#how to start freelancing for beginners

[freelancermithun-com]

Best Freelancing Sites for Beginners: Your Guide to Getting Started

Freelancing has become a popular choice for many looking to earn income from their skills and expertise, offering flexibility and opportunities to work on diverse projects. If you're new to freelancing and wondering where to begin, here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best freelancing platforms that can help kickstart your freelance career:

1. Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms, offering a wide range of job categories from writing and graphic design to software development and marketing. As a beginner, Upwork provides a robust system for finding work, although competition can be intense.

Top 10 Freelancing Marketplaces in 2024

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is known for its "gig" economy, where freelancers offer services starting at $5. It’s a great platform for beginners to showcase specific skills and build a portfolio. Over time, freelancers can increase their rates as they gain experience and positive reviews.

Top 10 Most In-Demand Freelance Skills for 2024

3. Freelancer

Freelancer.com connects freelancers with clients seeking various services, including writing, graphic design, and programming. It offers a competitive environment where freelancers bid on projects, making it essential to price yourself competitively initially.

4. Toptal

Toptal is renowned for its exclusive network of top freelancers in fields like software development, design, and finance. While entry is competitive, it offers higher-paying opportunities and a vetted client base.

5. Guru

Guru.com allows freelancers to showcase their portfolios and experience. It offers a variety of job categories and allows you to set up a profile that highlights your skills and expertise.

6. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour matches freelancers with clients who require various services, from writing and translation to web development and digital marketing. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward bidding system.

7. Upstack

Upstack focuses on connecting freelancers specializing in software development and IT with high-quality clients. It emphasizes long-term client relationships and offers a supportive community for developers.

8. 99designs

99designs is ideal for freelance designers looking to showcase their talent in logo design, web design, and other creative fields. It operates on a contest-based system where clients choose the best design from submissions.

Tips for Getting Started on Freelancing Platforms:

Create a Professional Profile: Highlight your skills, experience, and portfolio. A well-crafted profile increases your chances of attracting clients.

Start Small: Begin with smaller projects to build your reputation and gain positive reviews. This helps in establishing credibility and attracting more significant opportunities.

Network and Market Yourself: Actively participate in the community forums, submit proposals regularly, and leverage social media to promote your services.

Be Patient and Persistent: Building a successful freelancing career takes time. Stay persistent, continuously improve your skills, and adapt to client feedback.

Maintain Clear Communication: Clear and prompt communication with clients is crucial. Ensure you understand project requirements and deliverables to avoid misunderstandings.

Conclusion

Choosing the right freelancing platform depends on your skills, goals, and preferred working style. Experiment with different platforms to find the one that best suits your needs. Remember, success in freelancing often comes down to dedication, professionalism, and continuous improvement of your skills. Happy freelancing!

[empireexperience]

Digital marketing is becoming the must-have skill for anyone looking to earn income, gain flexibility, and build financial independence in today’s economy. This post explores why so many people are turning to marketing as their entry point into online business, and how you can start learning step-by-step — even if you’re starting from zero.

[realestateinvesting001]

Why Side Hustles are Essential for Financial Security 💼💰

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving financial security often requires more than just a regular paycheck. With rising costs of living, job uncertainties, and the desire for financial freedom, side hustles have become a crucial part of many people’s financial strategies. In this blog post, we’ll explore why side hustles are essential for financial security and how they can empower you to take…

[metatrons1]

The Ultimate Guide on How to Start Freelance Writing

Introduction to Freelance Writing Freelance writing is a unique career path that allows individuals to craft content on a project-by-project basis without being tied to a single employer or company. Unlike traditional writing careers, which often require writers to operate within a structured environment, freelance writing offers a high degree of autonomy. Writers can choose their projects, set…

[todorokies]

jjk characters as male thot jobs

including: satoru gojo, suguru geto, toji fushiguro, kento nanami

contents: sfw but very suggestive, jjk men acting like sluts, gn!reader but there is a fem term used once

a/n: you might not consider some of these as “thot jobs” but im here to hypnotize you ouuuuhhh *wiggles fingers around* .. this is so silly but i had a blast writing this one

☆ . . . since gojo’s brain is hardwired to find teasing others amusing and quite the pass time i could see him as a dentist. you go to your local clinic for a annual deep cleaning and this man purposely goes out of his way to make things seem inherently sensual but still manages to do his job professionally. he’ll coo and praise you for following the most regular orders “now open real nice and wide for me … that’s righttt, good girl.” and “bite down on this … mhm yes just like that, you’re doing a great job.”

he’d definitely be like the annoying ones who still try to have a conversation while knuckles-deep prodding in your mouth. “i can tell you haven’t been flossing as much as you should be, what’s up with that?” and all you can do is narrow your eyes at him. he always caress your jaw and cheek too even through the latex gloves his touches are so intimate and gentle at the end of your appointment you’ll be genuinely considering if you should fuck your dentist or not.

☆ . . . i had multiple options for geto but firmly decided on a ceramic artist. i can envision him owning a modern yet whimsical pottery studio —he wanted the modern look but nanako and mimiko insist on the whimsical interior— he offers free beginner classes twice a month. omgg the way his hands knead at the clay and skillfully sculpts on the wheel with his fingers meticulously bending, making his veins more prominent while delicately morphing the creation into a vase. he annunciates his instructions with melodic calmness but still has authority present in his tone i swearrr his voice is like honey.

you catch his eye in one of his classes and offers extended hours free of charge to help you “better your form.” he sits behind you, cradling your forearms directing your movements but still making room for you to assist your own creation. his warm minted breath tickles the back of your neck causing goosebumps “make sure to sit close to the wheel and anchor your elbows tightly against your body…” the sultry in his tone doesn’t go unnoticed with him slightly moving to your ear next “don’t be afraid to make mistakes it’s all about trial and error, darling.”

