Thursday, October 31, 2019

15 Ways New Freelancers Can Stand Out to Potential Clients

Freelancing makes up a primary sector of the commercial industry today. As more traditional employees realize the potential of a work-life balance quite unlike anything the average office can offer, they are striking out on their own. Working independently presents freelancers with the chance for new opportunities and challenges. With the influx of new workers into the growing industry, there is naturally a lot of competition. For freelancers to find themselves regular paying clients that are dependable, they must invest their time and energy into showing why they are the best choice for getting the job done. To help out newer freelancers on the path to financial freedom, 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council offer advice on how a freelancer looking to stand out from the background noise can do so professionally. Members of Forbes Coaches Council discuss how new freelancers can attract clients. 1. Get Clear On Who You Serve It can be so tempting to not want to limit yourself to a specific niche, but the truth is, as life coach Marie Forleo says, “If you’re tawkin’ to everybody, you’re tawkin’ to nobody.” Getting clear on your niche and how you serve is only step one. The real magic happens when you start to consistently communicate in a way that resonates with your audience. Speaking their language makes all the difference. – Kelly Weber , The Wander Project 2. Talk From The Client’s Point Of View One of the hardest things in marketing is to identify your unique value and then sell what you do. Flip the message and share your service from the client’s perspective. Rather than building a gushing résumé of how great you are, share what this will do for them and how it will help. A simple trick is asking questions, e.g., “Looking to attract clients in a catchy and compelling way?” – Christy Geiger MCC, CPCC , Synergy Strategies Coaching & Training 3. Share Knowledge For Free One of the best things I’ve seen freelancers do is share best practices and their own knowledge for free. It may seem like it would reduce one’s ability to attract and retain clients if you told them how to do things themselves, but I think it creates the opposite effect. Clients are more willing to work with you because you are willing to share and be on their team. – Billy Williams , Archegos 4. Create A Niche The biggest mistake that freelancers make when going off on their own is that they try to be everything to everyone! When freelancers create a niche, they can more clearly tell people what it is they do. That will help people give you referrals. When you have a clear niche, it is also easier to market to your potential customers and tell them exactly what your offer is and how they will benefit. – Susan K. Wehrley , BIZremedies 5. Be Yourself I see entrepreneurs trying to follow someone else because that person is successful all the […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/15-ways-new-freelancers-can-stand-out-to-potential-clients/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=15-ways-new-freelancers-can-stand-out-to-potential-clients
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

