Freelancer Forum

Creative Freelancer Conference 2010 this June - Early Bird Discount

2010-03-09T17:59:00Z

Early Bird Discount....

For all self employed people! This is a not to miss event. The amount of information at this conference is amazing and you spend a weekend with people who are just like you! It's a great event to attend, and worth every penny.

Head to Denver Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6—in just two days, you'll reignite your passion, gain the confidence you need to achieve your business goals, and get practical tools for building a successful freelance business.

Plus you'll save $30 when you sign up by the March 12 Early-Bird deadline.

Register today—the deadline's just three short days away!

And your CFC registration is worth every penny.

"Thisconference is a highly efficient, cost-effective way to gain a treasuretrove of information, resources, contacts, tips, how-tos, inspirationand encouragement for creative solopreneurs."
Barby Grant
Owner, Barby Grant Communications
attended CFC in 2009

Create. Connect. Community.
This year CFC is teaming up with the HOW Design Conferencetaking place across the street at the Colorado Convention Center June6-9. You'll get all of CFC's information and intimate networkingopportunities for freelancers, plus access to the HOW Conference'sinspirational keynote, bookstore and giant Resource Center. You'll evenget a free pass to attend a HOW Conference session of your choice!(Excludes studio tours and pre-conference workshops.)

March Events in Los Angeles and Online

2010-03-08T04:17:00Z

March News and Events

Local Los Angeles and Online Events

Check them out!

March News and Events

I want to remind everyone about the special tax credit this year and Freelancers Union has created a Facebook page all about it…Join the group and tell a friend and find out all the details… http://tinyurl.com/y8k wnzt

3/10 March L.A. Biznik Happy Hour at Jerry's Famous! Biznik Member Event – Hosted by Heather Parlato Details here… http://tinyurl.com/ydvwhpc

3/10 LA Small Business Internet Marketing Group - $10.00 Are you mystified about how to go about conducting keyword research for your website? Would you like to learn a strategy that you can implement to effectively identify which keywords you want to target? Then don't miss our next Meetup! At Blankspaces http://tinyurl.com/yleady7

3/18 Maverick Marketing Workshop: Stand Out from the Herd, Get Better Results and
Wrangle More Business Your Way--Right Now. Seal Beach - With Terry Lanhans – If you missed her at the Feb. Meetup here is your chance to see her… http://tinyurl.com/yh9bofm

3/20 – Saturday Morning Mastermind – LA Entrepreneur Connection $10.00 - Hosted by Alaia Williams – For details go here http://tinyurl.com/y9kms2h

3/20 - Getting More Referrals Using Social Media – Biznik Member Event - Event Topic: - Why Traditional Media is less effective, how Social Media can help, and an easy solution you can implement immediately For details go here..;. http://tinyurl.com/y8gctje

3/23 Astoundingly Simple Secrets to Making Social Media Work for You – $30.00 Members - Freelancers Union Online Seminar with Colleen Wainwright - Can you really turn garden-variety online acquaintances into a supportive network who will help you spread a message or build a career? Do social media sites like Facebook and Twitter offer the opportunity to extend your brand and message or are they just a colossal time-suck? Register - http://tinyurl.com/yhjdsot

3/23 Website Basic Series Workshop – $60.00 at PACE LA – with your organizer Colleen Rice Nelson – this workshop is CHEAP for the value – and I charge way more for this workshop – so come and get the same information for a really good price – 3 Tuesdays and you will know how to Plan, Build and Market your website! Register - http://tinyurl.com/ykxmflkfor details about the class visit my site under classes www.t-u-a.com

June 5-6 Creative Freelancer Conference! The place to be is our very own conference in Denver in June! 3^rd Annual – Sign up before March 12^th for DISCOUNT go to http://www.creativefreelancerconference.com

Constant Contact Workshops at PACE LA 3/11/10

2010-03-03T21:07:00Z

The Power of Email Marketing (Downtown LA)

(How to do email marketing well)
March 11
10am - noon
In partnership with PACELA.org

In just one information-packed session, you'll learn the theories, strategies, and proven techniques that drive a successful email marketing program.

Overview of Email Marketing: What it is and how it works, using real-world examples
Email Marketing tips, techniques, and best practices
Strategies for getting and keeping subscribers

Getting Started with Constant Contact (Downtown LA)

(How to use Constant Contact)
March 11
1pm - 3pm
In partnership with PACELA.org

This intensive workshop gives you an in-depth knowledge of the tools, features, and techniques of Email Marketing with Constant Contact.