☆ . . . like the unemployed bum toji is, he seems like the type of man to pride himself as a ‘jack of all trades.’ which is why i see him in the freelancer field of work, specifically, a personal shopper. he has an app on his phone where he can either accept or deny requests. he’s quite picky with commissions when money isn’t running low, but don’t get him wrong, he’s willing to go the extra mile to please his clients. always prefers phone calls over text when discussing farther details knowing his gruff voice will have the recipient weak in the knees. he isn’t shameful to treat his full time employment as a part time hookup arrangement…if he’s lucky enough that is.

“here’s your stuff, pretty.” the quite taller and muscular man at your porch hands over a brown bag containing your groceries. you don’t miss the way his hands graze yours in the exchange, his sharp eyes examine you like you’re his prey; awaiting for your next move in a game you involuntarily started playing. words of gratitude try to slither past your lips but ultimately couldn’t: you’ve officially peaked his interest. “hey, why don’t i help you unload your items?” at that, you nodded making way for the sleazy man to enter your home and eventually your bedroom as well.

☆ . . . what differentiates nanami from the rest is that he’s unaware of how insanely attractive his profession as a baker is. he truly doesn’t understand the appeal of a man in an apron kneading dough and decorating pink frilly cupcakes. he co-owns a bakery with haibara !! they even enrolled in culinary school together. the interior is quite morden with wisteria and other succulent plants hanging from the ceiling; most of the time he’s clueless to very clear advances from others or kindly shut them down saying how he’s “not looking for anything serious” which is a lie he himself started to believe.

but on a faithful sunday autumn morning you stroll in just salivating at the thought of warm dewy chocolate filled croissants, fresh from the oven, when you see him; clad in a bulky knitted cream sweater tying a black apron around his slim waist whilst his becipes bulged slightly through the thick material of the sweater. “good morning, what can i get for you today?” one thing lead to another making you leave with not only a croissant but the blond man’s phone number —due thanks to his cheeky younger coworker, yuji, who wrote the number on your receipt including a note that read: ‘he’s soooo into you :)’

reblogs & feedback is extremely appreciated !! <3

[tonkable-art]

✷ Tonk's Art Resources ✷

Hi! No one asked but I wanted to make a big list of art resources I use because I like to try and help people be creative! Not everything I list is free (mostly the books & some PDFs), but I’ll try my best to keep a big portion of it unpaid.

I've also made a carrd with the same links and a set of software links + prices but I'll be updating this with more things I find that I think would be helpful. :)

Drawing

GES DRAW PARTY - Timed model videos

Drawing Tutorials Online - Figure drawing tutorials (& fun SVA student sketchbook videos)

Line of Action - Timed model Photos

3 tips to improve your PEOPLE SKETCHING (fast urban sketching techniques), Sketching Scottie

Creating Backgrounds, Tim Mcburnie

Drawabox

Reference Angle

Kaycem

Colour Theory

Why Color Studies Are So Powerful, Light Ponderings

Marco Bucci

Colour Tips and Tricks, Iniro (PDF)

This post

Animation

The Animator’s Survival Kit, Richard E. Williams (book) - I think this one is a pretty obvious must-have

How to Animate Night In The Woods [Scribble Kibble #103], Crowne Prince - Helped me get a grip on After Effects

Little Miss Hellraiser Toon Boom Harmony Rig, Edu Bruks - Free Toon Boom Harmony rig

Alex Grigg // Animation for Anyone

BaM Animation

Storyboarding

Exploring Storyboarding, Wendy Tumminello (book)

Storyboarding Essentials: SCAD Creative Essentials, David Harland Rousseau & Benjamin Reid Phillips (book)

Storyboard Pro Crash Course/Tips for beginners, OhJeeToriG

A Guide To Storyboards, MagicBunnyArt (PDF)

Character Design

Character Design Crash Course - A huge free course document with assignments you can work through

Delicious in Dungeon - Fundamentals of Character Design, lines in motion

Writing

Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games, Christy Marx (book)

Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting, Syd Field (book) - I have the 1987 edition

Reedsy

How to Plot a Comic From Start to Finish!, McKay & Gray

Portfolio Tips

How to make a Character Design Portfolio, Jackie Droujko

Top Tips on How to Kickstart Your Storyboard Portfolio, Brown Bag Films

25 Tips to Create an Animation Demo Reel, Sir Wade Neistadt

Extras

PuccaNoodles’ Animation/Art Resource Sheet

My Study References Pinterest board

Motivation Station - Playlist of sketchbook videos and some speedpaints that I use to motivate & inspire me

The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide, Heather Parry & Maria Stoian (PDF) - Really useful for freelancers in the UK

Software substitution chart

Adobe Suite substitute chart

Remember to check out the carrd, it might have a more updated list!

[airimafuyu]

An analysis of the recent More More Jump MV "FUN!!", and how it symbolizes the main story and the early stories:

-

We could say that Minori is some kind of hero here, with the rest being needed to be saved; They all have keyholes in the shape of hearts, which could represent how they're "stuck in only giving up their dream of being an idol", as when it is unlocked, they and their "heart" are set free and are finally able to become idols again at their heart's content. Now let's talk about the things surrounding them all.

