How to Make a Successful Career Change in the Post-Coronavirus World?

By Daniela McVicker The COVID-19 pandemic has an enormous effect on the job market, forcing many people to leave offices and work from home. However, this is not the worst alternative. Many people were forced to resign due to massive business shut-downs and most of them lost their main source of income. According to the report by The Washington Post , over 100,000 businesses that define America’s economy, have closed forever. As a result, thousands of people lost their jobs and now have joined the 20-million army of unemployed Americans. However, not only those who lost their jobs will actively search for new employment opportunities when the pandemic ends. Many people don’t plan to return to their previous workplace after the quarantine at all and consider changing the field completely. For instance, as USA Today reports , 1 in 5 teachers are unlikely to return to reopened classrooms this fall. You can only imagine how busy the already competitive job market will become as soon as the pandemicll. You can only imagine how busy the already comp ends. So, what can you do to stand out from the competition and make a successful career change in the post-coronavirus world? Let’s take a look at the basic skills and competencies to focus on. Build Up Your Skills with Freelance Projects Before the world had to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the gig economy was developing very slowly. In 2018, the number of freelancers in the U.S. reached 57 million with only a 3.7% increase over the previous five years. Today, the situation has changed. The pandemic has forced people across the globe to use their skills in a different way and explore freelance projects. For many, this became an opportunity to earn money and stay afloat. As a result, many of those who started exploring the gig economy during the quarantine, now plan to explore this path further and remain independent contractors. However, if you still plan to find an in-office job after the pandemic, you can still benefit from freelancing to build up the skills you will need for your future job. Here’s how you can do it. Let’s say you would like to get a position as a content writer/manager. You can start by exploring job ads for this position on LinkedIn. When you find a position you might be interested in, go through the list of requirements and responsibilities: Using this list, you can evaluate the skills you already have, find weak spots, and start looking for freelance projects that could help you improve them. For instance, you might be interested in improving your writing skills by writing reviews of different online services, like Grabmyessay review here, or find a gig that offers you to run a blog on WordPress. Choose freelance gigs according to the field you plan to work in. It will help you stand out from the competition because you will already have all the competencies and experience that others might not have. Work on Your Tech Competencies When the coronavirus pandemic began, many […]

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Employee or Freelancer: Which One Do I Need?

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You need help, but you’re trying to figure out whether it can be on a contract basis or whether you need to payroll someone. This question comes up a lot and it has important implications for working relationships. Do you need an arrangement with a contractor or do you need to hire a regular employee? With millions of freelancers in the U.S. alone, you have your pick of qualified candidates. Take a step back and do some homework to figure out whether you truly need an employee or an independent contractor. When you have an employee on payroll, you’re in control of what the working relationship and schedule look like. As the employer, you’re most likely paying them on an hourly or salaried basis and taking out taxes. Most employers, of course, are going to offer a benefits package to their workers as well. Contractors, on the other hand, are being paid a flat fee per project or an hourly fee to work with you, but are not receiving W2s or getting benefits in the vast majority of situations. (To learn more about IRS designations and tests used to help you determine whether the working arrangement you have in mind really fits legal definitions, check out this resource page .) There are a few big benefits of hiring a freelancer: Only pay for the work you actually need No benefits payment unless you want to offer it Can seek out competitive rates in the marketplace and match your budget and desired experience level with a like-minded freelancer Access to talent all over the world (which you’ll also get if you hire a remote employee) Here are the things to consider when deciding whether or not to outsource to a freelancer or bring on an employee. Working arrangement Freelancers, by law, need to maintain autonomy in how they do their work. For this working arrangement, flexibility is the key. For most contractor relationships, the freelancer will be working on their own equipment on their own schedule, meeting deadlines on projects as needed. In general, freelancers will remain available for scheduled calls but are not “on-call” during typical working hours the same way that an employee would be. If you need someone to be available during your set hours daily, meaning that they’d have to block off their entire day to work when the rest of your team is working, this usually means an employee/employer relationship. And in the U.S., that means payroll, W2, and Social Security/ Medicare taxes paid as part of their paycheck. If you’re open to a more flexible arrangement and truly want to treat this person like an independent contractor — where they control how and when they do their work — a freelancer is the better choice. Just don’t blur the line. Decide what best suits your needs and keep it that way. If you have to make changes, talk to your worker about the need to change […]

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8 Ways to Save for Retirement as a Freelancer

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Freelance life unquestionably brings freedom and flexibility. You can work full-time or part-time for who you want, when you want. Depending on your work choices, this type of career can be lucrative and satisfying. For freelancers , both payment and tax withholding processes are different from a traditional job. These small business owners tend to get their income in a non-taxed way. That means that what they bill a client is what they get paid. Because no state or federal income tax gets taken out from your payment, you might take a financial hit when it comes time to do your taxes. However, there are some ways to save for retirement and invest in ways that reduce your tax burden on a quarterly and annual basis. Open and contribute to a SEP-IRA The SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is surpassing other retirement accounts in popularity. Part of the reason for that growth has to do with increased flexibility for your retirement plan. You can deposit more into a SEP-IRA than you could with a Roth IRA , which has a stricter contribution limit. Another advantage of opening a SEP-IRA is the amount you can contribute. You can contribute up to 25 percent of business profits after you subtract business deductions and half of your total self-employment taxes. Most brokerages offer a calculator to help you determine this figure when you sign up for the account. If you incorporated your freelance business as an S-Corp and pay yourself a salary, then the calculations are different. Try a solo 401(k) Another option is to open a solo 401(k), which often allows for a larger contribution than even the SEP-IRA. You’ll also have opportunities to make post-tax “Roth” contributions that aren’t available with a SEP-IRA. Although that won’t benefit your tax obligation today, it will help your long-term savings plan. Someday you’ll want to retire and start tapping into that money. The only downsides are that the paperwork is more complex and there may be more fees involved. Have multiple retirement accounts — if it makes financial sense You might be able to maximize the benefits of various account types by opening a few and adding to each over the course of your freelance career. How you decide which ones to open should be based in part on your tax bracket and marital status. Check with your tax professional on whether to add a Roth IRA or traditional IRA to your retirement account portfolio. Make catch-up contributions Although this tax tip might not apply to everyone, it does help those freelancers who are 50 and older. Freelancers in this demographic can make what’s known as a catch-up contribution to their 401(k) plans. The extra contributions can help to reduce taxable income and generate considerable tax savings. Because the amount continues to change each year and is also tied to your tax bracket, the best approach is to read the IRS guidelines. […]

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5 Tips for Starting Your Freelance Career

