Which Type of Accounting Software Should Your Startup Use?

Businesses of all sizes should be using accounting software to manage their bookkeeping and accounting, and keep their financial information organized. And many are. But we’ve seen that not all businesses choose the right type of accounting software for their business. Picking software that is the wrong fit for your company could mean wasting money on features you don’t need, or struggling to manage complex finances in a platform that’s too simplistic. So what is the “right” accounting software for startups? Many early stage startups use spreadsheets as DIY accounting tools to handle their first transactions. Spreadsheets are inexpensive and easy to use, but they are not a type of accounting software and they can only handle very basic finance records. As your startup’s transaction volume increases and you have more complex accounting needs, you’ll need to make the switch to using accounting software. There are three main types of accounting software that offer different features and services; only one is a good fit for most startups. Let’s take a look at the different types of computerized accounting software, including the best accounting software option for startups, and my advice for founders who are picking an accounting software provider. The 3 Types Of Accounting Software 1. Commercial Off-The-Shelf Accounting Software (COTS) There are lots of COTS accounting software options on the market: You may recognize popular online accounting software brands like QuickBooks, Wave Accounting, Zoho Books, and Xero. Unlike more complex software options, which include tools for functions like supply chain management and e-commerce, COTS systems are focused on accounting tasks like recording transactions, organizing financial data, and generating financial statements (like your P&L, Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet). Almost all startups should be using COTS accounting software as part of their financial management process. There are several inexpensive COTS options that suit startup budgets (some even offer free trials to start!), and most COTS accounting systems are user-friendly enough for startup founders to track their own finances. Pros: Most COTS accounting solutions integrate with popular finance tools, including payroll providers, bank accounts, credit cards, accounts payable, and accounts receivable platforms. This allows you cut down the time you spend on bookkeeping entries by automatically syncing as much data as possible. It’s easy to find accounting firms and freelance accounting professionals that have experience working with the popular COTS platforms, and can help you get maximum value from the software. Because COTS accounting solutions take a consumerized approach to their accounting software, many offer mobile apps and comprehensive customer support options to help users work with the platform more effectively. Cons: Some COTS features may not be advanced enough to handle more complex needs as your business continues to grow. You’ll still need to work with multiple tools in order to get a complete finance management system, which means paying multiple subscription fees. 2. Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP) ERP software (also referred to as enterprise accounting software) is a more sophisticated platform that consolidates many different functions […]

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Seven Steps To Building Your Global Liquid Workforce

Co-Founder and Chief Talent Officer at FlexTeam, Chief Experience Officer at Liquid . Getty Companies are increasingly turning to the liquid workforce as part of their overall talent strategy. This talent is not only supporting short-term needs but also providing strategic support with knowledge workers serving as on-demand advisers to executive teams and corporate boards. But how do you develop a robust and reliable freelance talent pool that can become a strategic asset to help your company quickly pivot and scale where needed? 1. Start by identifying your talent needs. Always start with your strategic priorities. Consider each and ask whether the priority could be accelerated by engaging the liquid workforce. Do you have talent gaps? Could a blended workforce fill these gaps? What are your near term needs and how could on-demand workers help? The answers to these questions will help you identify where best to engage the liquid workforce and what skill sets and experiences you will need to look for when considering 1099 workers. 2. Source your global liquid talent. There are many ways you can find liquid talent, including through one of the many freelance workforce marketplaces that provide access to workers around the globe. In my experience, the best freelancers and consultants that I’ve worked with have come through referrals. Ask your network for referrals, making sure to share details about the kind of skills and experiences you need. Your existing global workforce is also a great source for referrals to freelancers. 3. Build an onboarding process with ease and efficiency in mind. First impressions have a big impact. Creating a standard onboarding experience for all your liquid talent not only helps your company save time (and reduce potential compliance risks) but also improves the experience for freelancers. The initial onboarding experience says a lot about what your company is like to work with. For example, you can make onboarding easy and efficient with automation. Using an electronic, automated process can significantly streamline the process for you and the freelancer, saving both of you time and effort. Ensure that liquid workers feel welcome throughout the process, not like they are jumping through a series of hoops to begin work. 4. Establish best practices for your hiring managers. Working with the global, liquid workforce is a new form of people management, and your hiring managers need training to successfully manage freelance and on-demand talent. Their goal should be to build a relationship with the freelancer, not just oversee the churning out of a project. Sharing best practices for managing freelancers will increase the likelihood that this talent will want to work with your company in the future. 5. Build an internal talent database. Managing liquid talent is similar in some ways to managing employee talent. Develop an internal talent database where you capture all the information related to your workers. What are their skills and experiences? How are their communication skills? What areas or functions are they best suited to support? What projects have they […]

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Building the Business of Your Dreams on a Shoestring Budget

Do you dream of starting your own business but are worried you have not got enough cash to get started? You might want to think again because you do not need a wealthy family member to help you or take out a loan you really cannot afford. If you are bootstrapped for cash and do not have a lot of resources, it is still possible to launch a business and take it far. Whether you want to start an internet company, become a freelance writer, or launch a consulting firm, the following tips will help you stretch what budget you have and get your business off the ground. Why you need a business plan It is very tempting to try to wing it and skip the planning stage. A business plan, however, is fundamental to how you start, grow, and develop your business. There are some very valid reasons why you need a business plan. It will help steer your business in the right direction. A good business plan guides you through each stage and you can use it to think through and detail all the key elements. It is easier than you think. It is not a one-time document but should be something you work on. It can help you reach business milestones. Think out your business plan and you will be able to step back and think objectively about key elements of the business. It can help you get funding. Not only that. With a good business plan in place, you are more likely to bring new business partners on board. There is no wrong way to write one. Pick a format that works for you. There are plenty to choose from online. Start small When you are just starting out, do not invest too much upfront if you do not have to. Look for ways to keep your overheads, inventory, and labor expenses low. Make every dollar you spend count. Always ask yourself this particularly important question before you part with any cash, “Will this purchase help me acquire new customers and contribute to my bottom line?” If the answer is no you should seriously consider skipping it. Before you start out, test your idea to make sure there is a market for it. See if you can create a focus group of your target audience and ask them what their needs and pain points are. There are also online survey tools you can take advantage of. SurveyMonkey is a good example. Work out of your house One of the biggest expenses for a new business owner is leasing workspace. You are going to save a lot of money upfront if you find a way to bypass such a large expense. The answer is staring right at you. Launch your business from your home and work out of your house. It is the perfect answer if your business is mostly online. If you work from home it is easier, you can conduct your business online, have […]

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Living The Freelance Life: How To Stay Sane

