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| 45 Best Social News Websites: Get More Traffic Posted: 08 Nov 2010 12:00 PM PST
Social news refers to websites that are very much in the trend of online community today, wherein users visit these sites to submit and vote on the news, stories, media such as images or other links posted on the site. Basically, these social news websites that I am talking about here does one thing: to attract. Not only these give quick access with different contents, you can also connect yourself with the discussions on every topics posted. For bloggers, these sites are very much useful as great sources of traffic, as well as with users who are into viral marketing. You can see a lot of social news websites on the internet. Most of them cover wide range of topics, and examples of this are Digg, Reddit and Mixx. Others have specific topics, those are popularly called, niche social news websites. There are also social websites that compiles bookmarks of users to share it to other users. You can find more examples on each type below. I compiled here not only social news websites that are about design or technology, but also social news websites about different topics such as entertainment, fashion, environment, politics, etc. 1. Digg
Digg is a social news website that is founded by Kevin Rose. In this site, the members vote the news, stories, and the like either up or down. When a person diggs, it means you promote the specific link. Mostly, the topics you can find on this website are about entertainment, technology, politics and others. It also has a section for videos and images. 2. Reddit
Reddit is owned by Condé Nast Digital and the users of this social news website are called redditors, sounds cool huh? This popular website contains different kinds of news, and it also has section of topics called subreddits that focus on topics such as politics, programming and business. This also has a feature wherein users receive karma for submitting popular articles. 3. Designbump
Designbump is a social news website that is dedicated for designers. Aside from it has a user-friendly interface, this cool website gives you the way to promote your website and boost traffic by adding the simple tools they provided on your site. 4. Mixx
Mixx offers general topics you can share and find relating to business, technology, sports and many more. You can use this social news website to tailor your content categories, tags, specific users and groups. 5. Delicious
Delicious is a social bookmarking website where you can share, store and discover great bookmarks. With this website, you can easily share those bookmarks with your friends, colleagues and students. Try it, it is free to use! 6. Design Float
Design Float is a niche social news website that covers the topic, design. It is one of the leading social news website over the web. 7. Pixel Groovy
Pixel Groovy is a community driven website where you can find and share computer learning resources and tutorials. The goal of this website is to create a place where people, especially designers can find reliable and informative resources. 8. Plime
I find Plime a very interesting social news website. Here you can edit weird or any links you find very interesting. Users also earn what they called, karma when other members vote on their actions. 9. Now Public |
| Pointers and Guidelines For Freelance Graphic Designers Posted: 08 Nov 2010 02:00 AM PST
Be Bound and Determined
The key to succeed in the business of freelance graphic designing is persistence. On the early stage of this business, it’s not hard to notice that the operation does not progress fast for quite sometime and you may find it difficult to gain enough profit to last. So, don’t get discouraged and just keep climbing up that ladder to success. Underselling is NOT an Option
At the beginning of the business, you may consider having your rate at a lower price to get recognized by clients. But in the later part, you realize that you get fully loaded with projects that make you work your butt off for more hours that you have exactly planned. After all the hard work you should consider and credit your effort in making the bill. Build a good relationship with your clients and educate them of the work level you have in your hands. Proper setting of expectations and good communication helps. Once you have set the right price you can now prioritize your clients and sort out the good from the troublesome. The increasing demands from clients could mean that you may need the client to find another alternative or make it worth your time. Calculate Before You Tag
To avoid any serious miscalculations, always remember that everything counts. The time, effort and resources. You have to know the worth of every project. Clients may have the tendency to assume that the project is easy. Saying something at the back of your head like ” why don’t you do it yourself if it’s so EASY?” – well, the fact is they can’t. That’s why they hired you to do it. Best to explain to them in the best way to make them understand. And again, proper setting of expectations is very important. Advertise and Expose
Market your business everywhere and anywhere possible. The best way of advertising is verbal advertising or “word-of-mouth”. Proper exposure and social skills are essential. Impress people by participating in web design forums, web design blogs, webpage galleries and social networks (e.g facebook, stumble upon, my space, twitter, etc.) and gain credibility. The next thing you know, people will be talking about you and your work. The more credible you are, the more clients you get. First impressions usually lasts especially to clients, so carry a calling card with you wherever you go. You’ll never know when you bump into a potential client. Aim for Major Business Growth
Specializing on a single field of graphic designing is always how you start on this business. But along the way, you may experience trouble with your market. expanding your business means adding more services. Primarily, you have target markets in focus that you are currently dealing with when you start the business. Always think outside the box and think of new ways to broaden your services. Seeking New Clients
Top Priority in freelancing is to keep the business going by getting new clients as much as you can handle, as well as maintaining the services for the existing. Freelance graphic designers are also well aware that some of the clients are unreliable and inconsistent, so always be on the look out for new clients. There are many places to look into when finding clients. The internet is a wide place and there are plenty of websites to look in and post your offered services. Most clients would bid for the cheaper price, don’t get blown by the wind in making decisions. You have to remember that you are looking for clients to stay on track, in order to do that you raise your prices slowly when the time is right. And of course, always improve your output and aim for excellence. Connection with Clients
Getting the right exposure will surely get you the clients’ attention. However, maintaining them is another story. Strong relationship and connection should be built in order to gain that great trust towards each other. If it means to go the extra mile for your client to get that bond then, so be it. Being trust worthy and reliable means a lot to the clients. It always helps to be punctual, competent and open to your clients. Make them feel important but in a way that you still stick to your bounds. Business is always business no matter how close you get. SummaryGetting into the freelance graphic design business, you must acquire patience and tons of hard work. People often get the impression that freelance is all fun and less work, being able to work at your own comfort of time and space. When in fact it isn’t. When everything gets wrapped up, it all boils down to who’s responsible for the development and down fall of the business – The freelancer. There’s no one else to blame but yourself. Learning the process and the where abouts is always good for the business. |
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