The allure of being able to ditch the office attire and escape the rush hour ‘rat-race’ is what often attracts us to freelancing in the first place. But ironically, many freelancers after a while can feel isolated and less productive without a defined structure to their day, and that’s where a rented workspace can come in, writes Philip Brennan, managing director of BusinessComparison . Having a routine is important; it gives us the boundaries we need to function and provides much-needed security in an industry where work might be transient and unpredictable. How productive are you when you work from home? Most of us can confess to spending a little too much time, when we work from home , checking Instagram, WhatsApp-ing and pottering around the house! While some people excel at the self-discipline required to knock out a solid eight hour working day while working at home , a large proportion of us struggle to stay focussed. When you work a regular nine-to-five, your routine often stays the same – get up; get dressed, leave the house, have lunch at the same time, leave the office at the same time. But in the absence of this routine, even the most skilled and reliable freelancers can come unstuck, unsure what task to focus on next. That’s when procrastination can kick in; which is why even housework can suddenly look appealing! A cluttered space is indeed a cluttered mind, right?! Many home-based freelancers also find that their friends and family don’t perceive them to be really working – asking them to run errands, take in parcels or calling them up during the working day. After all, you are “ only working from home ”. This can lead to frustration and less efficient outputs, equalling less billable work. Should you consider a rented office space? The additional cost of an office space might very well offset itself from the additional revenues earned as a result of a more structured and productive working day. It is worth considering whether you would be more productive, business-like and happier as a freelancer in a rented office space. And what about the financials? Might it be worth calculating the probable uplift in billable work against the rental fees incurred? Why not take a commercial view on whether it stacks up for you? What’s not in doubt is that the upside to no longer having relatives sneer at you when you say “ I’m working then ” can be invaluable! Can you claim your office space as a freelancer as a business expense? As a freelancer, you are possibly claiming for a home office using Simplified Expenses ( the government’s guidance to SE is available here ) which is a flat-rate of £26 per month for full-time home office usage, deducted from your revenue on your Self-Assessment tax return. But if you take on a rented office space, you can deduct the legitimate costs associated with that office space – including rent, utilities, stationary, office supplies […]

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Freelance work has become more and more popular in today’s age as a way to generate sustainable income versus the traditional job. With the growing ease of remote work and the increasing urge to work for oneself, it makes sense. This is especially the case given that skills like software engineering and design are so valued in building companies for the future. Transition. One large challenge for people that freelance is in how to make the transition to full-time remote work. It is not as easy as one would suppose. It is a scary prospect to quit one’s job or head into the working world without secure income. It is tempting, though, due to all the benefits that freelancing offers. Keep your day job. The helpful reality is that to start, you do not need to quit your job to begin freelance work. Instead, you can begin gainly your clients slowly. Once you are comfortable with your income levels, you can drop other revenue streams. You can learn from those that have come before you, and follow pre-defined steps to maximize success . Here are six specific tips that the best freelancers follow to get you off the ground and making sustainable income within your first year freelancing: 1. Develop a personal brand from the onset. While it might be tempting just to get to work, especially if you have a project on hand, it is equally (or more) important to also begin establishing your personal brand. As a freelancer, you have to convince others to hire you as opposed to anyone else out there. This is particularly challenging when you are in a crowded space. That makes it critical to build your personal brand. Create a website to showcase yourself and your work. The site should be a direct reflection of yourself, as well as something clean and creative to attract customers. On your site, you can also begin to collect client testimonials. After finishing projects, even your first ones, you should ask for testimonials. These will establish more faith in your work and help attract future customers. 2. Do good work at a fair price. In hand with your personal brand is your quality of work and the price you set. While it can be tempting to slack on projects or charge extra because your client is uninformed, doing so will hurt you in the long run. Great work and honesty. The best freelancers succeed because they do great work and are honest. Otherwise, it will catch up with you. Even one bad review can damage your reputation significantly. Plus, you never know who is paying attention to your work and the opportunities that could arise in the blink of an eye. In a world that is increasingly public and easy to share information, your brand is infinitely more important. Doing good work for your clients will lead to positive reviews, can give you high-quality work to showcase and will increase the likelihood that you get referrals […]