Freelancing can be a pretty ideal work setup if you’re driven, organized, and prefer to work autonomously (for the most part). From setting your own schedule to creating the ultimate WFH space, there are plenty of perks associated with freelance work. However, there are just as many hurdles in the freelance world. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic is what inspired you to start working as an independent contractor or you’re finally getting the chance to realize your life-long career goals, this is the post for you. In this post, we’re sharing five tips that will help you start your freelance career on the right foot. 1. Learn how to market yourself Leaving the corporate world to work on your own can be a pretty scary thing. Not only are you saying goodbye to the safety-net an annual salary provides, but you also become totally responsible for finding your own work, not to mention getting it all done. In order to generate enough clients to make ends meet, you’ll need to learn how to best market yourself. Yes, a beautiful resume is a great place to start, but taking some extra steps will elevate your freelance presence and ultimately, give you a better shot at signing contracts with new clients. Here are a few tips to help you market yourself and your skills: Embrace word of mouth – send an email out to your contacts and professional network letting them know you’re offering freelance services. Showcase your work by setting up an online portfolio using https://dribbble.com/pro or by building your own website. Create an Instagram account for your work – you’d be surprised how fast visual designs trend! 2. Stay organized Staying organized is one of the most important things freelancers can do, but it’s also one of the most complicated. Because you’re likely to have several deadlines and competing priorities at once, you’ll want to have a pretty intense calendar/to-do list system to meet all of your needs. If you’re an old fashioned pen and paper type of person, a white board calendar and daily task list may be fit for your needs. However, project management systems can be really helpful if you need to collaborate with clients , track progress, or store and share files. 3. Know your limits Another big challenge many freelancers face at the start of their career is their inability to say “no” when they don’t feel comfortable taking on a project. While you obviously want to earn and expand your experience, it’s so important to understand your limits when it comes to skill, bandwidth, and schedule. If you know a deadline is going to be impossible to meet, communicate this with your client ahead of time – they’ll be much more understanding if they saw a hiccup coming than if they’re totally surprised by it. 4. Maintain a positive work-life balance If you’re like most freelancers, the whole reason you got into the field was for freedom, so you better take advantage of it!Here […]

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Find The Perfect Virtual Assistant in 3 Easy Steps

As a business owner, you likely struggle with finding time each day to do all the things on your to-do list. If you wish that you had someone that could do all the small tasks, giving you more time to focus on growing your business, you might want to consider hiring a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is an employee or freelance office assistant that works remotely in an administrative role. They could be located anywhere and may work for you full-time or they may have several other leaders that they do work for in any given week. At my company Maui Mastermind, we teach our business coaching clients how to find and hire the perfect virtual assistant in three steps: Step 1: Get Clear on The Role Description The key is to get very clear on what tasks you would like them to do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and put it down on paper. Be realistic about your expectations here. A lot of business owners want the perfect candidate. You want someone who is tech savvy, yet creative. Someone who follows directions well, yet needs no directions. Which is why it’s imperative that you write out what tasks are expected each week. Taking the extra step will help you seperate what is needed versus what you think an “ideal” employee looks like. Here is an example of some items in a role description we recently used for a marketing virtual assistant hire: Sending e-letters via our chosen software Creating a content calendar Posting to syndicated sites following processes Social media management Step 2: Get Clear on What an “Ideal Candidate” Looks Like Once you have a good idea of what your candidate will be doing on a daily basis, you then want to get clear on what your ideal candidate looks like. Here is what we used for the marketing virtual assistant role. The first few items are must-haves, while the remaining items are nice-to-haves. A word of caution here, as I have seen it time and time again with clients and business leaders: do not make a hiring decision based on how well you like the person. The virtual assistant could be a very nice individual, organized and well spoken. But at the end of the day, if they don’t have your must-haves you shouldn’t hire them. Must Haves: Strong communicator, especially in writing. Must be fluent and clear in English when writing. Process oriented, good at using systems, refining systems, and can learn to create systems over time. Has initiative. Okay with some ambiguity and figuring out tasks on their own. Must be detail oriented. Good to Haves: Step 3: Come Up with 3-5 Test Projects Give each candidate three to five test projects to do within a certain period of time, giving every candidate the exact same tasks, and offer to pay their hourly rate for the time spent doing those tasks. For the marketing position in question, we gave the following […]

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This set of online courses could kickstart your freelance career

TL;DR: The Kickstart Your Freelance Career Course Bundle is on sale for £23.55 as of Sept. 27, saving you 98% on list price. Not to alarm you or anything, but it’s a rough moment to be looking for a new gig. If you’re struggling to find work or searching for an additional stream of income, you may want to look into kickstarting a side hustle or pivoting to a freelance role and working for yourself. If you have a marketable skill perfect for freelancing (think copywriting, web design, digital marketing, and coding) but don’t want to enter the freelance world blind, the Kickstart Your Freelance Career Course Bundle will show you the ropes. For just £23.55, you’ll receive eight courses, all of which are designed to help your freelance career thrive. Here’s a sneak peek: Kickstart a Freelance Editor and Proofreader Career on Upwork Upwork is pretty much the Facebook of freelancing — it’s the biggest platform there is. If editing and proofreading is your thing, this course will teach you how to create an effective cover letter for editing gigs. You’ll learn the most effective bidding principles, and how much to bid to score as many contracts as possible. To hone your skill, it also offers bonus tips for editing and proofreading that can result in a 97% client satisfaction rating for your profile. Fiverr: Start a Profitable Fiverr Freelance Business Today Another renowned freelancing platform is Fiverr, and with this course, you’ll get an insider view of the site. Think of it as a roadmap for gaining a competitive edge against other freelancers bidding for the same jobs. You’ll receive tips on how to identify skills that you can sell, create Fiverr gigs that match your interests and values, as well as gain access to resources that will make you profitable on the platform. Freelance Success For Artists: A Quick and Easy Guide Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, multimedia artist, or filmmaker, this course will fill you in on the tried-and-true best practices for clinching repeat clients. You’ll learn how to deliver your best work and excellent customer service to make any client want to hire you over and over again. You’ll also get tips on how to best build your portfolio, create a stellar reputation, set your prices so you can rake in more profit, piece together rock-solid contracts, and so much more. The Complete Freelance Writing Course Word wranglers out there will benefit from this course, which offers a step-by-step actionable roadmap that teaches you how to build a freelance writing business and secure your first paid writing gig as soon as possible. You’ll get help on finding a freelance writing niche that you’ll thrive in, and receive instruction on how to build a portfolio that clients will find a hard time saying no to. You’ll also learn how to craft a compelling pitch that will help you stand out against other writers. Freelance Kickstart: Start a Successful Business You Love Working for yourself and […]

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Ten ways to maximize money as a freelance translator

Working as an online translator with certain clients in the freelancing industry can be extremely challenging if you do not get acquainted with space quickly. Also, as a freelance translator, you need to achieve financial freedom in order to live a secure life exactly like the full-timers. As you are aware that the freelancing industry is extremely volatile and there could be a lot of ups and downs that the industry might go through which can affect the professional that is related with this industry quite massively. If you do not want to get affected by any of these things and are interested to establish yourself as a successful freelance translator and maximize your money there are certain tips and tricks that you need to know. You can access the below section of the article to understand those techniques that can help you to increase your finances freelance translators. Word of mouth works brilliantly A lot of people suggest that you need to go for advertising in order to publicize yourself to get more work. The trick is not about advertising yourself on a large scale; it is important that you start spreading the word amongst your friends and relatives and word of mouth can turn out to be a wonderful technique and can also help you to save a lot of money on advertisement. Real-world experiences better A lot of people would recommend you to start investing in classroom sessions in order to understand the freelancing world or the concepts of translation . It is always important to gain experience by getting a good number of projects. These are such professions where practical knowledge is highly recommended rather than theory. Never try to get an extra degree in your native language If you are already fluent in your native language, it is important that you do not spend unnecessary time and money in getting an extra certification or degree in the same language. As you would already be proficient, it is good that you invest the money on some other languages and become bilingual or multilingual. This can help you to get more number of projects and in turn, help you to make more money. Never compromise on the charges If you are confident enough with the kind of work that you deliver, it is important that you charge what you are worth for. There are a lot of online translatorsthat compromise on very less amount of money, and this is eventually going to make you feel dejected as you would start facing a lot of financial crunches. Get to understand the cycles Once you start working as a freelance translator at dormzi or other platform, you would be able to quickly understand the ups and downs that occur during every cycle. During the peak season, it is important that you earn more and you can relax when the workflow is less. Understanding the cycle would also help you to learn your finance Management. Plan your expenses People […]