Overview: Introduction to Constant Contact's tools and features
Building your list and creating an email campaign
Tracking your results: Who received, opened, and clicked
Email Marketing best practices: Tips, strategies, and techniques

Presenter: Kelly Flint, Constant Contact's Regional Development Director, Los Angeles

About Kelly: Kelly is a marketing expert with over ten years of experience developing and implementing marketing strategies for small businesses and organizations. Kelly uses her expertise to teach small businesses and organizations effective email marketing strategies and how technology can be used to develop strategic partnerships that maximize the power of relationship building. For more details and event informaiton visit:

www.losangeles.constantcontact.com

About PACE: PACE Business Development Center www.pacela.org was created in 1992 to empower low to moderate income entrepreneurs of all ethnicities with the tools, skills and resources they need to make their business successful. PACE BDC provides comprehensive multi-lingual business training, technical assistance and financial education and services.

LA Freelance March Meetup with Special Guest Crystal Cassidy CPA Talking "Brass Taxes!" 3/7/10

2010-02-27T21:27:00Z

LA Freelance March Meetup with

Special Guest

Crystal Cassidy CPA

Talking "Brass Taxes!"

3/7/10

Tax Time! Join us for tax help and answers!

Sunday March 7th at 3 pm

It'sthat time of year - Tax Season! There you are pulling receipts out ofcoat pockets, shoe boxes and file cabinets. Or trying to remember whereyour mileage notes went. We are all in the same boat and some peopleare more organized than others on the tax front. But I know, that onceyou get all your paperwork together, there seems to be one receipt thatyou aren't quite sure where it fits into to your forms. Well this isyour chance to get your questions answered and learn a little moreabout your taxes along the way.

One of our very own groupmembers, Crystal Cassidy, has offered to help us on our self employmentjourney! Here is what she will talk about....

Details :Findout the single most overlooked, but most important strategy you can useto lower your taxes over your lifetime! In fact, it will not only helpyou, but your friends, family and neighbors 99% of the time. This isone rarely, if ever, discussed strategy anywhere – in the profession orfor the public. You'll also gain knowledge that will relieveIRS-related stress and achieve balance – be in compliance with thelowest (legal) tax liability.

This presentation will provide:

a big picture overview of your tax return and highlights of current year changes
overview of the tax differences between the basic types of business entities
an opportunity to ask your tax or accounting related questions

Thoughthe presentation is designed for new business owners' and freelancers'business income, even experienced freelancers can learn about thecurrent year stimulus items rarely covered in the news.

About Crystal Cassidy CPA:Crystal happily launched her private accounting & tax practice 14years ago leaving the security of a steady job with a major governmentagency. She says the key to enjoying her work is to have great clientsincluding creative people and nonprofits - because the rewards extendbeyond the bottom line. Her clients know she is 'on board,' whethertheir goals are to obtain wealth, live well and retire young, to makethe world a better place,' or simply to make a living doing what theylove.

LA Freelance Group MembersPay Attention Here: Crystal is offering members of our group 15% offregular rates for 2009 tax return preparation.

Askyour questions! If you are planning on attending, and have a particularquestion about your taxes, email it to me and I will forward it toCrystal before the Meetup so she can have an answer for you at theMeetup. That's free advice my friends...Email your questions toinfo@freelancerforum.net and I will make sure Crystal receives them.

Cost: FREE

RSVP Here! Please RSVP - Join the Group it's free Here

BYOW:Bring your own whatever - If you can - bring a little something toshare with the group in the way of snacks. Healthy, not so healthy - weare not picky! This helps keep the meetup free!

Location is Blankspaces : 5405 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.330.9505
"Parking is just south of Wilshire on Cloverdate behind the white fence with the blue Blankspaces sign. Walk up Cloverdale to the side entrance of Blankspaces on the north side of Wilshire."

About Blankspaces -if you have never seen a co-working space, then come to the meeting andcheck it out! A great place to rent to get some work done centrallylocated in LA. Blankspaces is offering LA Freelance Meetup Groupmembers a DISCOUNT!! $99/mo WorkBar membership (3-month) OR $49/mo forOff-Peak Unlimited @ any desk or WorkBar. (offpeak is nights 6-11pm andweekends.) Tell them where you found out about this info.! www.BLANKSPACES.com

Thank you to our MeetUp sponsors: Blankspaces and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite Check them out!

Thank for being a member and helping our freelance connections grow!

Online 2/18/10: Using Social Media as a (Free!) Marketing Tool with Jeff Fisher

2010-02-17T19:21:00Z

Using Social Media as a (Free!) Marketing Tool

February 18th 4 pm Eastern

Online Seminar

Date: February 18, 2010*
Time: 4pm ET/1pm PT
Duration: 1 hour

Register Here!

*You will also have access to the archived version of this DesignCast for one year!

Facebook, Twitter, blogging…they all seem like ways to kill time online. But savvy creative professionals are using these free social media tools to build their networks, reach out to new clients and grow their businesses. Veteran design pro Jeff Fisher will sort through all the options and teach you how to use these FREE promotional activities.

You'll learn how to:

• Position your design services as a product on social networking sites.
• Drive traffic to your website and blog through online social interaction.
• Create a valuable social network of peers, vendors and potential clients.
• Take advantage of social networking/media resources that translate into business, rather than socializing.
• Toot your own horn (tactfully) through social media.