Living The Freelance Life: How To Stay Sane More and more people are ditching office life in favour of freelance work. Working as a freelancer can offer plenty of advantages including greater freedom over your work schedule, no commuting costs, and a better work-life balance. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to be your own boss and reap the full financial benefits of your hard work. By IMOGEN CLARKE That being said, working freelance does have its challenges and many people find it difficult to adjust to remote work in the beginning. The good news is that there are dozens of ways to make the transition easier and, for most freelancers, the benefits far outweigh the potential challenges. If you’re considering taking the leap into the exciting world of freelancing, then here are some tips to help you stay sane while working remotely. Stick with a work schedule One of the major benefits of working as a freelancer is that you have the ability to work when and where you want. This means you can complete work tasks at a time and place that is convenient for you. However, you shouldn’t use this as an excuse to sleep in and get distracted during the day. Studies have found that freelancers are far more productive when they maintain a consistent freelance work schedule. This should involve starting and finishing work at roughly the same time each day. Following a schedule will help you plan your workload effectively and ensure that you meet deadlines without becoming stressed. Create a separate workspace Many freelancers choose to complete their work tasks from home. Working from home has its benefits, i.e., no time or money spent commuting, but it can also cause some difficulties. In particular, many freelancers struggle to engage in their work tasks or become distracted during the day. Working and living in the same place can also make it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. One of the easiest ways to keep your work and home life separate is by creating a distinct workspace. If you have a spare room, then transform this into an office where you can go each day to complete your work activities. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have a spare room, then convert another area of your home into a dedicated workspace. There are plenty of articles and blogs offering tips on how to create a productive home office. Learn good financial habits Managing your finances is often more challenging when you’re a freelancer, as you’re unlikely to have a stable income. In most cases, freelancers are paid a different amount each month based on how many hours they work, what projects they complete, and so on. You must learn good financial habits when it comes to budgeting and spending. You should open a business account and keep your personal finances separate. This will make it far easier when it comes to doing your tax returns at the end of the financial year. According to small […]

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The Best Automation Tools to Let Freelancers Reclaim Their Time

Being a freelancer requires a great amount of admin to keep your business running and profitable. To ensure a steady stream of clients, you need to advertise your services, answer queries, and follow up on past leads. Once you land some work, you have to keep up with meetings and emails, and at the end, there’s still the matter of invoicing. All of this admin can sometimes take over the day and leave no time for your actual paid work. However, with different automation tools, you can save time, avoid errors, and reduce the stress of running a freelance business. 1. Mention : Listen and Study Your Audience Social media plays a big part in advertising your freelance services and booking new clients. There are multiple tools to help you schedule your social media posts, even letting you repost or curate posts from other sources automatically. But before you start scheduling your social media, you need to know what you should publish in order to attract new clients. The best way to do that is with a social listening tool that helps you study both your field of expertise and your competitors. The free version of Mention lets you set up one alert, which tracks news sites, blogs, forums, and social media. This alert can track the mentions for your own brand, look at your competitors, or look for specific keywords related to your field. Instead of registering for various newsletters and constantly searching the web, you can learn about what’s trending in your field all in one place. The website’s free plan also lets you schedule posts on three social profiles—further automating this task. 2. Calendly : Book Meetings With Ease Meetings are a big part of landing new clients, as well as managing ongoing projects. In the beginning, when a client is not sure your services are exactly what they need, a short introductory meeting can help seal the deal. Later on, meetings are a great way to settle misunderstandings and align expectations. Scheduling meetings, however, can become a time-consuming chore. Ensuring everyone is available at the same time, especially in different time zones, can create an endless back-and-forth over email. There are multiple apps out there that deal with scheduling meetings, but our favorite is Calendly. The free version offers integration to your Google Calendar or other popular calendars, which lets you share your availability without making your personal schedule public. You can simply send your Calendly link to whoever you wish to meet, and they will pick from the times that you set as available—showing in their local time zone. The event will then appear on everyone’s calendar. The software integrates with online conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, saving you the time of creating a link for every meeting. It also sends reminder emails before the appointments, to make sure everyone arrives on time. If you have a personal website, you can add it there as well. 3. Gmail Templates and Filters : […]

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What Is a Freelance Agency, and How Can I Build One?

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Laura Briggs’ latest book, The Six-Figure Freelancer: Your Roadmap to Success in the Gig Economy is out now via Entrepreneur Press. Buy via Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop . Building a freelance agency might appeal to you if you are making the decision between a business that relies on you as the primary person to complete the work and one that instead relies on a team of subcontractors to help you deliver client projects. Freelancers have to make an important decision on how they will run their business from the time they set it up. Most default by setting their business up as solopreneurs, meaning that they alone are responsible for getting clients and completing client work. A solopreneur freelancer might also leverage outside support in the form of a subcontractor, such as someone who completes pieces of the client process or handles the backend administrative work. This does not mean, however, that said freelancer has an agency. What is the agency model? The freelance agency model refers to making a conscious decision to install one or more people in the role of getting clients and serving as a project manager and other subcontractors completing the actual client work. In this situation, it is the responsibility of the business owner to establish prices high enough to account for the additional costs in the business. For example, a solopreneur freelancer only has to worry about paying their own taxes and business expenses. Therefore, they can likely charge a lower rate than what an agency would charge. The agency’s value proposition is typically that they have access to vetted expert freelancers. To account for the additional time editing work, project management or other marketing expenses that the agency owner must spend, the price of agency work is sometimes higher. However, this is not always the case. Freelance agency work might end up being less expensive than an individual freelancer based on the cost that the company owner is charging to their clients. For example, some established content writing agencies sell content at $40 per page and pay their writers $20 of each page. You may be challenged to find a qualified individual freelance writer who would be willing to accept that rate. Why agencies can benefit clients The promise from a freelance agency is reliable work delivered on time and likely in bulk with a pool of subcontractors behind the scenes to help with it. A freelance agency might make more sense for you as an individual if you don’t want to be the one completing client work and have excellent leadership and management skills. You can always adapt your existing freelance business from the solo model to the agency model and back whenever you choose. Agency vs. solo: What’s for you? It’s important to think about your specific personality traits and what appeals to you most when making this important decision. A freelance agency relies on someone at […]

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11 Common Mistakes Made by New Freelancers

There are very few barriers to starting a freelance design or development business, which makes it easy to get launch quickly and without a major financial investment. Unfortunately, that also means that many freelancers get started without adequate planning or preparation, and it can lead to some significant mistakes. New freelancers are bound to make some mistakes, but if you’re aware of some of the common pitfalls before you even get started, you can work to avoid mistakes that could prove to be very costly. In this article, we’ll look at 11 mistakes that are often made by new freelance designers and developers. Avoiding these mistakes can help you to establish your business on a better foundation and set yourself up for success instead of failure. 1. Getting Started with Inadequate Savings If you’re freelancing full-time or if you leave a full-time job to pursue your work as a freelancer, you should have an emergency fund saved up to help cover your bills and living expenses in case you’re not making enough money right away. Most financial experts recommend having an emergency fund that includes enough money to cover all of your living expenses for at least 3-6 months. Of course, there are some details that can impact exactly how much you need (like if you’re supporting a family or just yourself), but this is something that you need to consider before relying on freelance work as your primary source of income. Even if you start landing clients right away, you may not get paid immediately. Some projects can get delayed, so maybe you’ll get an initial upfront payment, but the final payment may be pushed back. Or you may also have issues with a client who just pays invoices very slowly. If that’s the case, you may need money to pay your own bills and expenses before you’re paid, and you’ll need to rely on savings. An ideal scenario involves starting freelance work part-time while you also have income from a stable full-time job. That allows you to slowly build up your workload and client base before leaving the full-time job when the time is right. Even in this situation, you should still have an emergency fund to cover living expenses for a while in case your income is lower than anticipated. 2. Lack of Separation Between Personal and Business Finances Another common mistake is to mix personal and business finances. In order to keep your financial records straight, you should keep them separate. This means you should create a separate checking account for business purposes, and you may also want to sign up for a business credit card. Use the business credit card and business checking account to pay for all of your business expenses, and only your business expenses. 3. Lack of Planning for Taxes One of the main reasons why you should keep your personal and business finances separate is because it makes tax preparation easier, and helps to avoid mistakes. Unfortunately, many new freelancers […]

