It doesn’t matter if you are a multi-national corporation with offices around the globe, or a graduate looking for their first job, a freelance work-from-home culture is for everyone. The last decade has seen a significant shift in people wanting to do jobs they are passionate about, and that too on their own terms. As a result, the desire to undertake freelance work is growing, and considering the unpredictable nature of the world, it seems to be a step in the right direction. Before we talk about the advantages of freelancing, one must first give due credit to technology. There are now several technological advancements helping freelancers such as better mobile devices, internet speeds and software. Without these, it would have been nearly impossible for businesses to make the transformation towards the work-from-home scenario that we have today. Moreover, there has been an amalgamation of the freelance and work-from-home cultures recently, that has further helped make the trend more popular globally. So, if you are unsure about a freelance career, here are a few points to help you decide. Benefits Everyone Whether we talk about freelancing or work-from-home, the end result is that it benefits everyone involved. Clients can save money on active employees by cutting down overhead costs such as transportation, electricity, and daily office expenses. For the worker, the ease of getting out of bed and starting work instantly means they save on time and have more flexibility in how they operate. Multiple Possibilities Surprisingly, work-from-home options have led to more freelancing opportunities. As individuals are saving on time by not having to go to a physical office, they can use it to take up other jobs. Whether it is blogging, content writing, graphic designing or becoming a virtual assistant, anything is possible. In fact, a lot many people are using this time to do charity, work for NGOs and help with environmental issues. All of this work might not be to the level of what the great Nicolas Winton did during WWII, but when done with heart and for the benefit of humanity, every little effort counts. The point is that when you work from home, you end up with endless job possibilities in your hands. Extra Income If freelancing is the main source of income, then the one benefit is that you are your own boss. You can take up as many clients as you like, work when you want, set your personal goals, and aim towards earning more with experience. On the other hand, freelancing can also be an additional source of income when you are working a corporate job. Furthermore, in an economically unstable world, where a person can get fired for no reason, a freelancing career can help support you in case of any mishaps. Increased Productivity Businesses have come to realise now that work-from-home options result in higher productivity from their employees. Since there are several benefits of working from home, employees tend to do extra work, and with care, to […]

Click here to view original web page at www.onrec.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/benefits-of-adopting-the-freelancing-culture/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=benefits-of-adopting-the-freelancing-culture
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Have you always wanted to start a business from home? In an age when modern technology has made working from home an increasingly accessible option, starting an at-home business is easier than ever. If the idea of making money from home appeals to you, check out this list of 22 home-based business ideas! Freelancing Photo via @freelancewritingcafe Many jobs you could do for a company can also be done independently as a freelancer. Whether you’re a writer, programmer, or designer, you can build your own business in which you work directly with clients instead of through a company. Freelance entrepreneurs can find freelance opportunitie s through online job boards, by cold-calling or cold-emailing, networking, and more. Photography Photo via @alexglewisphotography Outside of traveling to photoshoot locations, photographers can easily do most of their day-to-day tasks—like photo editing, online marketing, and scheduling appointments—while working from home. Better still, you don’t need to invest in all the latest (and most expensive) gadgets to be a professional photographer . All it takes to start your own small photography business is a decent camera with basic equipment and plenty of practice. Blogging Photo via @contentcucumber Perfect for those with a passion for writing, blogging is one of the best online business opportunities available, thanks to the small amount of space and minimal investment required. Consistency is as important as skill to succeed in this modern home business endeavor since creating frequent blog posts will help you maintain a loyal audience and draw in new readers. And because bloggers make their money primarily through affiliate links, blog advertising, and sponsored content, having a solid base of readers makes all the difference. Podcasting Photo via @betweenthewinespodcast Podcasts have become extremely popular in the last five years, so now’s as good a time as any to start your own podcast business! With some basic recording equipment and a willingness to speak, you can launch a home-based podcast. The possibilities for podcasting are endless—comedy, advice, education, business, journalism, etc. If you have specialized knowledge, you can carve out a niche and find audiences and advertisers! Childcare Photo via @early_childhood_fun101 A home-based childcare business can take many forms, whether it’s being a full-time babysitter or running an in-home daycare. Whatever the case, childcare jobs are perfectly suited for the work-from-home lifestyle. However, before you can start a small business working with children, you’ll need the proper licensing . There are rare instances in which you may skip this step, but it’s generally a good idea to have some training and qualifications before starting a childcare business. Real Estate Photo via @courtmcmahon_realestate Getting a real estate license is surprisingly simple, and the payoff can be incredible. In fact, some people become independent real estate agents for a part-time job, then later make it a full-time career after they’ve found their footing. If you’re a people person, detail-oriented, and a good negotiator, starting your own real estate business from home is definitely worth considering! Bookkeeping Photo via @bakersbookkeeping Businesses of […]