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12 Ways You Could Make An Income Online

Nowadays earning a living online is still a dream come true, but it is also a reality for more and more. Some use the world wide web to make their entire living and some use it as a way to a side hustle and add to their usual wage. Many use making an income online as a way to take back control of their life and be able to spend more time at home with their family. The good news is that the majority of ways you can earn money online aren’t that complicated. Although it does take time for your income to grow, if you hit the ground running there is no reason you couldn’t make a good living from home. Some of the ways to earn a living will require you to stick at it and give it a little time. If you’re looking to start earning online but are unsure of how to do this, have a look below at some of the strategies you could consider: Online Tasks And Competitions Ok, so this one isn’t likely to be enough for you to make a living, however, it could be enough for a side hustle. Looking at things like the Lotterycodex and sites that require you to complete tasks like playing games, watching videos, or completing surveys are all good ways to make a little bit of a side hustle money. You’re likely to become rich quick, unless the lottery predictions work, of course, but you could make enough to buy your lunch each week. Google Adsense If you have visited any site, then you have probably seen Google ads at some point. These ads seem to be everywhere, this is for a good reason. They are simple to add to any basic website, and they could be rather lucrative if your site gets good traffic. One of the great things about this is it’s so easy to set up, however, bare in mind that you do need to have a website that is up and running and getting traffic. If you have a website already then this is a no-brainer for making a little extra money. Affiliate Marketing Whether you are still thinking of ideas for a perfect blog or have a website already running, you should also be looking at affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing , you work with brands and businesses alongside the content on your website. If you talk about a service or product, you then share the link using a unique affiliate code, from this you will make money anytime anyone purchases through your link. It’s always best to stick to affiliates that are related to your website, blog, or Instagram as your followers may get annoyed if it’s not relevant. Consulting Consulting is another great way you could make money online If you are considered an expert in any field you may find that people are willing to pay you to consult them on their business or personal goals. Whether […]

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How to find the client for freelance transcription?

When you start your journey as a freelance transcriptionist, there are a lot of ebbs and tides that you must face. A lot of freelance transcriptionists that have quit freelancing world even before they have tried and tested all the things that are required to be done as a freelance transcriptionist. Well, it is true that a freelance transcriptionist will certainly come across a lot of difficulties when compared to a full-time employee. If you want to achieve satisfaction in your life, becoming a freelancer is certainly going to fulfil the dream. However, to earn money as a freelancer, you certainly have to be smart and intelligent. Competition is one of two main things that dominate the freelancing industry, and every individual that you come across is going to be selfish, and they would be waiting for an opportunity to get clients. Therefore, if you are looking forward to becoming a freelancer in the world of transcription, it is mandatory to stay ahead of the other people and also the entire competition. In order for that, you must understand the different ways of getting clients as a freelance transcriptionist and search for Freelance transcription jobs at dormzi and other online platforms. We have highlighted some of the main points that every freelance transcriptionist can incorporate in their working style in order to get a good number of clients in their career as a freelancer. Reading through these things will certainly help you when you launch yourself as a transcriptionist in the freelance industry. Keep your eyes open When you register your profile on any of the freelancing websites, you must not let it become stagnant. There has to be some activity every single day on the profile. The clients would only interact with those freelance transcriptionists that are active. It is also important that you keep bidding for projects whether or not you get them right for the first time, unless and until you have good observation skills and an eye for detail it becomes extremely difficult for you to find the clients in the freelance industry due to heavy competition. Keep bidding for projects Thenumber of projects you bid the better your chances to get them. If you just bid upon a single project and wait for the response from the client, you might definitely not get it as expected. The client’s mind in the freelance industry works completely different from that of the other industries. A majority of clients would be looking for affordable transcriptionists. Although you have a tremendous amount of skill sets, your chances of getting a project can become bleak if the rates are higher. In order to get more number of assignments, keep bidding on projects continuously on any freelance website at an affordable rate. Create a compelling portfolio Even when you are uploading your profile or portfolio on a freelance website, it is highly essential to make it extremely attractive and impressive. Remember to include all the technical skill sets and the […]

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5 Things To Know Before Going Freelance

5 Things To Know Before Going Freelance Thinking of going freelance? There are plenty of perks. You become your own boss, set your own hours and get to avoid travelling in rush hour. It can feel as though you have a lot more control over your own workload and time. However, being a freelancer has its difficulties. Sometimes you can feel isolated and there isn’t a HR department to fight your corner. It’s not something to take on lightly, so you’ll need to consider lots of things before taking the plunge. Here are 5 things to know before going freelance. Self-Promotion When you work freelance, you have to become your own biggest fan. You need to think of yourself as a business. You aren’t simply you; you are The Writer or The Musician. Until you start to become well known in your profession, no one else is going to scream about your abilities. So, you need to scream about them yourself. Big yourself up. This might mean creating your own website where you display your services (check out these interesting internet marketing agency ideas ). Promote yourself. No one else will. Payment When you’re freelance, payments can be difficult . You’ll need to keep track of your fee and invoice the company. You might not be paid regularly, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your finances and make sure you save money until the next payment. Unfortunately, some companies can take their time paying freelancers, so you might need to add payment terms to your invoice. You’ll also need to calculate your own tax, which can be challenging. Most freelancers pay an accountant to ensure they get everything they’re entitled to. Chasing Much of being freelance is chasing, so you’ll need to get good at it. You’ll mostly be chasing work and payments. You might find that you’ll communicate with a potential client about doing some work and never hear back. Often, things take longer than the client thinks. So, work on your chasing skills. You’ll need to craft polite emails that make your intentions clear. Always be professional, and know when to back off. Networking Freelancers don’t necessarily have colleagues in the way that most professions do. This means that it can sometimes feel lonely and isolating. It’s important to have a good support network around you, so you’ll benefit from going to networking events and connecting with other freelancers in your field. You might want to start a coffee group where you share work and meet regularly to talk about how it’s going. Don’t forget the importance of a group of people who know the position you’re in. When to Say No It’s an unfortunate fact that some people take advantage of freelancers. They’ll pay too little or even try to make you work for free. While some projects might be beneficial for your career and you might not mind being underpaid, you need to know when to turn down projects and simply say so. […]

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From Freelancer to Affiliate Marketer Extraordinaire: Aman Saha’s Secrets to Success