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7 Creative Freelance Business Tips

The business side of freelancing is something that can be easily taken for granted. Finding freelance clients and understanding what to charge is important, but there is much more to the business of operating as a freelancer. Being able to have proper communication with your clients and systems in place for capturing and documenting funds are just as crucial to your success. Using the following 7 key creative freelance business tips to maximize your opportunities and keep your clients happy. Set Up a Standard Creative Brief Use Skype to Contact Clients Face to Face Capture Money Upfront and Use Invoicing Software Utilize Contracts to Protect Yourself Work with Other Freelancers Network to Gain Referral Business Have System for Client Follow Ups 1. Set Up a Standard Creative Brief Having a standard creative brief for starting new client projects is going to save you a lot of frustration in the long term. Many clients may not understand how to communicate their needs and goals to you. They also may not grasp what information you need from them to get started on a project. Having a standard creative brief (and a few basic questions you ask when they engage you), will help ensure that you have what you need and avoid confusion. Clarity of communication is essential to manage expectations on both sides. 2. Use Skype to Have Face Time with Clients There is something to be said for being able to look someone in the eye when you do business. With freelance landscape growing and creating more opportunities to work remotely, many freelancers take client anxiety about working with a stranger for granted. When you are not a local hire, doing everything you can to ease a client’s anxiety about working with you is essential. Skype is a great way to help clients feel comfortable and to be able to communicate with them more effectively. You can screen share and explain things to them in real time, and there are several apps that allow you to record a Skype call (with permission) so that you can reference the information accurately later. Skype also allows you to share links with clients in the chat section. 3. Capture a Deposit Upfront from Your Clients and Use Invoicing Software When it comes to capturing money, many creatives become uncomfortable. Initially requesting a deposit to begin work on a project makes sense for both parties and helps set appropriate expectations. This also protects you as a creative, while keeping you accountable to the client. Using invoicing software like Freshbooks or Quickbooks can help you keep track of payments and expenses, and have a paper trail should payment be disputed with a client at any point. More after the jump! Continue reading below ↓ Free and Premium members see fewer ads! Sign up and log-in today. 4. Protect Yourself and Your Work with Contracts Contracts can feel intimidating, but they are the best way to protect yourself and your work. If contracts are something you […]

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Gold Mines for Finding Paid Freelance Writing Jobs

Although entering into this field is challenging, and finding potential clients can be hectic. Here are the best sites for freelance writing. ( Newswire.net — October 22, 2020) — Many people ask to write my research paper for me on several platforms and pay a reasonable amount for it. Although entering into this field is challenging, and finding potential clients can be hectic. Do not lose hope even if you are a beginner; find freelance writing jobs, and break into the business. Here are some of the freelance gold mines that are authentic and fruitful. Flex Jobs : it is one of the top boards for remote work that enables you to make a custom job search profile to meet your several needs. All you need to do is choose your categories, experience, work schedule, and more to hone down for the best-fit options. You can turn on the alert opportunity to get notified every time there is a new job option. Solid Gigs : this platform is a part job board, which is a part productivity tool. Ask why because this platform’s team helps you save some hours of scouring job boards. They also hand-pick the best gigs by compiling them into weekly emails. This also includes remote opportunities. Opportunities of the Week : weekly email by Sonia Weiser has become a must-have for freelance writers across the globe because she gathers dozens of calls for several pitches from Twitter and sends them via mail to her community once in every week. Freelance writers Den : This site gives you access to two dozen boot camps, which help you learn how to make money as a freelance writer. They also show several forums where you can get answers to your questions and other issues. ProBlogger Job Board : ProBlogger is created by Darren Rowse, where there are several jobs listed for severe employers. Behance Creative Jobs : Behance is powered by Adobe and is an online platform for creative professionals to showcase their work, connect with companies looking to hire, and find inspiration. It lets you upload your past work for creating a visually-pleasing online portfolio. It helps in making it an excellent resource for writers who do not own any website. MediaBistro : one of the best resources for media freelancers of all stripes that offer online courses, information, and tools. They also help you in navigating your career. Therefore, do check the job board section of the site. Morning Coffee Newsletter : this weekly e-newsletter sent by FreelanceWriting.com helps serve as an excellent compendium of editing jobs and freelance writing opportunities with competitive pay rates. There are a variety of gigs that this board consolidates for everyone. Who pays writers? Who pays writers is a crowd-sourced list of publications, which produces freelance writers. It is considered as the goldmine for freelance writers. There are hundreds of publication lists to explore showing pay rates too. The ultimate list of better-paid blogging gigs : the e-book is known […]

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How to Become a Freelance UX/UI Designer

The situation on the market is changing rapidly. While joining a team of UX/UI designers like Clay.Global is still the norm, more and more are opting to take the freelancing route. You can communicate with clients directly and set up prices that are satisfactory for both parties. Another reason that motivates many professionals to start a freelance career is flexibility. You choose when and where to work on projects as well as what these projects are. There are two ways to become a freelancer: freelance exchanges or communicating with customers directly through newsletters, blog posts, and advertisements. The second option is, of course, much more expensive and time-consuming. So in this post, we are going to discuss how to become a freelancer using various freelance exchanges. Tips for Boosting Your Freelance Career The first step to becoming a freelancer is to analyze your strengths and weaknesses. For example: if you communicate well with people, you are most likely going to search for customers in real life (at business forums, conferences). If, on the contrary, you are reserved and shy or cannot travel a lot, then freelance exchanges are perfect for you. Register on Different Freelance Exchanges and Study Them There are several international freelance exchange websites where you can find job postings from all around the world. In your country, there are undoubtedly some local freelance exchanges that you’re welcome to explore. Upwork Here you can find plenty of job opportunities. However, the selection process for the website is quite severe. Be sure to present your best work and try to persuade the moderators that you’re qualified enough to take orders on Upwork. There is no subscription fee, but the platform takes a commission from each order. The competition is very high here. Work-Zilla On Work-Zilla, the competition for UX/UI designers is lower, and there are many orders. However, they are usually small and the pay is low. Available by subscription. Youdo This service has a rather costly subscription. However, it does allow you to take orders from different categories. Consequently, the competition is average, and there are many orders to choose from. If you’re not sure whether it’s worth it to spend that much money on an exchange website, they offer a one-day free trial. Dribble Dribble is a freelance exchange targeted for designers. You can place your portfolio there and allow the clients to find you or browse through projects and job opportunities. Upload Your Portfolio It may sound obvious, but include your best projects in your portfolio. If you’re a beginner , you still have to showcase something because nobody will hire a designer with an empty portfolio. So you can design a couple of imaginary projects (however, clearly state that they are just examples). You can also search for pre-employment assessment tasks on the Internet and try to complete them. This way, you will show off your skills and motivation. Respond to All Orders that are Published on the Site and Actively Send out Your […]

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How to find clients, land gigs, and make 6 figures on popular freelancing platforms

