1. Home
  2. »
  3. Starting
  4. »
  5. Freelancing Essentials: What You Need to Know Before You Start Freelancing

Freelancing Essentials: What You Need to Know Before You Start Freelancing

Need someone to manage your work, schedule your posts, track your time or create your invoices? We know just the app.
Freelance Business Community
| July 27, 2021
Freelance Business Community
July 27, 2021
start-freelance-business-essentials

Being a Freelancer Or How To Start a Freelance Business

Going freelance is liberating in many ways – you no longer need to work from one specific location, you can manage your own time, accept projects that move you, and work in whatever clothes you like. But with all that freedom comes the responsibility to manage your work life all by yourself. This includes the fun parts like picking a workspace and gadgets, but also the less exciting aspects like sorting your invoices and managing your social contributions. Luckily, there are plenty of useful tools out there to help you organize your freelance life and give you more time to focus on your work. To make sure you’ve covered the basics, hurry up and sign up for these valuable tools.

1. Freelance business contracts and agreements

Before you start your work, make sure you have a legally checked draft agreement for your client work. This will save you many troubles and help you to look more professional when you deal with your clients. To ensure both you and your clients are on the same page, a signed contract is mandatory. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an experienced lawyer to draft an agreement. Take a look at a recording of a Freelance Business Month session on freelance contract essentials.

2. Freelance invoice template solution

Before you start freelancing, consult with your accountant about what needs to be mentioned on your invoice, or check here and here. At worst, a wrong invoice may result in a missed payment, or cause you issues with fiscal control. Once you’ve signed the contract and concluded the project successfully, it’s time to issue an invoice for the work you’ve done. In the world of freelancers, this often isn’t so simple. There’s a lot of work that goes into making a correct invoice, and Xolo can help you build one and track it without the hassle. We love Xolo GO because it allows you to invoice clients across borders from day one. Setting up your account takes less than 10 minutes – see how simple it is to start invoicing as a freelancer.

3. Updated profiles on best social media platforms for your niche

Networking has largely gone digital, but it remains one of the most effective ways of getting new clients. Maintaining an active social presence on Linkedin and other platforms (choose depending on your niche/audience) will make it easier to market yourself, connect with people, and become a thought leader. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer will allow you to write and schedule posts in advance, so your social media will impress in the background. Check the videos below on improving your social media profiles.

How to provide value to your community on LinkedIn with Erendiz Ates

 

How to use LinkedIn to get more clients as a freelancer with Chris Raulf

You can see more experts sharing their marketing and sales advice from the Freelance Business for Marketing and Sales event here.

4. Project management work

Tasks and deadlines can easily pile up, and if you’re not prepared, you can become overwhelmed. Project management apps allow you to store all your work in one place, set goals and reminders, and be in sync across multiple devices. They also allow you to easily collaborate and share your work with others – see our recommendations here.

5. Professional portfolio site

To convince your client you’re the right person for the job, you need a place to showcase previous projects you’ve worked on (and, ideally, feedback from previous clients). Linkedin is a great home for your digital CV and getting recommendations, while Behance and Dribbble are wonderful for artists and designers.Medium and WordPress or your own website are great to write up case studies for marketers, writers, developers, and strategists.

6. Accounting and tax strategy

After you’ve received your payments, you need to store and organize them properly. Digital tools likeXolo Go can put your invoicing records on autopilot, so when the time comes to pay the taxman, all your invoices will be waiting in one place.

7. Time tracking websites

If you don’t want to be catching up on work when you should be sleeping, time management is crucial. Apps like Clockify, Toggl, and Hubstaff will allow you to track how much time you spend on projects. You can also share the data with your clients!

