Finding work as a freelancer

When I was a contract freelance technical writer (still am, but I work almost only for Microsoft), I would sometimes call on companies and talk to project leaders and engineering managers about writing documentation for their projects.

After they could tell I knew the writing tools and process (if it were a documentation manager) or the technology they wanted documented (if it were an engineering manager), they would get more interested and ask if I could send in a resume.

I'd say "do you have Internet access at your desk?" They always said yes. I'd say you can get to my resume at my web site www dot avrashow dot com. They would type it in, see my sketch of myself and I'd tell them to click on the Word icon or HTML version of my resume at the bottom of the left-side column.

It was not only easier for me, but that way we could continue talking instead of them forgetting our conversation and a while later seeing my email and thinking 'oh yeah, there's that guy's resume."

Plus I added a nice subtle fade effect to and from my home page. And if they want to see samples of my work, they can click on Writing or Graphics. It worked out really well ... until the Internet bubble.  ¶ 11:28 AM