Alexandra Fasulo is a freelancer who makes over $350,000 a year on Fiverr. Alexandra Fasulo You want to start freelancing to earn extra cash or pivot your career, but you don’t know how or where to get started. These guides have all you need to know when it comes to landing gigs, talking to clients, showcasing your work, and bringing in a steady income on Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelancing platforms. Business Insider regularly interviews freelancers about their tips and tricks for making it on your own. You can read them all by subscribing to Business Insider . Launching a career as a freelancer can seem like an intimidating task, especially when you don’t know how to navigate a uniquely flexible industry. Luckily, seasoned freelancers shared with Business Insider how they successfully crafted five- to six-figure businesses online. From creating an optimized profile to utilizing a platform’s resources to setting your own rates, these guides will show you how to launch lucrative careers on major freelance marketplaces, including Fiverr and Upwork. Fiverr 6-figure sellers on the freelancing platform Fiverr share how they landed clients and built successful businesses online The strategies a 27-year-old freelancer used to build her income to over $350,000 a year on the freelancing platform Fiverr in 5 years Upwork Self-employed professionals who’ve made over $100,000 on Upwork reveal how they built lucrative businesses in just a few years on the freelancing platform I’m a freelancer and mother who’s made $75,000 this year working less than 20 hours a week. Here are 7 strategies that help me land flexible gigs that pay well. I’m a stay-at-home mom who went from making $8 an hour at Starbucks to over $100,000 a year as a freelancer. Here are 5 steps I took to build my client base and income from scratch. A freelance graphic designer who makes nearly $300,000 a year shares her 7-step process for writing attention-grabbing proposals that lure in clients on freelancing platforms 6 crucial steps I took to quit my job and grow my freelance business to nearly $300,000 a year in revenue in just 2 years

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Be a more professional freelancer with these top tips

Being a freelancer can be much more relaxed than working in an office. You might be emailing a client while sitting in your pajamas and they’d never know. As a freelancer, it can sometimes feel difficult to be professional. While working in your pajamas is totally your prerogative, it’s important not to let your casual lifestyle impact the quality of your work. These top tips will ensure you impress your clients and stay professional. Use invoicing templates Invoicing for freelancers is important. You’ll send a lot of them, so you need to get them right. A professional invoice shows that you know what you’re doing and want to relay clear information. Sometimes clients can be difficult about paying, and an invoice with a mistake could lead to further delays and excuses. So, make sure that you always send professional invoices. Using a template or software can help ensure that all information is properly formatted. Software can also automate reminders and late payment fees. Make a website As a freelancer, you’re responsible for your own brand image. How are people going to find your services? Having a website puts you above the rest and makes you look more professional. It helps potential clients to find you and proves your value. So, if you don’t have a website, it’s time to get one. Making a website can be difficult, but there are plenty of digital marketing agencies who will be able to help. Have an organized email account Just because you don’t work for a company doesn’t mean you should email from any old email account. Emailing from an old Hotmail account with a silly name doesn’t scream professionalism. Most freelancers make a separate email account for their freelancing services. This means that queries don’t get lost and can be responded to quickly. As a freelancer, it’s also important to reply to queries quickly and politely. You don’t want to leave an email hanging around for days on end. The client will probably get sick of waiting and take their custom elsewhere. It always looks professional to have a signature, too. Know your fee A professional freelancer knows how much they charge. You should always ask for what you want, even if you’re worried the client might not like it. While a bit of back and forth on the fee might be fine, it isn’t professional to keep changing your mind or be unsure of your worth. If so, you could be taken advantage of. Establish deadlines As a freelancer, you’ll find that clients work in different ways. Some give you a deadline, whereas others will ask you to set one. Deadlines can be difficult, as you don’t want to over-promise. This sets you up for failure and will create too much pressure. However, you also don’t want to offer a deadline the client doesn’t like. So, be professional and find a good middle ground. At the end of the day, you’re the one doing the work, so you need to […]

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Things to Consider before taking up Freelance Bookkeeping Jobs

In this current state of economic realities, it is becoming more common for people to take up freelancing jobs and make them into a full-time job – or at least a job that pays some money. The varieties of jobs available are numerous, and some people even earn more than enough to support themselves and their families. One of these gigs is freelance bookkeeping. When you first look at it, this may seem like a regular accounting job, with the only difference being that you are doing it from the comfort of your home or makeshift office. The reality is more complex though, because it adds many more responsibilities and things you need to consider. However, do not go into the field unprepared and stressed – take a look at some of the considerations to keep in mind when getting into freelance bookkeeping. Get to Know How Much you are Worth This might be challenging to know at first, especially if you have not had a formal job before. However, you can still work on an estimate; you probably have some health benefits you pay every month, and you are living in a certain area whose rent you know. You also likely have a certain lifestyle you already live in, and expenses you have on your monthly budget. When you take into account these factors, as well as your own working experience, you can then calculate an hourly rate. You might need to discount the rates during the first few months in order to maximize on your freelancing experience, but work towards a goal in mind of getting to those ideal rates. Whether you have a Workspace Many freelancers assume at the beginning of their work that they can operate as efficiently from their beds or kitchens as they can in a typical office. However, you will be surprised to know that this is a classic recipe for burnout, so it is essential to dedicate a certain space as your office – whether it is a spare room of the house, a tax-compliant home office, a co-working space, or a library. Co-working spaces can seem crowded at first, but they actually have plenty of benefits when it comes to raising overall productivity. You will be able to complete more jobs, focus more efficiently, and feel healthier overall due to a better work-life balance. Whether you are self-Motivated When you have a traditional job, there are many legitimate pressures you will experience. However, the story is slightly different if you are a freelancer, because it is only you that expects to get your work done – not even your clients can tell you that. That raises the most important question – whether you are self-motivated enough to get your projects done. If you are the type of person that needs some extra encouragement, then working alongside others might prove to be useful. Having a Portfolio or Website to Market your Services This goes for any freelancing gig – if you […]

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How to successfully set up as a freelancer

© Artem Medvediev Dave Chaplin, CEO and founder of ContractorCalculator , and author of The Contractors’ Handbook – Third Edition, shares his advice on how to set up as a freelancer in the current economic climate We are living and working in unprecedented times. The economy is still reeling from the impact of COVID-19 and many jobs have been lost. For anyone finding themselves out of work right in the current climate, now might be just the right time to take the plunge and embark on a freelance career. Many businesses are likely to be taking a cautious approach to hiring permanent staff so for those risk-averse businesses, access to key skills that freelancers can offer presents a viable alternative to hiring someone permanently. For those with an in-demand set of skills, now could be the right time to set up as a freelancer. Whilst deciding upon a business model, registering with HMRC and enlisting an accountant are important tasks to focus on, here Chaplin shares his advice on setting a contract rate, marketing yourself and finding work. How much to charge Setting a contract rate is a careful balancing act. You want to establish a competitive rate that rewards you for your efforts without pricing yourself out of the market. There are useful sites online that share the standard rates that specific skills command. However, while these sites provide useful guidelines, they don’t account for the combination of skills or the level of experience required. Therefore, you should create a baseline rate based on your current salary, assess the results from your research, and ask around. Otherwise, lack of clarity over your market value could leave you vulnerable. Ask other contractors. ‘Human intelligence’ is a good source of information. Talk to as many colleagues and friends as you can, but do so discretely, especially if you’re currently permanently employed. Existing freelancers and contractors, as well as permanent employees who have worked with freelancers, understand the work and recognise the value of specific skills. If you can, speak to an experienced freelancer who has similar skills and experience to your own. Market conditions can also significantly impact freelancer demand. Browsing contract advertisements online can therefore help you create a clearer picture of the rates you should command in the current climate. And even if you end up undercharging for your first client, rest assured that you aren’t the only person who has done this. It’s more important to secure that first client. Marketing yourself Your CV and LinkedIn profile have one purpose: getting an agent or client to speak to you on the phone with a view to lining up a client meeting. These profiles are the key marketing tools you must use to be shortlisted for a possible contract. Think of them as offline and online sales brochures to market yourself with. To ensure sustained success in your freelance career, both your CV and LinkedIn profile require special attention. Design both as though you were creating an ‘elevator […]

