3 Reasons To Become A Freelancer

March 29, 2021 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

If you’ve always wanted to become a freelancer but you were worried about making that move and taking the first step, you’re not alone. Millions of talented writers, artists, musicians, marketing experts, accountants, and consultants have all the skills required to do the work they need to do but who aren’t sure about how to change from being employed to working in a freelance capacity.

However, once you make the changes needed, most people will realize that it was exactly the right thing to do. Here are some of the reasons why becoming a freelancer is a good idea; read through, and maybe you’ll decide it’s time for you to enjoy some of these benefits.

Image from Pixabay

A Flexible Schedule

One of the most significant benefits of freelance working, and one that is often the catalyst for making this admittedly big change, is the flexibility that freelancing offers you. You can choose the hours you want to work as long as you bear any deadlines in mind, and that means you can enjoy your hobbies and being with your family as well as making an income. If you need an afternoon off to watch your child play sports, you can. If you want to start work late because you enjoy going to the gym first thing in the morning, you can.

You can also change your schedule whenever you need to. Again, your deadlines are always going to be important; missing them means losing money and potentially clients too. However, as long as you can create a schedule that takes these into account, you can enjoy the advantage of flexible working.

You Can Follow Your Own Interests

When you become a freelancer, you can follow your own interests and work in an area you enjoy or have always wanted to become involved in. There are plenty of tools available to help you learn new skills if you need to; just check out Bookkeeper Launch reviews, and you’ll see the kinds of programs you can join. Once you have your qualifications and ideally some experience, you can launch your freelancing career. Just make sure that whatever you choose is a field that people are willing to pay for help with.

What you do in your freelance career may not be the same as you did or do in your employed career, although it could be a continuation of what you were already doing if that makes sense to you and it’s what you enjoy. Simply put, when you are a freelancer, you can choose to do anything you want to and finally have a job that lets you follow your own interests.

You Can Work From Anywhere

Did you know that a long daily commute (or even a short but stressful one) can cause health problems? Besides mental health issues, an unpleasant commute can lead to high blood pressure and even high cholesterol.

When you are a freelancer, your commute will be a thing of the past. Of course, depending on what you choose to do for a living, you may still need to travel around, but because you’re making your own schedules, as we’ve mentioned above, you don’t have to do it in rush hour, and you’ll be going to different places each day, making things much more interesting.

Most of the time, you’ll be able to work from wherever you want to, whether that’s a home office, a coffee shop, the beach, or wherever you choose.

Hiring A Freelance Employee: What They Need

September 12, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

What drives us as an entrepreneur, apart from the fear of failure is the financial aspects of our business. Unfortunately, we always have to keep an eye on the finances whenever we are heading into new territory, or merely expanding on our current operation. Naturally, we develop a sixth sense when it comes to finding the best ways to cut down on unnecessary outgoings. Hiring freelancers is one of the best approaches any burgeoning business can take. But, it’s important to think about what your freelancers need from you, as well as what you need from them…

Setting Out The Task At Hand

The objectives are vital to ensuring a symbiotic relationship with a freelancer. You need to set out clearly what you need from them, and as a result, they will respect your needs. It’s important to remember that, despite the fact you are laying out clear objections, they will need to complete the work in their own unique way. This is a very important thing to consider with regards to the differences between full-time employees and freelancers. Whatever the approach, your goal is to ensure they deliver the final product. But when you are setting out the task at hand, there are things you should lay clear in the contract, such as if they need to be available during specific working hours.

How You Are Going To Pay Them (And How Much?)

This a very sticky issue. Remember, if you don’t pay them enough for the job they are doing, especially when you promise a certain amount, there can be numerous sticky issues further down the line. However, there are legal professionals you can rely on, and that your employees can rely on, to ensure that everybody is happy in a financial sense. Ultimately, you need to decide before any work is done, what their fee is, and how it is going to be paid. For example, are they going to receive commission?