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Take an in-depth look into the gig economy to see how tech professionals and entrepreneurs can earn a living as freelancers and contractors. Build your own business. The pros and cons of the lifestyle and what to expect from it are discussed. In this book, author Adam Sinicki explains the impact of the gig economy and the forces that led to it as it relates to technology and working online. You will understand how to make a living supplying tech skills on a “per gig” basis. Practical instructions, advice, and tips are provided on goal setting, lifestyle design, and selecting the types of work and contracts that further your goals and support the things you value as you transition from a 9-5 job. What You’ll Learn Know the types of work that a tech freelancer can offer: coding, SEO, web development, 3D modeling, and more Find and manage clients Negotiate pay and contracts Stay productive without a manager Discover useful tools, websites, and apps to build your business and ensure a steady income Who This Book Is For Entrepreneurs who are already a part of the gig economy and want to learn more about their options, tech professionals looking to transition to purely freelancing/contracting, companies interested in learning more about this change in the jobs market, technologists interested in exploring how the Internet is shaping the way people live and work, and professionals interested in lifestyle design or becoming “digital nomads”

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According to the 2019 Deloitte Millennial Survey , 49 percent of millennials would quit their job in about two years of joining. Among the many reasons contributing to dissatisfaction at work, lack of appreciation, and low pay are two significant reasons why we are known as the “job-hopping” generation. If you too are unsatisfied with your current work, then instead of hunting for a new employer, you should consider becoming a freelancer. Freelancing is considered by many as just a way to generate some passive income. However, it is far from the truth. If you are skilled enough and professionally motivated, then earning similar to what you got paid on a 9-5 job, if not more, isn’t nuclear science. Skilled and experienced professionals can easily find gigs such as providing medical translation services to a translation company or developing software for foreign clients. Companies also are very interested in hiring freelancers as it eliminates the need to hire full-time professionals for tasks that aren’t essential for business operations. Content writing is among the most sought after freelance career options and if you too are interested in pursuing a career in content writing, then below are 6 things I learnt during my 5+ years of working as a freelance content writer. Establish Yourself as an Author Establishing yourself as a writer/author will give your profile a boost when pitching clients for content writing gigs. Maintaining your blog or publishing content on popular sites are two of the easiest ways to make a name as a recognized author. Experiment With Different Forms of Writing Getting out of the comfort zone is difficult for all of us. Writers usually stick to a specific type of content as it becomes easier to craft them with more experience. However, if you try to create boundaries as a writer, then you will lose better opportunities than what you currently have. So, always be willing to venture out and gain experience in different forms of writing and niche. Use Tools to Write Great Content It is not easy to maintain the same level of quality in all types of articles. Luckily, several tools can help you write great content with minimal effort. Among all, Grammarly is one of the tools that every content writer must use. Grammarly is a spelling and grammar checking tool and is probably the best one out there. Apart from correcting grammar and spelling errors, Grammarly also help writers to frame sentences correctly and make the content easy to read for all. There are several other tools such as plagiarism checker tools, topic idea generation tools, etc. that help to create exciting content without any hassles. Always Be Clear About Client Requirements Not every client will have a similar content requirement, and it is the responsibility of the writer to know the needs of the client before beginning to craft the content. When working with a new client, provide them with some of your previous work so that they can evaluate your […]

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This isn’t going to be the typical “tax tips” post. I’m not going to advise you to try to remember any business expenses you forgot about, or remind you that filing electronically could get you a faster refund. Instead, I’ve got one huge piece of advice for freelancers and solopreneurs filing taxes which could save you a lot of money. Learn how the tax system works Accountant Katherine Pomerantz has a comprehensive guide to the freelance tax-filing process at The Creative Independent , starting with a note on the importance of proper tax planning . While her advice may centre itself on U.S. tax law, this nugget is an important one: The most frustrating thing about my job is creatives who say “good enough” when it comes to taxes. Often these artists feel they are too stressed, confused, or busy for proper tax planning, but paying too much money in taxes can hurt you both personally and professionally. As a freelancer who has definitely paid too much money in taxes in the past, I wholeheartedly agree. One of the best things freelancers can do for their careers is to learn how the tax system works. If I’d known about the intricacies of tax during my freelance years, I could have put some of the money I owed the government into my debts instead, and gotten an “above-the-line” tax deduction — which in turn might have reduced the amount I paid in healthcare premiums, since those credits and subsidies are dependent on your “below-the-line” adjusted gross income in America. While I always advocate for working with a CPA no matter where you are in the world, I’m also going to advise you to learn as much about your local tax system as possible — and learn how to use it to your advantage. Take the time to understand how freelance taxes work. Consider it part of your job, schedule time for tax planning into your daily and monthly workflow, and adjust your hourly wage accordingly. This easy tax tip is, of course, actually advice to also not file your taxes last-minute. When you do your taxes quickly, without considering all of the potential tax advantages available to you, you run the risk of losing money. And, from one freelancer to another, that’s not money you can afford to lose.

