Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit

Issue #27

Greetings, Gather writers, and welcome to this issue of Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit. For those of you who travel, like I do...and take along your work, these tips may help you save some headaches.

by Kimberly Ripley

Do you have one of those jobs that you just can't seem to get away from, despite meticulous planning and rescheduling? If you're like me, your job doesn't stop while the family enjoys play time, so a great deal of what you do comes along for the ride.

Laptops have made conducting business away from home a breeze. Setting up an office in your vacation accommodations is easy with a bit of simple organizing. An added bonus appears if you can tie your pleasure trip with business in your destination area. In many cases this allows the tax deduction of the price of your airline ticket (not your family's) and your accommodations as well.

Contact your hotel or resort as far in advance as possible and inquire about a few basic needs. The first necessity is a desk. Makeshift desks like kitchen tables won't do. It is imperative to set your office up and leave it stationary until it's time to leave. Ideally a dual phone line makes business travel easier, but with today's frequent use of cell phones, it's not uncommon to tie your laptop into the hotel's phone line and utilize cellular services for phone conversations while online. Even better is high-speed Internet. Depending on your destination, however, this isn't always possible.

Pack a variety of office supplies in your briefcase. Don't assume the hotel will provide even the most incidental items like pens and notepads.

To make this transition as smooth as possible, aim to set up your workspace to replicate your office desk. Keep all essentials handy. Designate this area as "off limits" to the rest of the family.

As a writer, I utilize my laptop both online and offline. For those times I'm working offline, I enjoy the added bonus of lounging near the pool or oceanfront and basking in the great outdoors while writing. A word of caution, however: Be certain to remove all traces of suntan lotion from your hands before using a laptop. In addition to making a mess of the keys, it can do permanent damage to the screen.

Also, protect your eyes. Good quality sunglasses are essential while using a laptop outdoors. Direct sunlight isn't necessary to expose eyes to harmful rays. The combination of the sun and the computer pose an added threat to those baby blues!

Sadly, not all hotel or resort personnel can be trusted. Never leave your accommodations with your computer on. Inform the management that you are working while on vacation, and of the presence of a computer in your room or suite. Notify Housekeeping Services that your work area is off-limits to their tidying efforts.

Save all your work. I visited a region once that, unbeknownst to me, was noted for late afternoon thundershowers. After lightening struck a little too close to home, and the resort's generator took a little longer than expected to kick on, some very important files were lost. I'm sure you've heard the old line, "Lightening never strikes twice in the same spot". I beg to differ!.

Being time-savvy will afford you the most leisure opportunities while working on vacation. If you dine out, eat at unconventional times. Have lunch at 11:30 or after 2:00. Eat dinner at 5:00 or after 8:00. This avoids wasting precious vacation time standing in long lines when tables aren't available. This strategy also provides a twofold benefit. When the rest of the tourists are eating at peak seating times-the beaches, theme parks, and other area attractions are nearly empty. What better time to enjoy a little entertainment with the bonus of missing the crowds?

The best advice I ever received about working while vacationing is this: "All work and no play...." You know the rest. It's true. Take advantage of the time away from the office or home phone. Among the benefits will be a sense of renewal and a new appreciation for your business.

Kimberly Ripley is a freelance writer and published author from New Hampshire...presently lounging under a palm tree in Fort Myers, Florida, and soaking up way too much sun!