freelance.com's blog

How Much Money Will I Need To Freelance?

You have finally decided that you do not want to take orders anymore. You want to be your own boss. You want to become a freelancer. So, with your strong will you decided. That is a significant turn-about. But, the next question is how much you will need to be on your own. 

First, you have to consider what business you will venture on. Do you need to rent a separate office or you can just work at home? How many computers or employees will you need? Do you need to buy new equipment? How much will your electric bill soar?

Second, you have to make everything legal. If you are thinking of opening your own business, you have to acquire the necessary permits from the government for that. Even if you will just be a small-time freelancer, you still have to pay some taxes you know.

Third, get a calculator then estimate all the bills and grocery items you need to pay for within three months.

Fourth, you have to get insurance. Whether be for health or for fire, you have to be assured that your well-being and your properties are not compromised.

Fifth, add all these future expenditures and multiply it by two. The product would be the least amount of money that you would need to become an independent freelancer. It is much better that you have an allowance for mishaps than sinking rock bottom. You need to stay afloat during your starting months.

Borrowing money from a financer could be your escape route, but this should only be your last resort. Take time to save in a bank. You can also opt in selling some gadgets or belongings that you do not use anymore.

Remember, freelancing has its rewards if you know how to do budgeting properly.

 

Image courtesy of [ddpavumba] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Perks of Being a Freelancer

There are many perks in freelancing. Probably the best among them is that freelancers work in their preferred time and days of the week. They do not have to worry about waking up so early in the morning or missing out from their children’s Parent Teacher Association meetings. They can start their projects at noon and continue until the wee hours of the night while munching on a healthy snack cooked from their own kitchen.

Most freelancers work from home. And since they do not have to report to the corporate world, they can just wear comfortable clothes while thinking in front of their computers. Dry cleaning and wardrobe expenses are significantly reduced. They can focus on getting the job done instead of what they will wear for a presentation in front of a bunch of executives.

Freelancers save a lot on transportation money. Due to the fact that they do not have to leave their houses, they do not spend a huge chunk out of their savings for gas or train tickets. Morning traffic jams do not concern them. The rush hour does not affect them. They can sit back and need not worry about long commutes that tire the employees in a corporate setting every single shift.

When it comes to compensation, freelancers can dictate how much their output costs. Unlike regular employees who have fixed salaries, freelancers can bargain with clients on how much a project would be. The more intricate the details for a project are, the higher price freelancers can ask. The more experienced the freelancer, the higher compensation he can demand. The amount of money that a freelancer can earn in a month is never fixed. It can increase depending on the professional abilities, sample portfolio, relevant job experiences and communications skills of a freelancer.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Line of Business for Freelancers

With thousands of career opportunities awaiting potential entrepreneurs, there will be no shortage of ideas for freelancers. A freelancer just needs to pick a field where he thinks he has the biggest advantage of becoming successful. Here are just a few of which line of business a freelancer can embark on. 

1. Writing and Content
Financial research, publishing, forum posting, poetry, reviews, editing, press releases, cartography, product description and academic writing fall under this category of freelancing.

2. Websites, IT and Software
If you know what COBOL, HTML, CUDA, CMS, ASP, and SQL stand for; then you will be interested in this line of freelancing. Companies write checks to programmers in exchange of their knowledge in computer technology. Become rich via AJAX, PHP, .NET, MMORPG, and JSP. After all, C++ is not a letter in the alphabet.

3. Data Entry and Administrative Function
Order processing, virtual assistant, desktop support, transcription, video upload, and web search are example jobs for the third in our list.

4. Product Sourcing and Manufacturing 
Product design, buyer sourcing, logistics and shipping are included in this field.

5. Sales and MarketingAdvertising, telemarketing, adwords, classified posting, Google adsense, branding, viral marketing, eBay, affiliate marketing, CRM, and market research fit here perfectly.

6.Translation and Languages
Are you fluent in Spanish, German, French, or Japanese? Can you decipher the ancient hieroglyphics or understand the intricate of calligraphy? You can leap forward as an interpreter. Clients are willing to pay huge sums to freelancers to translate documents to others language. Meanwhile, tourists need interpreters to assist them during tough language barrier situations.

7. Mobile Phones and Computing
With the fast turnaround of technology in this millennium, the demand for individuals who can give service related to mobile phones and computing is greatly increasing. Technical support for iPad, Nokia, Samsung, Android phones and Blackberry are highly sought out.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Job Burnout? Be a Freelancer!

Do you feel like you are trapped in a cage whenever you are confined inside your office cubicle? How many family holidays have you missed because you have to finish a report due on Monday? Are there times that you want to be somewhere far from your manager’s scrutiny? Did you only watch your daughter’s ballerina stage performance on tape because you cannot leave work early? How many class advisers of your son have you actually met in person?