Shizuku is seen as a very tall figure here, surrounded by helicopters and buildings, because in Cheerful * Days, she was only forced to maintain her "perfect idol" image and was ever only seen that way, which she did not like much because she wanted to be who she truly was–especially when the other members were jealous of her.

Airi is surrounded by Happy Everyday masks–representing how she was only forced to do variety shows and never being able to perform as an idol at all.

Haruka is being trapped by spines, unable to move at all– representing how she couldn't move her legs in the ASRUN concert due to the guilt.

The next thing that happens in the MV is that Minori saves them all, their clothes becoming idol costumes, so they can become idols again, as mentioned before.

However, Minori doesn't have an idol costume after that, yet. Why?

In the early stories, she was still trying hard to become an idol with the rest of MMJ, this is also why Airi is leading them all upstairs, because she was the first focus ever (Time to RE:START!) and she had finally gotten the group to move forward with her suggestion with freelancing— Atleast what I'm seeing myself!! But let's get back into Minori.

Minori was still a beginner idol, so (from Hear me! Hopeful Show♪) most people that didn't know her disliked her for not being well known. She kept getting those comments so much that she started to doubt she would become an idol at all,

And this caused her to fall down.

However the rest of MMJ members refused to let her fall, them becoming the heroes to save her, and now she has the idol costume like the rest of them because now she has hope with becoming an idol no matter what, now that she also realized she has fans that adore her too.

Then the wings appear on her! This heavily references Tenshi no Clover, of course.

The rest of the MV is them all performing here and there, they've finally come a long way up to this point.

And in the end, we see this one kid seeing them all perform, I don't know if it's Minori because the hairstyle is similar but at the same time it's not really but if she is, I can say that she's watching them all on stage, watching HER current self on stage which puts a huge smile on her face.

Sorry if I got anything wrong!! I'm a MMJ lover too but I've forgotten a bit on how the stories went feel free to correct anything :)

[copperscaledwarrior]

Learning to draw Dragonborn has been so hard and interesting....Im learning Belrish's head shape and how to make her look like herself has made me go to bed early two nights in a row due to frustration... lucky for me my sibling is a freelance artist and helped me break down her head to start with bc I'm still such a beginner and it helped A LOT.

Right now just getting her basic shapes down and drawing that over and over before I focus on detail

[if-whats-new]

~ SMALL TALK… ISSUE 1 (2025) ~

> WITH HARRIS POWELL-SMITH @hpowellsmith

BY BRIAR AND PETER

Joining us is an award-winning narrative designer and writer: Harris Powell-Smith! Author of the Crème de la Crème series, “Blood Money” and many more!

⟶ Hello, Harris! Welcome to Small Talk. We are absolutely thrilled to have you here with us! Before we officially begin, would you mind sharing with us a bit about yourself?

Hi! I'm a narrative designer and game writer who's worked on a few indie and mobile games including the multiplayer King of the Castle and the mobile Love Island tie-in game. Currently I'm freelancing and mostly creating choose-your-path text games with Choice of Games, which I've now been doing for eight years.

I'm most known for my dark academia Crème de la Crème series, and most recently released Honor Bound, the fourth standalone game in the series!

⟶ Now, onto the questions! Can you tell us how you started your IF writing journey?)

My very first experience with interactive writing was as a teenager, making NPC mods for Baldur's Gate 2 with my then-girlfriend, now-wife. Along with being a lot of fun, doing that gave me an understanding of branching dialogue, conditional text, and scripting, as well as how to playtest effectively, take feedback, and tailoring dialogue to fit within an existing game.

Then life happened and I didn't do much of that kind of writing until ten years ago, when I learned about Twine and started making games using it. That led me to publishing IF with the now-defunct sub-Q Magazine which was a great initiative that paid well for interactive fiction. From there I revisited Choice of Games which I'd played a bit previously, started publishing with them, and then began doing other work in the games industry.

⟶ Looking back, is there anything you wish you knew before starting IF writing?

Scope creep is a massive thing, and it's important to try to mitigate it where possible when planning and while writing. But... although I'm great at working within restrictions that other people put on me, I have a tendency to spread past most restrictions I put on myself, like a large cat overflowing over the edges of a small box. My CoG game Noblesse Oblige, the one in which I kept the closest eye on word count, ended up 40,000 words longer than I originally intended. Honor Bound, which I intended to be shorter than my previous game Royal Affairs, is over 100,000 words longer. So I haven't really internalised that advice for myself!

⟶ You started your journey into IF games with Twine. Was there a particular reason for that. Was it largely due to the loss of sub-Q Magazine? And what led you to try out CScript after?

Heh, it's more that with my Choice of Games titles, I have more freedom than I have with other projects so I have more leeway to go bigger with it!

I learned about various IF communities around the time that my friend Maz Hamilton made their Twine game Detritus in 2013. I felt inspired by playing lots of Twine games, decided to learn myself and made my first game, Aquarium! I liked that I didn't have to be a programmer to understand and use it, and that I could play around with lots of reactivity to the player's actions.

Alongside that, I rediscovered Choice of Games and got very into their catalogue. I learned ChoiceScript - again, I appreciated that it was beginner-friendly with potential for more complexity if I wanted it - and started three or so games which didn't go anywhere. But when sub-Q Magazine contacted me to ask about reprinting one of my Twine games it was very exciting to hear that people would pay me for my writing!