— Affiliate marketing is now a $12 billion industry. This indicates how rapidly the industry is growing, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Aman Saha , who started his career as a website developer, is now one of the stalwarts of affiliate marketing. He is also one of the youngest online marketing specialists who made his way to the top of the affiliate marketing industry with sheer hard work, relentless dedication, and excellent marketing skills. Most people who want to pursue affiliate marketing as a career fear failures. According to Aman, that’s normal in any industry. You need to grow as a professional by learning from your mistakes. It’s not possible to become an affiliate marketing tycoon overnight. In fact, you may not even reach your target after a couple of months. But that shouldn’t stop you from believing that you can make it big in this industry. When he first started out, Aman worked as a freelancer at Fiverr where he designed websites for clients. But the money wasn’t enough. He had the hunger to earn more and that’s when he came across affiliate marketing. The concept of earning a handsome commission by selling products of other people intrigued him. He wanted to use his digital marketing expertise in this industry to see whether it would help him earn more. And it didn’t take long for Aman to realize that this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. His earnings increased significantly and he soon became a popular name in the affiliate marketing industry . When asked about his route to success, Aman shared three secrets that can help any affiliate marketer accomplish his goals. 1. Broadening the market The biggest advantage of affiliate marketing is that it doesn’t place any limits on your earning potential. Aman believes that you should make the most of this by broadening your market. The more you promote your product, the more people you influence to buy it. Another reason why it’s comparatively easier to succeed in affiliate marketing is you don’t have to pay anyone any salary. This means you keep the entire commission in your pocket. The people who work for you also earn commission the same way you do. They also have an equal opportunity to become as successful as you are. The more people you have in your team, the more chances you create to earn a commission, and that’s how you grow in this industry. 2. Cost-effective marketing techniques Aman utilized his experience in digital marketing to get a head-start in affiliate marketing. From promoting on social media to sending out email campaigns, he didn’t leave any stone unturned to make his audience aware of the affiliate product he was selling. He advises new affiliate marketers to do the same. According to Aman, the more marketing channels you use, the more doors you open for people to check out your products. 3. Tracking your growth Once you make a breakthrough, you should […]

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6 ways to make money freelance writing

Fancy yourself a wordsmith? If you’ve always been clever with wordplay, you can weave a story that keeps your audience engaged, or you have the ability to describe the essence of an idea in a few simple sentences, then you might be able to take your skills and turn them into an income. Maybe you’re looking for a way to make some extra money in your free time, or you’re aiming towards a long-term career goal of writing for a living. Either way, this guide will show you how to make money writing and the tools and skills you need to get you there. Is it possible to make money freelance writing? Of all the ways you can make money online , writing gigs seem to fill the top 10 lists, and for good reason. Income can range from $20 per hour up to $110, for positions that span both creative roles and the nitty-gritty technical ones. You can get your creative juices flowing by writing and publishing your own book, sharpen your sales skills in copywriting roles or be a jack-of-all-trades while blogging. 6 ways to make money freelance writing Now you know that it is possible to make money freelance writing. However, for many wannabe writers, a far more puzzling question is how to make money writing. Here are some of the most common writing positions that you might find advertised, along with the average salary and the key skills needed to excel in that job. Content writer With so much of our lives spent online, there’s a greater need for publications to keep producing relevant content. A content writer’s role is to create content that informs, entertains and educates the reader. A content writer can produce articles for many channels including websites, blogs, social media accounts and email newsletters. Experience with online marketing strategies, strong research skills and the ability to write concise and engaging content are some of the key skills needed. The average salary for this role is $77,437 per year and freelancers can make between $22 and $100 per hour. One of the cons of this role is that it can take some time to develop a portfolio of work so that you can get to those higher salary work. Content writers with significant experience, however, are more in demand, so you can have your pick of assignments. Copywriter A copywriter position has many overlaps with a content writer’s, with some key differences. A copywriter’s primary goal is to persuade. They use language and words to convince the reader to take an action that might include engaging with a company in a certain way or buying a product. Copywriting is often used in advertisements, landing pages, emails, sales copy, print ads, digital ads and brochures. The best copywriters know how to craft short-form copy that is highly persuasive. This can be a high-stress position for some writers as it is more conversion-focused than other forms of writing, but the added responsibility can be […]

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Finding meaningful work through freelancing

Over the years, the method of working has experienced various changes, and so have the reasons for doing so. Finding and engaging in meaningful work has also become popular as many different employment options are springing up; freelancing is one of them. Meaningful work simply explains having a genuine connection between the work you do and your life’s purpose, and with freelancing platforms like Kreek Africa, it’s possible. Very often, it is assumed that one has to be a part of an organization for them to engage in meaningful work. But for those interested in having full control of their careers, or those who aren’t ‘fortunate’ enough to be a part of a company, freelancing can still be rewarding with the right platform. According to the Harvard business review, there are six drivers that made work meaningful for freelancers, and Kreek Africa offers these. The first driver of meaningful work is balance, and this refers to freelancers having the time for other things outside of work. And a freelance website like Kreek Africa means freelancers can work from any location and at any time. It also gives them the liberty to schedule their work life and their personal life. Right next to balance comes autonomy, where freelancers have control over their careers. On the Kreek Africa platform, you decide what work to participate in based on reviews of clients that have already gone through a rigorous authentication process as a way of ensuring safety. That means freelancers can participate in online jobs that add value to their work while earning an income. There is nothing like office politics to get in the way, and professionals can give off their best with no interference. Apart from these two, advancement is another important driver of meaningful work. And with a wide pool of projects with different levels, freelancers have the opportunity to engage in those that challenge them and put their qualifications to good use. It allows them to take more responsibly in their work as there will be no red tape processes. The accountability for their work is also a great way to gain some credibility, independence, and status in their field. Freelancers can also benefit from the variety of projects on the platform as well, which will help them grow in their chosen fields. The last two drivers, service and affiliation, also make work more meaningful for freelancers as it gives a sense of being part of something bigger. Kreek Africa is dedicated to projecting the talent that Africa has by creating a platform for its citizens. With foreign or Western platforms, many African freelancers may face one form of discrimination or the other, which makes work challenging and slow. Kreek Africa eliminates this and, in the process, redefines the African economy. The platform makes it easier for those who prefer working for themselves, which is a large portion of Africans to achieve their goals and dreams. Meaningful work isn’t only good for freelancers, and companies that use the […]

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The Best Retirement Plan Options for Freelancers

Running a business or being self-employed means a great deal of freedom, but with that freedom comes responsibility. And one of the most important responsibilities is to make sure that you are properly saving for retirement. You cannot just count on your employer to set up your 401(k), but must now handle it yourself. But this is not all bad, as being self-employed grants additional flexibility as you can now use plans which you cannot as an employee. Here are some of the key plans to consider as well how tips for how to save and enjoy a long retirement. Traditional IRA/Roth IRA While you can use additional retirement plans when you are self-employed, that does not mean you should eschew an IRA. An IRA is simple to set up, may be familiar to you, and can be used regardless of whether you have employees or not. The catch is that you can only contribute up to $6,000 per year, but that may be enough depending on your financial circumstances. There is the age-old question of whether it is better to use a Roth or traditional IRA, with the ultimate answer being that it depends on your financial circumstances. SEP IRA A SEP (simplified employee pension) IRA is easy to set up, needing only an additional form on top of the usual forms needed for a traditional IRA. It is a good choice for freelancers as well as small business owners with zero or only a few employees. In a SEP IRA, you can contribute the lesser of up to 25% of your annual compensation or $57,000, which means that you can contribute quite a bit more compared to traditional IRAs. This contribution can be deducted on your tax return, which means greater savings. But if you have more than one or two employees, a SEP IRA can be difficult to maintain. You must make contributions to your employees that are the same percentage as the ones for yourself. For example, if you contribute 25% of your annual income, you must contribute 25% of your employee’s annual compensation to his SEP IRA as well. Simple IRA This IRA is good for small businesses, because it places some of the contribution burden on employees as they own the accounts. Employees can defer up to 3% of their salary, which the employees must match or pay 2% for every eligible employee. Simple IRAs are better for small businesses than a traditional 401(k) as they are much easier to administrate, but only businesses with 100 or fewer employees can make use of them. Furthermore, employees are subject to a 25% penalty if they choose to withdraw funds in the first two years, meaning that they cannot put it in another retirement account. Health Savings Account This is not strictly speaking a retirement plan, but many people view HSAs as a de facto retirement plan, especially since health expenses are a major part of saving for retirement. An HSA allows you to stockpile […]