If you have answered the questions above with a heavy heart, you might be suffering from job burnout.

A dictionary defines “burnout” as a feeling of “exhaustion as a result of long time stress.” Employees who are routinely dealing with tight deadlines, dreadful colleagues, and unhealthy work environments have higher chances of experiencing this.

According to Dr. David Ballard of the American Psychological Association, job burnout is “an extended period of time where someone experiences exhaustion and a lack of interest in things, resulting decline in their job performance.”

Have you ever felt so emotionally drained that as if you are dragging your feet to work? Life is too short for you to continue your suffering.

Would you want to wake up one day realizing that you wasted your youth in a job you don’t even love?

Take action. Venture into freelancing now. Freelancing gives you the opportunity to have a change of pace in your career. You do not have to imprison yourself in another company’s cubicle anymore. You can be your own boss.

As a freelancer, you do not have to follow a strict eight hour a day job. This means that you can work with your preferred tempo. You will have a flexible schedule, so you can attend to more valuable things depending on your judgment. No more irksome supervisors. With freelancing, you can finally enjoy your son’s game knowing that you can just continue your work later at home instead.

Image courtesy of [Michal Marcol] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How to Stand Out As A Creative Independent Contractor

Before anything else, independent contractors should always update their resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. This is the first step in securing one’s desirability as an independent contractor. But in order to stand out in a sea of freelancers who are all vying for the same projects, read on for more information.

Pump Up Your Portfolio

Any freelancer or independent contractor can get hired immediately if he or she has a sparkling portfolio. A great compilation of sample works could spell the difference between hiring success and a dry spell for the long haul.  
But before coming up with the wackiest of portfolios, it’s important to take note of your preferred audience or client. However, if you want to be a Jack or Jane of all trades, it is best to showcase a variety of works with different topics in order to be seen as someone who’s flexible enough to work on different projects.

Presentation is Key

This is where your creativity will really take center stage. Some people commit the mistake of simply compiling their sample works in a .doc file and ends it at that. However, for a truly standout compilation, it is best to think about the way you present your sample works – through a .pdf file or by putting an online portfolio? Both have pros and cons and could work to your advantage.

Your Online Presence

And last but not the least, take note of your online presence. Are you easily Google-able? Having different blogs on a variety of blogging platforms is a good thing. It shows you’re committed to your craft and you love what you’re doing – which is a good thing to know no matter what line of work you’re in, really.

Image courtesy of [watcharakun] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Important Questions Freelancers Need To Ask New Clients

Freelancers have a number of concerns when applying for a job, and they have to address it as soon as a client has expressed interest in their profile.

1. Is this a contractual position? Some freelancers fail to realize that the nature of their jobs is usually temporary.

2. What is the niche of the job? From mortgage and loan banks, to health and wellness products, to scholarly essays, an experienced freelancer must have developed a niche of his/her own through the years. For the uninitiated, try to dabble with various niches, as this will widen your horizon not only in content writing, but also in real life. Try to distance yourself from your comfort zone.

3. What is the salary? Freelancers, no matter their cultural background, must not have second thoughts on asking this question, because in other cultures, asking for salary is just the norm. It may be a per-article, or a monthly fee.

4 .What is the mode of payment? There are various ways where a freelancer can withdraw his fee, and these range from bank accounts to remittance centers. This depends largely on the convenience of both parties, but try to open a bank account solely for freelance jobs. Most clients use banks not only for their stability but also for their availability: some banks have longer working hours, or have ATMs near you.

5. Any rules? Punctuality goes without saying, but what about other rules which both clients and freelancers typically overlook? Some clients depend on a slew of articles every day, and absences, late submissions are strictly prohibited, except for emergency cases.

Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Perks of Freelancing with Pets

In the global workforce, employers are only starting to notice the benefits of having a plus one in the office. By plus one, we mean our furry friends who love us unconditionally and inspire us to do our jobs continuously. An upside for freelancers (with a plus one!) who work at home or wherever they want to work is that pets are always a part of their life, no matter the hour. Here we’ve compiled the benefits of freelancing with pets.

1.Pets are known to help with health and fitness
Having pets have been scientifically proven to help humans feel better overall. First of all, researchers found that those with pets have less chances of depression. Another bonus is that those who have pets that require to be walked get an extra boost of physical exercise as well.

2. You feel safer
Having a dog, for example, will alert you to certain dangers lurking around the corner. If you’re a workaholic, you might not notice when someone comes in to your house. This is where your plus one comes in. A dog or even a cat can tell you when someone’s in his or her presence so no accident will happen your way.

