FRIDAY, MAY 04, 2007

With Web 2.0 Guide, designer hopes to give advice that isn't routine

by Jeremy Schnitker

Daly

According to freelance web designer Patrick Daly too much advice given to freelancers is general.

"Most advice seems theoretical, circumstantial," Daly said. "I find most of it impractical - not that it's necessarily bad advice - but it just needs to be more specific. For example, they'll say 'be organized.' That's great advice, but tell me how to be organized. Give me different methods to choose from.

"I know I need to be organized, I know I need to start a company with integrity and I know that I need to be nice to my clients … so why does most advice revolve around that? I want to get specific with people."

So he took it upon himself to make a comprehensive guide to being a soloist that isn't so vague. Daly recently posted a draft of his Web 2.0 Freelancer's Guide on his Develop Daly blog last week that he hopes will fill the void of practical, specific freelancing expertise.

Daly, who is a 22-year-old college student at the University of North Texas, began designing Web sites independently for the past two years. He learned much of what he knows about Web design from open source communities and thought he could formulate much of that advice into a tool that would be effective for independent workers with varying levels of experience.

"[It's of value to] Someone looking to get into freelancing or even those who are already in it but may need to correct some bad habits or are struggling and need a crash course," he said. "The idea with this guide is that I learned somewhere and so will other people - they might as well have some easy access to materials."

The guide spans 21 pages so far and has sections on everything from managing projects, how to effectively work with a client and networking/getting business.

"It's written less like a book and more like sticky notes … you can read what you want out of order and it will still make sense," he said.

Daly said the guide is still a work in progress and that he plans on developing it into a Wiki in the near future.

The guide doesn't dig at one single theme, but Daly did say the most important trait of being a freelancer was dedication.

"While I don't really harp on that in the guide [because it is more for practical advice], if you lack dedication then all of the skills and resources are no good."

While he says he's learned a lot in a short time freelancing, he still admits he's got a ways to go before he has the world of freelancing mastered.

"I hope I don't give the impression that I'm a pro yet," he said. "I defintely have much to learn."

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Filed Under: Design