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How to get clients as a freelancer or contractor

Wondering how to get clients as a freelancer or contractor? Our guide explains more, as well as what you might need to include in a freelance contract. How to find clients Going freelance can be a great move for many people. But while freelancers and contractors enjoy perks like flexibility and the opportunity to choose who they work for, it can be difficult to find clients in the first place. This is especially true if you’re just starting out. It’s not impossible, though. There are tried-and-tested methods you can put into action today to help you get freelance work. Some are quick wins, while others might take time – which ones will you use for your business? How to get freelance work 1. Focus on a niche Freelancers are often specialists in their chosen field, whether that’s writing , graphic design or IT . But successful freelancers often go further. Choosing a niche helps you define which clients you want to work for – and makes it easier for potential clients to see what you can offer. Think of your niche as your unique selling point . Instead of just being a copywriter, you might be a copywriter who focuses on sports fashion. Alternatively, you might hone in on a particular service as your niche. For example, graphic designers could sell themselves as skilled Photoshop designers, or on designing conversion-driven emails. 2. Make the most of your existing network Even if you’re just starting out, you might have an existing network made of close friends, family members, and people you’ve worked with in school or at university. And they’ll have people in their own professional networks who they could recommend you to. If you’re experienced, you should have people you’ve worked with in the past who can give you recommendations. Reach out to these people, without being too pushy. Some tips for maintaining your network include: keeping a contact tracking spreadsheet – if you’ve spent time building your network, it makes sense to keep track of your contacts. Use a spreadsheet to track their details, where you met, and how often you should get in touch (for instance, is this someone you should check in with monthly, quarterly, or yearly?) giving your contacts something useful – is there a useful article you can share with your contacts (even better, an article you’ve written)? Have you created anything that you’d like them to see? Or have you got any tips from a book you’ve just read? thanking them – this could be as simple as thanking someone for their time after meeting them, or as big as letting someone know you’ve appreciated their mentoring in the past 3. Set up (and optimise) your website It’s important to keep in mind that you’re running your own business – which means you need to do your branding and marketing yourself, too. Creating and maintaining a professional-looking website should be top of your list. It’s essentially your shop window, which you can use […]

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Is It Time For Freelance Startups To Collaborate?

getty By any reasonable measure, the freelance revolution has taking root and is flying high. Numbers tell part of the story. Upwork , for example, reckons that 60,000,000 Americans are taking part as gigsters, full-time freelancers or side-giggers. McKinsey four years back estimated the global population of gigsters and freelancers above 160,000,000, but that was before Covid 19 gut punched the global economy, eliminated tens of millions of full-time jobs, and encouraged many more millions to try their hand at freelancing. And, the millions of freelancers trying their hand on a full-time or part-time basis has yielded an explosion of startups expanding or supporting the freelance revolution. I write about freelancers and the digital talent marketplaces that support them, and I am struck by the frequency with which I hear from new CEOs and entrepreneurial teams. Here’s an example from this morning from a new CEO, describing dgitags.io , an innovative new platform and an example of the marvelous creativity we’re seeing in the talent space and in HR Tech generally: “I’ve appreciated your analysis about freelance revolution and impacts on companies organization & employees. dgitags.io is based in Paris and Dublin, it is a new type of digital agency/consulting firm, combining a growth marketing agency and a highly selective product freelancing community. With my associate, from our previous professional experiences in big companies and as freelancers, we wanted to mix the agility of freelancing and the specific high expertise of a digital agency, and MAKE them work together to always deliver more value to our clients by offering them the best of these two “worlds” and to adapt better to theirs organizations.” I’m looking forward to learning more about dgitags.io, but not only. By my estimate, and there’s some extrapolation involved, there are at least a couple hundred freelance platforms forming around the world, or moving from infancy to adolescence. I’m a writer and teacher, not an organizer, but I wonder whether it’s time for startup leaders to more actively and intentionally collaborate, as well as compete. In each interview, I find that freelance pioneers are eager to hear what one another is doing, learning and planning, and it comes from a place of shared enthusiasm for the space and its possibilities, not just their competitive instincts. Interviews inevitably turn into discussions and brainstorms, and always end with a request to be introduced to other entrepreneurs. Is there value in organizing a founder’s club for this new generation of digital talent marketplace CEOs and the ecosystem partners that support them? Here’s why the time might be right, and what the new generation of marketplace CEOs might do about it: Collaborating for a rising tide . Most of the startup CEOs I speak with are working hard to grow their business, but recognize that freelancing is still a relatively immature industry with cultural barriers to growth. The logic of “on demand” is clear, but most corporates haven’t recognized the value of a flexible, blended workforce. Many cultures still regard […]

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How to Choose a Career that Gives You Money Without Investing

So you’ve landed your dream job at a world-renowned company. You’ve made your parents proud and can afford all the material luxuries of the world. Despite all your professional accomplishments, you often long to do something for yourself. If this is how you’re feeling, it’s high time you assess yourself and identify the right career path. You may want to work remotely like 98% of people , or perhaps you’d simply like a career change. Image via Buffer While a job can earn you an enviable paycheck, it may not always bring joy and satisfaction. A career, on the other, involves a series of professional choices that help you achieve your long-term goals. Unfortunately, many people go through their lives without knowing the difference. The good news is that it has become easier than ever to pursue a career you’re passionate about as you can seamlessly switch careers . Moreover, the rise of the internet has made it possible to build a sustainable and enduring career without spending a fortune. In this blog, we’ll take a look at a few career options that let you make money without investing. How to Make Money Without Investing The common misperception is that you need to invest to make money. But it’s possible to make money without having to invest as well. You could do this through both offline and online businesses. Want to know how? Let’s find out. Through Online Businesses The rise of the internet and social media platforms has opened a treasure trove of avenues to make money online. The best part is that you don’t have to exhaust your bank balance to kickstart your career. You just need the right skills and willingness to learn on the go. Here are a few such career options: Become a Freelancer: Work with clients all over the world on a freelance basis. Start Blogging: Create a blog to establish yourself as an authority and earn money from it. Launch Your YouTube Channel: Generate passive income by monetizing your YouTube channel. Leverage Social Media: Grow your following on social media and partner with brands. Become an Affiliate Marketer: Drive sales of products or services of your partners and get a commission. Create an Online Course: Generate income through selling registrations for your online course. And that’s not all. There are so many ways of making money online that you can leverage them for even the fields that you’re passionate about without having to make much of an investment. Through Offline Businesses Just the way you can make money through online businesses, it’s also possible to leverage offline businesses to generate a good income without having to invest money. Here are some of the businesses that you can consider starting offline: Insurance Agency: Get paid commission for every insurance plan that you sell. Fitness/Yoga Coaching: Freelance as a fitness or yoga coach after getting certified as one. Real Estate Agency: Generate income through selling of houses or finding clients for renting. Stock Market […]

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Tapping into the Talent Economy to Attract Real Expertise