8. Email and a website for your brand

To take your personal branding to the next level, a personalized domain and email will set you apart from the crowd. With Django.City you can launch your new website and get a free domain name for just €49 per year. To learn more about website creation, subscribe to our next masterclass on the topic. Wix and Squarespace are a great starting point, while a service like Bluehost will give you a personalized WordPress domain and Microsoft 365 custom email. Would you like to know how to keep your Gmail inbox empty? Follow this brilliant course by Pavel Minar, a certified Google Suite expert, and trainer.

Gmail - I want to have an empty inbox

9. Expand your skills (and offer clients new services)

As freelancers, we’re always looking to stay on top of the development in our fields and expand our competence. Freelance Business Community organizes educational events, which feature experts from many fields and allow you to network with other freelancers. Don’t miss our upcoming Freelance Business Month, which will have tons of educational opportunities too. You can also use apps like Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera, which offer thousands of courses for you to brush up on your skills and learn new ones. More details here.

10. Digital security

As your work takes place mostly on your laptop and other devices, you need to make sure your digital life and data are protected. Using a VPN like ExpressVPN will protect your traffic from breaches, especially when using public Wifi, while a password manager like Lastpass will keep your passwords safely encrypted. Follow the session below with cyber expert Francis West where he gives tons of tips and tricks on how to protect your accounts.

Why should you care if your data ends up on the Dark Web? with Francis West

To find other useful tools, see our article on the best tools for freelancers. We know navigating the freelance jungle can feel overwhelming at times. But coming across a smiling face and a few words of encouragement can go a long way. If you want to meet supportive freelancers and learn something new in the process, join the Freelance Business for Creatives event, and be on the lookout for Freelance Business Month in October.

The information about banks was taken from their official website. If any changes are required, please let us know at [email protected].

Category

Recent Posts

The List of Freelance Events 2024

The List of Freelance Events 2024

Freelancers may work independently, but they still want to be part of a community. Here is where freelance events come in. Both digital and live, the tradition of friendly and educational events for the freelance community has existed long before the Covid-19 pandemic...

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

Throughout history, humans have naturally gravitated towards forming groups. From the earliest civilizations to modern times, the desire to belong has been ingrained in our social fabric. Group affiliation not only ensures safety, as seen in ancient tribes providing...

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

Elina Jutelyte, Founder of Freelance Business, sat down with Travis Bennett, COO of Doerscircle to talk about the organisation's remarkable growth and to learn what attracts freelancers to Doerscircle. The growth of Doerscircle's community for freelancers highlights...

Freelance Business Community

Freelance Business Community

Our goal is to help the freelance professionals, independent specialists and self-employed to become more visible and help them develop skills to thrive in their business.

You might also like

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The article provides a comprehensive overview of more than 30 diverse freelance communities catering to professionals worldwide. Each community is meticulously detailed, outlining its name, description, offered services, membership fees, geographical focus, and unique features. From lobbying organizations advocating for freelancer rights to educational platforms providing resources and networking opportunities, the spectrum of offerings is vast.

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

Delve into the dynamic world of Doerscircle with an in-depth exploration of its COO, Travis Bennett. Uncover the secrets behind Doerscircle’s extraordinary growth, skyrocketing to an impressive 60,000 members. Discover the common challenges compelling individuals to join this thriving community. Learn about the exclusive benefits offered by Doerscircle Premium membership. Plus, get an insider’s look at the ambitious expansion plans set to propel Doerscircle into the future. Don’t miss the chance to unravel the success story and future endeavors of this innovative platform

Unlock Your Earning Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Freelance Fees Benchmark

Unlock Your Earning Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Freelance Fees Benchmark

For graphic designers, artists, copywriters, and all freelancers, setting your freelance rates is a crucial aspect of your business strategy. It’s a common practice to assess your freelance market and consider benchmarking your prices against others. Many freelance business experts often emphasize the importance of aligning your rates with industry benchmarks. However, the reality is not always as straightforward as it seems. In this article, we’ll explore the complexities surrounding the elusive concept of the freelance fee benchmark and why it is not always recommended to consult with any benchmark reports out there.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This