Freelancer Income While Waiting for Small Business Grant 2020

Waiting for Your Small Business Grant or Small Business Loan During the Corvid-19 Pandemic?

These are dark days indeed, especially if you are a small business owner. No doubt, you have heard of the Coronavirus Stimulus Package that has recently passed designed to assist families and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, but the cogs of government take a long time to turn. What do you do in the meantime?

As you can see from our website, each member of the staff of Freelancing Buzz has dedicated themselves to the work-from-home community for years. In fact, each person on the team sees himself as a freelance teacher. We know that our job is more important now than ever before since the coronavirus has disrupted many people’s ability to earn a living.

While most of the time, we support the freelancer, today we would like to discuss how small business owners can hire freelancers to help expand the scope of their businesses. Maybe you have wanted to retool your business to expand into online commerce for years. Perhaps this virus and the stay-at-home ordinance is giving you a chance to focus on this business strategy. Let us help.

The first thing you need to do is to find a freelancing website. Upwork is one of the top freelancing sites, but others are highly rated as well. Even if technology makes you uncomfortable, you do not need any special Upwork skills to use this website. In fact, many highly-skilled professionals work through this website who will be able to help you decide what you need.

GET PAID TO WORK FROM HOME 

Here are some freelance professionals you may consider hiring to help you as you expand your business.

Web design

Web page designer – There’s a lot that goes into creating a webpage for a business. Since we don’t know how long this virus will affect brick and mortar businesses, perhaps you should start expanding your e-commerce capabilities now.

Hire highly-rated designers with experience in your industry. Make sure the designer is able to create a mobile-friendly and secure website. Being a web page designer is one of the best freelance jobs, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding highly-skilled people who are happy to give you a bid on this task.

Search Engine Optimization

SEO Specialist – Perhaps you already have an e-commerce website, but it doesn’t seem to get much attention. Maybe you have been ignoring your Google ranking because till now, the bulk of your sales came from your brick and mortar location.

You can’t ignore your Google ranking anymore. In fact, you need to mobilize so customers can find your website quickly.

While you may be able to find a few freelancers willing to help you increase your Google ranking, many small businesses will help you with this endeavor. We highly recommend Virtual Surge – Search Engine Optimization for your SEO needs. They have helped us with our site! Ask for Shannon, and mention this post and you will receive a special discount.

Virtual Surge will be able to look at your business’ big picture. They will teach you how to increase your business’s visibility through a variety of methods.

Freelance Content Writers

Maybe you have enjoyed relative success in the past with your online orders, but now to keep from having to furlough your employees, you need to increase those online sales. You may consider hiring niche writers who are experts in your field. They can create blogs about your business or industry that will increase your online visibility.

You can find freelance content writers on Upwork or other freelance job sites.

Social media

Social Media Marketing Expert – Maybe your website isn’t your problem. Perhaps you know that to compete in your industry, you need to have attractive Pinterest pages that will bring people to your website. Maybe you have seen the success of Facebook marketing campaigns, and you want to know how you can make that happen for your small business.

If so, you may consider seeking the help of a social media expert. He or she could give you suggestions on content and design, and you could have your current employees work from home to assist you with the content.

We know you are scared about how COVID-19 will affect your business. We know you aren’t sleeping well at night because you are concerned about being able to pay your employees. While the stimulus package, including the small business disaster loans, may help, it may not be enough to help you over the hump. You are not alone and we are here to help. Continue to check back for more updates.

Reach out to the freelancing community for help. They have the knowledge and experience to help you retool your business to offer your goods or services online.

Join as a professional:

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How to Become a Freelance- Virtual assistant – Freelancing Buz

Freelance Virtual assistant

Are you interested in becoming a freelancer, but you aren’t sure how to earn your money? You may consider whether or not you have the skills needed to become a virtual assistant.

Before we discuss the necessary skills, let’s first talk generally about working as a freelancer. There are many perks to working on your own, but there are drawbacks as well that you need to consider.

You probably have already thought about all the benefits of working as a freelancer. Once you have made a name for yourself you can choose your clients and rates. You can work from anywhere, including your kitchen table. You don’t waste time commuting, picking up dry cleaning, or attending staff meetings.

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to working as a freelancer. You have to pay for your own benefits. You have no sick leave or vacation days. You have to pay self-employment tax, which includes the employee and the employer tax.

Besides fiscal considerations, there are emotional ones as well. You may love the idea of being able to avoid office drama and politics, but working as a freelancer can be a bit lonely at times. Even though you no longer have to attend staff meetings, you also don’t get invited to a Friday night “happy hour” either.

Of course, we don’t want to discourage you from becoming a freelancer. But we think it is important to know what you are getting into before you quit your day job.

Are you still interested? Great! Here’s what you need to know about becoming a freelance virtual assistant.

