The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money in Freelancing [Paperback]

Laurie E. Rozakis (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Macmillan Distribution (1997)
• ISBN-10: 0028621190
• ISBN-13: 978-0028621197
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,413,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Beginner's Guide, July 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money in Freelancing (Paperback)

Surprisingly, there are not many how-to books on starting and managing a career in freelancing, so the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money in Freelancing" is welcome relief.

Other business books are helpful, but starting a freelance business is slightly different -- usually there's no need to obtain financing and large capital is not necessary. This is where the "Idiot's" guide come in handy, with advice just for soon-to-be freelancers..

So many freelancers fail early in their careers -- perhaps their prices didn't allow a profit, or they didn't have enough business, or maybe freelancing wasn't what they expected. Like so many books in the "Complete Idiot's" series, this beginner's guide will give enough of an overview on the world of freelancing so that the reader can decide whether to pursue this type of career.

The first few chapters are full of self-analysis quizzes -- occasionally helpful, but usually just too silly.

I particularly enjoyed the advice the author dispensed based on her 15 years experience as a freelancer, from her early mistakes to her best methods to keep accurate records, get tax deductions and secure new business.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An okay start, but not enough to go it alone, September 6, 2001

By 

David J. Huber "Addicted to books!" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money in Freelancing (Paperback)

This book was informative, and does indeed include many helpful hints and tips. However, as a textbook on going it alone and freelancing, this is not it. The author says some things unclearly, and some things that need little explication are described to a point of excessive belaborment. The cutesy little extras are not helpful, either. Granted, the Idiots books are not designed to be full scale treatises, but even within the Idiots series, this book falls short - it barely offers the reader a glimpse of how to be a freelancer. I should fear for anyone who attempts to start their own career after reading only this book.

If you have not freelanced, and are looking to start, begin with this book - it is a good grounding in the (very) basics of freelancing. But, please, make sure to go on to a few other books afterward before trying anything. This book will help you understand those other books better because you will at least have been introduced to the language.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, March 7, 2000

By 

Danielle R. Moss-lee "danielle68" (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money in Freelancing (Paperback)

I just accepted a freelance position. I was very nervous, but I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse. This book has been an excellent resource. The information helped me to effectively negotiate the contract, set up a home office, and gain a better understanding of the financial and tax implications for freelancers. If you're thinking about freelancing, get this book first.