like Daddy.

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During those flights, my most awaited part is when a few minutes after take off, Daddy spoke on the intercom…

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“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking….”

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I wanted to shout out loud to the top of my lungs:

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“That’s my Daddy! That’s my Daddy!”

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Years later I will find out that Daddy was actually a shy person and shunned the limelight.

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It must have been a big undertaking for him to speak to hundreds of passengers.

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And then my favorite part, especially during those long haul flights, was when he would come out from the cockpit to check on me.

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He had to put on a coat to cover his pilot’s uniform and take off his hat, so that passengers would not panic, thinking that nobody was flying the aircraft (it was on autopilot, of course).

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Then, he will take me by the hand and bring me inside the cockpit and have me sit behind him while he lands the aircraft in the most perfect and safest landings you...

 

FBP 149 does not only mark the start of the year but also the fourth year of Freelance Blend! It’s been four year, Blenders! I look back at the years and all I feel is  an overwhelming gratitude for the Freelance Blend community. Thank you for listening for the past 4 years as we all continue to grow and achieve our goals as freelancers. Thank you to all of you who have been listening since day 1. I am committed to serving all of you with more amazing, valuable, and insightful content for more years to come.

New Year, New Perspective

The start of the year is always the best time for introspection. It’s the moment when we look back to the year that was and when we envision what we hope the new year will be.

As for me, I will always remember 2017 as the year when I focused on freelancing. I spent the previous years building and growing Freelance Blend and attending to my speaking engagements. Finally, in 2017, I put all of my learnings into action and I was able to prove that I can earn well as a freelancer. 

But what about 2018?

On our Facebook group chat early this year, Ginger Arboleda suggested a most timely topic: “What is your one word for the year?” (If you’re not a part of our group chat, join us on Telegram! See link below)

Ginger’s question is a good one as this allows us to focus on a direction that we want to take for the year. 

Listen to FBP 149 as I explain my word of the year: GROWTH. Along with this word that I plan to stick to for the year, I also shared the Planning Spreadsheet that I used for 2017. It worked for me and immensely helped in achieving my goals so I’m sharing the sheet with you (plus a video of how to use it) on the Links and Resources section below.

What’s your one word for the year? Share them on the comments section!

Links and Resources

* Rock Your 2018 Video – Part 1: www.facebook.com/freelanceblend/videos/2048583695361721

* Rock Your 2018 Video – Part 2: www.facebook.com/freelanceblend/videos/2048587548694669

* Download my FREE “Rock Your 2018″ Planning Spreadsheet

* Join our community in Facebook at www.freelanceblenders.com

* Join our bigger, better chat group on Telegram app

* Side Gig Revolution – my new group coaching program for employees to become freelancers.  Unfortunately, it is now closed but you can join the wait list here