After publishing more IF with sub-Q, I applied to write for Choice of Games and went from there. That said, though, I carried on making games with other engines like Twine, Raconteur (which I don't know if many others have done!), Texture, and ink, plus various in-house studio's engines. So although I'm mostly working with ChoiceScript right now (which I love!), there's always been a lot of overlap. There are advantages to different tools for different kinds of projects!

⟶ You’ve written quite a few academia inspired IF games. Is this a genre you’re a big fan of? Is there a genre you’re looking forward to trying next?

Yes, I've enjoyed a lot of books in academic settings, including in boarding schools, ever since I was little! In adult life, I especially enjoyed Laurinda by Alice Pung, Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt. And when I'm writing, I enjoy putting player characters in situations where they have rules guiding them (whether that's school, social etiquette, a workplace, family obligations, a reality TV show, etc...) and they can work within those rules or push against them. I also like exploring the gaps and tensions between work/school and the outside world. Plus schools are a hothouse of intense emotions and boarding schools have everyone living in each other's pockets - making them great places for drama to ensue!

⟶ Honour Bound just came out recently, congratulations! Even if it’s not your first project, it must be quite exciting. Any post-release thoughts you would like to share with us?

Thank you so much! Releasing a title never gets old, so I've been very excited (and nervous) around this time. For people who don't know Honor Bound, in it you play as a disgraced, injured military officer who's been reassigned to guard a teenage prodigy at a wilderness boarding school for the children of the rich and famous. You can recover or trash your health, career, and reputation, and befriend, romance, or backstab your colleagues, and thwart or enact shady schemes.

I love Honor Bound and I'm really proud of it! It was really fun to write from the perspective of an adult in the Crème de la Crème setting and explore another part of the world. The small town and school in which Honor Bound is set feel like real places to me that I'd love to visit, and I really fell in love with the characters - the PC as well as the NPCs. The PC can develop such different personalities and go down different paths and I'm delighted to be hearing about people's adventures.

I learned a huge amount from writing Honor Bound and developed a lot of skills doing it. I'm a little sad to leave it behind, but excited for what I'm doing next!

⟶ Besides Honour Bound and your other amazing creations in the Crème de la Crème universe, there are also shorts available on your Itch.io page. Did you always plan on making several games or did that idea come later?

Haha, I wasn't really planning anything when I first started writing IF! I was just experimenting and writing things that I enjoyed making and that I thought I'd enjoy playing, and learning different things that IF tools could do along the way.

I certainly didn't think I'd be doing this as a job ten years on! (I do very much recommend starting with shorter pieces when learning new tools/languages - it's much easier to get something finished that way, and I learn something with every project I complete.)

⟶ What’s your process of deciding how many choices the readers get? That’s something many have a tad bit trouble finalizing.

It depends a lot on the kind of game and scene it is. I like using the choices available to show something about the PC's state of mind and priorities, as well as inviting the player to choose what actions they want to take. It helps with setting different tones a lot! think a lot about what the effects of the choice are, whether it splits into major or minor branches, has mechanical effects, or is self-expressive for the PC, etc.

In my Choice of Games games, and with some of the other games I've worked on, there have been style requirements to always have at least three choices. With CoG work I usually write more like four or five because I like the variety. I tend to lean towards 3-5 even if I'm just writing something for myself, depending on the kind of scene and set of options... but there are always exceptions. Having two choices or even one can be effective too!

⟶ How do you deal with the complexity of branching narratives? Are there moments when you feel frustrated?

I plan it out in quite a lot of detail in advance - if I try to code and write at the same time, I get bogged down. I can still change things up and make discoveries as I do each type of work, but it helps me not go down as many rabbit-holes as I would if I didn't plan...

That said, frustration can definitely happen when I've planned something more complicated than I intended and I feel tied to it, or when I go down a path a little too long before realising I need to change something. Both those things can be mitigated with experience, planning, and clear intentions, but it tends to happen at some stage no matter how many games I make - it's in the nature of it!

⟶ How do you get inspired? It’s different for everyone, but we are curious about your inspiration process—after all, a good story comes into being from the first spark, correct?

I get inspired by all kinds of things! Sometimes from games, books, film, or TV that I've enjoyed - or didn't enjoy as much as I hoped, or that I'd like to explore myself from a different angle. Sometimes from art, technology, nature, current and historical events, scientific facts and developments, or something that happened in a TTRPG session. Often, something will sit in my mind for a long time before I use it for something. For my first CoG game, Blood Money, I liked the idea of magic powered by blood because I wanted it to be harmful to the person using it; various pieces of folklore and myth include ghosts being attracted to blood, so putting that together helped me think of the magic mechanics. For Crème de la Crème, I liked the idea of writing a mostly non-violent game, as Blood Money was very violent, that still had high stakes; I'd also been wanting to write a school story for some time as I enjoyed that kind of setting. I love the process of developing a PC, mechanics, and goals from an initial set of nebulous thoughts.

The big thing, I think, is that I try to be open to a wide variety of ideas and inspiration, and not to limit myself. Taking inspiration purely from one area - whether that's the type of media being read or played, or the genre, or tone - means missing out on a lot of richness and texture. So I always recommend that people who want to start writing IF explore a lot of different kinds of writing and games. (Really that's good advice no matter how long you've been writing!)

⟶ What about writer’s block? Many people suffer from it. How do you deal with your creative block?