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Red flags to consider when applying for freelance jobs in Malaysia

Freelancers are often misled to work for free, hence are easily deceived by attractive rewards. Picture for representational purposes only. – BERNAMAPIX IN ACCORDANCE with the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) Employment Insurance System, the number of unemployed cases in Malaysia peaked at 67,068 on July 31. With the second wave of conditional movement control order coming into play following the spike in Covid-19 cases, many are beginning to feel anxious about the possibility of being laid off. As the nation witnessed a switch in the working trend amidst the pandemic, freelancing has emerged as one of the preferred modes of income. In accordance to the World Bank data in October 2020, 25.15% of Malaysia’s workforce are self-employed, with a portion attributable to freelancers. Freelancing appeals to those who want to explore different industries or acquire new skills and knowledge. This gives people the chance to pursue their passions and be entrepreneurs without abiding by the stringent 9-to-5 working hours. Self-employment is a double-edged sword. While freelancing in Malaysia has been incredibly empowering as of late, every wrong step has a price to pay. This is because scammers are constantly looking to take advantage of eager gig workers. Although having the freedom to make decisions and to determine your working environment may sound tempting, it is crucial not to neglect the risk(s) i.e. miscommunication associated with it. Receiving constant and prompt payments is one of the few struggles freelancers face. As some freelancers do not get to meet their clients or employers face-to-face, this creates the opportunity to be “ghosted” by their clients – making it difficult for freelancers to track them down for overdue payment. Gigworks CEO and founder Glenn Tay shared that freelancers are often misled to work for free, hence are easily deceived by attractive rewards. “Sketchy job listings are commonly sighted, and unfortunately, without warning labels. Though self-employment is extremely alluring for the money, it is important to be vigilant of the ‘red flags’ associated with the job,” said Glenn. These are some ways to identify credible freelancing job listings to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of fraud: Sign a contract Contracts are legally binding agreements that allow both the business and worker to deliver and clarify their roles in the deal, preventing miscommunications and disputes from arising. Regardless of who you are doing the work for, always sign an agreement that establishes the work, fees, and the time and mode of payment. Avoid fake job postings Be aware of fake job postings even on official websites. Take your time to scroll through their profile and only accept jobs from employers with a verified rating, as this determines that the client is genuine. Additionally, you may search for reviews online to determine if your client is able to meet their contractual obligations. Suspicious payment methods Freelancers often offer various modes of payments to attract more clients. Such payment methods include direct deposits, cheques and credit card payments. Scams may occur via unusual payment systems such […]

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The Future Freelance Marketplace: Building The Virtual Town Square

A freelance marketplace is a venue where companies can scout for and hire professionals for jobs ranging over multiple fields. Freelance specialists can apply for positions that match their skillset and cooperate with their employers remotely. This crucial setup serves as a massive source of talent and helps connect companies and specialists across the globe. The Advantages Of The Freelance Marketplace In A Post COVID World Are Many Image: Shutterstock It brings in a convenience factor to the hiring process. With post-sifting, shortlisting, and testing, the employer can pick the perfect contractor. This is a platform with a built-in payment gateway–when the job is done, all transactions happen through this very platform. As organisations advance towards the acceptance and implementation of a flexible and blended workforce, the best platforms will operate in ways that bring professionals together, and support both shared commercial opportunity and collective innovation. We envisage that the future will bring the best freelance platforms via virtual town squares. In a technologically fortified world, where geography is no longer a barrier, the digital talent marketplace–our virtual town square–will be a place where part-time and full-time freelancers, clients, and colleagues can connect. Image: Shutterstock What Will The Future Freelance Marketplace Look Like? What might that look like in practical terms? The current digital talent marketplaces may change, grow, or improvise. Many platforms are gearing up to support interaction and shared opportunity among teams and communities and, therefore, trying to cut off a slice of the 95 per cent of freelance work that arises from associations and reputations, rather than digital avenues. Increasing numbers of talent marketplaces will understand and acknowledge that developing freelancer connections and easy networking is potentially far more lucrative than traditional marketplaces. Post COVID-19, it has become clear that freelancer platforms are much more than just talent supply chains. The tech potential might be remarkable, but only as long as it delivers the talent that clients need. Image: Shutterstock When talent becomes the most significant asset within a company, individual freelancers are more likely to associate with, and trust, other contractors, creating a self-sustaining network. With self-employment becoming a legitimate profession, a more comprehensive range and variety of freelance careers will prosper. Some of these portfolios might also inch into the world of professional or executive roles. It is also noteworthy that freelance teams of analysts and forecasters can accelerate the solving of industrial and technological problems more accurately. This indicates a new way that freelancing platforms will contribute in the future–by providing a potent but diverse approach for rapid innovation. COVID-19 has proven that remote work can be as productive, involved, and well-managed as the traditional office. The difference between a remote employee and a freelancer continues to shrink. The cost of full-time versus on-demand employment has resulted in many companies choosing to implement a flexible and blended workforce model. The execution of this new ‘Virtual Town Square’ model is an operational transformation that needs appropriate reflection and management. Also Read: Are You A […]

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4 Types of Remote Jobs You Can Land Quickly

This post comes from partner site FlexJobs . Welcome to our “Work From Home Q&A” series. You ask a question about remote work, and a guest expert answers it. You can learn how to ask a question of your own below. This week’s question comes from Paul: “I’ve been recently laid off, but I need to get back to work. Are there more immediate online jobs around?” It’s not the usual blah, blah, blah. Click here to sign up for our free newsletter. 4 types of gigs to consider Some job search websites do specialize in the types of jobs that hire quickly, and some of those are remote jobs. While FlexJobs specializes in more long-term remote job opportunities, we created a guide to freelance and gig job platforms to help anyone looking for a more immediate job opportunity. These types of online job boards tend to specialize in a few different areas: Task jobs , where a person does small in-person or online tasks that don’t take a lot of time to complete and don’t require advanced experience Driving and delivery jobs , which involve driving your own car to deliver people or goods and services Caregiving and animal jobs , where people can provide care in jobs like babysitting, dog walking and similar gig jobs Writing jobs , where people with excellent written communication skills can write a huge variety of content in one-off or ongoing projects And of course, there are many more freelance and gig jobs available in areas like art and design, user testing and personal assistant tasks. About me I am a career development manager and coach at FlexJobs , where I help people find flexible work, including remote, part-time and freelance jobs. Before joining FlexJobs in 2010, I was a career adviser for college students and alumni. I have a master of science in human resources management and am a certified advanced resume writer. Got a question you’d like answered? You can submit a question for the “Work From Home Q&A” series for free. Just hit “reply” to the Money Talks News newsletter and email your question. (If you don’t already receive the newsletter, you can sign up for free, too: Click here , and the sign-up box will pop up.) You also can find all past answers from this series on the “ Work From Home Q&A ” webpage. Sponsored: Earn more interest on your savings Are you earning as much interest on your savings as you could be? Grow your savings faster with banks offering rates that are significantly higher than the national average! Find the best rates and start earning more interest on your savings by using the Money Talks News savings and CD account comparison tool .