Necessary Skills to Become a Freelance Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants need to have an extremely wide array of skills to perform the duties of the job. You have to be an excellent communicator, technologically savvy, and have the ability to multitask.

More than anything else, you have to be trustworthy. As a virtual assistant, you may have access to an individual’s email account and website.

Here are some of the most common tasks that someone would expect to have completed by a virtual assistant:

Responding to emails
Processing orders
Offering customer support
Maintaining WordPress websites
Managing a schedule
Researching
Managing social media accounts
Making travel arrangements

You also have to be able to focus on tasks and work whatever hours are necessary. Working as a freelancer is not easy. If you aren’t working, you aren’t making money. It is definitely not the life for someone with a less-than-impressive work ethic.

How to Become a Freelance Virtual Assistant

Here are some general tips on how to become a freelance virtual assistant.

1. Find a mentor.

It is not necessary that you speak with a mentor before you start work as a virtual assistant, but it makes it a whole lot easier. Someone who has worked in the field will be able to give you practical pieces of advice on how to spot shady clients, how to handle taxes, and how to improve your skills that clients want you to have.

2. Obtain clients.

Of course, the most important step in becoming a freelance virtual assistant is to find clients. If you have worked as an executive assistant in the past, or if you have a lot of business contacts, you may be able to reach out to the people on your LinkedIn network to find your first clients.

If you don’t know a lot of people, you may find it necessary to become a member of a freelancing website, such as Fiverr or Upwork. There are benefits of working through a freelance website. You can apply for jobs that interest you, and the company acts as an intermediary if there are problems with a client.

The disadvantages of working through a freelance website is that there is a lot of competition. Until you build your profile, you may have to work at a low rate. Also, you have to pay to be a member of the website. You also have to pay a percentage of your earnings to the company as well.

3. Develop relationships.

Once you have found a few great clients who are willing to give you stellar reviews, you can increase the amount you earn for each job. Be careful to give your clients good, quality work as you increase in productivity.

After you have a little more experience, you may want to reach out to higher-paying clients. They will be more likely to hire someone with a proven track record.

Good luck with a career as a freelance virtual assistant.

Freelancing Buzz

Top freelancing sites

Freelance work from home jobs

Freelance marketplace

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How to Find Online Freelance Jobs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Find the Best Freelance Jobs to Help Get You Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our world is in crisis. Whether or not you have become ill from the virus, you certainly have been affected by it.

Some of you may be relatively untouched, as far as your professional life goes. You may be working from home, still collecting your regular paycheck.

Others may not be so lucky. You may have had a people-facing job, and working from home may not be an option.

This is where we want to help. Are you looking for a freelance teacher? We want to help unemployed Americans enter the freelance marketplace. We will discuss how to find freelance work from home jobs and we will discuss some of the best freelance jobs, and the best freelancing sites that will help you get started.

Question: I lost my job due to COVID-19. What can I do as a freelancer to earn money during my time at home?

All the world is now turning to the internet. If you have highly-technical skills, you will be highly sought after in the freelancing world. This list shows some of the fastest-growing freelance jobs through Upwork, one of the most popular freelancing websites. The top five skills include the following:
ServiceNow
DaVinci Resolve
Social video marketing
Highcharts
PyTorch
If you happen to have some of these skills, you may be able to transition into the freelancing world relatively quickly. If not, you may ask yourself what you can do to retool and learn the techniques you will need to become a competitor above other applicants.

An example of a freelance job with highly-specialized skills is that of a freelance web developer. If you know how to program, or you are a pro at WordPress, you may be able to market those skills to help thousands of small business owners enter the world of online sales.

Even if you don’t have highly-specific skills, there are other jobs available on the top freelancing sites. Let’s discuss some of these jobs in a bit more detail.

Freelancing Content Writer

The whole world is turning to online commerce. Owners of small businesses have to adjust to this new economy, and they are quickly learning how important it is to appear at the top of a Google search.

One way business owners can increase their website ranking is by adding high-value, original content to their websites. That’s the job of a content writer.

This may be a freelance job for you if you have excellent writing skills, can finish writing tasks rather quickly, and can meet deadlines. Of course, all of these skills can be developed, just like the highly-technical skills on the previous list.

You may discover that your workplace expertise may be helpful in landing a job. For example, if you are an out-of-work mechanic, you may be able to find a job as a niche writer — you can write highly-valuable knowledge-based content about cars.

Perhaps you are a real estate agent. Although you may not be able to help your clients buy houses right now, some business owners may want you to write about the industry.

Sometimes your niche may have more to do with your interests instead of your profession. Your love and knowledge of video games may help you land a freelance writing job — as long as you have the writing skills to go along with it.

Freelance Graphic Design

Perhaps you are more gifted in art instead of writing. If you are a talented graphic designer, you may be able to get some freelance work during this difficult time.