All You Need To Know About Online Outsourcing Marketplace Freelancer.com

Online outsourcing marketplace Freelancer.com In terms of a total number of users and projects posted Freelancer.com, also known as Freelancer Limited ( ASX: FLN ), is world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace with more than 39 million registered users and over 16 million projects and contests posted to date. Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com also performs business into global enterprise freight marketplace through its Freightlancer.com marketplace. Considered as a game-changer for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large organisations , Freelancer.com helps small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs turn that spark of an idea into reality. How does Freelancer.com work? Anyone looking to get work or Project done through a freelancer can go to Freelancer.com website and follow the below mentioned three steps . Post a project Choose the perfect freelancer Pay when you are satisfied The company’s desktop app helps in tracking progress, monitor hours, communicate with the Freelancer. Via the mobile app, the business can stay in touch with a freelancer or client. Freelancer.com covers over 1,600 diverse areas like website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering etc. Freelancer is also emerging as a leader in secure online payments and online transaction management services via its business, Escrow.com . With Escrow.com, one can ship across state boundaries; physical inspection and acceptance happen on delivery. How Escrow.com works? Buyer and seller agree to terms and conditions Buyer pays Escrow.com Seller ships merchandise Buyer accepts the merchandise com pays the seller What are the Benefits of using Escrow.com? As Buyers & sellers do not have to physically meet to transact, this solves trust problem. There are several other benefits of Escrow.com, which are as follows: Increased Trust – Escrow.com enable customers to transact on e-commerce, marketplaces & classifieds sites with higher trust & safety greatly reducing fraud and with no chargebacks; Increased Liquidity – Physical inspection & acceptance happen on delivery, meaning valuable items can ship across a state or country before the transaction completes, allowing business & its customers to expand beyond local to global markets safely; Increased Fulfillment – With greater liquidity, sellers can access more buyers and buyers more sellers, resulting in better choice, pricing and increasing the probability of a successful transaction; Increased Support – World class transaction support as well as Experienced Escrow.com personnel help customers in shipping documentation, title, liens, and more; Increased Compliance – Escrow.com provides “compliance as a service” performing know your customer (KYC) & anti-money laundering verification for high-value transactions; Increased Revenue – Revenue share is available for volume partners of $1 million per month or more. Recent Performance of Freelancer.com Freelancer.com recently announced its Quarterly Cash Flow Statement for 3Q FY19 (quarter ending 30 September 2019). Key highlights of the company’s performance are mentioned below: Freelancer Group delivers 3Q FY19 cash receipts of $14.3 million (up 9.4% on prior corresponding period (pcp)), YTD cash receipts $42.6 million (up 12.4% on pcp) 3Q19 Freelancer Group Gross Payment Volume $197.8m (up 5.4% on pcp), YTD $598 million (up 8.4% on pcp) Freelancer segment […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-online-outsourcing-marketplace-freelancer-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=all-you-need-to-know-about-online-outsourcing-marketplace-freelancer-com
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

How to be a successful freelancer: 4 strategies

Whether you’ve freelanced for years or are contemplating a late-career switch to becoming a self-employed freelancer, there are a few ways to boost your chances of success. According to data from the recently released report, Freelancing in America: 2019, from Freelancers Union and the online freelance platform Upwork, nearly a third of U.S. workers over 50 freelance either part time or full time. (Next Avenue published an earlier article with detailed findings from the freelancers survey.) Most 50+ freelancers do so by choice. That was the case for 60% of people ages 50 to 64 surveyed who freelance and 73% of those age 65 and older. Here are four ways to maximize your freelance earning potential by taking advantage of current freelance trends: 1. Use your existing skills The most common type of work done by freelancers of all ages, according to the survey, is providing skilled services — things such as consulting, marketing or programming. And skilled freelance work pays more than unskilled freelance work. The survey found freelancers providing skilled services earn an average of $28 an hour, compared with $20 an hour for unskilled work. Some skilled freelancers make a lot more. Some of the highest-paid work on Upwork, for example, is in accounting and finance. People with experience in corporate restructuring, bitcoin or international accounting bill more than $200 an hour. So, if you spent a career honing your skills in a specific field, it’s worth considering using them as a springboard to freelancing. 2. Network, network, network There’s another reason to do what you know when you’re a freelancer. The Freelancing in America report noted that personal networks are the top source of assignments for freelancers who do skilled work. Personal networks include previous freelance clients, friends and family, and professional contacts. Older freelancers have a leg up here, since they’ve been in the workforce longer than people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Meeting and working with more people over a longer span of time creates a larger network, and those connections can pay off, said Upwork CEO Stephane Kasriel. Social networks like Facebook FB, -0.05% , Twitter TWTR, -0.70% and LinkedIn are the second most important sources of freelance work. But it’s not enough just to have an account, especially on LinkedIn, which is focused on business. “There’s a big difference between being on LinkedIn and knowing how to master it. You have to be in the groups and communities” pertaining to your field, said Jeri Sedlar, author of “Don’t Retire, Rewire.” Freelance websites are another source of work. If you’re consider creating profiles on freelance platforms to put the word out that you’re available, try generalist sites like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer.com. But don’t overlook freelance sites for a specific industry, such as Axiom, for the legal profession, or sites run by staffing company TrueBlue for people seeking on-demand, temporary or freelance work in manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality and other industries. 3. Invest in training It’s especially important for older […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-be-a-successful-freelancer-4-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-be-a-successful-freelancer-4-strategies
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Job: Freelance Tutor and Assessor

Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) is an organisation dedicated to supporting the marine sector in Cornwall via initiatives that improve profitability and encourage growth through quality and innovation. Established in 2002, CMN was created to improve the prosperity of Cornwall’s world-class marine sector and since then, the Network remains firmly rooted in the sector, seeing the key to the current and future success as continuing to support our members through innovative training and marketing initiatives. Due to continued growth, we have has an exciting opportunity to join our training team as a Freelance Tutor and Assessor, specialising in Engineering. This essential role will be to support our business community to meet their skills and training needs; ensure we continue to drive improvement in our training services and ensure CMN continues to be recognised as a provider of excellence for all our customers and learners. The right person for this role is a team player who is ready for a challenge and willing to challenge and support others. You will need energy, patience and a passion for what you do. Your personal drive to succeed will be complemented by the training team and customer ethos of CMN. Job Purpose: A strong background in the Engineering industry will enable you to deliver our engineering training to young people, apprentices and employees of marine businesses. You will support the development, delivery and assessment of our apprenticeship programmes to meet the needs of learners and deliver qualifications such as Marine Engineering Standards and PEO, PMO Frameworks; as well as developing, maintaining and managing relationships with our local employers. You will be part of a pro-active, enthusiastic team of employed and freelance Tutors and Assessors, who support our apprentices across many occupational areas. Skills and Experience: As well as being a qualified assessor with substantial work experience in your occupational area, you will be experienced at using current assessment procedures and be able to assess up to Level 3 in the areas identified. Experience and a qualification in teaching is essential. You must hold (or is working towards) a relevant teaching qualification, assessor’s qualifications (A1 or Level 3 TAQA or CAVA Level 3). Above all, we are looking for someone with a strong understanding and competence in Engineering disciplines, not excluding fabrication and welding, mechanical and/or marine engineering or maintenance engineering. If you have a real enthusiasm to pass on knowledge and skill in these areas to others, then we would love to hear from you. Working for us as a tutor involves travel throughout Cornwall on a flexible basis. Location: Across Cornwall Job Type: Freelance Hours of Work: Flexible Salary/Hourly Rate: Competitive rates depending on experience. How to Apply : Full job description and payment terms are available on request. To send an expression of interest please provide a full CV and covering letter to: Lucy Harris, Operations Director: lucy.harris@cornwallmarine.net Or for further information please contact Lucy on 01326 211382 Closing Date for Applications: 15 th November 2019 Cornwall Marine Network is committed to […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/job-freelance-tutor-and-assessor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=job-freelance-tutor-and-assessor
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Strong demand for analytics professionals for hire: Freelancer.com

Demand is growing for freelance data analytics professionals who can help companies gain insight from their numbers and wrangle data for processing, according to Freelancer.com’s Fast 50 Report. The quarterly report tracks the top 50 fastest growing and declining job type categories within Freelancer.com’s global online marketplace. During Q3, jobs in the data analytics category grew 58.9 per cent, from 1114 to 1770 jobs, demonstrating an increased need for employers to seek skilled workers to analyse and interpret data and identify emerging trends. Also in the field of data analytics, demand for ​data processing skills remains strong with continued growth at 38.6 per cent in Q3, compared with Q2, 2019. Copy typing, which includes data cleaning, was the fourth fastest growing skill. The second fastest growing freelancer listing (up 55.6 per cent) was for virtual assistants – humans who work remotely to complete administrative tasks ranging from data entry to social media posting. “The demand from data analytics indicates more savvy businesses are seeking these highly specialised freelancers to help determine business decisions that increase revenue, improve operations, respond to emerging market trends and gain a competitive edge, while virtual assistants are streamlining processes and creating efficiencies and cost savings,” said Matt Barrie, Freelancer CEO and founder. According to Freelancer.com, the report is the leading forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. Book writing and translation services emerged as trends to watch. Book writing is an outlier in the Q3 2019 Fast 50, with demand growing 29.6 per cent (2,134 to 2,766) to place it 19th in the fastest growing list. It was the only creative arts skills to crack the top 25. Translation skills in Russian shot into the number seven spot, accompanied by English, Spanish and French at numbers 20, 21 and 24 respectively. The top 10 jobs in Q3: Data Analytics Virtual assistants Microsoft Office Copy typing Transcription Word Russian Bookkeeping Email handling Customer support