About the Presenter:

Jeff Fisher, author of 'Identity Crisi s!' (HOW Books, 2007), is the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. A 32-year design veteran, he has been honored with over 600 regional, national and international design awards and is featured in over 130 books about logos, the design business, and small business marketing. His first book, "The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success" was released in 2004 and has been reissued as a PDF on CD. Fisher is currently writing a new volume, "Logo Type: 200 Best Typographic Logos from Around the World Explained," on the topic of typography in identity design.

PACE LA: Website Basic Series Tuesday Feb. 9th - Los Angeles

2010-02-08T19:50:00Z

Website Basics Series

Begins Tuesday Feb. 9th

3 pm - 5 pm

Website Basics Series

This series is a set of 3 workshops for beginners and intermediate website builders and owners that want to create or improve their online presence. Whether you have a website currently, or you want to try to build one yourself - this is the workshop for you! In a unique 3 week - 3 day program you will learn how to properly build a website yourself without knowing any coding or complicated programs, OR you will be able to hire someone to build it – but know what to ask, and what to look out for in the process. Participants who enroll in this series also receive one hour of consultation with a web consultant to discuss whatever issue they face in regards to their online presence.

Session 1: Planning Your Website Feb. 9th 3-5pm
Learn what it takes to properly plan a website, what elements and assets you need to have before you build a website, how to choose your domain name, the basics of building a search engine friendly website. You will also be led through a questionnaire that will help you figure out what you want from a website.

Session 2: Building Your Website Feb. 16th 3-5pm
Learn how to bring your elements together in building a website, what options (template, CMS, hiring a designer, DIY) are available to build a website and the reasons for each, how to select a hosting company based on your personal website needs. You will also be led through a website building tool available through a hosting company.

Session 3: Marketing and Your Online Web Presence Feb 23rd 3-5 pm

Learn what SEO is all about. Learn about social media and how to decide if it is right for you, how to market your website and create an online web presence, the importance of statistics and how to use them, and learn how to maintain your website regularly.

Dates Day & Time

2/9, 2/16, 2/23 Tuesdays; 3 PM – 5 PM

Cost: $60.00 for all 3 sessions! This is an incredible steal for the amount and quality of information!

Register here at www.PACELABDC.org Go to calendar to enroll today. Space is limited!

PACE LA: 213-353-9400 for questions about parking, registration and course details.

Location: PACE LA - Downtown LA - 1055 Wilshire Blvd. #900B, Los Angeles, Ca. 90017

About the Instructor: Colleen Rice Nelson - The Ultimate Answer (http://www.T-U-A.com) is a self employed business woman who runs a multimedia consulting business helping her clients answer their questions about the world wide web. Working with websites since 1996, Colleen has a passion for inspiring clients to get creative and think out of the box with their website marketing, while maintaining a practical and functional approach to their site design. You can have great looking website, but if you don't promote it, and no one can find you - what's the point? Creating a website that is search engine friendly is the backbone of a great website, not an afterthought.

LA Freelance February Meetup: Special Guest Terri Langhans Marketing Maverick

2010-02-08T06:28:00Z

Los Angeles Freelance Meetup

Saturday February 13th, 3 pm

With Special Guest

Terri Langhans: Blah Blah Blah!

Blah Blah Blah: How to Stand Out from the Competition, Get Better Results from Your Marketing and Sell More Services

Saturday February 13th, 2010 3 pm at Blankspaces on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles

Cost: FREE

No one cares about you and your boring freelance business. That’s how it feels, sometimes, doesn’t it? To the people who buy from you or hire you, you and your competition all seem to look alike, sound alike, provide the same service or sell the same stuff. “Blah, blah, blah, just tell me how much it’s gonna cost.” Ouch.

At our next Meetup, Terri Langhans, CSP will pack 90-minutes with creative ideas, powerful insights, plenty of laughs, real world examples and tangible tools you can use right away (and over and over) to be less ordinary and more effective when it comes to marketing, advertising and business development. Regardless of what you’ve tried before, and regardless of how big or small your budget is--even if you don’t have a marketing budget.

Terri will zero in on these important areas of attracting more clients and growing your business, including How To:

- Distinguish your business from the competition and find your points of difference no matter how much you "look like the other guy."
- Describe what you do in a way that attracts (not repels) prospects and creates a conversation to explore working together.
- Create marketing messages that are memorable and more effective in generating the response you want.

Terri promises you will walk away energized and equipped with what you need to know, and what you need to do to be less ordinary and more effective in growing your business. You and your marketing will have more focus and higher impact which will give you greater response and a better bottom line.

Why listen to Terri? Terri Langhans, CSP is the former CEO of a national ad agency and marketing firm that she started from scratch as a freelancer and grew large enough and profitable enough to sell to a Fortune 100 Big Boy. But that was then and this is now. Now Terri is COE (Chief of Everything) at Blah Blah Blah, her speaking and consulting business and a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), one of only 206 women worldwide to have earned the designation awarded by the National Speakers Association and the International Federation of Professional Speakers. She's also the author the book The 7 Marketing Mistakes Every Business Makes (And How to Fix Them) and conducts the Maverick Marketing 1-Day Workshop four times a year.