Being able to present statistics and information in an easy-to-read format is highly sought after right now. People want to be able to learn essential details at a glance, especially if it concerns the coronavirus.

To work as a freelance graphic designer, you need to be well versed in popular design software. Even though having knowledge in a specific industry may be helpful, the ability to read and interpret data is just as necessary. Your written communication skills will be somewhat relevant as well since you will have to use your writing skills to bid on jobs.

Freelance photographer

Webpage developers rely on stock images to break up text on their websites. If you are a skilled photographer with technical knowledge, you may be able to earn a few extra bucks as a freelance photographer.

You may or may not find such jobs on freelance websites, but you can do a quick Google search to look for other sites such as Pixabay.

How do you enter the freelancing world? We have MANY resources through our blogs and our page dedicated to a list of freelancing job sites for all types of different types of freelancing jobs. We will also be updating this website twice a week during the COVID-19 pandemic to help those of you who have recently lost their jobs.

Best Freelancing Jobs

Top freelancing sites

Freelance work from home jobs

Freelance marketplace

COVID-19 freelance opportunities

 

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How to Become a Freelancer – Graphic designer

Freelance Graphic Designer

Today in freelancer news, we are going to talk about how to become a freelance graphic designer.

There are many perks of working as a freelance graphic artist. First, you can work from anywhere and at any time. While many freelancers envision blissfully completing projects while hanging out on a pristine beach, the reality is that you will probably sit at your crumb-covered kitchen table wearing a pair of sweats, a baggy t-shirt, and no bra.

Most graphic artists envision being able to expand their creativity and work on projects close to their hearts. The reality is that you will probably be forced to do a lot of less-than-desirable projects to pay the bills until you become known in your niche.

Many graphic artists love the idea of designing all day and not wasting time at staff meetings or commuting. The reality is that your 9-5 job may have had an intermediary between the creative department and the clients. As a freelancer, you will have to work with clients directly, and some of those relationships may be difficult.

Finally, graphic artists may envision the life of a freelancer as being easier. The reality is that you will probably work harder than you ever have before. You will learn that any break you take — even if it’s to go to the bathroom, means that you aren’t making money. You aren’t earning if you aren’t doing. This may not be very easy for someone, especially if they don’t have the greatest of work ethics.

While we don’t want to do is be too discouraging, we feel that as a freelancer teacher, we must give you the realities of freelancing. Of course, we haven’t even broken the surface of other freelancing difficulties, which also include having to take care of your own taxes, obtaining your own health insurance, and saving enough for retirement.

Before you go back to your boss, begging for your old job back, let’s discuss the perks.

First, it is extremely satisfying to be able to make money using nothing but your talents and a laptop.

Second, maybe you were underutilized at your last job, and you weren’t given a chance to show your creativity. Being a freelancer will allow you to push the limits, as long as you have clients who agree with your design philosophies.

Finally, because there is no one else to turn to for help, you quickly learn to fine-tune your artistry. You learn to create faster and learn to problem solve through issues since you don’t have any coworkers to turn to for help.

But we may be preaching to the choir. Maybe you already know why you want to become a freelance graphic designer, but you want to know how to get started.

How to Become a Freelance Graphic Designer

As a freelancer teacher, we know that there is not one specific way to begin working on your own. It depends upon your vision. Do you want to work quietly at your kitchen table, producing designs that amaze your clients? Or do you have dreams of turning your freelancing business into your own design firm?

Here are some pieces of advice to consider.

1. Find a mentor.

Talk with someone who has left the corporate world to branch out on his or her own. Buy them coffee while you pick their brain about obtaining clients, purchasing equipment, setting prices, and putting aside enough money for taxes.

Most freelancers would be happy to help you get started, but they may not be super pumped about sharing too much about their clients.

2. Obtain clients.

If you don’t have a non-compete or freelance clause in your contract at work, you may begin your life as a freelancer by working evenings and weekends. This will enable you to collect your salary and retain your benefits while you are sorting through how to be a freelancer.

How do you obtain clients? First, you can join a freelancing website. The most common one in the industry is Upwork, but there are many others out there — some that focus just on design projects.

There are many benefits to working through one of these companies. It makes it easier to find clients. Upwork will work as an intermediary if you have a problem collecting payment from the work you completed. Also, you can apply for jobs that interest you.

The disadvantages of working through one of these companies are that you may have to take low-paying jobs for a while to build up your reviews. Also, there are a lot of graphic designers working through Upwork, and some may be willing to do the work for a lot cheaper than you are willing to do it. Finally, at first, Upwork will take 20% of your earnings. The percentage decreases if you do a lot of work for one client.