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Tax Specialist – 40 hours+ per week of remote client work available

Growing your own business and looking for additional freelance tax work? Paro has the opportunity for you during tax season & beyond! Our Freelancer Network is seeking 1099 Freelance Tax Specialists focused on Tax Prep AND/OR Tax Review with work beginning as soon as January 15, 2021, for at least 20 hours per week. About Paro Paro helps growing companies gain confidence in their finances. We match businesses with the highest vetted bookkeepers, accountants, financial analysts, and CFOs who provide remote, on-demand, hourly support when clients need it. Ultimately, our mission is to empower business professionals to pursue meaningful work on their own terms. We provide freelancers with a platform to grow and manage their book of business, along with tools to predict their future earnings. About Being A Tax Expert with Paro Paro provides freelancers (1099 contractors) with access to client work through the managed marketplace and allows you to grow your own book of business on the Paro platform while we handle the business development. Our team ensures that the client expectations and budgets of projects are clearly defined before they get to the freelancer to deliver. This freelancer will partner with a CPA firm during the tax busy season to provide support to multiple clients. CPA firms range from local boutique accounting firms to mid-tier public accounting firms. Examples of Tax Freelancer Projects (not limited to): Prepare quarterly & annual tax reports or tax returns (1120s, 1120-C, 1040s, 1065s, etc.) Leverage software such as: Ultratax, Lacerte, CCH, and ProConnect Manage and maintain the company’s tax database Perform detailed reviews of all taxes prior to filing Determine tax savings and recommend strategies to improve profits Assess and research tax issues to identify solutions Evaluate tax regulations and suggest policies that diminish tax burden Comply with regulations by forwarding required information to federal, state, and local authorities Offer support and guidance during audits Present industry trends and changes related to taxes for clients Experience/Skills Required For Tax Prep: 1-3 Years of experience in public accounting OR for Tax Review: 3+ years of experience in public accounting (CPA Required) College degree in Accounting or Tax (a plus) Detail-oriented and highly organized Advanced excel skills Ability to work independently, without guidance and meet deadlines Integrity, ethical standards and understanding of confidentiality Professional communication skills- written, verbal and presentation skills

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Are web developers actually worth hiring?

Scaling up a business is always a good idea and scaling usually starts with moving your physical business to a digital platform. And for that, you need someone with full-fledge knowledge of web development. Here, you have two options, either hire a freelance web developer on a project basis or hire a web developer in-house. Either way, you require someone who does not only have knowledge of building a website but also knows how to maintain it and keep things simply smooth for you. This blog is an answer to the question that is often asked, Are web developers actually worth hiring? Why you need a web developer? Web developers are always a great addition to your team as they can help you create web applications and websites for your business. And a website for your business is always invaluable. Not just that, a web developer can help you with quite a lot of other things as well. Which includes the following aspects. Wide range of expertise A good candidate, whether it’s an in-house or freelance web developer has knowledge of not just web development but also knows about web designing ( yes, they are not the same thing ), On-Page SEO, and digital marketing as well. This will be beneficial as the web developer who knows about other digital aspects will organize your website and the tasks accordingly and this will be a big plus in scaling forward and time-saving Technical Support There are some times when you/your client are stuck with some technical issues and are not aware of how to move forward with it. In that matter, a web developer is always there for the rescue. It is because they are the ones who know how things are working and they will be there to provide you with the solutions. Optimization A web developer will always stay ahead and will make sure that your website is completely optimized. Not just the desktop version, but the mobile version as well. They will work on your website to make it as responsive as possible without increasing the site load time. (Fokus Web Development Agency has an outstanding team of expert Web Developer, find out their services here ) Digital Strategies A web developer constantly keeps themself up-to-date with current technologies and trends. This means that they know how and what things are working and what is not. They are always the right person to contact for your digital strategies and they will also introduce new strategies as well. Responsive Designs If your website is not responsive and compatible with the latest mobile technologies, then you are in danger. Because mobile search traffic is growing every month and if your website is not mobile-friendly, the bounce rate will increase and you will lose quite a lot of potential clients. A web developer will build your website as responsive and mobile-optimized as possible to make sure that you are not losing anything in short term and long term as well. […]

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Factors to consider while hiring a freelance translator

Hiring a freelance translator to get your work done can be quite risky if you do not perform certain things as a part of the selection process. When you are hiring a full-time employee, you would certainly be extra careful as the kind of projects that are assigned to them might be crucial to the organization. If you do not spend enough time in hiring the right resource, then it is not just the project that suffers but the entire organization on a large scale. Likewise, when you are hiring freelancers, especially on the translation projects, you must take extra steps else you would certainly end up regretting at the later stages. You can learn more about some of the tips that are to be incorporated when you’re planning to hire a freelance translator to get your assignments done from the below section of the article. Perform a complete and thorough research There is a huge database of freelancers that is available to every client, and when you are planning to hire a freelance translator to get the freelance transcription jobs done. It is important to perform complete and detailed research on the entire database before you finalize on any individual or team for freelancers to work on your assignments. It is also mandatory to churn the details along with the relevant experience by looking at the profile and finalize the top 10 profiles that you would want to take forward. Have a telephonic discussion with the freelancers Once you have finalized on the top 10 profiles, you must call up all of them and have a telephonic discussion. Once the telephonic round of interview is conducted, it is good to invite them for a face-to-face discussion in order to get more relevant details about the freelancers related to the qualification and also the kind of assignments that they would have done in the past. Also when you have a face to face discussion, it would be easy for you to understand the body language and you would also be able to compare the person who spoke to you on the phone along with the person who your meeting. The freelance industry is so vast that you will not be able to identify the difference between a genuine freelancer and a scammer. The chances of two people attending the same interview are possible as well, and that can become quite risky when you assign the project. Also, when the project is assigned, it is good to have frequent video conferences and check as to who is working on your project on a regular basis. Remember to prepare a tough questionnaire When you are conducting an actual interview for a full-time employee, they would have to go through certain levels in order to get a job. Likewise, it is important to put a few processes in place when you are hiring a freelance translator as well. Remember to create a questionnaire that is quite tough and difficult to crack for […]

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7 fundamental freelancing tips for developers

I think it’s fair to stay the ‘working from home trend’ is here to stay after the pandemic. However, it’s not a new concept but recently people are looking for more ways to earn money online. You might also want to get started with freelancing or even to work independently. So, this article will help you get on the right track. Full disclaimer: You probably know this by now, but I’m not a freelancer myself, however, all the tips and advice on this article have been collected from people who are successful at freelancing. Focus on your skill set The first step towards becoming a freelancer is to list down all your skills and then only choose the ones you’re most experienced in. Discovering your strengths will help you stand out from others. Sometimes we’re able to do multiple tasks, which is completely normal. But, you don’t have to be a jack of all trades. It’s a lot easier to beat your competitors if you only focus on a specific niche. At the beginning, it’s also very important to build your reputation as an expert in a particular field. This will help you get permanent clients because if they’re looking for quality work then they’ll always prefer an expert instead of a general-purpose freelancer. Later on, you may gradually expand your services in that skill to get more work. Find low competition but profitable keywords At this point, you’ve selected a skill to provide freelance services. Now, there could be many types of services that you can offer for each skill. For example: So, the main idea is to rank your profile/service in search results. It’s very important to get continuous work because now clients will find you organically. But, the thing that matters the most is if a client is searching for a freelancer and your profile or service is not showing in the search results, then they will probably never find you. Hence, you’ll not get any jobs. To do so, we’ve got to perform extensive keyword research. It’s absolutely fine if you have to spend a few days on it. Having a basic understanding of SEO will help you at this stage. In case you’re not familiar with SEO concepts then I would recommend learning it. As you’re just starting out so your main target is to find keywords for services that no one is working on or has a very low competition. This is because you can easily rank on low competition keywords as compared to high competition ones. Also, remember to find keywords that are profitable. Meaning that people must be willing to spend money to buy your services. There’s no reason to waste time on services that no one is looking for. Select a few freelance marketplaces Recently, I published an article about best freelancing websites on Live Code Stream. Try to have a look at it and select two or three platforms to get started. The major benefit of a freelance marketplace […]

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Should you hire a freelance workforce?