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Any freelancer will know that being self-employed isn’t all about working from coffee shops, wearing whatever takes your fancy or waking up at lunchtime. Freelancing is hard : work is never guaranteed, and you’re only as good as your last job. Because the volume of work can be unpredictable, managing your budget can be tricky to say the least. Here are five tips to help overcome those challenges and keep that cash flow flowing. 1. Keep your business and personal accounts separate Never mix business with pleasure – right? The trouble with freelancing is that if you love what you do, then business is pleasure and it can be hard to separate the two. But while there’s no legal requirement for you to have a business bank account, there are big benefits to formally separating work money from ‘me’ money. In particular, if you’re a freelancer operating as a limited company, formally separating your assets with a business account in your firm’s name ensures you and your business are two distinct entities. It means you can’t be held personally responsible for any debts or losses incurred. It also means you can be paid a salary by your business and earn dividends from any profits. 2. Work out your income Freelancing is like a rollercoaster ride. There are highs and lows, and you never quite know what’s around the corner, so balancing your income and outgoings can be a real challenge. The only way to predict future income is to keep track of your monthly earnings as soon as your business gets up and running. After a couple of years you’ll be able to see any peaks and troughs, allowing you to squirrel away funds during busy times to tide you over any downtime and help you manage your month-to-month cash flow. 3. Keep a record of expenses, and spend wisely Rent, Wi-Fi, heating, phone calls, web hosting fees – expenses have a habit of piling up – so, just like with your income, keep a record of your outgoings too. If you’ve got a business bank account, use this to buy equipment and pay bills. Keep your receipts, too, if you want to deduct these essentials from your tax bill. Keeping records also puts your spending into perspective – after all, that cute cat notebook and matching fluffy pen topper might have been irresistible, but did you actually need them? On the other hand, some things are really worth splashing out on, like other people’s expertise. While paying someone else to do things can feel reckless, delegating specific tasks to an expert can be money well spent. Don’t feel guilty about hiring an accountant, web designer or copywriter. Not only will it free up your time (so you can actually earn some money) it’ll ensure your business looks professional and runs smoothly. And don’t forget: you can also claim these services back as legitimate business expenses. 4. Set aside money for tax HMRC might like us to believe that […]

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As a web developer, your skills are in high demand in today’s job market. More companies are making e-commerce and mobile marketing a priority, and it’s creating an abundance of work opportunities. However, the more career options you have, the more difficult it can be to decide which is right for you. Two of the most common paths taken by web developers are freelancing and working for an agency. Both can be beneficial for advancing your career, but there are also some pitfalls to look out for with either option. The good news is that, if you’re unsure which is the better choice, a little research can offer a lot of clarity. In this post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both freelance and agency development. We’ll also talk about what types of developers are best suited for each role. Let’s get started! Working as a Freelance Web Developer An increasing number of people are abandoning the traditional nine-to-five, salaried job structure to join the gig economy. According to an Upwork survey, the number of freelancers in the U.S. has increased by nearly four million since 2014, and nearly one-third of Americans freelanced in 2018. Many people are drawn to the idea of being self-employed. However, freelancing isn’t without its challenges. Let’s take a look at both the advantages and disadvantages involved. The Pros of Being a Freelancer One of the greatest advantages of freelancing is the freedom and flexibility it affords. You get to set your own rates, make your own schedule, and exercise greater control over your workload. Ultimately, this enables you to create a work-life balance that is structured to your liking. Some developers enjoy working at night or early in the morning, whenever they’re most productive. Freelancing grants you the opportunity to create a schedule that fits your natural tendencies. Plus, as a freelancer, you’re able to work from anywhere you want, whether that’s on a beach or on your couch. Since development skills are in such high demand, you can also be selective as a freelancer, and choose the projects that interest you the most. Plus, you’ll typically have more direct involvement with clients and can take some creative liberties with your role. Finally, most freelance developers are able to set their prices higher than what they’d earn as employees doing the same work. Plus, as independent contractors, freelancers can deduct work-related expenses from their taxes. The Cons of Freelance Development As a web development freelancer, you aren’t working for a business – you are the business . Many people underestimate the difficulty involved in that, especially when they’re first starting out. Without the established structure and overhead of a business, you’re forced to wear many hats. You’re not just a web developer; you’re also in charge of customer support, marketing, accounting, sales, etc. It’s not uncommon for a freelance web developer to find that they’re spending less time on programming and projects they enjoy, and more time on managing administrative responsibilities. In […]