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This article was written by Kay VanAntwerpen, a member of the Entrepreneur NEXT powered by Assemble content team. Entrepreneur NEXT is our Expert solutions division leading the future of work and skills-based economy. If you’re struggling to find, vet, and hire the right Experts for your business, Entrepreneur NEXT is a platform to help you hire the experts you need, exactly when you need them. From business to marketing, sales, design, finance, and technology, we have the top 3 percent of Experts ready to work for you. Generational changes, employee priorities, and global events (such as COVID-19) have altered the way we look at the workplace. For employees, flexibility is now paramount. More than a third of workers in the U.S. are already part of the gig economy, and by the end of 2020, freelancers are expected to make up about 40 percent of the workforce. Ninety-two percent of millennials say they prefer jobs that allow them to work from home . As a result, the most reliable, hardy, and talented specialized workers—the kind who have paid their dues with tens of thousands of hours in the field—are moving to positions that allow them location independence and scheduling freedom. Companies need the ability to tap into the freelance economy to attract real expertise. Competition to attract these employees is fierce. Major organizations like Google and Apple have deeper pockets than smaller startups, and are able to offer enticing benefits and prestigious positions that cause a resume to glow. Plus, there are a lot of smaller startups grasping for talent. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor estimates 50 million startups will launch within the next year. This is where the blended workforce changes everything—with more talented workers moving to organizations that allow them to work for multiple clients, skilled work can be spread across a number of organizations any given week. Blended workforce changes everything. Advances in technology have offered us new opportunities in workplace development. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how effective and powerful the mobile workforce can be, and how quickly it can establish itself in a well-functioning order. Now, at the press of a button, startups can access talent from across the globe, and choose from the best of the best to meet their specific needs. These technological advances will bring us to a place where your permanent, full-time employees are able to work alongside and benefit from your temporary, external experts. It’s the future of the workforce. In one survey , HR leaders in Silicon Valley indicated that they anticipated the workforce to reach a place where 50 percent of the standard organization’s talent is external. This allows small companies to hire on a project-by-project basis, with access to the biggest and best talent. It also enables organizations in unusual locations to remotely engage professionals who cannot travel to them. The number one problem shared among entrepreneurs today is finding, vetting, hiring, and retaining expertise . How the freelance workforce […]

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9 Reasons to Start an Online Side Hustle in 2020

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. It was just after the World Trade Center fell to terrorist attacks on 9/11 that I first started my online business . Times were tough then and times are tough now. I wasn’t sure if I could make it work but, while my business has gone through several big changes over the years, I haven’t had to be back in a cubicle since then. Going online with my business ventures was the best decision I ever made. It’s offered me freedom and flexibility that I would never get working in the corporate world. What I’ve found is that during tough times, lots of people look for ways to make some extra cash in order to put food on the table or put money back into savings. Just like I did in the wake of 9/11. Fortunately, there are many more options than there used to be for making some extra cash. Door Dash and Uber are popular ones. However, in my opinion, starting a gig online is one of the best options. Here are nine reasons why starting an online side hustle during tough times can be a great decision. Online side hustles can grow into full-time incomes One of my favorite things about online side hustles that they often have the potential to grow into a full-time income . If you start picking up writing clients online or start offering website building services and learn how to effectively pick up new clients then you can quickly replace your day job income with gig work. yOu can work around your day job and bank the extra client work. Low overhead to start It can cost tens of thousands of dollars (or more) to start a traditional business and if you are doing a side hustle or driving for a rideshare or delivery service, you will put loads of wear and tear on your car. Starting an online side hustle generally costs very little money and can be bootstrapped for as little as a few hundred dollars and sometimes quite a bit less depending on what you want to do. There are very few options that are as cost-effective as an online side hustle to start. More platforms than ever before When I started out the only option for getting a web presence online was hand-coding a website. It took many, many hours of learning and writing HTML code and was a big pain to do. Now there are many, many platforms that are easy to use and effective: You can list handcrafted goods for sale on Etsy . You can showcase your freelance services on Upwork, Toptal, Fiverr , 99Designs, and more. You can resell local finds on eBay . You can start a publishing business on WordPress. You can easily build a website on WIX. You can list original designs on products fulfilled through print on demand vendors on Amazon . That’s just scratching the surface. If you are creative […]

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Five tips for first-time freelancers

There are over 4.7m self-employed workers in the UK and moving from full time employment to freelancing is becoming an increasingly attractive option for those who are looking for a career change, particularly as October redundancies loom. The benefits of becoming a freelancer can be hugely rewarding – increased flexibility, the autonomy of ‘being your own boss’ and the freedom to work on only the projects you want to – but it’s important to fully understand the steps required to switch to freelance. In this simple guide, Markel Direct outlines the key considerations when making the move. **Develop your business plan for the short and medium term ** The first step of making the move into freelance is developing a business plan for the short term (12 months) as well as medium term (3 years). It can be difficult to know where to start, but some basic considerations include: What services will you offer? What will be your differentiator from the competition/unique selling point (USP)? What will you charge? How will you market to potential clients? (More on this below) How much do you expect to turnover? How much will you pay yourself? **You can find more help on writing a business plan on GOV.UK. ** Many freelancers choose to start their business as a ‘side hustle’, doing it in their spare time whilst continuing to work full-time for their employer. Whilst it’s hard work juggling two jobs, there are many benefits to this, as it removes some of the risks of making the leap overnight. If you don’t have the opportunity to start small and build up, don’t worry – provided you’ve got the right skills and attitude, there’s no reason you can’t start work as a freelancer straight after leaving a job (e.g. due to redundancy). **Plan your marketing to potential clients ** Developing a pipeline of constant work is essential when freelancing, not just for staying busy, but also for managing cashflow. Raising awareness of your business through social media can be a cost effective way of reaching a wide audience looking for your services; at the centre of your strategy should be providing potential clients with useful content that illustrates your expertise in the space. This could be useful guides, hints and tips articles and even free consultations that act as a hook to larger projects. Search engine marketing (SEO and PPC) is also a great way to attract new clients, so investing time and money in a professional, easy-to-use and optimised website will pay dividends in the long run. **Give yourself a financial buffer (where possible) ** One of the main pain points for freelancers is cash flow. Clients don’t always pay on time (and could be experiencing cash flow issues themselves), so if you have the funds available, it’s useful to have a pot of money to help you through months where you don’t get paid on time. You should also think about seasonality – for example, workload can slow down over the […]

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ClearTax’s Archit Gupta’s easy guide to how freelancers can file taxes

