Freelancers A to Z #027 How to Earn from What You Love
Freelancers A to Z is a series of roundup posts with captivating curated blog posts, podcasts and articles.
My purpose is to give you as a freelancer a place where you can find support and help with productivity, motivation and time management issues. Here you will find simple yet powerful hacks to improve your productivity and boost your freelance business instantly.
Are you ready?
More and more people are being pulled into the world of freelancing. If you're thinking about joining this bandwagon as well, you're on the right track!
Freelance is basically working for yourself. In other words, it is an opportunity to be self-employed.
By offering services within your capabilities to different clients or companies, you can start earning from your home.
It is not only valuable but has tons of space to grow. Freelancing is best credited for expanding the choices of self-employment in the creative industries.
There are lots of perks of being a freelancer which sets it apart from a full-time office job. Moreover, it serves as an additional source of income.
But as great as all these sounds, one can't be a successful freelancer without learning important tips. This is where we will guide you.
Keep reading to get familiar with the best 5 tips for a beginner or even a seasoned freelancer.
1
Top Tips on How to Boost Your Productivity with Google Docs
As a freelancer, you can't get by without knowing how to use different tech tools such as google docs. Most of these tools are free of cost but the amount of value and convenience they bring to the table is unmatched.
This website teaches you versatile ways how to utilize Google docs specifically for a freelancing career. For starters, this tool is adept at voice typing which is perfect for saving time and multitasking.
The tool can be connected to Grammarly via a downloadable Chrome extension.
With Google Docs, there is no need for using Word alongside as it allows the users to save any document in a Word file.
Editing with this tool is a breeze. You can edit while being offline by connecting the computer to the smartphone.
Talk about ease! Another impressive task that can be accomplished by Google Docs is collaboration and sharing.
If you're an experienced freelancer, you must have come across many clients who prefer Google Docs above all else.
Learning what you can do with this user-friendly and time-saving tool will give you an edge over other freelancers.
2
Why Is It Crucial to Set Your Rates Accurately as a Freelancer?
Let's face it. We're all in it for money but unfortunately, there are many freelancers out there who set below average rates knowingly or unknowingly.
No matter what your area of expertise is, you should be aware of the common rates other fellow freelancers are setting in your field.
Afterward, you can adjust or keep the same rate by being a fair judge of your own abilities.
Still, it's not that easy as it sounds to accurately determine your rates which is why this blog post has come to your rescue.
It clarifies the fine line between overpricing and underpricing, both of which should be avoided.
According to the blog, underpricing is not only a threat to your financial security, it can even put off potential clients from working with you.
By putting out four signs of underpricing, it achieves to sort out the complex problem.
First, the blog strengthens the fact that the amount of pay should respect the time you invest in your work. This is where most freelancers fail to be conscious.
Before taking on a project, accurately estimate the amount of time you will require to complete it. Secondly, consider what your rivals in your field are charging.
Another under pricing sign is that your hourly rates are the same or barely changed since you became a freelancer.
By making an analogy of goods and services, the blog urges freelancers to continue up their rates whenever they improve and grow.
Lastly, if your clients are setting the rates, you'll most likely be underpaid.
3
Share Your Project Files Like a Pro Freelancer
After tech tools, the next priority is collaboration. Want to work online or digitally? Know what the best file-sharing options are available out there.
Freelancing is all about sharing and keeping a strong connection with clients.
If any of these requirements are not fulfilled, your work ethics and productivity will suffer a blow.
Collaboration is not just about sharing files with clients but being able to view or edit those files on different devices.
The article states that it's crucial to select a functional and flexible file sharing program. It's not easy to get your hands on a program that is simple and completes work quickly.
The first option mentioned in the article is Google Drive which boasts 15 GB of free data storage.
Numerous freelancers utilize this program for portfolios. You can also upgrade to gain more data. Next up, Droplr is recommended for completing difficult and technical tasks.
For instance, the program can be used as a customer service interface, for sharing visual feedback and source code. Although it's not free, the useful features are worth each penny.
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4
How to Cope with Quarterly Taxes in Your Freelance Business?
If there's one thing freelancers detest the most, it is calculating the taxes.
This meaningful article deeply looks into the matter of managing taxes in a freelancing career. It is a perfect guide for any freelancer and mostly consists of frequently asked questions related to taxes.
An explanatory account is given on quarterly estimated state taxes and quarterly estimated federal taxes for the people who do not have an understanding of these things.
Whether you want to know how much you should pay, when you should pay, or how to pay taxes, this article is one stop to know it all.
It also assists you in how to do future planning for taxes.
So, if you are really willing to commit to your freelance business, learning how to do taxes is a great idea.
5
Top Gmail Extensions Every Freelancer Should Start Using Right Now
Every working person uses Gmail as their email service. So, it only makes sense that one should get to know various Gmail extensions.
This particular article makes the reader familiar with 4 Gmail extensions which have proven to be useful for a lot of freelancers. The basic objective of these extensions is to transform your email inbox from a liability to a business asset.
If you want to power up your inbox and make it valuable for your business, then make sure to give this article a read. These extensions are listed as Boomerang, Streak, Todoist, and Rapportive.
This article explains how to utilize these 4 Gmail add-ons to improve your career. First up, we have Streak which is basically a customer relationship management (CRM) tool.
There are tons of features of Streak such as assigning tasks or reminders for each box, tracking the progress of a project, knowing the value of a project, addition of emails to boxes to view entire communication with a client, and setting emails to go back in inbox if there's no reply.
While you can get all this value and convenience for free, there is a choice to sign up for a paid account in order to improve your experience.
The article goes on to describe the features of other extensions.
They allow you to control your inbox and configure the entire bulk of unread emails in order to have zero unopened mail. Make your work-life intuitive and hassle-free!
6
All work and no play…
The last thing I would like to share with you is music. It has a special place in my life. For that reason I listen to music when I work. Hoverer, as some of you already know, it’s also because I want to cut off the noise caused by my neighbors.
This week I’d like to introduce a new kind of playlists: classical music. Chopin’s Nocturnes are perfect for a focused evening working session. Enjoy!
Last but not least: in the next issue your playlist can appear in this place. So leave in comments your favourite music that you love to listen when you work.
One last thing
In the comments below let me know what do you think about this issue of Freelancers A to Z. Tell me what do you like, what is not so good, what do you want more of. I need to know everything.
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The next issue will be available in two weeks.
Take care and have a nice time
Mariusz from the Time Continuum App