Click here to view original web page at www.extraspace.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/best-home-based-business-ideas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-home-based-business-ideas
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels If you’re a freelancer, the chances are that the prospect of negotiation fills you with dread. When we hear that word, a pretty clear and consistent picture is conjured, and it goes something like this. You state your price, they laugh and counter with something far lower, you gulp and wish you’d never gone in so high (even though it wasn’t) and reluctantly agree to work for pennies. That’s the perception, but there’s no reason that it needs to be the reality. Life as a sole business owner is tough enough without having to fear that any conversation about money is doomed before it begins. But if you shy away from discussing money, you’ll probably miss out on lots of opportunities to charge more effectively and ultimately command a higher rate. Establish a bare minimum The first time someone asks you how much it costs for a logo, you might experience a frisson of excitement followed by panic. Usually, the price that we pluck from the sky is about as much as we feel comfortable asking for, without risking the other person baulking and rescinding the offer in disgust. That’s not an effective way to price any kind of creative work and certainly doesn’t make it financially sustainable. Instead, as a bare minimum, you need to be fully aware of what your overheads are and have a feel for how long the piece of work might take. Whether you opt for an hourly/daily rate, a flat/project fee or a value-based approach, without first knowing what a realistic baseline is, you stand to make freelance life harder than it needs to be. The good news is that you can work all of this out before speaking to any client. The first and most challenging part of the process of charging effectively is calculating a base rate that honestly and adequately compensates you for your time and skills. Often, that first assessment of the numbers is daunting as they seem so large. Don’t let that put you off. Your annual salary expectations need to be based on the assumption that you won’t be working every single day of the year. You should also account for the tax that you’ll pay on your earnings and the savings you’ll need to make along the way. For a swift ballpark figure, you can use a tool like this , but be sure to drill down those numbers to make sure you’re accounting for all outgoings. Understand the value of your work As a creative freelancer, quite often, you’ll be in a situation where a potential client dramatically undervalues your work in a monetary sense. Don’t take it personally and don’t see it as a fixed position. There is a broader cultural perception that you’re up against here and no doubt you’ve experienced it before. Non-creatives often seem to frame what you do as “hobby-ish” or somehow not real work. One of the primary goals of any potential first meeting […]

Click here to view original web page at www.creativeboom.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-negotiate-a-better-freelance-rate-without-negotiating/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-negotiate-a-better-freelance-rate-without-negotiating
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Are you looking to become a freelance UX designer? Well, that’s a great decision. Working as a freelancer comes with many perks, including flexibility, job security, freedom, and control. But being a freelancer doesn’t mean you get an avalanche of projects just by screaming , “I am a freelance UX designer. Give me some work.” This approach doesn’t work. Contrary to popular belief, freelancing is a systematic approach. It is not about being obsessive about getting some business to survive the day. From networking, marketing your business, setting the prices to developing your portfolio, and everything in between, make sure to work over several things to stay productive, efficient, and competitive. A survey shows that major IT-related career types of freelancers are designers, back-end engineers, and mobile developers, which accounts for about 70% of the freelancers. This guide will help you understand these essential things to become a UX freelancer. Understanding the Benefits of Becoming a UX Freelancer Before moving on to how to become a UX freelancer part, it will be useful to understand some benefits associated with freelancing. Here is a rundown of some key reasons which will help you decide if freelancing if meant for you. 1. Work Whenever You Want This is probably one of the key reasons for…

Click here to view original web page at theunionjournal.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-become-a-successful-freelance-ux-designer-careermetis-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-become-a-successful-freelance-ux-designer-careermetis-com
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Processing Your Small Business Disaster Loan

“All we can do is wait and see.” This is how most people are responding to COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what most people are thinking:

“We will wait and see how COVID-19 affects our family and community members. We will wait to see if our hospitals will be inundated with patients, or whether stay at home orders will flatten the curve.”

“We will wait and see if we get the coronavirus or not and how bad our symptoms will be when and if we get it.”

“We will wait and see if daycare centers, swimming pools, and gyms will be able to safely open in our local communities.”

“We will wait and see how our local, state, and national economies will be affected by the coronavirus.”

But if you are a small business owner, this “wait and see” attitude may not be an option for you. You can’t wait and see how COVID-19 will affect your small business because you have a lease, employees, a business loan, and vendors to pay.

Instead of waiting to see what will happen, your mind is already whirling with ideas on how to survive this crisis. As you are waiting for your small business disaster loan, you are already coming up with plans B, C, D, and E.