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/strong-demand-for-analytics-professionals-for-hire-freelancer-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=strong-demand-for-analytics-professionals-for-hire-freelancer-com
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Freelancing Successfully In The Modern Age

0 Facebook0 Twitter0 Pinterest0 Yummly0 Mix0 Email0 Freelancing is such a great way to make money from home. In the digital age, it’s becoming more and more common for working professionals to become self-employed. The opportunity to work remotely by using the internet has made it easier than ever for people to change their careers and businesses. People don’t have to work in a typical office environment anymore. It’s a new age of employment. And even professionals who do work in office environments still work more flexibly than they once did; they might spend a couple of days in the office and the rest of the week working from home. Still, if you decide to work on a self-employed basis from home, then you’re taking a fully independent route. You’re not just starting a new career; you’re starting a new business. The following suggestions in this article could help you to freelance stably and successfully in the modern age. Figure out your business. First of all, you need to figure out your business . Maybe this is your first entrepreneurial venture, or maybe it’s your tenth. Maybe you are just entering the working world for the first time, or maybe you were previously employed elsewhere. Whatever your situation, you need to take your time to figure out the best route for you. You might have skills in a particular profession, but that doesn’t mean you need to freelance in that line of work. If you’re a trained web developer but you never enjoyed it, for example, then it doesn’t make sense to become a freelance web developer. You’ll struggle to build a brand if you don’t enjoy your work. As a solo entrepreneur, you have to be a vibrant and engaged professional. People have to connect to your business, and that means you have to connect to your business. Focus on your interests and talents. Perhaps you’re gifted when it comes to sharing information on social networks and forming connections with new people. You could channel that into a social media marketing career. Or perhaps you are gifted when it comes to playing a particular musical instrument. Maybe you could provide online tutoring. The point is that you need to be passionate about your chosen freelancing venture. Obviously, you need to approach your business with a professional mindset, but you also need to be motivated and determined to do so. In order for that to happen, you have to choose a business idea that interests you on some level. It needs to suit your preferences and your set of skills. Keep your assets and information secure. Additionally, if you want to create a stable and successful freelance business, then you need to protect your brand. You need to keep your assets and information secure. This is good advice for a company of any size, but it’s particularly important for freelancers. If you want to do well, then you need to show the market that your business is reliable and […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/freelancing-successfully-in-the-modern-age/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freelancing-successfully-in-the-modern-age
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Why freelancers should consider a rented office

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/why-freelancers-should-consider-a-rented-office/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-freelancers-should-consider-a-rented-office
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Friday, October 25, 2019

6 Tips to Start Making Sustainable Income as A Freelancer

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/thinking-of-starting-to-freelance-here-are-6-tips-to-start-making-sustainable-income-within-a-year/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thinking-of-starting-to-freelance-here-are-6-tips-to-start-making-sustainable-income-within-a-year
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Thriving in the Gig Economy

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”



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/thriving-in-the-gig-economy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thriving-in-the-gig-economy
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Thursday, October 24, 2019

6 Things I Learnt as a Freelance Content Writer That Can Help Kickstart Your Career

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/6-things-i-learnt-as-a-freelance-content-writer-that-can-help-kickstart-your-career/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-things-i-learnt-as-a-freelance-content-writer-that-can-help-kickstart-your-career
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Freelancers Need To Know How Their Local Tax System Works

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.



