Anthony Caruana

Notability: An almost perfect app for journalists

Jun 7, 2018Anthony CaruanaReviews

As a journalist, I need to keep track of a lot of things. I have interviews to record and makes notes about, story plans to create, and a bunch of other tasks that don’t conveniently fit into one particular tool. Added to this is that I like using technology and that I hate using paper. I’ve had an iPad Pro for a while now – the smaller one with the 10.5-inch display rather the laptop-esque 12.9-inch model. I’ve also got one of Apple’s Smart Keyboards and the Apple Pencil. So, I had all the hardware I needed but not the software – until now. Notability has filled the void and is an essential ingredient in my productivity recipe.

What's your daily schedule?

Feb 12, 2018Anthony CaruanaWork

There are lots of great things about being freelance. You get to wear your pyjamas to work whenever you want and if you need a creative break you can head out for a walk, run, ride or whatever helps you relax. You can, to some degree, pick and choose who you work for and what work you do – I have a strict “no assholes” policy. And, assuming you work from home, can chip away at the housework rather than have to do it all in eat evenings or weekend – pushing the vacuum cleaner around a room for five minutes is a great way to recharge the brain.

Setting up the perfect workspace

Feb 5, 2018Anthony CaruanaWork

My desk, as I’m writing this post

Workspaces are a very personal thing. What works for one person is a productivity graveyard for someone else. Some people like ambient noise, others have to have music playing while some need total silence. There are people that need a clear desk, others that like the busy-ness of clutter. So, how do you create a great workspace?

Planning a week's work

Jan 8, 2018Anthony CaruanaWork

Each week, I know I have a set amount of work that needs to get done. Some of it I expect to be ad hoc – clients sometimes call out of the blue with jobs that have a short turnaround – but for the planned work, I need to make sure I hit my deadlines. Here’s how I plan my week.

The path to rate setting nirvana starts with knowledge

Jan 4, 2018Anthony CaruanaWork

One of the toughest things to figure out, particularly when you start freelancing, is the value of your time, expertise and experience. Those factors are major determinants of what you can justifiably charge your clients. But you also need to understand another part of your rate setting equation: costs.

Don't get complacent when times are good

Dec 22, 2017Anthony CaruanaWork

It’s been a while since I spent some time posting here. The main thing reason is that Totally Freelance has always been a passion project for me, never a money maker. Truth told, as I don’t run any ads here at the moment, it costs me time and money to write here. The main reason I’ve not been writing here often is that my freelancing life been really busy. And while that’s good, I had a reminder why it’s important to always be hustling for more work.

Five things to do when the work dries up

Dec 14, 2017Anthony CaruanaWork

The last month has brought me a challenge that, until now, I’d not had to deal with in my freelance business. Several jobs that were booked with regular, reliable clients were cancelled meaning that my work and financial planning were laid to waste.

Getting stuck in the upgrade cycle

Nov 7, 2014Anthony CaruanaAdvice

As a freelancer, you probably don’t have time to keep updating your phone, tablet and computer every few months. Aside from the time, there’s the risk involved in upgrading your equipment. Sometimes, features are changed, compatibility with critical applications is broken and, from time to time, the upgrade process breaks leaving you in a lurch.

The Balancing Act of Setting a Rate

Jun 12, 2014Anthony CaruanaWork

Setting a rate when you’re dealing with a new client can be a tricky task. On one hand you want to ensure that you’re paid a reasonable rate but you don’t want to give them sticker shock and scare them off.

Do you need business cards?

Nov 18, 2013Anthony CaruanaWork

Business cards used to be an important symbol of one’s importance. There was a time when only senior execs had cards to give out but, over time, they’ve become less exclusive. However, that doesn’t mean they’re no longer useful.