3. Develop relationships.

Just like any other career, relationships are essential in the freelancing industry. It may take a while, but eventually, your goal is to find a few great clients who provide you with good pay and consistent work. Work hard for these clients — they are your bread and butter.

Good luck with a career as a freelance graphic designer. Although there are many things to consider before taking that first step, it is incredibly satisfying to work on your own.

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How to Manage Self-Isolation: Tips for Freelance Photographers

Given the recent guidelines on social distancing from various health organizations, the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19) means that most of us will be self-isolating for some time. As a freelancer, how can you manage this enforced downtime positively? Over the past five weeks, I was already dealing with an enforced “lay-off” from work. An accident whilst taking photographs for a forthcoming book left me with a broken ankle and six weeks of being unable to work. With the growth of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many freelancers are now facing a similar period of being unable to work. Freelancers don’t receive any Statutory Sick Pay in the UK, so we are left income-less when not working. As such, I thought I’d share some tips I’ve garnered over the last few weeks to try and use this time positively. Communicate to Customers The first thing you have to remember is that your customers don’t know what has happened to you. As soon as you know that you are going to be unable to work get in touch with them. The most important thing is to be absolutely honest. Let them know why you are going to be unable to work with them. Tell them you are gutted that you can’t do the job. Give an indication when you are expecting to become available again. If you had been paid a deposit or a fee already, offer a refund or re-booking for another date. I had to cancel around 20 appointments due to the broken ankle. All but one of the customers agreed to reschedule. That’s not always going to be the case but I am sure that the open and honest approach meant clients would work with you. Think About the Customer Journey This leads directly from communicating to customers and is a great way of making sure you look in control. I have a fantastic booking system for photography workshops that is provided by FareHarbor. One of the features they provide is text and e-mail reminders so that customers don’t forget when they have booked their workshops. They also help me send out post-workshop surveys so I can make the customer experience even better in the future. By working with FareHarbor I was able to establish those automatic triggers that could have sent messages to customers whilst they were deciding when to reschedule to. They already had a process built into the system so I could stop the messages for a period of time until I was returning back to work. As a small business, your reputation is probably one of the biggest assets you have. It would be silly to have it take a knock by not thinking about what your customer will feel. Personal Development Freelancers know their customers are really important. Without them, they don’t get paid and without getting paid they won’t be freelancing for much longer. As a result of this, the photographers (and other freelancers) I know are trying to […]

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How To Save For Taxes If You Are A Freelancer

Preparing for retro photo session sitting in coffee shop during work break,skilled photographer taking picture of modern cafe interior Are you tired of working for others? Being your own boss can be very rewarding both financially and spiritually, but there are challenges associated with freelance work. Taxes are one of the most difficult aspects because self-employment brings a special set of tests. Freelancers work as independent contractors and those who employ them are not required to withhold payroll taxes (such as Medicare and Social Security contributions). As both employer and employee (technically, you employ yourself), you must contribute both sets of taxes — the normal income tax that you would pay on your income as an employee and the “self-employment tax” that covers Medicare and Social Security contributions. You must estimate and pay this tax quarterly to approximate the monthly flow of payroll taxes that the government would receive from an employer. Estimated taxes are due on the 15 th of the month after the end of the quarter. For example, taxes for the first quarter of January 1 to March 31 are due on April 15 (or the next business day if the 15 th falls on a weekend or holiday). Failure to make payments on time will result in penalties and interest charges on the unpaid taxes. “Making an estimated payment is exceptionally important, especially for people who are new freelancers,” says Betterment Head of Tax Eric Bronnenkant. “I’ve seen people not make estimated payments and spend all the money, and then all of a sudden tax time comes around and then their accountant, or TurboTax or whoever it is says, ‘You now owe us $10,000,’ or some amount of money that people don’t have or may not have set aside.” Every person that you work for as an independent contractor is obligated to file a 1099 form with the IRS and send a copy to you as a record of your earned income. Keep close track of these 1099 forms, as they serve as proof of your income. Even if you are not supplied with a 1099 form that corresponds to one of your freelancing jobs, you are obligated to report that income. If the IRS finds a 1099 form that does not correlate to your reported income, expect greater scrutiny of your tax return. Quarterly payments are made by filing Form 1040-ES, ” Estimated Tax for Individuals “. The form contains a worksheet to help you estimate your taxes and the address to which you mail your completed form and payment (based on where you live). If you have questions, the IRS has a section of their website devoted to tax issues for the self-employed . Keep in mind that you are paying taxes on your profit, not your income. To determine your profit, subtract your business expenses from your business income. If your net profit is over $400, you will need to file an income tax return, and if you are expected to owe […]

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This Job Board Specializes in Remote Work and Flexible Gigs