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/freelancers-need-to-know-how-their-local-tax-system-works/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freelancers-need-to-know-how-their-local-tax-system-works
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Five steps to managing your budget as a freelancer

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/five-steps-to-managing-your-budget-as-a-freelancer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-steps-to-managing-your-budget-as-a-freelancer
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Freelancer vs. Agency Developer: Which Path Is Best for You?

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/freelancer-vs-agency-developer-which-path-is-best-for-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freelancer-vs-agency-developer-which-path-is-best-for-you
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Employers, it’s time to add some freelancers to your armoury

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/employers-its-time-to-add-some-freelancers-to-your-armoury/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=employers-its-time-to-add-some-freelancers-to-your-armoury
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Friday, October 11, 2019

Benefits of Using Freelance Invoice

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 […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/benefits-of-using-freelance-invoice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=benefits-of-using-freelance-invoice
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

How to Use Trello

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!



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-use-trello/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-trello
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Freelancing is still on the rise, but the golden life of self-employment is a lie

Opinion Freelancing is still on the rise, but the golden life of self-employment is a lie By Chantal Brocca Image by Jenia Filatova There are few things more enticing than the prospect of escaping the soul-crushing routine of the nine to fiver. In the recent decade, freelancing has risen up as the ultimate solution for the dissatisfied individual, offering the freedom of flexible self-employment, an improved lifestyle and other glittering promises of work-related happiness at our exhausted, overworked faces , prompting many of us (me included) to quit our jobs and begin the hustle towards self-fulfilment. Today, more than a third of U.S. workers are in the gig economy, and it’s hard not to see why. In 2019, we are constantly confronted with the modern ideals of success: independence, self-actualisation and purpose. The logic is infallible—almost. Why gift a lifetime of hard work, your soul and your precious ideas to ‘the Man’, when you can keep the fruits of all that you can offer to yourself? Why commit to a rigid working structure and vacations on a tight leash? Why never have the time to pursue personal passions or allow yourself to be the leader that you can be, all the while running the risk of getting sacked when the time comes to downsize? If you’re a creative, all the better, because freelancing is presented to you as the means to the glorious end of living for your art. We’re fed the myth that the way to happiness is paved by self-starters, championing the self-employed high risk, high gain lifestyle as the next step on the ladder to self-actualisation. The internet and social media are littered with articles, how to’s and interviews of successful freelancers who declare that they’d never go back to employment, painting work-as-wanderlust pictures of working from their laptops from exotic beaches, cocktail in one hand, with only the mildest sensation of being swamped from constant proposals of work from clients that they adore, for projects that they love. But the day-to-day reality for the freelancing individual couldn’t be further from the painted truth. Studies show that freelancing translates into less freedom instead of more. The line that separates work and life becomes blurred until it disappears and you end up switched on 24/7, mulling over concepts, looking over accounts, pitching to new clients, and networking, networking, networking. A 2019 survey found that, in the U.S., 92 percent of freelancers work on vacation. The flexibility promised by the freelance economy becomes another rerun of the be-careful-what-you-wish-for saga: flexibility, yes, but only to increase your working hours from 9 to a hearty 16. The truth is not that freelancers become hardcore workaholics—it’s that they absolutely cannot switch off, or risk missing out on contracts that pay the bills and the many significant overheads that come with being self-employed. The perceivably appealing position of wearing all the hats in your business quickly turns into an unsustainable situation, translating in the long term into perpetual over-exhaustion. Take a weekly […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/freelancing-is-still-on-the-rise-but-the-golden-life-of-self-employment-is-a-lie/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freelancing-is-still-on-the-rise-but-the-golden-life-of-self-employment-is-a-lie
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Monday, October 7, 2019