The vast majority of the times I have trouble writing, it's because of outside factors - life stuff, stress, health, etc. So in those circumstances, my being blocked means I need to pay attention to those factors to avoid burnout. Trying to power through causes problems, so rest and protecting my health are what I try to do then.

The rest of the time is usually due to me trying to push through a scene that doesn't feel strong enough, or doesn't feel true to the characters involved, or doesn't quite work for some other reason. The "block" is a signal that I need to change something. When that happens, talking to someone is my first port of call. Sometimes just talking it out (like "rubber ducking") is enough for me to recognise what that change needs to be; sometimes it involves a more in-depth discussion. Either way, it always helps untangle things and put me back on the right track.

⟶ How do you create characters that a player can connect with? And characters that feel real?

I like creating characters with specificity. They might start with a general feel or inspiration - in Honor Bound, for example, I knew I wanted the parent of the PC's teenage charge to be a single parent who was a romanceable character. But it's important to me to quickly drill into the details of what makes them feel authentic and specific. Great characters are more than what players want them to do, or being a vehicle for a trope, or attractiveness.

The characters I love best are the ones who feel like they have their own minds, while being responsive to the player's actions. When writing IF, there's a great opportunity to invite players to engage directly with characters, and that responsiveness is what makes them feel real.

⟶ For you, has there ever been a moment when you felt a deep connection to a character(s) you wrote?

I feel that a lot! Pretty much whenever I'm writing. For some particular moments, though... the PC eavesdropping on a conversation between Hartmann or Delacroix with their parents in Crème de la Crème; Pascha climbing on rocks at the beach in Noblesse Oblige; Hyacinthe talking about success and failure in Royal Affairs; Savarel talking about burnout in Honor Bound.

I feel a particular connection with the Honor Bound PC - partly because they're the most recent PC that I wrote, and partly because there's a lot of self-expression that the player can do and explore. I really enjoyed giving players the chance to personalise their PC's life and to write responsively to it.

⟶ Do you have a character that you think is slightly difficult to write as compared to the others?

Characters whom the PC already knows well can be challenging because of the knowledge/familiarity gap between the PC and the player. A lot of the family members in Blood Money were like this; the PC's family and their guard Asher in Royal Affairs; the PC's old friend Denario and the PC's mentor, Alva, in Honor Bound.

Asher in Royal Affairs was especially difficult because at least the PC hasn't seen Denario for a number of years! But with Asher, they've been in close proximity for many years before the start of the game and it would have been easy for interactions to lean too hard on assumed past feelings or experiences. So it was a juggling act making interactions feel fresh with them while keeping a sense of familiarity and giving options for the PC not to want to hang out with them!

⟶ Is there a character whose backstory was the most fun to write? Why?

I enjoy writing characters who don't want to talk about their backstories, so the process of finding out more about them can be an emotional experience in itself. Honor Bound is very fresh in my mind and I'm feeling very affectionate towards the characters in it at the moment so I'd say Korzha the aloof teacher, Fiore the anxious scientist, and Savarel the thoughtful workaholic priest... For various reasons, they aren't immediately forthcoming about things in their life and history, and it was fun writing the points at which the PC can discover that and get to know them better.

⟶ Would you choose a happy ending or sad one? Why?

The joy of writing games is that I don't have to choose a single ending. Sometimes the endings have similar tones - some of my Twine games have bleak endings, like Heretic Dreams or Thanksgiving. But sometimes they can vary a lot more and I love exploring that! I do enjoy making sure that a less successful, or sad, ending has a lot of emotion in it, to make it feel worth playing.

For playing... I have a lot of fondness for endings that allow me to have ambivalent or bittersweet situations. When I played Love Undying: A Kiss Before Dawn and Stars Arisen, or indeed the non-IF game Pathologic 2 this year, I didn't have "perfect" endings but they were very satisfying and reflected where my character was at. So things don't always have to go my PC's way to end on a note that feels good.

⟶ Just recently you officially announced a new project. Could you tell us more about it? What can we be excited about?

Ooh, I will keep most of it under wraps for the moment! But for now I will say... it's a second-world fantasy game, there's a great deal of peril, a lot of creepy magic, and a selection of intense and complicated characters who I can't wait to write!

⟶ How would the person you were when you started this journey react to how far you've gotten?

Oh gosh! Honestly, ten years ago I couldn't have imagined that I'd still be putting my work out there at all, still less that people would pay for it or that it could possibly be my job. Life was so different then as well in any number of ways! I think they'd be shocked and intrigued, and wonder how it happened. Which is how I feel sometimes myself, haha!

⟶ Do you have any advice for people who want to get into IF writing?

Experiment with short or simple writing first, and try different styles to figure out what you do and don't like, and don't expect to write something perfect on the first try. Play lots of different kinds of games. Have a solid sense of what your intention is, while also taking feedback into consideration. And most of all, enjoy yourself!

ONCE AGAIN BIG THANKS TO HARRIS POWELL-SMITH FOR SITTING WITH US!

IT WAS LOVELY TO HAVE YOU!

[fernsnailz]

i'm sure that you get asks like this a lot so i apologize if i'm beating a dead horse to the ground LOL but for someone who owns an online shop, do you have any tips for beginners just starting off / looking into starting one? not really asking for anything specific, but just rather anything you'd be willing to share based off your experience...!