Thanks to the internet and widespread connectivity, there are plenty of jobs that don’t require you to commute to the office every day or work a 9-to-5 schedule. But how do you find openings for these positions? And how can you tell whether they’re legitimate or scams? One way to look for legitimate part-time, remote, flexible-schedule or freelance work is to use FlexJobs . It’s a subscription-based job board that specializes in postings for these types of positions. On many traditional job boards, it can be difficult to determine whether a position offers the option to work remotely, or whether you’re signing up for freelance work, says Brie Weiler Reynolds, career development manager at FlexJobs. You might apply for a job, only to find out that it’s not as flexible as you thought. On FlexJobs, though, all job openings are part-time, remote or freelance — or otherwise offer some type of flexible working condition. “We have a team of researchers who look at job sites and job boards, and we also work with employers who post openings,” says Reynolds. Additionally, FlexJobs screens openings. So, you don’t have to worry about running into, say, a work-from-home scam. FlexJobs is more than a searchable database of flexible jobs. Other perks of a FlexJobs membership include: The ability to apply for positions directly from the FlexJobs website Regular emails with job openings that match your preferences Access to webinars designed to help you learn skills, including resume improvement and LinkedIn networking Access to skills tests that can help you set yourself apart from other job applicants The option to call FlexJobs and speak with a person — such as for help setting up your profile or setting up personalized search parameters, for example FlexJobs offers multiple membership lengths: One month : $14.95 Three months : $29.95 One year : $49.95 “Many of our members just sign up for one or three months, and then hit it hard to find a good, flexible job,” says Reynolds. “However, we also have some freelancers who renew at the annual rate so they can keep a good flow of work.” Not ready to commit to a membership? You can read FlexJobs’ blog and receive its email newsletter for free. You can also see what kinds of jobs are available and read about employers. However, without a membership, you can’t apply to jobs through the FlexJobs website or see employer contact information, says Reynolds. “Use the free service to get a feel for what to expect and even see how often companies post jobs,” she says. “Then you can see how valuable it might be to sign up the next time you’re looking for more flexible work.” For the most part, the people who will most benefit from FlexJobs are those looking for work to fit their lifestyles. The jobs posted on the site are aimed at people who aren’t looking for a traditional 9-to-5 job in an office. While some of the jobs do follow regular […]

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Bectu urges government to do more for creative freelancers losing livelihoods due to coronavirus

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is being urged by to do more to protect the income of creative freelancers who are seeing their livelihoods disappearing due to the impact of corona virus. These freelancers, represented by Bectu the union for creative ambition, a sector of Prospect, continue to fall through the safety net despite measures announced in the Budget. Mike Clancy general secretary of Prospect has written to the chancellor asking for more to be done to “recognise and alleviate the situation of freelance and self-employed workers”. Bectu represents over 20,000 people working as freelancers in the creative industries. These include people who are self-employed, causal workers and those who are on zero-hours contracts. One member who works as a freelance production manager in live music has already lost hundreds of pounds in earnings this month and has seen every single event she is booked for in the coming weeks cancelled. She is not eligible for benefits due to the nature of her employment and as a result she and her husband, who also works in the sector, are having to apply for jobs as a bus driver and a forklift driver to try and earn extra money. As the response to COVID-19 starts to bite economically it is hard to see such work continuing to be available. Mike Clancy said: “Freelance workers are in a particularly vulnerable situation during this pandemic. Many of them work in ways that mean that even small disruptions to their working patterns can cause real financial hardship. In addition they may have just faced a tax bill that will have reduced their ability to manage a period without work. “My concern is not just for workers who have to self-isolate or who fall sick, but for those who face a more protracted period out of work due to the cancellation of productions or the closure of venues. Universal Credit is a system which time and time again has been proven to be completely unable to cope with any form of change in demand. Asking these workers to rely on Universal Credit or indeed ESA is simply inadequate.” Bectu is calling for the government to re-think its approach and find a more resilient safety net for freelance workers which must include housing costs. ENDS

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Coronavirus: Outbreak will lay waste to freelancers