You think this way because you are a small business owner, or perhaps you are a small business owner because you think this way. You are special, and here are some reasons why you will survive this crisis.

1. You are used to starting from scratch.

You’ve done it before, and you can do it again. In all likelihood, your business began as an idea. That idea expanded into a few late nights formulating plans on a cheap laptop, crunching numbers as you sat on your living room couch. You tentatively reached out to clients, got a few paying customers, and took the big step of quitting your day job.

Your business slowly grew over the years. You hired employees. You bought nicer computers, hired a freelance CPA, and grew your business.

You are smart and have skills. You have learned a lot over the years through trial and error. You have studied with mentors and by reading the best business writers of today.

You have started from nothing before, and you can do it again.

2. You are used to living with uncertainty.

There are two types of workers in the world. Some are happiest when earning a steady income in a stable job. They like to know how much they will make each month and value security more than anything.

Others would rather rely on their skills, knowledge, and personality to try to earn a more considerable income. These are the small business owners, members of the gig economy, and commissioned salespeople.

As a small business owner, you are used to feast or famine paychecks. You know how to budget during uncertain times because you’ve done that most of your life.

3. You will do what you need to do in the meantime to survive.

Some business owners while waiting for stay at home orders to be lifted are spending time on freelance teacher websites to learn how to make some extra money in the gig economy until they can go back to work.

These business owners are learning Upwork skills and the pros and cons of each of the top freelancing sites. They are getting the best freelance jobs that will enable them to earn an income, no matter how small, while waiting for the small business disaster loan to materialize.

Small business leaders are not spending their time at home baking bread and doing puzzles. They are scouring freelance job sites to find out how to use their skills and knowledge to become a niche writer, a freelance content writer, or even do some freelance sports writing.

So while the rest of the country bakes bread and “waits and sees” what is coming next, you are thinking about how to not only survive but thrive during this uncertain environment. You are completing freelancing stay at home jobs, reconfiguring your business so you can hit the ground running as soon as stay at home orders are over, and looking to the future to determine what business or industries may be taking off in this new normal.

Turn off the news reports, stay off social media, and don’t participate when your friends and neighbors are using all their time and energy to freak out and complain. Use the silence to brainstorm, think, and plan. You’ve got this.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing Buzz.

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/what-to-do-while-you-wait-for-your-small-business-disaster-loan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-to-do-while-you-wait-for-your-small-business-disaster-loan
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

How Freelance Software Can Help You Adapt to the Changing Freelance Marketplace It is the year 2020, and it is highly unlikely that you have not heard of the term freelance economy. If you do not know what it is, here is a short explanation. The freelance economy is also known as the gig market. It is a labor market in which the number of short-term contracts is growing at a rapid rate. In this market, various companies hire self-employed workers to undertake jobs that require a particular skill, in return for a predetermined payment. Rather than being offered permanent positions, freelancers are hired for temporary work. Therefore, the freelance marketplace is an excellent platform for companies, entrepreneurs, and talented individual contractors. An online freelance marketplace makes money by charging both the freelancer and the employer in return for acting as the platform that facilitates the transaction between the two. The freelance economy is booming and makes up over 35% of the US workforce ( CNBC ). By the year 2027, the number is projected to reach 50.9% (We Forum). Online freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Toptal, Fiverr, 99designs, and Freelancer are some of the industry’s key players that have reshaped the freelance economy. To build your own freelance software, you must first find a niche market for your product. A niche market is the subset of the market that is characterized by specific needs, interests, and requirements. This will help your organization reduce the competition it faces by clearly targeting and focusing all your marketing efforts on a small but well-defined audience. By establishing a niche market, your freelancing software will serve population groups that other freelance software have previously overlooked. This is the best way to validate your business idea because you are the only one who addresses your customer’s requests. Therefore, you will be the one gaining all the profits. How to Build Your Own Freelancing Software? If you want to build a thriving freelance marketplace like Upwork or Fiverr, you will need a coordinated team of experts to help you achieve your goal. Here are some vital aspects of your freelance software that you must focus on: App Architecture – Your software architecture deals with the back end of your app, which is a crucial part of the development process. It will determine how your app works, how its components will interact with each other, and, most importantly, how it will bring value to the users. User Interface – In order to have a fantastic design that your users will love, you will have to perform some market research. An interactive and intuitive user interface is critical to allow your users to meet their needs effectively. API Integration – Hire an engineer with API development and integration experience to integrate payment gateways and other external tools to your freelance marketplace. Database Development – As a freelance marketplace, you must store the data of all your existing and future users in a safe and well-organized manner. […]