Speaking: www.BlahBlahBlah.us
Marketing: www.MaverickMarketing.com

RSVP Here - Join The Group (it's free) to RSVP!

BYOW: Bring Your Own Whatever! If you can, bring a little something to munch on and share with the group!

About Blankspaces: A great co-working place in the middle of LA to be seen! for events, pricing and details go to www.BLANKSPACES.com. Show our sponsor some love!! Connect with them on Yelp, Facebook and more by clicking here http://www.blankspaces.com

February Events - Local and Online

2010-02-08T06:18:00Z

February Events

Local and Online!

Freelancers and Small Business

2/9/10 – PACE LA Website Basic Series Workshop – I will be teaching a class offered through PACE LA starting 2/6/10 on Website Building Basics. 3 classes over 3 weeks for $60.00. Downtown Los Angeles. Call Jackie Jones for details on how to register (213) 353-3982

2/9/10- Biznik – Mixer San Fernando Valley – NEW! Organized by Lelah Baker-Rabe a new mixer in the valley! Check it out! http://tinyurl.com/yhfhk83

2/10/10- Biznik Westside Mixer with Colleen Wainwright – Hurry this one fills up quick! http://tinyurl.com/yatauje

2/10/10 – The Entrepreneur Connection LA (formerly LASBO) Eastside Mixer $20.00 http://tinyurl.com/ykowl5a

2/13/10- LA Freelance Meet Up Special Guest Terri Langhans Blah Blah Blah! Must attend event! Great information and funny to boot! LA Freelance February Meet Up: With…

2/17/10 Constant Contact San Fernando Valley - The Power of Email Marketing – How to do email marketing well. $30.00 http://tinyurl.com/yak5zut

2/17/10 Constant Contact San Fernando Valley - Getting Started with Constant Contact - (How to use Constant Contact) FREE http://tinyurl.com/ylnvoyc

2/23/10 - February Business Academy Mentor Luncheon – Student Business Mentoring Program organized by one of our members Jessica Duong. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=301235586613

2/24/10 – Constant Contact Harwthorne The Power of Email Marketing - Hawthorne (How to do email marketing well) Free http://tinyurl.com/yhqp282

2/24/10 Getting Started with Constant Contact - Hawthorne
(How to use Constant Contact) Free http://tinyurl.com/ykezwws

2/25/10- Constant Contact Culver City -The Power of Email Marketing - Culver City
(How to do email marketing well) Free http://tinyurl.com/yzud4zt

2/25/10 Getting Started with Constant Contact - Culver City
(How to use Constant Contact) Free http://tinyurl.com/yjz9fjw

3/23/10 – Freelancers Union Online Seminar – Social Media with Colleen Wainwright http://tinyurl.com/ykpll2n

6/5/10-Creative Freelancer Conference Denver Colorado – http://www.creativefreelanceconference.com

Support our LA Freelance Meet Up Sponsors!

Blankspaces To help our please write a review of the facility at yelp.com and support them by joining them on Facebook! Go to the side bar here and connect http://www.blankspaces.com/interact/

Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite: Check here for details....http://www.microsoft.com/business/bpostestdrive/demo.aspx?CR_CC=100247983

Blah Blah Blah: How to Stand Out from the Competition with Terri Langhans on Freelancer Forum Radio 2/5/10

2010-01-24T23:22:00Z

Freelancer Forum Radio

Friday February 5th,
10am 2010

Blah Blah Blah: How to Stand Out from the Competition with Terri Langhans

Join us Live!

Freelancer Forum Internet Radio is proud to present - Terri Langhans....This is one not to miss!

Blah Blah Blah: How to Stand Out from the Competition, Get Better Results from Your Marketing and Sell More Services

No one cares about you and your boring freelance business. That’s how it feels, sometimes, doesn’t it? To the people who buy from you or hire you, you and your competition all seem to look alike, sound alike, provide the same service or sell the same stuff. “Blah, blah, blah, just tell me how much it’s gonna cost.” Ouch.

Join us LIVE during the show where Terri Langhans, CSP will pack 60-minutes with creative ideas, powerful insights, plenty of laughs, real world examples and tangible tools you can use right away (and over and over) to be less ordinary and more effective when it comes to marketing, advertising and business development. Regardless of what you’ve tried before, and regardless of how big or small your budget is--even if you don’t have a marketing budget.

Listen Here: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Freelancer-Forum

Join us during the show and ask questions while you have the chance! By phone: (646) 478-567 or join the LIVE CHAT. But if you miss the show live - you can always listen to the podcast of the show on the show profiles page or in ITunes!