Football grounds across Scotland – and the world – will be closed for months NOMINATIONS for the Scottish Press Awards have been announced, and in the spirit of acidic opposition, the website Bella Caledonia has opened up nominations for “Breaking Bad – The Worst of Scottish Media”. It was like moths to a light bulb as Bella regulars vented their spleen on Andrew Neil, Fraser Nelson and the Daily Record’s football correspondent Keith Jackson. Thus far, the nominees are a fairly predictable checklist of the journalists that have angered or irritated Scottish political Twitter – but more deeply, it is a salutatory reminder of how unpopular a species media professionals have become. Any past associations with truth and integrity seem to have been ripped apart and journalists are regularly up there with lawyers and traffic wardens as the most despised professions – oh how the mighty of the fourth estate have crumbled. In these feverish times, with Covid-19 laying siege on public life, closing down public events, threatening schools and casting a macabre shroud over older and vulnerable people, the media are not where you would start if you wanted to create a deserving case. But I will. This week I want to cut through the fog of resentment and try to remind people of what life is really like in the media in Scotland. A small percentage of media workers, maybe fewer than 10%, enjoy salaried employment with sick pay and the benefits of a final salary pension scheme. Most of them work for legacy institutions with a long institutional history. In the main, they are either in branch offices of London organisations, in perceived regional outposts or in editionised newspapers run from elsewhere. The BBC , the Times and the Daily Mail are among the employers that offer the greatest security, but beyond them working in the media can be a much bleaker world defined by precarious incomes, freelance employment and risky periods of tenure. This virus is not simply a test of the robustness of public health – it will pose a significant challenge to the whole notion of freelancing and the gig economy . A few days ago, I had a catch up with two colleagues, just as the bleak realities of coronavirus were beginning to bite. We were still in the mocking phase of denial, kicking ankles, bumping fists and sneezing into arm-joints. Gloria Gaynor’s hand-washing version of I Will Survive had yet to go viral or we would have included that in our rituals of having fun with a pandemic. But across the next two hours, as we drank wine and discussed our various projects, a cold, hard chill blew into the room. One friend, a sound technician, received a text cancelling a shoot that had been in his diary for months, and at a stroke had lost three weeks of work. Another friend, a script editor, learned of breaking news from America, that flights to and from Europe were to be grounded […]

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Stress Management- How to Deal with Stress While Working With Freelancers

Running a business online is easier than ever before; with the help of online freelancers, business owners can get a lot done while saving money. The gig economy is booming, and there are 60+ million freelancers in U.S. according to the latest report from Upwork. However, working with freelancers can be sometimes very stressful, because you never could be sure that you will have your job done on time, the quality of your job etc. Here we will give you some stress management tips and on what to pay attention when working with freelancers. Some things must be takeninto consideration before posting a job on a freelance website. One of the most stressful situations about working with freelancers is how to protect your intellectual property. After all, you don’t want an employee, freelancer, or independent contractor who created the work to use it for purposes other than the one you hired them for. We will explain below what rights you have in the work that’s created for you by others, as well as how you can protect your work, idea, or invention from being used or sold by the freelancer creating the work on your behalf. Copyright your work In the United States, copyright law allows the creators of original works of art, such as literary works, graphic works, movies, songs, and books to control who makes, sells, and displays the work they’ve created. The ownership of work that is created “for hire,” belongs to the individual who commissioned the work and not the author. This is so because U.S copyright law states that “work made for hire” is owned by the party that commissioned the work. For example, if you have someone design a web page for you, write content for your website, or create a graphic for you, your work is automatically protected under U.S copyright law. The web page, content, or graphics produced will be owned by the party commissioning or paying the freelancer to create the work. Now suppose you have an employee who creates something on his own time, you do not own the work he creates unless there is a contractual agreement that states otherwise. However, if the work created by the employee is within the scope of his employment, his employer is considered to be the author of the work. So, what does that mean for you as someone who hires a freelancer or remote author? The freelancer who created the work does not have the right to sell or display the work he created for you. However, if the piece of work the freelancer created for you is extremely important, you should register it with the copyright office. The benefit of registering it as copyright is that you’ll be able to sue anyone who misuses your work for copyright infringement. This will deter anybody from reproducing your work without your authorization. Copyright Law protects artwork throughout the life of the author, plus an additional 70 years. Here are a few examples […]

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Independent Contractors And Taxes: What You Need To Know

The future of work lies in independence. It seems that everywhere you look these days, the “gig economy” is flourishing. It’s estimated that 35% of the workforce freelance, and that number is expected to keep growing. As the CEO of an on-demand accounting services startup, I am very familiar with the topic of independent contractors, as they are a core element of our company’s success and growth. As an independent contractor, you’re performing work for a company or entity as a non-employee. Whereas an employee is contractually bound to the company they work for, the same cannot be said for an independent contractor. Likewise, while employees have their taxes withheld and certain benefits covered by the company they work for, freelancers are paid in full and handle their tax obligations on their own. The Perks Of Freelancing Working as an independent contractor has its pros and cons. These are perks to consider as you think about making the leap toward the freelance life: • You are your own boss. The most popular perk to working as an independent contractor is freedom. Your clients are able to make demands based on the type of work you’re doing, but the relationship is a far cry from your typical employee-manager dynamic. As an independent contractor, you are in charge of yourself. • You have complete control over your finances. As an independent contractor, you’ll typically charge a fixed rate per project or deliverable — this means you’re able to have much more control over your personal finances than if you were working for an employer. Likewise, because you work for yourself, you may be able to earn more than you would in a traditional setting. • You can choose when and where you work. Working as a freelancer or independent contractor comes with the added flexibility of managing your schedule on your own. Rather than being tied down to your work schedule as dictated by your employer, you’re able to spread your work as you see fit — which is especially beneficial if you find you are most productive outside traditional business hours. The Challenges Of Freelancing Though freelancing can be beneficial, there are some downsides to keep in mind: • Limited job security. Full-time employees enjoy more stability, including consistent paychecks and work. The same cannot be said of independent contractors. As you are your own business, the arrival of your paycheck is entirely reliant on finding and completing work. • No employer-provided benefits. Whereas employers typically provide their employees with health insurance and paid time off, as well as other benefits, when you work as an independent contractor, you handle these details on your own. Time lost due to vacations or being sick is up to you, but it ultimately affects your bottom line. • More responsibility with payment. As an independent contractor, you are required to collect payments from your clients on your own. You might run the risk of running into clients who avoid paying you for your […]