Click here to view original web page at socialnomics.net

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-freelance-software-can-help-you-adapt-to-the-changing-freelance-marketplace/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-freelance-software-can-help-you-adapt-to-the-changing-freelance-marketplace
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In times like these, full of unknowns, it can be scary for entrepreneurs and freelancers who’ve lost business opportunities , as well as workers who’ve lost their jobs or had their hours cut. However, there are still ways to make money during a crisis, even one like this with both significant health and economic concerns. Personally, I’ve had around a dozen public speaking opportunities get canceled or postponed, which has been hard, but having gone through the Great Recession, I’ve learned some lessons and know I’ll make it through to the other side. You can too, and in some cases, you may find that this crisis creates an opportunity to take your career or business in a new direction that benefits you more in the long run. Some ideas to earn money safely from home include: 1. Charging for content or content support During this period, with so many of us staying at home, with more time on our hands, you’ll likely see a lot more content creation , such as with launches of new podcasts, YouTube series, courses, etc. Some creators may be able to monetize this content by finding advertising — if, for example, you have a sizable social media following or can get enough podcast listeners. Or you could put your content behind a paywall and charge for access. Others, however, need to be realistic about how much, if anything, they can earn from content creation. That said, you may still have the skills to support content creators, such as helping with writing, editing, graphic design, etc. Make sure you charge for your time. You can look at project and hourly rates on sites like Upwork to get a sense of what your fee should be based on your experience and the type of work you can do. 2. Monetize your knowledge Related to creating content is jumping into the growing online education space for all ages. You may have the skills and experience to teach on sites geared toward young students, or you might have business knowledge that you can teach to other professionals, especially those at companies that have budget that would have gone toward attending conferences. You can monetize your knowledge by creating a course on sites like Kajabi and marketing to professionals, or you can try to get paid directly by working part-time for an online learning platform. If you have an idea for your own course, see if it exists already on a platform like LinkedIn Learning. If it doesn’t, you could have a good opportunity to create something unique that others might be willing to pay for. 3. Find freelance work Whether you’re a creative, a coder, an administrative assistant, or many other occupations that can be done online, there’s a good chance you can still find freelance opportunities through platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn. Many businesses are still operating at full speed, such as in the technology sector and some food […]

Click here to view original web page at www.entrepreneur.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-make-money-in-a-crisis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-make-money-in-a-crisis
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

New Delhi: Even if you are not working a 9 to 5 job and are not a regular salaried employee, you need to file an income tax return if your income from other sources is above the income tax exemption limit. As per the income tax laws, freelancers are liable to pay taxes for the income they earn just like other salaried or business taxpayers. Freelancing income: Any income that an individual earns by displaying intellectual or manual skills is the income from a profession according to income tax laws. Such income will be taxable as “Profits and Gains from Business or Profession”. The gross income will be the aggregate of all receipts one gets in the course of carrying out their profession. The bank account statement is a document which a freelancer can rely on to cull out this information, provided that they have received all their professional income through banking channels. Deductions allowed against income for freelancers: Freelancers can deduct expenses they incurred to do the job from their income. This could be anything from tools, supplies expenses to travel expenses for meeting client. The expenses must be directly related to the job. If you take a property on rent for carrying out your work, the rent paid can be deducted. If you have agreed to pay for repairs to the rented property, repair costs can be deducted. If you own the business property and carry out repairs, those are also allowed to be deducted. Any repairs to your laptop, printer, and other equipment are also allowed to be deducted. Expenses incurred to carry out your work such as purchasing a printer, office supplies, your monthly telephone bills, internet bills, and conveyance expenses can be claimed as a deduction. The cost of travel to meet your clients within or outside of India is allowed as a deduction. Meal, entertainment or hospitality expenses It can be claimed when you conduct client meetings, take your clients out for dinner, or some other outings and money has been solely spent with the intention of getting new business or retaining existing business. Local taxes and insurance for your own business property Domain registration and apps purchased to test your product are also allowed as expenses Taxation rule: As per the provisions of Section 44ADA under the Income-tax Act, 1961, a resident taxpayer who is engaged in a prescribed profession (including engineering, and technical consultancy) and whose total gross receipts do not exceed Rs 50 lakh in a financial year (FY) can offer the income from such professions to tax on a presumptive basis. The taxable income shall be presumed to be 50% of the total gross receipts during the FY from such profession or as the case may be, a sum higher than the aforesaid sum claimed to have been earned by the taxpayer. As per the provisions of Section 44AA, every person carrying on prescribed profession is required to maintain books of accounts. If the income from business (other than […]

Click here to view original web page at www.timesnownews.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/working-as-a-freelancer-heres-how-you-need-to-file-itr/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=working-as-a-freelancer-heres-how-you-need-to-file-itr
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