Marwan Abdelaziz Marwan Abdelaziz is the chief executive officer of Ureed.com Dell . Amazon. Xerox. SAP. What do these companies have in common? They have all shifted their models to be fully or 50 per cent remote, which means a global talent pool, increased productivity, enhanced performance and to top it all, reduced costs. In the past, an office was considered the cornerstone of any business. Nowadays however, and thanks to the pervasiveness of various technologies, the idea of having an office is becoming more redundant and less essential. More businesses are shifting their operations virtually to leverage the benefits of having a remote workforce. As the new remote norm emerges due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, now more than ever, businesses are deviating from the traditional thinking that productivity is contingent upon set hours within an office environment. Instead, the new normal points to a direction for companies to adopt a 100 per cent remote model, or at the very least, outsource many of their business needs to freelancers. …but first, why hire freelancers when you can have a more traditional full-time workforce? Most well-established businesses struggle to embrace the change as it is more difficult to remodel their structure or change how they work. However, the reason why startups thrive in today’s competitive world is because they are flexible enough to work with freelancers. In fact, freelancers can offer flexibility to your startup as they can work around any of your desired schedules. Since freelancers come from all around the world, you will find that most of them can easily adjust to your time zone. They can be your on-call assistance and are typically ready and available online. Additionally, as a startup still experimenting with talent and struggling with onboarding, hiring freelancers is usually a more fitted solution as they are already familiar with your industry and require minimal supervision. This is unlike a full-time employee who still requires your attention for at least three months until they’re familiar with your system, and let’s face it, as a business owner managing a startup, you are probably spread thinly and already being pulled in too many directions. As your time is being consumed up by accounting, operations, planning, budgeting and other management needs, it’s time to look at hiring a freelancer to allow you to get more things done and focus on your core business tasks. When starting your own business, it is essential to keep your overheads to a minimum by ensuring that employee costs will not swallow up your whole budget. This is considered the main attraction of freelancers to business owners as their potential is proven when it comes to saving costs. Having a closer look at the cost comparison between hiring a full-time employee and a freelancer, employers are not entitled to paying additional costs to full-time workers including recruitment and training, taxes, fringe benefits such as medical insurance, paid vacation, equipment and office space. Where to find the right talent […]

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Lead/Senior Auditor – 20 hours per week of remote client work available

Looking for a freelance audit project or two? Paro has the opportunity for you during busy season & beyond! Paro is expanding the expert network and we need 1099 Freelance Auditors focused on audit preparation and audit review with work beginning as soon as January 15, 2021, for at least 20 hours per week. About Paro Paro helps growing companies gain confidence in their finances. We match businesses with the highest vetted bookkeepers, accountants, financial analysts, and CFOs who provide remote, on-demand, hourly support when clients need it. Ultimately, our mission is to empower business professionals to pursue meaningful work on their own terms. We provide freelancers with a platform to grow and manage their book of business, along with tools to predict their future earnings. About Being An Audit Expert with Paro Paro provides freelancers (1099 contractors) with access to client work through the managed marketplace and allows you to grow your own book of business on the Paro platform while we handle the business development. Our team ensures that the client expectations and budgets of projects are clearly defined before they get to the freelancer to deliver. The Senior/Lead Auditor will lead the audit, overcome client obstacles, review workpapers, compile and present audit findings to directly to the client or share with the firm for them to communicate to the client. This freelancer will partner with a CPA firm during the accounting busy season to provide support to multiple clients. CPA firms range from local boutique accounting firms to mid-tier public accounting firms. Experience/Skills Required Senior/Lead Auditor: 3+ years in public accounting experience in audit (CPA is a plus) College degree in Accounting or Tax (a plus) Detail-oriented and highly organized Ability to work independently, without guidance and meet deadlines Integrity, ethical standards and understanding of confidentiality Advanced excel skills Professional communication skills- written, verbal and presentation skills

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IONOS Offers Website Help to Small Business and Freelancers

If your novice website skills occupy a lot of your time, you may want to check out this new service from IONOS. Instead of wasting precious business time attempting to manage your website, IONOS’s website package can control your site for you. IONOS, web hosting and cloud partners for small businesses, have launched a new MyWebsite Design feature . The service offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a practical solution to creating and maintaining a strong online presence. IONOS Carefree for Small Business and Freelancers As businesses continue to wrestle with the implications of the pandemic, having a solid website is more important than ever. A website reflects the character of a business . It promotes and sells a company’s products and services while engaging with customers and prospectives. Building and maintaining an appealing website take time and expertise. The new MyWebsite Design service helps small businesses achieve the right website for their individual purposes and aims. The new package includes a personal consultation with IONOS web design expert. The support involves ongoing coordination and communication with IONOS to discuss the design of the website. A homepage with up to seven sub-pages will then be created based on the MyWebsite Creator Design Templates. Small businesses using the MyWebsite Design feature can also benefit for graphic creation support, including logos and images. Privacy page creation support is also provided. An automatic maintenance service ensures sites are regularly updated. Such updates include the replacement of outdated images, updates to contact information and other continuous support. The MyWebsite Design service is available in three different packages. The most basic ‘S’ package includes three individualized pages and 1 website edit per quarter. The ‘M’ package includes five individualized pages and 1 edit per quarter. The ‘L’ package includes seven individualized pages and unlimited website edits per quarter. Like all IONOS packages, MyWebsite Design users can benefit from five mailboxes, one domain, and one WildCard SSL Starter certificate. Users also get automatic access to WebAnalytics Basic and unlimited webspace. Image: IONOS

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9 Best Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Anywhere

Many people are interested in becoming a freelancer these days, and it makes sense when you think about the possibilities and freedoms. For example: You have a flexible schedule that you can dictate. Now you can work from home or wherever you like Your earning potential is up to you and more in your control. You do not have a traditional boss or manager to answer to Of course, freelancing is not all glamorous and can be tough to initially break into the job market . There are tons of people just like you who have the same interest and desire to work for themselves, and it can get a bit competitive. But luckily, there are so many categories of freelance jobs you can choose from that any skills you potentially have can become a lucrative way to make money from home. Below you’ll learn about some of the best freelance jobs that can pay well and freelance job sites that will help you get work much faster. Best Freelance jobs from home The beauty of freelancing is you can typically work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Certainly, some freelance or contracting work may require you to meet in person, but mostly it can be done from the comfort of your own home. This is an attractive feature if you like to make money working alone or find that you do your best work without the distractions of a traditional 9-5. Below are a few of the best freelance jobs that are not only in demand but can pay well. 1. Digital Marketing Digital marketing is a top in-demand set of skills because every company needs marketing and an online presence. You can be a generalist. That means you do it all in digital marketing, or you can focus on specific areas like social media, paid advertising, email, etc. Although I do digital marketing full-time, I used to do quite a bit of freelancing and contract work in various digital marketing focus areas. Plus, the more experience and track record you have, the more money you can make. 2. Writing Probably one of the more popular freelance jobs is writing. Again, this can be a pretty broad category, but getting paid to write can be quite lucrative as you build your portfolio. You can make money from being a blogger or starting your own blog, a copywriter, or an editor/proofreader. Although it can be competitive, there is no shortage of writing work out there. 3. Designer Similar to digital marketing, looking for quality design work is a much-needed area for most businesses today. Small businesses, start-ups, solo entrepreneurs, and enterprise organizations have numerous areas where quality design work is necessary. It could be as simple as creating logos and social media banners to create various display ads, even designing a new website’s layout. But being a freelance designer can also be areas like UX/UI design where you help create layouts and interfaces of products. Or, […]