Why listen to Terri? Terri Langhans, CSP is the former CEO of a national ad agency and marketing firm that she started from scratch as a freelancer and grew large enough and profitable enough to sell to a Fortune 100 Big Boy. But that was then and this is now. Now Terri is COE (Chief of Everything) at Blah Blah Blah, her speaking and consulting business and a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), one of only 206 women worldwide to have earned the designation awarded by the National Speakers Association and the International Federation of Professional Speakers. She's also the author the book The 7 Marketing Mistakes Every Business Makes (And How to Fix Them) and conducts the Maverick Marketing 1-Day Workshop four times a year.

Speaking: www.BlahBlahBlah.us
Marketing: www.MaverickMarketing.com
Tweet: http://www.Twitter.com/terrilanghans
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/terrilanghans

About Freelancer Forum Internet Radio Show: Whether you call yourself a freelancer, 1099er, self employed, independent contractor or a consultant, Freelancer Forum is for you. It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you do it as a freelancer! The shows contain discussions aimed at the self employed with topics that are specific to the needs of the freelancer. Hosted by Colleen Rice Nelson, a self employed business woman who runs a multimedia consulting business - The Ultimate Answer (http://www.the-ultimate-answer.com). Calling herself a "Multimedia Muse", Colleen seeks to provide useful information to the self employed across the nation. Colleen is also the organizer of The Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up group (http://www.meetup.com/LA-Freelance) and author of the freelance resource blog Freelancer Forum (http://www.freelancerforum.net)

4Q Estimated Taxes Due Today! Jan. 15th 2010

2010-01-15T21:54:00Z

January 15th, 2010

Taxes Due!

It's that time again! 4th Quarter Estimated Taxes Due!

Get those checks out before midnight tonight!

For I.R.S. info on Estimated Taxes go here...

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=110413,00.html

Now is also a great time to start pulling your 2009 receipts and start organizing for April Taxes....

I always suggest June Walker's website for great online information about self employment taxes and deductions! Hands down the best book on the market! Check out her site www.JuneWalkerOnline.com you can buy her book from Amazon through the Freelancer Forum Survival Store - Click on the image on the left sidebar!

January Events Online and in Los Angeles for Freelancers

2010-01-12T23:37:00Z

January 2010

Upcoming Events

Online and in Los Angeles

Be There!

Hope everyone had a great New Years! This is just a note to let you know about some upcoming LA and online events you might be interested in for January.

Tomorrow 1/13 – Mediabistro Events at Blankspaces – Blogging - Build your online presence, create a brand, and connect with readers. $65.00. Details go to http://tinyurl.com/medibistro

Tomorrow 1/13 – Freelancers Union – Online – Bookkeeping Basics - $30.00 union member price / $40.00 non union member price Details http://tinyurl.com/FUJan

Tomorrow 1/13 – The Entrepreneur Connection LA Meet Up Wine and Cheese Mixer – Echo Park - $20.00 Details go to http://tinyurl.com/ybwds4d

Thursday 1/14 – Constant Contact Email Marketing – Pasadena – Free – Details go to

http://tinyurl.com/ye2mpoe

Thursday 1/14 – Peleg Top – 2010 Annual Goal Setting Retreat – Encino – Details/Costs go to www.PelegTop.com Limited spaces available.

Friday 1/15 – 4^th Quarter Taxes Due – Don’t Forget!

Tuesday 1/19 – Biznik Eastside Mixer – Free -Hosted by Heather Parlato and Michael Stern Los Feliz area - Details go to http://tinyurl.com/y8tf827

(Membership to Biznik is free). If you a member look me up and connect!

Thursday 1/28 – Constant Contact Email Marketing – Orange County – Free – details go to http://tinyurl.com/ye2mpoe

Books: New Year Marketing Planner and Calendar by Marketing Mentor – Get your year going by creating a great plan for your business. Details go to http://tinyurl.com/y8qp4dt

Happy January!!

Thanks for subscribing to Freelancer Forum.net! Don’t forget to visit the radio show Freelancer Forum on Blogtalkradio.com (www.blogtalkradio.com/Freelancer-Forum ) interviewing people who provide services for freelancers. Podcasts available via the link or in ITunes!

~Colleen Rice Nelson

Learn How to Effectively Network and Grow Your Business in 2010 with Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up Group 1/10/10

2010-01-04T03:58:00Z

Learn How to Effectively Network

and Grow Your Business in 2010!

LA Freelance Meet Up Group

Sunday January 10th, 2010

Let's start off 2010 with learning how to effectively network! I have heard many comments from members of our group about how networking does, or doesn't work for them and their business. Well it seems to be a perfect time to learn how to effectively network while growing your business in 2010.

Our guest speaker, Daphna Hernandez from Life Coaching Masters will discuss how to effectively network and grow your business. It's not just a matter of going to a mixer and handing out business cards to every person standing in the room. It's not a quantity game, it is a quality game. Come and learn effective techniques to find real potential clients and leads, and how to use networking to expand your business - not just your Rolodex.