Freelancing — the word rings in the thought of working at your convenience, setting up shop anywhere, and direct exposure to clients. Freelancers get paid based on their contract and may also incur expenses in carrying out the assignment. Keeping track of payments from multiple assignments and hence paying taxes can sound cumbersome, so we got tips ClearTax Founder and CEO Archit Gupta to simplify the process, and tell us how freelancers can easily file taxes. Keeping track of income If you are a freelancer, you may receive payments on an assignment basis or every quarter or month, based on your contract. The receipts constitute income from professional services. You will need to aggregate their invoices to find the gross income from freelancing. As a freelancer you can claim deductions for expenses from the gross receipts, thereafter. Professional receipts above Rs 30,000 per financial year may face TDS deduction. This is deducted at 10% tax at source (from your client) whenever the payment is made to you. The deducted TDS is deposited on behalf of the freelancer by the payer. You can claim this back when you file tax returns. The TDS rate is 7.5% for professional fee transactions from 14 May 2020 until 31 March 2021. The accrual and cash methods As a freelancer, you should maintain books of accounts containing a record of your income and expenditure. Or you could get ta professional account to choose between two methods of accounting — accrual method and the cash method. In the accrual method, the income and expense get recorded once they become due. Accrual accounting is irrespective of the actual receipt or payment. However, in the cash method, the accounting is based on actual receipts and payments. Paying your taxes From a tax perspective, the method of accounting, once chosen, should be consistent for each year and for the entire freelancing income. It is great to keep a tab on your income from the word go. In the accrual method, your tax liability arises in the year in which you raise the invoice or book the expense. In the cash method, tax liability arises in the year in which you receive the money. Likewise, under the cash method, you can claim a tax deduction for actual payments in the financial year. A few examples of expenses a freelancer can claim tax credit for: Rent for the premises (work area) Travelling and conveyance charges Costs incurred to carry out repairs to your premises, computer, printer or vehicle Depreciation on any assets such as a computer, chairs, desk, printer or vehicle Insurance costs, meals and other hospitality costs Business promotion costs. Any amount incurred to render freelancing services If a freelancer’s cost is for both personal use and professional use, a deduction is available for the portion attributable to the professional use. An example is the cost of running and maintenance on a vehicle used for personal and professional purposes. You cannot claim a deduction for personal expenses such as […]

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New partnership set to push on-demand vehicle routing

MIT-born startup, Routable AI, has partnered with freelance and crowdsourcing online marketplace, Freelancer.com. Routable AI, which offers rider and driver apps in addition to fleet management for high capacity shared rides, will, as part of the venture, help facilitate on-demand vehicle routing for Freelancer following the launch of its Global Fleet, a service that deploys professional freelance talent worldwide and on-demand. The objective, in essence, is to efficiently route workforces between delivery, freight, or field services jobs in real-time and in ways that minimise downtime and reduce costs. Australian-owned Freelancer.com is headed up by Matt Barrie while Routable AI is also spearheaded by Australian James Cox, formerly at Uber Australia and a key part of the uberx launch in Sydney. The partnership is betting on the combination of a marketplace of people found by Freelancer and the algorithms to help optimise the deployment of those people provided by Routable AI. On potentially new projects that require massive scale — for instance 5G rollout — Routable AI moves the people sourced by Freelancer conveniently and efficiently. Routable AI has offered its routing API product to support the back-end of the Freelancer Global Fleet. With Freelancer Global Fleet, enterprises building and operating global fleets of professional field services talent will be able to deliver expertise anywhere in the world on-demand. The Freelancer and Routable AI partnership more efficiently, in theory, routes workforces between delivery, freight, or field services jobs in real-time and in ways that minimise downtime and reduce costs. Both companies, in sum, are banking on the partnership making it easier for enterprises to scale their global workforces quickly and dynamically by tapping into 46+ million freelancers with expertise in over 1,600 skills through the Freelancer marketplace workforce. Freelancer.com Chief Executive Matt Barrie said fleet operators and others managing large field services fleets are always looking to decrease operational costs and increase efficiency. “Whether it’s field services for hardware maintenance, on-demand photography, food delivery, or courier services — businesses can deploy installers, technicians, drivers, and other professionals fast and inexpensively anywhere in the world with Freelancer Global Fleet,” he said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with Routable AI to power Freelancer Global Fleet. Routable AI’s product is the ideal solution to provide a more flexible fleet in real-time, enabling enterprises to build a global workforce through a marketplace model and scale their business,” said Barrie. The first customer of Freelancer Global Fleet was a US computer company that deployed a fleet of field technicians on scooters for computer and printer repairs in Indonesia. This company is in the process of rolling out pilots in other countries as well. Routable AI CEO James Cox said the company is excited to power Freelancer Global Fleet. “Our routing technology gives Freelancer Global Fleet customers the ability to efficiently deploy and route professional talent to real-world tasks through the Freelancer marketplace,” he said. Featured Article Unveiled at MEGATRANS2018 in Melbourne, Isuzu’s most recent addition to its ‘ready-to-work’ range is the Servicepack […]

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Being a solopreneur: 8 digital jobs you can do from home

Becoming a digital solopreneur can sort your life if you choose a career field that really interests you. You can work how you like while sitting at home, and even be your own boss! In a world where the internet is now used by more than 4.5 billion individuals or over half the global population, the online medium is undoubtedly bursting with new possibilities. Combine access to good speed Internet with adequate technical knowhow and a knack for business innovation, and you have the recipe for starting a solo digital business. With the ever-restless millennial workforce always on the lookout for avenues that break the status quo, digital solopreneurs or people running solo businesses online are the next big thing! The digital revolution sweeping the world has given us unprecedented access to people, ideas as well as marketplace. On one hand, the digital medium gives us access to a huge market or consumers, on the other hand it also makes it easier to find work associates and sell your skills. While businesses are using the digital medium to thrive like never before, the online world has also engendered a new breed of digital solopreneurs. Interestingly, while the word Solopreneur is not new, it has gained currency in recent years particularly with respect to the new breed of solo entrepreneurs launching or running their businesses purely through the digital medium. How does a solopreneur business work? An interior designer who works alone, a woman who makes and sells elegant pottery products, and a caterer who arranges food for parties or a solo party planner are all examples of solopreneurs. These business owners offer a unique product or service, tie up with real or digital marketplaces, hire services of freelances, and run their businesses efficiently. Solopreneurs are essentially entrepreneurs who work alone. While Solopreneurs do not hire any workforce, they partner with several people or organizations to be able to deliver their service. 8 career options as digital solopreneurs 1. Youtubers Do you know that the world’s most subscribed individual YouTuber is Swedish comedian and gamer PewDiePie who has more than 100 million subscribers. His YouTube videos primarily comprise of comedy shows and gaming videos and are relished by millions of people across the world. YouTubers are one of the newest breeds of solopreneurs. They attract and engage a large audience through their talent or informative videos. Motivational videos, health tips, cookery, and satirical and comic videos are some of the most commonly followed YouTube channels. Here’s how you can become a YouTuber too. 2. Creative designing If you have a knack for producing attractive graphical designs with a hang of illustration-based software such as Photoshop and Illustrator, graphic designing is a business proposition that is high in demand. Graphic designers are critical in turning any content into a more attractive and captivating one through the use of visual concepts and production designs. They are not just crucial to designing magazines and brochures but also enabling creation of more engaging reports […]

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How to Simplify Your Freelance Work