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Talk to graduates, new mothers, or young creatives about work today, and the one word you’re likely to hear more than any other is freelance. The term itself certainly isn’t new. In Walter Scott’s 1819 novel Ivanhoe, paid mercenaries described as “free lances” are offered from one feudal lord to another. Fast-forward 200 years, and freelance has taken on a whole new vigour, spurred on by a more modern army, looking to earn a living flexibly and be their own lord – or rather, boss. There are now an estimated 2.1m freelancers working in the UK, contributing up to £145bn to the economy. For many employers, hiring them has become the norm, with a recent study finding that two in five business owners predict their use of freelancers will grow faster than their number of permanent hires in the next five years. So why should employers be caught up in the freelance phenomenon, just because more people are choosing this kind of lifestyle? Well, along with offering an extra pair of hands when permanent staff are stretched, freelancers bring a number of financial and cultural benefits to a company which pay off in the long term. Diversity of thought Hiring someone who has worked at several different organisations can bring valuable new insights, perspectives, and practices to a company. This diversity of thought will help with problem solving and encourage permanent staff to consider new ways of approaching old tasks. A freelancer’s experience can also help a company to keep in touch with different parts of the market, ensuring that the business is not missing a trick against the competition. Save on the costs of one-off projects Occasionally, a new project will arise which requires a specific skill set, and the options available are to either train a member of staff to meet this need, or to hire a freelancer for the project. With the latter option, the freelancer – already skilled in this area – is going to hit the ground running and should finish the job sooner and to a higher standard. This will make it a cheaper option in the long run, while impressing the client with better work. Securing the best talent According to the self-employed professionals association IPSE, the number of UK freelancers has risen by 46 per cent since 2008, partly driven by the surge in skilled women going it alone. With such a vast and growing talent pool, employers who ignore this section of the workforce will miss out on some of the best people, especially in the creative industries where a third of workers are self-employed. On the other hand, those businesses which consider freelancers when filling gaps in their workforce may elevate the company’s performance, while also inspiring permanent members of staff to raise their game. Freelancers have come a long way since the days of Scott’s mercenaries, yet the unique skills, experience, and know-how that they can inject into a business may still be the difference between winning and […]

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A freelancer or an independent worker goes through the hardship for the completion of work all alone. Working under various agencies or their own, a freelancer has to face every problem on their own from the commencement to the conclusion. They also have to get paid for the services rendered and in order to receive the payments have to create invoices. Freelance invoice benefits in keeping track and maintaining a detailed record of every task and project provided by the client. Working alone could be a huge pain but with smart methods, one could tackle the problems easily. With the amount of workload from various clients assuming there are, one would require to maintain and simplify bookkeeping. It is therefore desirable to use proper online tools and services to help in the simplification process of attending to various other projects. Portraying a professional image: When working as an individual or a freelancer, the problem of non-dependency always arises. This means one has to depend upon themselves to complete the work under the speculated time. This gives rise to another dilemma of managing the finances and sending out invoices on time to be paid for the work. This may require an extra hand leading to extra expenses. To help regulate time and energy it is efficient to digitize invoices to help run your business smoothly. It also helps in portraying yourself and the company in a more professional light. Contents of the invoice: An invoice should start with the name of your business or simply your name whichever applicable and contact information. It is followed by the client’s name and details to avoid confusion in the billing process. The unique invoice number, date of the invoice, detailed list of services and the amount due should be precisely mentioned. Also add the terms and conditions, due date and the modes of payment favorable for you to be paid with. Using tactics like providing incentives or coupons for future sales and services can help in retaining the same customers over again. It would be favorable to add a note of appreciation for your customers to appreciate the business conducted. Timing of invoices: Your whole business depends on when you send out invoices and get paid. This is better to be decided between you and the client before the commencement of work. Lay down an agreement for the said details and maintain an appropriate time-frame for dispatching the invoices. Also, it is necessary to follow-up when nearing the due date of the invoice. Reminding the client with a subtle e-mail may help jog their memory lest they forget. This can be said with a degree of certainty that maintaining a strict invoice is of utmost importance between you and the client. If there is any discrepancy in the billing of the work done on the part of the client, it might hamper the relationship that you have built. To avoid such undesirable and troublesome situations, it is advisable that as a freelancer, you […]