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Top Tips for Thriving in the Gig Economy

Top Tips for Thriving in the Gig Economy More Have you ever dreamt about setting your own hours and working from home? If so, you’re not alone. A growing number of Americans are turning to freelance and short-term contract work, also known as the gig economy, to make their living. In fact, the gig economy now accounts for more than a third of the American workforce — roughly 57 million people. That’s a lot of competition. If you want to hack it as a freelancer, you’ll need to take steps to stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips for how to survive — and thrive — in the gig economy. 1. Broaden your horizons When you’re first starting out, you might find that gigs in your specific field are few and far between. Rather than get discouraged, try expanding your search to see if there are other gigs out there you qualify for. Using an online marketplace like Fiverr is a great way to not only sell your work, but also see what services other freelancers in your field are offering — and what they’re typically charging. You may realize that your skill-set applies to a ton of potential gigs that you didn’t even know were an option. 2. Hone your brand One of the best ways to stand out in the gig economy is to develop a solid personal brand. Do your best to post regular updates on social networking platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter that highlight your personal strengths and successes. It’s also crucial to have a portfolio of your work online. Your portfolio should highlight the projects that you’re the proudest of, and showcase both your skills and your versatility. By regularly updating your portfolio and resume to include your most recent gigs, you’ll show potential clients that your services are in high demand. 3. Manage your time well One of the main benefits of freelancing is that you don’t have to go to a physical office every day. That can also be a drawback if your time management skills aren’t…well, great. Make use of the calendar app on your phone or computer, or task manager apps like Todoist, and schedule reminders for all of your due dates, meetings, and phone calls. Another useful time management strategy is to establish a solid routine for your workday. Having a routine will increase your sense of control, enhance your focus, and ensure that you’re maintaining a healthy work-life balance — you’ll know when it’s time to eat, time to take a break and time to set your work aside for the day.

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The Benefits of Freelance, Without the Boss

The future of labor in America is freelance. It’s estimated that by 2027, over half the US workforce will be freelancing. When this happens, “all of these people are going to be losing their benefits, all of them are going to be losing the support that they need in order to grow their businesses,” says Eve Epstein, founder of SoleVenture , a startup focusing on the back end of the freelance economy. SoleVenture focuses on the things most freelancers don’t want to think about – healthcare , tax savings, or registering as a specific type of business in order to get the most out of tax credits. Not everyone is prepared to consider these things realistically once they begin taking on contract work, whether it’s full or part time. When speaking to Epstein at the 2020 Synapse Summit in Tampa, she explained her inspiration for SoleVenture. Having graduated from law school at the height of the recession, she saw the workforce changing rapidly. “The whole business model of payroll companies and the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) industry is to help small businesses have the leverage of a large company,” says Epstein, “We’re not doing anything for independent workers, and that’s the majority of the workforce, so we need to figure out a solution for them.” Partnering with fellow attorney Robyn Rusignuolo, who also had a background in HR, they created a virtual dashboard to help freelancers manage business expenses, ensure compliance with labor regulations and enroll for benefits. They are still currently raising money for the venture, and offering an invitation-only free trial, as their waitlist is over 20,000 strong. After a freelancer enrolls, the machine learning of the virtual dashboard begins to better understand how the individual runs their business and suggests potential clients for them. Various stakeholders paint the vision of freelancing differently, with some expressing that it’s about the freedom of an individual to choose when and how they work. Forbes stated that, “In one reflection of freelancers’ satisfaction, 51% said no amount of money would lure them to a traditional job.” SmallBizGenius reports that, “Data from the latest Gig Economy Index shows that around 40% of US workers generate 40% of their income by working independently. This shows how much people depend on the gig economy financially, with a lot of people forced to do gig work in addition to their regular job to make ends meet.” The difference between being forced to do something versus having the freedom to do it is changing the psyche of the American worker. Upon asking Epstein what she thinks of the future of labor in America being freelance, she stated, “We all value independence and flexibility. The purpose of this is to ensure that no one is taken advantage of and we have as many protections as possible, so whether we’re dependent on an employer, dependent on the government, we’re dependent on a spouse for those things – there’s always going to be some level of dependency – […]