Wow! U.S. Freelancer Earnings Approach $1 Trillion

With the lure of being independent, flexible working times, freedom to choose projects and a chance to experiment with their craft, more Americans are freelancing . And in 2019 their earning is set to hit the $1 trillion mark. Freelancing in America 2019 According to the Upwork Freelancing in America : 2019 study, 57 million Americans are now freelancing. By the way, this represents 35% of the total U.S. workforce. Regarding the earnings, it’s almost 5% of the U.S. GDP, which is more than the construction and transportation industries combined. What is more, being a freelancer is now a viable career choice. This is what Caitlin Pearce, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, explains in the release. Adding, “More than one in three Americans are freelancing.” Freelancing Becoming More of a Long-term Gig The study reveals many freelancers now view freelancing as a long-term career choice rather than a temporary gig. The share of those who freelance full time is up from 17% in 2014 to 28% this year. Skilled services are the most common type of freelance work, with 45% of freelancers engaging in programming, marketing, IT and business consulting. Freelancers doing skilled services earn a median rate of $28 an hour. This is 70% more per hour than other workers in the US economy. Driven by a stronger labor market, 60% of freelancers say they are freelancing by choice, up from 53% in 2014. And it is providing opportunities for more people. This includes 46% of the respondents who say they wouldn’t be working at a traditional job. This is the case for 43% who have health issues. If not for freelancing opportunities, 1 out of 5 of those with health challenges say they couldn’t work. Future prospects Freelancing is luring more younger generation workers who like the work/life balance it gives them. More than half or 53% of Generation Z Americans are freelancing, with millennials adding another 40%. And when it comes to the future of freelancing, people are optimistic. A whopping 91% say the best day for freelancing are ahead, a 14% increase from 2014. They are optimistic because of technology advances (77%) and more professionals (64%) are taking freelance work. The increased diversity is going to make freelancing a practical career path for those choosing to work this way. However, there are challenges in the segment. Freelance Challenges Freelancers and non-freelancers share similar concerns, such as fair pay, retirement funds, access to affordable healthcare and a healthy savings account. When it comes to debt, including college loans, freelancers (46%) are more likely to have these financial responsibilities. It goes down to 36% for non-freelancers. And regarding income, 59% of freelancers feel like they live paycheck-to-paycheck, while it goes down to 53% for non-freelancers. Skills and Training The reason freelancing is growing is because of all the available talent globally. And the talent pool is growing as more experts, professionals and even people with general skills start working this way. However, 89% of the freelancers in […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/wow-u-s-freelancer-earnings-approach-1-trillion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wow-u-s-freelancer-earnings-approach-1-trillion
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Saturday, October 5, 2019

How to Stay Motivated When Working as a Freelancer

Stay Motivated as a Freelancer

Are you just not feeling it today? You’re not sick, and you’ve had plenty of sleep. It’s not particularly lovely outside, so you aren’t tempted to go out a get some sunshine. But for whatever reason, you just can’t get motivated to work.

When you worked in a regular job, you may have been motivated to work by your boss and peers. Maybe a constant barrage of calls and customers kept you on your toes.

Now that you are a freelancer, you may be working from home. You may not have daily communication with your clients.  No one would know if you had a quick nap. Or a three-hour nap. Or watched a few more episodes of The Crown.

While everyone needs to take a day off every once in a while, it can become a bad habit if you do it too often. What do you do to stay motivated enough to work each day? Here are some ideas.

Keep a visual reminder of why you are working as a freelancer.

Did you have to wear a nametag for your previous job? Display your badge in a prominent place to remind yourself that you never want to go back to that job again.

Perhaps you were never able to make it to any of your son’s birthday games because you were always traveling on the nights he played. If that’s the case, keep a baseball or a photo of your son near your workspace.

Whether it’s a pair of high-heeled shoes or your business card for a job you hated, use those reminders as inspiration to push on with your day.

Remember the money.

In your previous life, if you had a lazy day at work, it may not have affected your paycheck. Unless you worked in sales, your pay was probably the same regardless of if you busted your rear or not.