Interactive! Let's make this meet up useful for you! Daphna would like to address specific issues that you may have about networking. You can help make this a great meet up by emailing me questions, issues or problems you have concerning networking. Why do you feel you have not had any new business by networking? What is it about networking that drives you crazy? What makes networking difficult for you? What information would help you become a more effective "networker"? Email your comments or thoughts about networking and I will forward these to our guest speaker so she can address these in her presentation for you. Email me at info@freelancerforum.net and together we can make this meet up matter to you!

When: Sunday January 10th, 3 pm

Location: Blankspaces on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles

Cost: FREE!

About Guest Speaker: For over two decades, Daphna Hernandez has helped hundreds of people take their lives to the next level. She works one-on-one with artists, business professionals, parents, youth, educators and other individuals, providing them with guidance, knowledge and tools to: identify and remove barriers to personal growth and expansion, reduce stress and become happier, more confident and stable, recognize and handle destructive elements in their lives, spot and handle unchanging conditions, personal or professional, repair, create, and maintain successful relationships, set and achieve business and career goals. She has also been a Featured Speaker at over 100 Personal Growth and Development Seminars and continue to impart practical knowledge in regularly-held speaking engagements. Her website is www.lifecoachingmasters.com

Happy New Year! Let's grow our business in 2010!

Where

Blankspaces

5405 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505

RSVP: Please join us by letting us know you will be there! Free to join LA Freelance Meet Up and RSVP


How will members find you there?: We will be in the lounge area. Parking is available on Cloverdale south of Wilshire in the white gated parking lot. Entrance to Blankspaces is on Cloverdale and up the stairs.

LASBO - New Year's Day Party - Celebrate LIFE - Tonight at 8pm in LA

2010-01-01T23:02:00Z

LASBO

Los Angeles Small Business Owners

Kick off the New Year

TONIGHT!

January 1st, 2010

TONIGHT:: Friday January 1, 2010 * Come kick off your New Year and CELEBRATE LIFE with Meetup groups across Southern California at LIFE on Wilshire! This New Year's Day Meetup Party is a collaborative effort celebrating all the diverse groups on Meetup.com! Come celebrate with us!

Music for the night will be provided by DJ/Producer IV Legend, spinning your favorites sounds from Top 40's to 80's & 90's to Hip-Hop and Dance! A little something for everyone! For more info about DJ/Producer IV Legend, check out his website or become a fan on Facebook or friend on MySpace.

LIFE on Wilshire, a venue that held last year's Emmy Awards Pre-Party, combines elegance and style with a spacious lounge, a dance floor, and an outdoor patio on Wilshire Blvd, in the heart of Los Angeles! And all throughout the night, a photo slideshow of all the exciting meetings from groups across Southern California attending this party will be presented on a huge video display screen and 2 large flat-screen televisions!

And for your comfort and enjoyment, LIFE on Wilshire provides a fully stocked bar and serves a variety of delicious American dishes and appetizers.

Come kick off your New Years with Meetup members across So Cal and CELEBRATE LIFE! with us at LIFE on Wilshire!

DETAILS & RSVP HERE

Happy New Year & Thank You - From Freelancer Forum

2010-01-01T22:35:00Z

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year Freelancer Forum Readers! Just a note to wish you and your family a Happy New Year and a great big fat Thank You! When I first started posting freelancer information on this blog - I had no idea if anyone was going to find it, let alone want to be informed about all of this type of stuff. Well according to my stats - There are plenty of people out there reading this, and that is why I want to thank you. In the past year there have been 80,000 hits to Freelancer Forum Resource Blog, and that's pretty cool. I don't feel like I have been posting to oblivion now.

My goal for 2010 it to maintain the work that I have started here, but also find new resources for you and post more general information regarding self employment.

Also - I would love your feedback when you have a second! If there are some hot topics you would like me to keep my eye on, or issues you want me to pay attention to - then you have to let me know! Email at Info@freelancerforum.net

This Resource Blog is for you! And I don't know much about you - except that I know your are self employed. So I am curious where are you? My stats on this blog don't tell me that - so I am wondering if people are from LA, or all over? If you are out of LA, it would be great if you let me know - so I can post information about events in your town for freelancers. Feedback helps me keep the information I am posting current and interesting, so drop me a line and let me know or Comment to this entry!

Again - Happy New Year - May this year be better than the last and filled with great health, wealth and happiness!

Colleen Rice Nelson
Author of Freelancer Forum.net

Freelancer Frolic 2009 - Holiday Party Thursday Dec. 10th!

2009-11-30T23:16:00Z

Join LA Freelancers

For a Holiday Party!

Thursday December 10th 7 pm

These holiday events are always lots of fun and provide tons ofconnections. Join groups from all over Los Angeles to celebrate thehard work we've done throughout the year.

NEW UPDATE: Cost is SUGGESTED DONATION ONLY - If you can't do 5$ bucks - then don't let that stop you from joining us!