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Top Websites To Find Freelance Data Science Jobs

How do data science freelancers grab the attention of companies, successfully network with hiring agencies and find work? The market for freelancers has expanded considerably over the past decade, and this rings true for India as well. According to a report , there are 15 million freelancers in this country as of now, and this number is likely to double by 2023. This trend is attested by LinkedIn, which has seen a spike in the number of freelancers registering on its platform, signalling a higher preference by companies for independent contractors over employees. Coming specifically to data science freelancers, the draw of a flexible work schedule with high pay is pulling them to this market in droves. Although this indicates an increased level of competition, it also means greater scope to find more work. How do aspiring data scientists grab the attention of companies, successfully network with hiring agencies and find work as freelancers? A good place to start would be to create a profile on freelancer directories. These platforms not only receive a lot of traffic from potential employers but also help data scientists grow their professional networks and are thus, vital to their job prospects. However, before you progress to this step, it is critical that you first identify your niche and build a portfolio around it. For tips on how to differentiate yourself from your peers in this community, peruse through this . Only after you have built your brand should you actively look for work. Here are the top three websites where freelance data scientists can find jobs:- Upwork Having merged with popular freelance platform Elance, Upwork is highly sought after and has emerged as a familiar name in the freelancer industry today. It boasts of high quality and quantity of data science job postings, which users can access by simply browsing through and applying for the ones that best suit them. With over 5 million businesses listed on the platform — including Microsoft, GE and Netflix — it offers you an opportunity to get yourself noticed by these top companies. You can get started by signing up for an account – for free. Applicants are expected to submit a cover letter and create a profile outlining their skills and experience. Alternatively, it also connects freelance professionals to businesses seeking specialised talent. That is, it gives companies an opportunity to connect with independent professionals and engage with them on their own terms. How? After selecting the type of data science and analytics work — be it data mining, data extraction or data visualisation — they select the estimated scope of work and project duration, and thereafter, connect with qualified talent from a pool of professionals who have been reviewed by peer companies. What is recruiting agencies can also update or modify their requirements at any time to find the right talent. Toptal This exclusive network of freelance professionals connects talent with relevant companies. With listings from top companies and startups, including Morgan Stanley, SpaceX, Airbnb, […]

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Five Considerations For Older Professionals Entering Freelance Work

Let me open with a confession: Keith Richards is one of my guitar heroes. He’s been a legend for more than five decades, and he’s still rocking at 76. It’s not a secret that he became legendary not only because of his playing, but also because of the fast-paced life he continues to lead off-stage. Keith’s positive aging outlook is embodied by one of his famous quotes that I live by: “Some things get better with age. Like me.” While no one is going to tell Keith to get off stage or that his time in the spotlight is up, many executives, especially those in customer-facing roles like sales and marketing, start feeling the pressure to exit stage left as they get older. For example, according to Ad Age , “In advertising, and at agencies in particular, it’s rare employees ever reach retirement age. They’re often squeezed out long before.” This age glass ceiling is a very real dilemma. As a longtime sales executive, I have seen many instances of peers being squeezed out because of their success and longevity, not despite it. At a certain point, employers can neither keep up with the pace of commission inflation nor offer a path for professional growth outside of the C-suite. What results is career stagnation, where executives are squeezed from the bottom by their proteges rising up the ranks with cheaper salaries and more long-term opportunity. But they have no way to grow in their careers except out of the workforce. PROMOTED While retirement at 65 was historically seen as the ultimate badge of honor, many members of today’s older generations want to stay relevant in their respective fields and maintain fulfilling employment, whether that’s full time or part time. Thirty percent of certain gig workers (1099-MISC contractors) are over age 55, according to ADP via CNBC . When you compare this data to full-time W-2 employees, the number of workers over 55 drops to 21%. From my perspective, this shows our full-time economy isn’t providing these workers with the opportunities they seek, so they are being forced to create their own. But is this a bad thing? After decades of employment, sales professionals have a specific realm of expertise and a strong network. It takes years for a sales professional to hone their craft; creating long-term relationships and mastering the sales cycle is akin to a lawyer or doctor spending years in a courtroom or operating room. Age and experience are undeniably intertwined. Working independently provides workers over 55 with the opportunity to be their own bosses, set their own rates and determine their own schedules. A study released in 2018 by Vistaprint — which surveyed 1,000 American adults from the general population and 500 U.S. small-business owners — found that the majority of Americans want to own a business and be their own boss. The issue is when these professionals who are 55 or older are blind-sided by an unexpected layoff or forced retirement and have inadequately planned […]

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