This article has been contributed by Mark Quadros. Whether you’re new to freelancing , haven’t started, or you’ve been around the freelancing block a time or two, staying productive in a unique work environment isn’t always easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you’re looking for easy ways to boost your productivity as a freelancer, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn about some of my favorite work-at-home productivity hacks so you can start owning the day instead of letting it own you. Your brain, clients and bottom line will be glad you did! 1. Start Your Day With a Productive Morning Choosing your own hours is one of the biggest advantages of working as a freelancer. While it’s important to work within your productivity window, it’s also important to start your day on the right foot. Whether you wake up at 4 am or 10 am, a productive morning routine sets the foundation for a productive day and leaves you feeling energized and ready to roll. This is especially helpful if you find yourself dragging your feet or you feel unmotivated to get to work. So, stop setting that second (or third… or fourth) alarm and use that extra time to create a healthy morning routine that works for you, your schedule and your lifestyle. Because when you know exactly what to do every morning, you save precious brainpower for what matters most. 2. Set a Daily Schedule and Stick to It Flexibility is a common reason people leave their full-time jobs for the freelancing hustle. That said, setting a daily schedule makes it easier to: Cross everything off your to-do list Ensure you have enough time to get everything done Focus on one activity at a time Move things around if you have to Set priorities Example: If you hate responding to client emails or other customer-service related tasks , prioritize these first so you don’t agonize over them. Or if you know it’s a beautiful day, you can schedule time off to take the dogs for a walk. Ultimately, setting a schedule and sticking to it means you can schedule blocks of time to focus on similar tasks (since this is scientifically easier on your brain ). Which… results in a higher level of productivity throughout the day. 3. Create a Designated Working Space According to work from home statistics, around 80% of remote workers work from their homes (as opposed to public spots). So, whether you’re working from home, a hotel room, or freelancing abroad , designating an area for work helps your brain kick into work mode. It’s like grabbing the leash and watching your dog start spinning in circles and jumping for joy. Okay, maybe it isn’t that simple. But it IS a similar concept. When you regularly work in your designated area, your brain starts to associate the space and objects in it with getting things done. Just like your dog’s brain associates his (or her) leash with going […]

Click here to view original web page at justcreative.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/11-hacks-to-double-your-productivity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-hacks-to-double-your-productivity
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Most freelancers would not like to end their careers as a freelancer. A natural transition generally observed is going from a freelancer to an agency. Freelancing comes with a lot of freedom. Freedom about working on your own terms, choosing your schedule, your office, etc. A freelancer is largely on his or her own. However, a lot of freelancers feel the absence of career growth in the longer run. In all likelihood, most freelancers would not like to end their careers as a freelancer. They would want to step it up at some other level. A natural transition generally observed is going from a freelancer to an agency. However, not all freelancers can handle it since building an agency requires a whole lot of different skills as compared to being an independent freelancer. Let’s discuss how one can step up from being a freelancer to an agency: 1. Change the mindset Running an agency is equivalent to running a business. While some skills which you acquired as a freelancer will come in handy, a lot of new skills will be required. Hiring people, managing them, their career progression, resource allocation to projects, managing offices, generating work for all the team members, it is way more than what you used to do as an individual. Not all freelancers are cut out to run businesses. That’s okay. There are other alternatives as well. So, before getting all excited about this, just sit and think whether you really want to do this and are you ready for all this. 2. Do a pilot Having decided that you can do it, take one more step before you actually jump into setting up an agency. Do a pilot. It is always good to test waters first before entering into them. The way to do it is by creating a virtual team. Find skillful people who can offload you in case you take more work than you can individually do. If you are able to run through this virtual team experience, you are ready to take the next step. Another option is to hire an intern. You can help the intern learn and offload some of your repetitive tasks. You will also have a company at the workplace. It’s a low commitment way to start. 3. Register an LLP or Private Limited Company You now have experience of running a small team. The pilot has been largely successful. Clients would want to work with a registered firm. Having a registered firm is not only professional but also increases your credibility leading to high chances of landing a client. 4. Decide the workspace Once you have a basic team in place, and a registered company, you need to decide the workspace from where you would want to operate. COVID-19 has forced remote working experience on companies, many have uncovered untapped productivity levels. So, you can decide if that option works well for you. 5. Make the virtual team ‘Real’ The next step is to release legally […]

Click here to view original web page at yourstory.com

from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/9-things-you-should-do-to-step-up-from-a-freelancer-to-an-agency/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=9-things-you-should-do-to-step-up-from-a-freelancer-to-an-agency
via https://freelancingbuzz.com