This week, Collis Ta’eed (editor of Freelance Switch and co-author of the Rockstar Freelancer eBook) gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his digital office.
“Gmail - The most vital bit of software I use to make working online easy is Gmail. I switch between three machines, two at work and one at home, so it’s essential that mail is portable and easy to get to. It took me a little while to get used to Gmail (being an Outlook and MacMail guy), but now that I have got my head around keyboard shortcuts, tagging and the interface, I love it!”
“PayPal - Where would I be without PayPal? From paying writers to taking money for our ebook, PayPal has proven itself mighty useful these last few years. I’m waiting for some decent competition to arrive internationally, in particular from Google Checkout - but until it does, it’s PayPal all the way.”
“Basecamp - This tool is great for tracking clients, and if you can convince them to log in there periodically you can keep them in the loop on project developments, schedules and even your hours. I’ve stopped freelancing now so this one doesn’t pop up on my radar so much”
“Freshbooks - Invoicing is a troublesome but essential aspect of working online. I use Freshbooks to invoice advertisers on our blogs, and for freelance clients back when I had some.”
“Hardware-wise I’m all over the place with my three computers, but I’m downsizing to a single laptop this month as I prepare to take my work overseas. My criteria for laptops is slightly different to most people as I need to do a lot of design work, so although I need something portable I don’t mind a heavy machine so long as it has a *big* screen.”
Links:
Photo by stevoarnold.
8 Responses
I am the same way with my laptop. I see people with 13 in screens and super small laptops, but I have to have at least a 17 inch monitor. Designing on something that’s 13 inches is way too hard.
I like these articles by the way. “Under the hood” is a great idea and I like reading what others are using.
This series is terrific, Skellie.
Collis, I’d be interested in knowing what you’ve found work in encouraging clients to login and use Basecamp. I’ve had intermittent success and would welcome some tips.
Thanks!
I’m so glad that someone tipped me off to Gmail a couple years ago. Switching from Yahoo was one of the best things I ever did. It’s just so much easier to stay organized–tag it, archive it, and forget it.
So many times I get email saying something like “My email address is changing because we’ve switched to..”
Idiots
A friend switched from Verizon DSL to Comcast. Of course he sends that email. I write back telling him why he should be using Gmail and send him an invitation. He tries it, but doesn’t understand why his Comcast email isn’t fine.. two years later Verizon FIOS hits his neighborhood and he switches again.. same stupid email because of course he never uses the gmail..
Aaargh
I’m a basecamp fan. I generally give clients the option to login and the ones who like it, really like it. It’s great for keeping client communication in one place as well as tasks, milestones etc.
These are all great tools!
I have a question I’d like to open up for feedback. I use QuickBooks for billing and have a merchant account through them (which screws me out of so much funds but I get paid fast) and have a PayPal account as well. Does anyone see a business that uses PayPal for accepting credit cards or payments as less professional or a hindrance to business? I had this conversation with a friend today so thought feedback would be valuable.
I agree, Gmail - is a vitally important tool. I depend heavily on it. It became even more important when I started to use Wrike - a project management tool, which is integrated with email. I could not get my clients to use Basecamp, and I just replaced it with Wrike. They don’t need to logg on, they just reply my email and my task in the system is automatically updated. Isn’t this cool? BTW the link ti their site is http://www.wrike.com/
I love this “Under the Hood” series…Great idea, Skellie.