3. Better Balance
Those who have pets know that it’s similar to having a son or daughter. When you have someone to take care of, you’re more likely to see the bigger picture. At the end of the day, you’ve got someone to appreciate you for all you’ve done during the day. Dogs, cats, what-have-you are all great companions who ensure that you still relax every few hours. After all, you have to pat a dog’s head or give cat food every now and then – which is great because you give your eyes a break from the computer screen!

If you’re a freelancer and you don’t have a pet, it’s time to think about owning one and think about the pros and cons of taking care of a furry pal.

Image courtesy of [imagerymajestic] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The No-Brainer Guide to Boosting Productivity

Being and staying productive requires so much effort for some people. Thing is, productivity is not an elusive myth. Being a productive worker is an essential part of a freelancer’s character so here are some easy tips to follow so you can always stay productive and on track.

1. Live in the 15th Century
Okay, so we said that this is a no-brainer guide. Hear us out, okay? By living in the 15th century, we simply mean that you have to set aside most distractions like Facebook and Twitter and focus on the job. Unless of course your actual job description is to update both, then stop living in the 15th century and start updating your social networks!

2. Set a deadline
A deadline is a great way to keep track of your workload. Set a deadline for the day but be flexible. Maybe you know that you’re more motivated to work on Fridays and feel sluggish on Thursdays. What you can do is set a lower target on Thursday and up your workload on Fridays. This way, you don’t feel as if you’re working against the tide and you stay motivated in the long run.

3. Take a break without guilt
A break or two is an essential part of the freelancer’s life. Have a quick walk with your dog or go to the mall and do a bit of retail therapy. More often than not, you will be motivated to do your job after taking your much-needed break.

4. Too much workload? Outsource!
For those who have a huge demand on their hands, looking for an extra set of hands is a necessary step towards improvement. If you know that you can hire an extra set of hands, why not? However, if finances do not allow it, learn how to say no to clients instead of giving them a lackluster output that screams procrastinated.

5. Use a corkboard or sticky notes
This is a great way to keep updated. Nowadays, everyone relies on their handheld devices for updates when a sticky note or two would actually work better. You can also boost creativity by doodling on your notepads or by writing random lists. A good old pen and paper is still the way to go sometimes. An added bonus is that a corkboard and a sticky note won’t lag or close without necessary notifications.

Image courtesy of [tungphoto] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How to Pursue New Clients

One common question among freelancers is how to pursue new clients. The answer is pretty simple: you don’t pursue clients, you ATTRACT them. And when you want to attract new clients, the first question you need to ask yourself is this: Will I pay for my own services? If you answered yes, then you will be confident enough to strut your stuff and add new projects to your teeming portfolio. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on marketing because your work will speak for itself. Here are some tips on how to attract clients.

.

Make A Splash On The Internet
Write, write, and write. That is, if you are a freelance writer. If you have other projects like web design or illustrations, you want to make a niche for yourself in the Internet and publish your best works. This way, you need not be stalking forums or whatnot for potential clients.

Contribute
In line with our first suggestion, contribute to various websites so that you will be able to build solid portfolio. 

Scare Off Clients
The last freelancer tip may sound counterintuitive but it’s not. When we say let them know you mean business, we mean make it clear what you want to work on and how much you want to get paid for it. Always mention that because you do quality work, your payment is not going to be the monetary equivalent of peanuts. This could be mentioned in your blog/website so when you give a potential client some links to your work, it will come across that you mean business – which is always good. 

Image courtesy of [ddpavumba] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Does A Freelancer Need A Blog?

Freelancers nowadays range from writers to nutritionists. A lot of people think that freelancers are mostly “just” creative types who don’t like to work in the corporate world. And while most freelancers do like the freelance lifestyle as compared to the corporate world, some freelancers actually have no experience in the corporate world and are glad to never have set foot in an office building. But I digress. The real question is, whatever kind of freelancer you may be, do you actually need to blog?

Most people think that a blog should be completely personal or should contain work-related stuff. The thing is that a blog is a great marketing tool whether you’re a writer or a software engineer. It shows that you have a personality to back you up and that you are an actual human being with actual interests. Blogs are kind of like your physical counterpart on the Internet so having one is actually beneficial in the long run.

What to Write About

Most freelancers who wish to blog actually have a lot of trouble starting their own blogs. Frankly, you could write about anything. Just don’t start to rant about your job in a negative way so that you only attract positive comments as well. If you’re a writer who loves food, a food blog is a great place to start. This way, you can keep up with your interests even if you’re too busy. This will keep you well rounded and grounded in the subtlest ways.

Now, you may also blog about your job or you may create a blog that’s focused on your target clients and audience. This is a great blog to showcase your capabilities and strengths. In fact, this kind of blog is ideal as long as you’re committed to keeping it updated regularly. This kind of blog also works as a portfolio of sorts that you can provide as a link whenever a client asks for a sample. 

Image courtesy of [rattigon] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net