As a freelancer, your bottom line is closely related to your amount of hustle. Is it a slow week for jobs? Then you should be developing your skills by learning something new about your industry. Are your current clients not keeping you busy enough? Then maybe you need to seek more work.

It may sound crass, but most people freelance to make money. Sure, you can make the world a better place while you are at it, but you also need to put shoes on your feet and pay your mortgage.

Set work hours.

We know that one of the reasons you quit your day job to become a freelancer was so you could have a flexible schedule. But if you are struggling to stay motivated, why not try to set regular work hours? Your hours can be of your choosing. They can even be through the night if you wish.

Setting a specific schedule will also help if you find yourself at the other end of the work spectrum. Maybe you know that work=money, so you find that you are working all the time. Make sure you have balance in your life. Obtain that balance by setting specific work hours.

Try a Change of Scenery

Sometimes just the act of gathering your work items and driving to a different location will knock the cobwebs loose in your brain. In other words, nothing may be wrong with your current workspace, but the act of moving will energize you enough to move on with your day.

You may also opt for a completely new workspace. If you work from home, try a coffee shop. Use earbuds playing classical music to block out the background noise.

Try your local library. Many are very accommodating for participants of the gig economy. You may be able to schedule time in a private office or find a quiet niche to complete your tasks.

You may even want to try working outside. Sometimes the only thing you need to get inspired is fresh air and vitamin D. 

Create bite-sized chunks.

Maybe you have taken on a task that seems overwhelming. If this is the case, break up the work into bite-sized chunks. You will feel as if you are accomplishing something each day, even if you don’t complete the full project. Write down your to-do list at the beginning of each day, and tick off the items when you achieve them.

Take a walk.

If you have stared at the same screen for an hour, and you have accomplished nothing, permit yourself to take a break.

Working as a freelancer is new territory for most people. You aren’t going to be great overnight. Try different strategies to stay motivated.

This article was originally posted at Freelancing buzz!



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/how-to-stay-motivated-when-working-as-a-freelancer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-stay-motivated-when-working-as-a-freelancer
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Revolutionizing The Freelancing Platform on New Terms

Ad closed by Report this ad Why this ad? Seen this ad multiple times Ad covered content Not interested in this ad Ad was inappropriate Thanks. Feedback improves Google ads Ad closed by With Freelanex the future is NOW! As the gig economy takes the world by storm, gradually replacing the nine-to-five job, Freelanex, one such amazing platform emerged on the freelancing horizons backed by blockchain technology and powered by latest techniques. This platform efficiently lets clients find professionals through query-response smart contracts. Which nullifies all the inefficiencies experienced in other freelance marketplaces. Thus enabling payments made in timely fashion, ensuring transparency, immutability, security and efficiency. Freelanex represents a decentralized platform which has been designed on the lines of Blockchain technology in order to target all the maladies affecting the freelance economy. It is here to improve the working environment for freelancers and build an atmosphere in which the chances for fraudulent and immoral practices are ZERO. Here is how Freelanex is going to be beneficial to the World: 1. Creating millions of new Job Opportunities for everybody. 2. Reducing the Risk factors in a freelancer-client relation to almost ZERO so that it’s a win-win situation on both sides. 3. Creating a Trustworthy and Transparent working environment for freelancers. 4. Maximizing chances of Earning for the Skilled people who are facing Challenges in the Current setup. 5. Creating a magnanimous relation in the world of Blockchain technology and the world of freelancing that benefits all. 6. Making cash flow throughout the community smooth and free of corruption by a Well-Regulated Cryptocurrency. 7. Launching Immutable Values in the form of Self-Executing Contracts called Smart Contracts programmed by Blockchain technology in freelancing. 8. Providing payment guarantees to the freelancers by freezing funds of the clients that they are working for. 9. Separating out and shortlisting those individuals that are fit for their jobs by Whitelisting the Trusted freelancers. 10. Giving everybody a chance to prove themselves on a platform which is open to all. In short Freelanex is planned to provide everybody with a highly trustworthy platform, through which freelancers can utilize their skills and their potential in order to work and earn online. Freelanex IEO on p2pb2b and Shortex Freelanex has partnered with p2pb2b and Shortex crypto exchange to offer its native, ERC20-compatible FLXC tokens through an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO). Investors can sign up on the exchange and complete KYC and AML checks to begin acquiring the tokens. During the event, tokens will be made available at the rate of 1 FLXC = 0.004 USD. A minimum of 20 USD must be invested to take part and more than 5000 FLXC contributors will get 25% of bonus FLXC tokens. p2pb2b and Shortex users will not need a separate security check to take part in the IEO. Website: https://www.freelanex.io/ Join Freelanex telegram community: https://t.me/Freelanex Media Contact Company Name: Freelanex Contact Person: Ibrahem Hassan Email: Send Email Phone: 240.455.3170 Country: United States Website: http://www.freelanex.io/