NEW UPDATE: PRIZE RAFFLE - Drop your business card in a bag for a chance to win some holiday cheer!

Group participating include:

....you don't need to be a member of any of these groups to attend.You just have to be an excellent business professional who likes tohave fun! It might be the end of the year - but not the end of yourbusiness! Come out and have fun while building some great businessrelationships in the process.

Location: The HMS Bounty 3357 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90010

HMS Bounty has a variety of food and drinksavailable for you to purchase. We want to be good patrons to this localbusiness for allowing us to host our event there, so we encourage allof you to show your appreciation as well.

OPTIONAL GIFT EXCHANGE: Get in the Holiday Spirit!! If you'd like to participate in our gift exchange, buy a gift of nomore than $10, wrap it, and drop it in our gift box when you arrive.Everyone who drops a present in gets to take one out. Who doesn't lovea surprise?!?

Cost: Suggested Donation only $5 per person

To RSVP for Free Here or Suggested Donation of $5.00 Click Here!

Come and join us for some Holiday Spirit! Whether you are member of any of the groups, or not - if you are a freelancer for small business owner we want to meet up! Join us for some fun!.

Organized by Colleen Rice Nelson and Alaia Williams and Thanks to Colleen Wainwright for the Freelancer Frolic Logo!

Members of the following will be in attendance!

Biznik LA Eastside Mixed-Up Mixer

2009-11-30T22:53:00Z

LA Eastside Mixed-Up Mixer

Tuesday December 8th, 5 pm - 8pm

Mix it up with small business owners & independent professionals at different locations in the eastern side of the greater LA area!

Here's how it works: we meet up at cool bars with great food and drinks early in the month, get to know each other, and build relationships that help us and our businesses grow! The locations will always have good food & drinks, sometimes overlap with happy hour, always be somewhere in the larger area from as west as central & west hollywood to as east as sierra madre [just east of pasadena] and always have a great selection of people to meet & mix with.

The York is a fantastic gastropub in highland park with a full bar & full menu from vegan-vegetarian to hamburgers & pulled pork. We'll be in the front corner to the right of the door, parking is metered on york blvd till 8pm and free in many spots off york blvd. come join us, meet your peers & colleagues, have drinks and celebrate the holidays!

Location, Details and RSVP Required...Not a Member? J oin Biznik.com for Free and RSVP

The Ultimate Answer Website Building 3 Part Workshop

2009-11-21T18:38:00Z

The Ultimate Answer Website Building Block Series:

3 Part - Website Building Workshop

~~Saturday December 5th, 12th & 19th 4-6:30 pm~~

PUSHED TO AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
Please let me know if you are interested in the workshop by emailing me - info@T-U-A.com

Start the New Year with a New Website!

Learn the fundamentals about having a clean, professional website. Learn what you need to do and how to navigate the various website building options.

This is a workshop for beginners and intermediate website builders and owners.

Only 13 seats available! Register early!

Do you want to learn how to make your own website? Then you need to take this workshop! Whether you have a website currently, or you want to try to build one yourself - this is the workshop for you! In a unique 3 week - 3 day program you will learn how to properly build a website yourself. By the end of the workshop you will have all the information you need to buld a website without knowing any coding or complicated programs. Here are the details.

The class is structured across 3 weeks in order to provide time for homework! Yes - homework! Homework this time will be you actually bringing together elements for your websites so by the end of our 3 weeks you will be able to confidently build your own site or revamp the one you have. You don't need to know any technical jargon or how to code. You just need to bring an open mind, your ideas and a desire to learn some basic concepts about having a website.

Location: Blankspaces 5405 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. 90036

Cost: $180.00 full registration price for all 3 days!

For Course Details, Outline and Registration: $180.00

Details & Register here

Note: If you are currently a member of Los Angeles Freelance Group, Biznik or Freelancers Union email info@t-u-a.com and I will send you a registration link to SAVE $30.00 on the workshop.

If you are not currently a member of any of the groups you can join Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up Group here, join Biznik.com or Freelancers Union - they are all free so pick one and then email me for your discount info@t-u-a.com!

About The Instructor: ColleenRice Nelson: Colleen is the owner of The Ultimate Answer. Having taughtherself web design in 1996, she has since obtained several certificatesin programming and a Master's Degree in Communication - InternetBusiness. Her passion lies in being able to help individuals understandwhat it means to have a great website without all the complications.She has a unique talent the enables her to turn the complicatedbusiness of the web into an easy to understand friendly learningformat.Visit her site http;//www.T-U-A.com

Mediabistro.com Holiday Party December 1st, 2009

2009-11-21T17:52:00Z

Mediabistro.com Holiday party

December 1st, Los Angeles

What: Drinks and conversation

Who: Media professionals

Why: To bring about greater community among media professionals, and to celebrate the holiday season!