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Different Features of Trello

Trello has become one of the most popular (and free!) workflow or task management apps that are used in the freelancing world. Whether you are a writer, graphic designer, or programmer, you will probably come into contact with Trello at some point in your freelancing career.

What Trello Looks Like

Think of sticky notes. Now, think of each sticky note representing a job. The job could be an article that you have been assigned to write about Jewish burial shrouds. It could be the menu you need to design for an Italian restaurant. Whatever the job is, everything you need to know about it is held on a single sticky note.

As you complete work on the job, you move the sticky note across a whiteboard that has pre-assigned column names. After you write the article about Jewish burial shrouds, you move your sticky note to the column titled “to edit.”  When the editor finishes looking at the piece, he or she moves the sticky note to the next column called “write a meta description.” Once that has been completed, the next person moves the sticky note to the column called “add to WordPress.”

Once you have completed each step in the process, that sticky note can be tucked away in a secure location to review (should you need to) at a later date.

This, my freelancing friends, is Trello. But instead of actual sticky notes that lose their “stick” and fall to the ground, Trello uses virtual notes.

One tricky part about using Trello is that the vocabulary may be a little confusing.

Trello vocabulary

Board – A Trello board usually represents your client. For example, if you have three clients who use Trello, you will have access to three Trello boards. Some clients will give you access to only parts of the board that pertains to your work. Others will allow you to see the entire process, including everyone else’s contribution. 

Card – Think of a card as a giant sticky note that shows the name of your specific job.

Card back – The card back, which can be accessed by clicking on the card, gives the details of your job. This card back can be huge and include anything you would ever need for the job.

How to indicate that a job is complete

The card back can include a check-list of steps that you need to take to complete the assignment. It can consist of helpful links or attachments. It can include written instructions from your clients. Most importantly, it can also include due dates.

As you complete tasks for a specific job, you can click items off the check-list. Once the entire project is complete, you can hand off the project to the next person in the project by clicking and dragging the project the card to the next column.

Communication within Trello

Trello not only serves as a task management software, but it also serves as a communication tool. There are a couple of advantages to communicating through Trello.

You can turn off the notifications for the project whenever you wish.

Are you overwhelmed by notifications and emails at work? If you have a job that requires a lot of concentration, and your phone or computer constantly dings with texts, calls, emails, and notifications, you will appreciate this feature.

Once you have finished your part of the job, you can click the “watch” button on the lower right side of the card back. This way, the work can continue on its merry way, but you don’t have to be continuously alerted to the changes. Others can still message you directly regarding the project, which leads me to my only complaint about Trello . . .

You can send messages to specific people on your Trello board.

All you need to do to send a message to people on Trello is to type @trello user name. The person you sent the message to will be alerted through Trello notifications and email.

The only annoying thing about this feature is that communication via Trello is a little clunky. It takes a little while to figure out the flow of conversation. If someone sends a direct message to you through Trello, you receive a notification that “Susan Smith mentioned you on the card Jewish Burial Shroud on XWY Content Products.” Under all that text is the actual message.

Also, the most current message appears on top, which is the opposite of what you would see on a standard text.

Final notes

Trello is a great tool to use for task management, whether you are in charge of a project or a worker bee.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing buzz!

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