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/revolutionizing-the-freelancing-platform-on-new-terms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=revolutionizing-the-freelancing-platform-on-new-terms
via https://freelancingbuzz.com

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Young Freelancers, Eight Rules Of Good Client Relationships

October, which is almost upon us, is a more interesting month than I had realized. Halloween is a perennial favorite, of course (#2 among favored holidays, just below Christmas. Surprisingly, Valentine’s Day is way down at #8). But I’ve also recently learned that October includes Boss’s Day on October 16, a holiday I hadn’t known about before. In honor of Boss’s Day, but respecting my focus on the #freelancerevolution , I thought it might be interesting to begin a conversation about the qualities of great freelance clients. But, after reflection, a more useful article topic presented itself: What can young freelancers do to create effective and mutually satisfying relationship with their clients? In his article , “How to spot a bad freelance client and what to do about them,” my Forbes colleague Abdullahi Muhammed provides a helpful description of how freelancers should manage client expectations. I liked his approach; while it was not explicit, his thinking had much in common with Robert Frost’s wonderful poem Mending Walls and its iconic refrain, “Good fences make good neighbors.” I’ve added helpful advice from my mentor Herb Shepard , an early freelancer and a much esteemed pioneer in organization development. Here’s my take, eight reminders of what it takes to build and preserve effective client relationships: Remember, this is B2B. This is the most obvious, most important, and the most likely to be forgotten by young independent professionals. So, let me say it as simply as possible: act like you are one of the B’s in this B2B relationship. Newish freelancers with prior corporate experience in IT or elsewhere too easily forget that they are no longer employees, and that their relationship to the client is peer, not boss. But, to make that stick, they also need to be as “buttoned up” in how they do business as they want to be seen and treated by clients. Whether full time or side hustle, you need to ensure that you are seen as professional and dependable. Clarify expectations often . Top freelancers are unanimous: even when there is very good agreement on the work and the terms surrounding the work, freelance-client relationships are often difficult for all the obvious reasons. The first rule of good client management is to help the client by ensuring a clear statement of work and terms and regular conversation to identify, assess, and talk through potential or required changes to the plan, the timeline, and associated cost. Set clear boundaries with straight talk . Clients focus on their needs; they want to know that the work is completed well, as quickly as possible, and at the lowest reasonable (possible?) cost. Not surprisingly, clients often try to expand the service space, for example, “let’s touch base daily.” Or, move up the deadline. Or add features. Or renegotiate the price (“Seems like it’s taking less time than you thought.”). Your challenge as a freelancer: “straight talk” that builds a realistic relationship without off-putting the client. A fact based conversation is […]



from Freelancing Buzz https://freelancingbuzz.com/young-freelancers-eight-rules-of-good-client-relationships/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=young-freelancers-eight-rules-of-good-client-relationships
via https://freelancingbuzz.com