When: Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Where:
La Cachette Bistro
1733 Ocean Avenue
between Seaview and Vicente Terrace
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Click here for a map.

Food/Drink: Cash bar

Hosted by: Freelance writer, Write On! Online Debra Eckerling and Kaiser Permanente senior web editor Michelle Thatcher

The mediabistro.com story
Over10 years ago, mediabistro.com began with a series of events for NewYork media professionals. Today, the website has spread internationallyand is one of the best resources for media and content professionals tobetter their education, find jobs, get daily media news, and connectwith each other. Over 1.6 million unique media and contentprofessionals visit mediabistro.com more than 7.8 million times everymonth.

RSVPs ARE REQUIRED.
This event is for media professionals. If you'd like to invite your colleagues, please ask them to RSVP separately. RSVP HERE

Los Angeles Freelance December Meet up with Constant Contact and Kelly Flint

2009-11-21T03:02:00Z

Learn About Constant Contact

with Kelly Fllint

Sunday December 6th, 2009

The Last LA Freelance Meet Up for 2009!!

Learn About The Power of Email Marketing with Kelly Flint from Constant Contact.

When: Sunday December 6th, 2009 3 pm

Have you always wondered about Constant Contact? Have you seen great looking newsletters and emails with the Constant Contact logo at the bottom?Well come to the Meet Up to find out more about what this email service can do for you and your business and your clients!

Back by popular demand, Kelly will teach you the ins and outs of proper email marketing. A must-attend workshop for anyone thinking about email marketing and newsletters. It's a great presentation that will inform you about emailing in general, how to avoid being a spammer, how to use Constant Contact and so much more! The workshop is a powerful learning experience that will get you going on your 2010 marketing campaign!

Cost: FREE

Location:Blankspaces 5405 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles Ca. 90036 / 323-330-9505

RSVP Required: Join LA Freelance Meet Up Group for FREE to see more details and RSVP

The Power of Email Marketing:Building relationships with your current customers is key to growing your business. Reach them with professional email communications that make you look great! This seminar covers the basics of what email marketing is, why it works so well, and how to use it in your business planning and strategy to achieve specific goals. Master email communications with this comprehensive look at winning strategies forgetting and keeping quality subscribers, increasing deliverability and open rates, how to avoid being a spammer, tips for scheduling and examples of successful email campaigns and how they were set up to build business and drive sales.

About Kelly Flint-Regional Development Director Los Angeles Kelly is a marketing expert with over eleven years of experience developing and implementing marketing strategies for small businesses and organizations. Kelly is a marketing expert with over eleven years of experience developing and implementing marketing strategies for small businesses and organizations. Kelly uses her expertise to teach small businesses and organizations effective email marketing strategies and how technology can be used to develop strategic partnerships that maximize the power of relationship building.

About Blankspaces:Blankspaces is #1 Los Angeles Co-Working Office. Whether you needworkspace for an afternoon, or a whole office for the year, we haveyour solution ready to go with every amenity you need to run yourbusiness. Why bother with the noise of coffee shops, or the hassle oflong-term leases when BLANKSPACES is configurable to your needs. www.blankspaces.com

About LA Freelance Meet Up: Come out to the Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up and make new friends, resources and networks. It's free to join! Go to http://www.meetup.com...and join our group. Our group includes freelancers from an array ofindustries in Los Angeles to small business owners and entrepreneurs.If you are not a member of MeetUp.com, it's free to join and create aprofile, and then remember to find the LA Freelance Group and become amember. Make a New Year's resolution you can keep - and network foryourself and your business once a month in 2010!

Minding Your Own Biznik: Social Media 101

2009-11-18T22:25:00Z

Minding Your Own Biznik:

Social Media 101

This Friday! Pasadena, Ca.

Friday November 20th, 2009

Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am

This event is for people who are new to Biznik.com, and members who just aren't sure how to get the most out of this fantastic community.

Biznik provides a powerful combination of social networking technology with face-to-face events. With help from from Biznik cofounders Dan McComb and Lara Eve Feltin, learn how using social media and Biznik's tools can help you strengthen your participation in the Biznik community and grow your business.

After introductions, the workshop with a 20-minute introduction on Social Media 101, which provides a brief background on trends in technology and marketing that make social networking and Web 2.0 media such a powerful approach for those running a small business. This overview shares some great tools that are available to you, that can complement your Biznik networking.

Then, we'll walk through the five main areas of the site, elaborate on the features as they were designed:

Your Profile: self promotion & visibility on the site
Events: hosting & attending
Membership: using the directory & your Biznik network
Biz Talk: online socializing & discussions
Articles & Tips: writing, rating & commenting

You will leave with a better understanding of how to use Biznik to be a leader in your sphere of influence.

RSVP Required: You need to be a Biznik member to RSVP to this event. Join Biznik today - it's FREE - it's business networking that doesn't suck!

Location: Pasadena, Ca. Go here for all the event details!

Hosted by Heather Parlato (Parlato Design Studio)