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. This article was written by Kay VanAntwerpen, a member of the Entrepreneur NEXT powered by Assemble content team. Entrepreneur NEXT is our Expert solutions division leading the future of work and skills-based economy. If you’re struggling to find, vet, and hire the right Experts for your business, Entrepreneur NEXT is a platform to help you hire the experts you need, exactly when you need them. From business to marketing, sales, design, finance, and technology, we have the top 3 percent of Experts ready to work for you. The future is freelance. This mode of employment isn’t just a trend or quirky alternative to the contemporary lifestyle — it’s quickly becoming part of the mainstream. With each new generation, freelancing has become more popular. When surveyed , 29 percent of Baby Boomers said they were likely to freelance, followed by 31 percent of Gen X, 40 percent of millennials, and 53 percent of Gen Z. As of 2019, roughly 57 million Americans worked as freelancers. These not-so-unconventional workers now make up almost five percent of the U.S. GDP. That’s more than either the construction or transportation sectors—statistically closer to the information sector. Businesses looking for skilled professionals without the need to hire them as full-time employees benefit from hiring freelancers.As such, most freelancers work in skilled professions — programming, business consulting, marketing, information technology, etc. There are a number of benefits for these employees as well, including: Better pay: The average freelancer is better paid than 70 percent of regularly employed workers, making a median rate of $28 an hour. Location independence: Freelancers work on their terms, be that from home, a coffee shop, or on the road. Freedom to choose clients: Freelancers are not beholden to the corporate power structure, inconsiderate management, or controlling bosses. They choose their own clients. If a particular relationship is not working, a freelance expert can easily part ways. Ability to prioritize personal needs: Forty-six percent of freelancers say they prefer their work pattern because they are unable to work for a traditional employer due to personal conditions such as illness, injury or more. This isn’t all to say the freelance life is free of difficulty. Setting your own schedule, maintaining that schedule, and keeping deadlines are all easier said than done. If you’re used to the guardrails of a 9-5 job, the open seas of the freelance economy can take practice to navigate. Below, we’ve covered some of the best ways to make your freelance life easier. Creating your office. Location independence can be thrilling. You can work in whatever clothing you want, be it a suit and tie, pajamas, or plain old tighty-whities. Choosing to make your kitchen table, a coffee shop, or the lobby of a hotel your office is a level of freedom you may not have expected. But you’ll quickly learn that some locations are more conducive to productivity than others, and having a proper workstation can make all the difference […]

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Hire The Best Writers For Your Website

International Business Times offers links to items to help our readers find interesting products. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here are our T&C . Content writers are dime a dozen. Look for the best ones using these tips. In today’s digital age, where companies constantly compete to people’s attention and turn it into profit, running a business requires a lot of writing. And we mean, A LOT. There’s your website, and then your blog, your social media posts, your newsletters, your advertisements, your guest posts, and what have you. Basically, the list goes on, and if you think that’s all there is to it, there’s also SEO, keyword research, editing, publishing, and of course, distribution. All of that requires immense amount of work and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll use your hours to do all of that when you’re already handling other aspects of your business. In fact, there are a lot of business owners that don’t even have the skill to do it. Writers can make or break your content marketing. So make sure you hire good ones. So what do you do? Well, here is where content writers come in. Freelancing is on the rise, and there are more freelance writers than ever before. The problem, however, is that most businesses (especially new ones) lack the know-how when it comes to hiring quality freelance writers. Chances are, you are one yourself. As such, we’ve created this list of tips that hopefully will help you land freelancers that will provide you with the top-notch copy that you deserve. Read on: 1. When it comes to initial filtering, look for freelancers that have a bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English, as these are usually a good indicator of a person’s writing skills. For stronger writing skills, try to look for candidates with backgrounds in education, business consulting, or any field of law. 2. However, a degree doesn’t necessarily mean relevant experience, nor does a warm and fuzzy interview makes for a good employee. Remember that you need a writer, so review actual writing samples from your candidates, and take note of clarity, grammar, and a good writing voice that can adapt and change based on the client’s needs. HireWriters offers writing services for your company at a fraction of the cost that other companies usually pay, all without sacrificing quality. Photo: Hirewriters.com 3. Consider your budget. While the general rule is that what you pay is what you get, there are still writers that work well even while on a budget. One such example is the freelancers you can find on HireWriters.com. Featuring over 30,000 native English writers, HireWriters.com prides itself in providing you with quality freelancers for a low and reasonable price . Any topic is welcome as well, including content writing, rewrites, transcription services, e-book creation, data entry, or even poetry and lyric writing. Best of all, revisions are free, and HireWriters.com promises quick turnaround on writing orders. […]

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Three tools that help medical device SMBs work remotely

Ramya Sriram, digital content manager of freelance platform for scientists Kolabtree, explores three tools that are helping medical device SMBs to work remotely. Following positive experience during lockdown, a Hubble HQ survey found that the number of UK employees who want to continue working remotely for at least one day a week has risen to 86%. However, some small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that are new to remote working have found it challenging, particularly in industries such as medical device manufacturing, because companies must adapt to new arrangements while juggling the regulatory approval process. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created constraints for the medical device industry, such as limiting on-site inspections, the regulatory process itself hasn’t stopped. In June 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that during the pandemic it had continued to meet its target of reviewing at least 90% of brand, generic and biosimilar drug applications. This means that manufacturers must find new ways to navigate the approval process effectively, even while working away from the office or laboratory. Setting up a robust quality management system (QMS) that covers all aspects of design, manufacturing and risk management is the first key step to an efficient remote working setup. The complexity of the QMS will vary with device classification, for instance companies producing high-risk devices (Class III) will require a different strategy to low-risk, non-sterile surgical instruments (Class I). Here are some of the several electronic quality management systems (eQMS) available that medical device SMBs can access wherever they work. Greenlight Guru When seeking regulatory approval, one of the biggest challenges for manufacturers is streamlining quality processes to reduce the time it takes to get the product to market. Traditionally, companies rely on paper-based systems to track quality —users often find these difficult to organise and struggle to access specific data when required. Founded in 2013, Greenlight Guru has been marketed as the first digital eQMS, designed specifically to automate and streamline the QMS process and prevent these issues. Greenlight Guru is a cloud-based platform and is the only quality management software designed specifically for medical devices. Manufacturers can use it in various ways if they’re working away from the office or are not in regular contact with QMS experts. For instance, you can upload your risk management inputs and the platform will provide a compliant design system. By simplifying FDA and ISO compliance, the software makes it easier to manage quality processes like audits and document control, enabling you to get your medical device on the market even while working remotely. JIRA In 2018, Greenlight Guru integrated its platform with project tracking software JIRA to make it easier for manufacturers to manage product development and post-market quality. JIRA enables users to create roadmaps that set out all projects in progress, so that manufacturers can effectively plan and track all the relevant aspects of the regulatory process and monitor work against deadlines. This may include completing a table of contents or compiling your device’s design […]

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Common Mistakes Freelancers Make

A career path that is become increasingly popular in many industries is freelance. Being a freelancer comes with many benefits that might suit you personally, but there are some easy mistakes you can make along the way if you are new to it all. Here are some common mistakes freelancers make. Forgetting About Taxes When you become a freelancer, you become responsible for paying your own taxes. Because of this, you must hold yourself accountable and either pay your taxes throughout the year or make sure you have enough at the end of the year. Not Thinking About Retirement The next common mistake freelancers make is not thinking about retirement. It’s important to think about your retirement, even if you are a freelancer. Those who work under a company typically have a retirement plan that’s a part of your benefits. For freelancers, you can plan for your retirement future with a solo 401k . Underestimating Your Value One of the hardest aspects of being a freelancer is deciding on your pay. It can always be awkward whenever you are talking to someone about money, but it’s crucial that you don’t underestimate your value. It can be easy for many to take advantage of freelancer workers, so don’t let this be you. Having Poor Time Management Being a freelancer is appealing to many because of how independent you can be. However, if you are someone who cannot manage their time wisely, being a freelancer will not last long. Make sure you are up for the challenge and can keep track of all the various projects you might be working on to make deadlines. Not Having A Dedicated Workspace Freelancers are no strangers to working from home, and since you might not have access to your favorite coffee shop, setting up a dedicated workspace at home is vital. Sometimes it can be hard to balance your work and regular life, but having a dedicated space makes it a bit easier. Plus, you are going to want to have a space where you can concentrate and avoid distractions to the best of your ability since you might not be going into an office.

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