OOF okay so there's quite a lot that goes into running an online shop, so best general advice i can give is to do your research! there's a lot to an art shop that you need to consider and understand before running into things. sometimes it's a bit hard to figure out where to start your research though, so here are the biggest things i think you should look into first:

manufacturing your stuff: some artists hand make merch at home, but if you don't have the means to do that then you'll need to find places that can manufacture your designs for you. like if you're making stickers, look into custom sticker printing sites like StickerApp or Sticky Brand. a lot of manufacturers will have sample packs you can order for free to get a better idea of what their items are like.

shop hosting websites: figuring out where to actually host your shop and sell your art is very important - my shop is through Big Cartel which i really like, but isn't for everyone. other shop hosting sites include Shopify and Etsy, and Shopify is sorta similar to BigCartel from what i know? Etsy is very different, selling through Etsy means your stuff will be easier for people to find through the Etsy search function (BigCartel and Shopify don't have this, any traffic you get will have to come from off-site and you'll have to advertise the shit outta it). HOWEVER Etsy has some pretty bad practices when it comes to how they treat the artists that sell on there. most people i know that use/used Etsy have been burned by them in some way, so be warned.

money stuff (accounting, budgeting, taxes): LEARN HOW TO MAKE SPREADSHEETS!! spreadsheets with just a few simple addition/subtraction formulas will be a huge help when it comes to budgeting and keeping track of your expenses - and you'll need to keep track of ALL your expenses! taxes can also be tricky, most shop hosting websites will collect sales tax for you but do some research on what freelance/small business taxes look like in your country.

shipping: the two main aspects to shipping are your shipping supplies and shipping labels. you'll want to find mailers that fit and protect whatever art you're selling, and tbh the best way i figured this out was from buying from other artists and seeing how they packaged their stuff! shipping labels are their own beast - some sites like Etsy will make them for you, but not BigCartel. i use a site called Pirate Ship to import BigCartel orders and buy shipping labels for them.

thats about all i got for now, running an online art shop is very hard not gonna lie!! but it's very fun and rewarding to make your own funny items :] best of luck to ya!!

[rockybloo]

Ive recently just started doing art, and i apologize in advance if you've gotten this question before frequently, do you have any tips for beginner artists and how did you find your art style? I'm constantly amazed by how you do anatomy and expressions, their so distinct and expressive!

Thank you!

And I actually don't get asked a lot of questions about myself when it comes to art. Many come to this account so I can put my OCs on the phone for questions, so this is lowkey a new question. I might have been asked it before years ago but I am better at drawing now.

HOWEVER, I have to state that I am simply a hobbyist artist and not a freelancer or professional so my tips will be kinda off brand compared to their word. ANYWAYS...

THINGS THAT I FIND HELPFUL FOR ARTING (besides practicing because I mean...we all know the only way to get better is to practice so it'd be kinda redundant say it - we all know to do it)

Practice drawing in pen. Pen can't be erased. So instead of sketching and erasing and sketching and erasing, it is nonstop sketching. It helped me a lot with speeding up my sketching, even in digital, because I got used to making little goofy mistakes. It also helps to fight perfectionism

Use references. I know that's just as redundant as saying to practice but references are genuinely underrated. Whether they be colors or poses - references are your friend. I use them whenever I am having a hard time drawing something.

Redraw things. I occasionally redraw memes or scenes from animated movies with my OCs. It's stranger really helpful, especially if there is a certain expression in the original image because it lets you play around with how to draw it to catch the correct vibes. PLUS redrawing funny stuff helps take the stress off creating art because it reminds you not every drawing has to be amazing.

Don't neglect your body when you draw. STOP DRAWING WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY, THIRSTY, OR NEED THE BATHROOM! THE DRAWING CAN WAIT - YOU WILL HAVE A MUCH EASIER TIME CREATING ART WHEN YOU ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM THE HUMAN CONDITION.

Stretch your hands. Drawing puts strain on them and your fingers will ache and your hand may get stiff. Practically hand and finger stretches keeps your hands happy. I do them all the time just because I use my hands a lot for art AND my day job.

Numbers are the devil and the algorithm is a warlord. If you post your art online, it's easy to get into the mindset that you aren't good enough because you have low interactions on your work. THIS IS FALSE - NUMBERS DO NOT EQUAL QUALITY. It's better to draw for yourself and the enjoyment of art rather than drawing to attract a fanbase and attention

As for how I figured out my art style, what you all see is the result of me taking bits and pieces from things I like and blending it all together. An art style is really just figuring out what stuff you like from other people's styles and doing your own thing with it.

To break down some of my own style, the way I shade the underside of noses is something I got from Soul Eater since I loved how the anime marked noses with little dots.

The way I draw lips was a journey. I used to only line the top lip like how the manga for D Gray Man would. Then I saw how Steven Universe stylized fuller lips and sort of started playing with that. Over the course of me exploring - I found more online black artists and learned from how they shade and render lips.

Style is very much something that takes a long time to develop. I've been active online since 2011 and it took me until this year to finally figure out a style I really vibe with.

[aaronexplainsitall]

Hi Aaron, we don’t know each other but I’ve followed you for ages. I have a question and I’m just going to say it flat out: how did you get your job and how do I get that job too? Writing and scuba diving in Thailand and traveling? Basically I want your life. How?

Hey queen, this was such a funny question to open my inbox to. And I'll give you a full answer, because it's not as complicated as I would have thought before I did it.

So, my lifestyle is definitely unusual, and I think the first thing I would say is that I worked for pretty much my whole 20s to be able to cultivate the way I live. Which is not to say that I saved up heaps of money and I now live off my savings, but just more to say that I went through a lot of trial and error as to what works for me.

