Headlines from this week that impact your job
Happy Monday, everyone! To gear you up for diving back into the grind again, we’re dropping in with OBA’s weekly newsletter! In this edition you’ll find:
Podcast episode
Some headlines from this week that might affect you
Articles published in OBA Magazine all about how to deal with banes of freelancers’ existence, such as job hunting and Upwork
A mental health check-up
Job listings we have hand-picked for you
Encouraging quotes, polls, and more fun stuff!
Let’s go!
This Week’s Podcast Episode
OBA has a podcast! Follow us on Spotify to listen to past episodes, and keep an eye on this newsletter because we drop sneak peaks to future episodes here.
Want to be on OBA’s Podcast? Sign up today!
This Week in Freelancing…
Report: Warner Bros. Plans To Relaunch Looney Tunes Theatrically In 2028
WB is trying to relaunch a brand, yet has already had not 1, not 2, but a whopping 3 films in said brand casually cancelled. Repercussions for freelancing graphic designers and animators may involve jobs getting screwed with or potential work being locked in a vault, so to speak.
How I Made $158K From an Upwork Job With All the “Red Flags”
Morgan Overholt from Freelancer Files on Medium is beating the odds and having success on Upwork despite all the common warnings and red flags! Consider following her or her publications for advice on how to play the platform that so often plays us as freelancers.
Upwork Releases the Most In-Demand Skills and Jobs for 2024
This article applies to everyone considering freelancing and gig work moving forward. Based on Upwork’s data, this list of skills would be great to start cultivating, as jobs are projected to be booming in these industries in the near future.
OBA’s Weekly Article Roundup
Finding jobs and clients as a freelancer or gig worker can be overwhelming. Not sure where to start? Already been at it for a hot minute and discouraged by EVERYTHING? Maybe you’re in a dry spell right now. We get it—and we’ve unpacked it all! We’ve also tackled the problem of Upwork being a turd. Read on if you want tips and insights on dealing with all the headaches of job hunting!
The Many Reasons Why Getting a Job is So Hard
If you’re like many job hunters and regular joes, you’re sick and tired of hearing employers wail about how “no one wants to work anymore.” Getting a job is now an arduous task for many of us and yet mainstream media is adamant about a shortage being afoot. We’re not okay with being gaslit about a fake labor shortage.
People want to work. No one wants to hire. What gives?
We unpacked all the factors that are making getting hired more complicated nowadays, including AI discrimination, fake job postings, scams, data scrapers, corrupt employers, and higher competition.
How to Filter Upwork Gigs Like a Pro
More often than not, Upwork is a venue where you can find a lot of business owners who are trying their hardest to avoid paying a living wage. However, there are still plenty of clients that are ready to pay good wages for the right person. You just have to do a lot of digging to find them.
OBA's team members--who have been using Upwork for years and have seen the good and the ugly--have compiled all their best advice on how to filter out the scammers, time wasters, and problematic clients. Follow these tips to maximize your time and minimize the amount of Connects you waste.
Alternatives to Upwork That Actually Work
Finding work as a freelance creative is a lot like going to the proctologist: it’s a pain in the butt. Upwork has been the gold standard for finding jobs and gigs for writers and the occasional graphic designer. However, recently many freelancers are expressing frustration with the platform’s flaws and changing policies. The fake job postings, rude clients, low pay scales, and increasing cost of applying for jobs are all giving freelancers headaches, which is why more and more people are starting to take their work elsewhere.
Need to find greener pastures? We’ve looked into the pros and cons of different platforms for you. These alternatives might be your best bet:
Any knowledge or experiences you could share? OBA Magazine is looking for contributors!
Word of the Day
Today’s pro tip comes from bestselling author, humorist, and screenwriter Douglas Adams. We have found it applicable to all kinds of creators, not just writers.
LAYOUT DESIGNER WITH BACKGROUND IN GRAPHIC DESIGN WANTED FOR PRINT AND DIGITAL SUNTANNING MAGAZINE—Possibility for work extending to other publications if Editor-in-Chief likes your work. Must be able to follow directions and be open to modifications. (Direct samples and questions to @ossiana.makes.content on Instagram.)
PART-TIME REMOTE WRITER FOR My Consulting Offer (MCO)—Help the next generation of consultants break into the industry. We’re looking for former management consultants or consulting recruiters to write articles about navigating the recruiting process and landing a consulting job. For more information about this position, click here. (To apply, email to writing@myconsultingoffer.org. Tell us a bit about your background in consulting and writing and provide a business writing sample 500+ words in length.)
Mental Health Check-Up
Creating takes a toll on your emotional bandwidth, and the stress of making a living in today’s world takes a toll on your mental well-being. How would you say you are holding up this week? We want you to know that you are seen. There are others who have been where you are right now. Need to find some of them to talk to? Connect with the OBA Magazine team and community on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
What We’re Obsessed With This Week:
Jared: “The thing I’m most into right now is Green Arrow comics. I’m obsessed with them this week!”
Ceylan: “I’m a little late to the party watching Bridgerton, but now I’m obsessed with listening to the soundtrack while working.”
Charles: “Linkin Park, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, finishing Moby Dick, and the L.A. Dodgers (I'll be seeing them this Friday which is really exciting!)