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How To Make Your First $100,000 Online Drop Servicing by Dylan Sigley

Today, I am going to show you how drop servicing works, and provide you with the blueprint you need to get started, and on your way to making your first $100,000 in revenue. I am going to explain how to choose a niche, how to present your offer to potential clients, build a team, market your service, and, finally, how to actually deliver results for your clients. Now, you might be thinking “Wow, Dylan Sigley, this sounds like a lot of work” right? I’m not going to lie, it is, but it is possible if you’re prepared to follow my tried and tested model. Firstly, for those of you not familiar as to what drop servicing is. Drop servicing is when you sell digital services to clients like website design , copywriting, social media marketing, and many other services – and then, once you get those clients or projects, you employ other freelancers to carry out the majority of the project’s work. And that’s what we teach in the Drop Servicing Blueprint by Dylan Sigley. Your job is focussed on signing up clients, and managing projects to make sure they are delivered to a high standard. Drop servicing is basically like how sub-contracting works in industries like construction. It’s not a new idea – it’s been around in various forms for hundreds of years. The only difference now is that it can be done online. How to get started in drop servicing by Dylan Sigley So, here’s how you get started. Step 1: Choose a niche You can drop service almost anything that there is a market for. You don’t need to be an expert about a particular service, but you do need to at least understand how it works. For example, if you choose to sell blog writing services, you should be able to, at the very least, know what high-quality content looks like, even if just from a reader’s perspective. For services like web development, you’ll probably need to know quite a lot about it to ensure that the work is completed to a high standard, so avoid the more technical services if you don’t understand them. I know of many entrepreneurs who have built a successful drop servicing business in categories like: Email copywriting Web design or development Social media advertising Blog writing Ad copywriting Video content Ideally, you want to choose a niche that is highly profitable, easy to understand, and easy to sell. The more simple your drop servicing business is, the easier you will be able to sell it to clients, find freelancers, and scale your business. You don’t need to stress about it too much if you pick the wrong niche in the beginning, you’ll be able to test out your service without having to spend huge sums of money. If your niche isn’t as in demand as you first thought or you have problems delivering the service, you can always pivot to a new niche in the future. Step 2: Take […]

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3 steps for becoming a successful freelancer

While being a freelancer may be your dream job as it gives you the opportunity to work for yourself and set your own schedule, it can be difficult to launch a successful freelance career. Not only do you need to build a client base and earn a reputation for doing exceptional work, but you need to learn how to create a work schedule that is beneficial for you. You must learn to juggle all of these things to launch a successful freelance business and here are three things you can do that can help you turn your dream into a reality. Hire a Virtual Assistant One of the many benefits of working as a freelancer is the ability to work by yourself. However, this can also be a drawback because you have to perform administrative tasks yourself. You may spend a significant portion of your time doing administrative tasks instead of actually working with clients and this could have a negative impact on your bottom line. Hiring a virtual assistant is a wonderful solution. These people work remotely to handle administrative tasks such as answering emails, organizing schedules and giving quotes. It frees up your time so you can focus on creating great work for your clients. If you aren’t sure about hiring a person to serve as a virtual assistant, consider using a virtual assistant business app . Whether you choose to use an app or a person, hiring a virtual assistant is a great way to streamline administrative tasks so you can focus on growing your business. You may quickly find that hiring a virtual assistant increase productivity drastically so you can justify the cost. Launch an Advertising Campaign You need to spread the word about your services if you want to grow a successful business. You may only start out with a few clients, but if they are happy with your services, they will recommend you to their friends and family members. You may even want to consider offering free or discounted services to customers in exchange for honest reviews online. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a flashy TV ad to spread the word about your services. Not only is this method of advertising expensive, but it also targets a broad audience and may not generate great results. Try using alternative marketing strategies that target your niche audience. A social media campaign is a great start. You can use this method of marketing on any type of social media platform and you can tailor it to fit your needs. Because you can use a variety of colorful pictures and infographics as part of social media marketing , it is often eye-catching and appealing to potential clients. When you are trying to get your freelance business started, it is important to make yourself accessible to your clients. Your personality may sell your services better than your experience does so make sure you get out in your community to advertise your services. Your […]

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9 Things Every Content Marketing Agency Needs

Amid the hustle of creating the best content possible for their clients, content marketing agencies can end up neglecting their own brand. Ironically, busy agencies can put so much focus on client work that their own business and marketing strategy falls to the back-burner. By considering the following factors, agencies can make sure their competition doesn’t outshine them while they’re busy making clients happy. 1. Unique Value Proposition Content marketing agencies are everywhere. In the digital age, every agency needs to “niche down” and demonstrate their uniqueness. Casting too wide of a net makes companies forgettable rather than memorable. Niching down often requires some market research to make sure you’re striking a balance between too specific (e.g. something no one has heard of) and not specific enough (e.g. specializing in social media is not a niche). A good value proposition is simple, straightforward, and always differentiates you from competition. It gives your audience a concrete reason to pick you – your ‘why’ factor. 2. Proof of Expertise Agencies most often prove their expertise with a portfolio of past client work. Case studies are also a great way to show detailed results, like how much money you’ve saved clients or how many conversions your content has generated. But proof of expertise can also come from other sources, like authority and status. For example, an agency that has been around for decades has obvious staying power. An agency whose founder worked in a certain industry pre-qualifies them for success in that industry. 3. A Roster of Reliable Writers A 2020 Content Marketing Institute study showed 84% of marketers are outsourcing content creation as a whole. This trend was pervasive across companies of different sizes, marketing budgets, and marketing success rates. With so many tasks to manage, most agencies have learned the value of employing freelancers. Scripted connects agencies to freelance writers who specialize in marketing and have extensive experience in the field. The help of one or several writers can be a game-changer for an agency that is overburdened with requests for content. Our vetted writers craft blogs, newsletters, case studies, and promotional materials that are designed to meet goals. 4. Tracking and Measuring Measuring content marketing ROI is no easy feat, and with vanity metrics always a click away, it can be easy to lose sight of what matters. Agencies need to keep track of the cost of content creation as a whole, the cost of content distribution, and the total sales that resulted from that content. Every content marketing agency worth their salt has a method for analyzing KPIs and measuring results, both for its clients and itself. Tracking sales, lead quality, web traffic, and platform-specific ROI is a good start. Tools like Buzzsumo can automate this process and help manage your data for you. 5. Relationship Building While agencies are known for taking on finite projects, building long-term relationships with clients and prospects is key to sustainability. An agency that is relationship-focused is going to generate more word-of-mouth […]

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