If you want a beginners guide to getting my life, the first thing you will need is a fully remote job. One thing I did develop in my 20s was a bank of freelance clients, for whom I was initially a copywriter, and then a brand strategist and creative director. I took an in-house job for three years from the start of the pandemic (when freelance work dried up overnight) until I left for Thailand, where I was Head of Brand for a tech start up.

Now I do around 20-30 hours a week freelance work in that field (my niche is that I do a lot of crowdfunding campaign strategy and I have a good contact who is an account manager at Crowdcube - a crowdfunding platform - who recommends me to his clients). It's important that it's freelance, not salaried or contracted because legally, that gives me the freedom to live and work abroad. I couldn't have a full-time, salaried job in the UK and live outside of the UK.

Because I spend a lot of my time in countries with a comparatively lower cost of living than the UK, I can live comfortably on 20 hours a week worth of pay - I wouldn't be able to in London. That gives me the freedom to travel, to dive, and to do the things I love to do.

I will also say, I just recently qualified as a diving instructor, so I want to start phasing out the amount of work I do for clients in the UK and US and start trying to work towards my next goals - which are to open and own my own dive centre.

The way that I live isn't for everyone, and the most stressful part of it for me is that there can be uncertainty around finance - last year, I moved back to the UK for 6 months, did a 6 month full time FTC at a big insurance company and banked all the money I made so I would have a good buffer to keep me stable if freelance dries up (which it does on occasion).

But I genuinely find the collapse of society that's happening in the west existentially hard to deal with, and the state of the world has a really significant impact on my mental health. By excluding myself from that, I find a lot of peace. It's harder to worry about the rise of right wing nationalism when you're 28m under water.

[ameliasoulturner]

Kickstart Your Earnings with Content Writing: A Beginner’s Friendly Roadmap

If you’ve ever wondered how ordinary people turn their words into cash, content writing might be your sweet spot. You don’t need a fancy degree or decades of experience to get started. With some guidance, dedication, and a dash of creativity, you can start earning from content writing sooner than you think. This guide walks you through each step in a friendly, down‑to‑earth way so you’ll feel confident launching your freelance writing journey.

Why Content Writing Is a Great Starting Point Content writing covers everything from blog posts and web pages to social media captions and product descriptions. Businesses of all sizes need fresh, engaging words to connect with their audience, rank higher in search engines, and boost sales. As companies continue to invest in digital marketing, demand for quality content writers stays strong. Plus, you can work from anywhere, set your own hours, and choose projects that spark your interest.

Understanding the Basics of Earning from Content Writing At its core, earning from content writing means providing value through written words. Clients pay for:

Research that saves them time

SEO‑friendly copy that boosts visibility

Clear, engaging storytelling that connects with readers

Consistent output that maintains an active online presence

Your job is to become the go‑to person who delivers those benefits reliably.

Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Strengths While generalists can find work, specializing helps you stand out. Consider topics you enjoy or know well—travel, personal finance, health and wellness, tech, lifestyle, parenting, gaming, or education. Having a niche makes it easier to showcase your expertise and justify higher rates. If you’re a fitness buff who loves writing, focus on blogs and articles in that sphere. If you have a background in software, aim for tech how‑to guides.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio That Shows Your Skills Clients want proof you can write well. Even if you haven’t been paid yet, you can create sample pieces:

Start a personal blog or Medium page and publish 3 to 5 high‑quality articles in your niche.

Guest post on small blogs that accept submissions.

Rewrite or summarize existing news stories in your voice (clearly marked as samples).

Draft mock project pieces for imaginary clients—product descriptions, newsletters, or landing pages.

Organize these in a simple online portfolio. You can use free tools like Google Sites, Wix, or WordPress. Make sure each sample highlights your SEO skills by including relevant keywords naturally in titles and subheadings.

Step 3: Optimize Your Online Profiles for Visibility Next, set up profiles on freelance platforms and job boards. Popular destinations include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, ProBlogger, Contena, and LinkedIn. When crafting your profile:

Write an engaging headline that includes “content writer” or “freelance writer.”

Summarize your background, niche focus, and any standout achievements.

List your portfolio samples or link directly to your site.

Add relevant skills: SEO, WordPress, SEMrush, Mailchimp, social media management, etc.

Request testimonials from friends or colleagues who can vouch for your work ethic or writing ability.

A well‑optimized profile boosts your chances of appearing in client searches and winning invitations.

Step 4: Find Your First Paid Gigs Landing that first paid project often takes persistence. Strategies that work:

Pitch directly to small businesses or local startups. Send personalized emails offering a free trial article or website audit.

Apply to relevant listings daily on freelance boards. Tailor each proposal to the client’s needs—mention specifics from their job post.

Explore niche‑specific boards like BloggingPro or JournalismJobs for targeted opportunities.

Network on LinkedIn by sharing helpful writing tips, engaging with posts in your niche, and connecting with marketing professionals.

Early on, you might accept lower‑priced gigs to build credibility, but avoid underpricing yourself. Aim for a rate you can increase once you’ve racked up 5 to 10 positive reviews.

Step 5: Master SEO and Content Strategy SEO savvy writers command better fees. Search Engine Optimization involves understanding how keywords, user intent, and readability affect rankings. To shine:

Use free keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to identify target phrases.

Incorporate primary keywords in titles, opening paragraphs, subheadings, and naturally throughout the text.

Keep sentences concise, break up text with subheadings, and add bullet lists or numbered steps for scannability.

Learn basic on‑page SEO: meta descriptions, internal linking, image alt text, and proper URL structure.

Businesses pay for measurable results. If your copy ranks higher and drives traffic, you become more valuable.

Step 6: Set Competitive Rates and Payment Terms Knowing how much to charge can feel tricky. Common approaches include:

Per‑word rate: New freelance writers often start at five to ten cents per word, moving up to twenty cents or more with experience.

Per‑hour rate: Beginners might charge twenty to thirty dollars per hour, progressing to fifty and beyond as skills sharpen.

Per‑project fee: Flat rates for complete blog posts or web pages, factoring in research, revisions, and strategy.

Always agree on payment milestones. A 50/50 split works—half up front, half on completion. Use contracts to outline deliverables, deadlines, and revision policies. This keeps both sides on the same page.

Step 7: Deliver Quality and Build Long‑Term Relationships Repeat clients are freelancing gold. To keep clients coming back:

Meet deadlines without reminders.

Communicate clearly—let them know if you hit a roadblock and propose solutions.

Offer a revision round to refine the piece to their liking.

Suggest topic ideas for future posts based on emerging trends in their industry.

When clients see you consistently add value, they’ll hire you again and refer you to others.

Step 8: Leverage Tools and Continuous Learning Stay competitive by embracing helpful platforms:

Grammarly or ProWritingAid to polish grammar and tone.

Yoast or Rank Math (for WordPress) to fine‑tune on‑page SEO.

Trello or Asana for managing multiple projects smoothly.

Google Analytics basics to understand content performance.

Invest time in online courses or webinars on SEO, storytelling, and copywriting. The more you learn, the more you can charge.

Step 9: Scale Your Earnings Over Time Once you’ve established a steady stream of projects, scaling becomes the name of the game. Options include:

Raising your rates for new clients while maintaining current engagements.

Packaging content services—offer blog writing plus email newsletters or social media management as a bundle.

Outsourcing parts of the work, like research or editing, to junior writers, allowing you to focus on strategy and client relations.

Creating digital products, such as eBooks or courses on content writing, to earn passive income.

Diversifying revenue streams helps insulate your income from slow periods.

Putting It All Together Earning from content writing is an achievable goal, even if you’re starting from scratch. By identifying your niche, building an impressive portfolio, mastering SEO, and delivering top‑notch work, you’ll attract clients eager to pay for your expertise. Remember that patience and persistence pay off. Treat every project as a chance to improve your craft and delight a client. Before you know it, you’ll have a thriving freelance writing business that fits your lifestyle and fuels your creative passions.

[vanessadelichallaboutjobs09]

LEGITIMATE WEBSITE THAT PAYS 0.05 CENTS PER WORD HIRING NO EXPERIENCED WRITERS TO POST DAILY

Finding legitimate websites that pay $0.05 per word for freelance writing without requiring experience can be a bit tricky, but there are platforms where beginner writers can find opportunities. Here's a list of sites that may meet your criteria:

1. Freelance Writing Jobs: This site aggregates writing gigs from around the web, and jobs are updated frequently. It’s suitable for writers of all experience levels. Pay rates vary depending on the project, but you might find jobs paying within the range you're looking for.

2. Textbroker: Although pay starts lower for beginner writers if you submit high-quality work consistently, you can eventually reach higher pay tiers. Textbroker provides work for a wide variety of topics, and writers with no experience can join.

3. Upwork: While pay varies widely, some clients offer $0.05 per word and more, especially for higher-quality writing. It's a competitive platform, but many beginners find jobs here, and as you gain positive reviews, better-paying gigs become available.

4. Who Pays Writers?: This database lists publications that pay writers, often providing information about how much they pay per word. It’s a good resource to check out publications offering $0.05 or more per word.

5. SolidGigs: They curate high-quality freelance job opportunities, often focusing on well-paying gigs. While it has a subscription fee, it could be useful for finding higher-paying writing jobs.

These platforms can help you get started, even without experience. However, some may require you to work your way up to better pay as you gain more experience and positive feedback from clients.

[pastel-charm-14]

how to create a budget: for beginners

budgeting doesn't have to be daunting, especially if you're just starting out. here are some simple steps to help you create a budget as a beginner:

track your expenses: start by tracking all of your expenses for a month. this includes everything from rent and groceries to dining out and entertainment. use a spreadsheet, budgeting app, or pen and paper to record your expenses and categorize them.

calculate your income: determine how much money you bring in each month after taxes and other deductions. this includes your salary, freelance income, side hustle earnings, and any other sources of income.

set financial goals: think about what you want to achieve with your money, whether it's saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund. set specific, achievable goals that align with your values and priorities.

categorize your expenses: organize your expenses into categories such as housing, transportation, groceries, utilities, entertainment, and savings. this will help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back if needed.

create a spending plan: based on your income and expenses, create a spending plan that outlines how much you'll allocate to each category. aim to prioritize essentials like housing, food, and transportation, while also setting aside money for savings and debt repayment.

track your progress: regularly review your budget and track your spending to see how well you're sticking to your plan. make adjustments as needed to stay on track with your financial goals.

build an emergency fund: aim to set aside money each month in an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses like car repairs, medical bills, or job loss. start with a small amount and gradually work your way up to having three to six months' worth of living expenses saved.

be flexible and patient: budgeting is a learning process, and it's okay to make mistakes along the way. be patient with yourself and stay flexible as you adjust to your new financial habits. remember, every step you take towards managing your money better is a step in the right direction.

[famoushologrampapers]

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