The Intellectual Property Rights

One of the biggest legal issues when it comes to hiring a freelancer is the intellectual property rights. When you hire an employee full-time, the intellectual property is yours. However, when you hire a freelancer, they own everything that they create, and so, if you want to ensure that you own this intellectual property, you have to put this in the contract at the very outset. This is a very important thing to establish before any work is done, because if the freelancer is unhappy with the circumstances in which they are working, they could easily leave you in the lurch, and take their creations with them.

Ultimately, when you are hiring a freelancer, you have to give them the respect that they deserve. So many freelancers don’t feel respected, because they are a hired gun. But if you are looking to develop long-term relationships with specific freelancers, it’s important to give them the respect that they need. But at the same time, you need to ensure that you are covering your back. This is why preparation is always the best course of action before hiring any freelancer.

The Psychological Benefits of Working in a Coworking Space for Freelancers

November 23, 2017 by Laurence Deer Leave a Comment

Coworking Space Freelancer

The prospect of sharing office space goes against every corporate custom and tradition. It seems to defy the very concept of productivity itself. How can anybody be expected to put in a top performance when sharing an environment with strangers? Surely, any form of coworking is primarily defined by interruption and distraction.

It’s a valid concern. Fortunately, it’s one that the business world has explored extensively over the last five years. As the popularity of coworking has soared in Australia, researchers have put its claims to the test. The majority have found that, when operating from a coworking space, freelancers and other flexible workers are actually twice as productive.

Keep reading to find out why this is the case and what coworking spaces can do to strengthen your sole proprietorship.

The Freedom to Thrive

One of the most interesting benefits of coworking, as reported by researchers, is an increased sense of self. For freelancers, in particular, sharing office space with a diverse range of people leads to less conflict. There is a reduced need for internal rivalry and competition because there’s no singular goal. It is a collective, an organic community of creators and thinkers.

These benefits are felt even when tenants are moving from a home-based operation, as opposed to a more traditional company. For instance, freelancers in coworking spaces frequently discuss their work with those who are unfamiliar with it. These opportunities to articulate and self-represent can end up boosting confidence and providing clarity.

The Freedom to Choose

The best coworking facilities in Australia are accessible 24/7. It means freelancers get to structure their routines in whatever way they like. If you feel sluggish during the day but come alive in the evening, you can shape your day to reflect this. If you’ve got a major deadline to meet, there’s no worry the office will shut up shop before you’re finished.

This sense of freedom is very valuable, as the old traditions don’t make room for personal variation. Not everybody is going to feel inspired at 9 am after a busy commute. Similarly, not everybody wants to take a long lunch break in the middle of the day, especially if it’s a prime time for creativity. With coworking, the tenant is always in control.

The Freedom to Collaborate

Sharing office space and resources is also a great way to meet new people. When you’re a freelancer, connections are everything. You depend upon a network of clients, contacts, and referrers to keep the jobs coming. When you co-work, plugging into new networks is easy. There are writers, designers, marketers, developers, coders, and more, all in one environment.

In fact, it’s common for coworking tenants to offer an exchange of skills. For instance, you might be able to write an excellent piece of SEO copy. If another tenant needs this, they could give you a valuable skill in exchange, such as web building or financial advice. It’s entirely possible that the next person you meet is your ticket to success.

How to Find a Great Coworking Space in Australia

If you want to find the best coworking facilities, consider a move to one of the major Australian cities. These regions are very popular with prime providers, as they put tenants right at the heart of the action. This is where you’ll get the most interest from sponsors and investors.

It will also put you close to consumers, as most coworking spaces are located in or around retail districts. Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane are all home to some fantastic facilities, so you’ve got a lot of options. Make sure to choose a lively, thriving neighbourhood.

Laurence is a digital marketing professional who has helped dozens of businesses achieve their online objectives. Working with a particular emphasis on local campaigns, Laurence has a clear understanding of what is required for local SMEs to acquire market share over their competitors. This ranges from online strategies to using cloud-based services to gain the edge in their chosen market.

Should You Be A Freelancer?

November 2, 2017 by Mike McRitchie Leave a Comment

Freelancer, Freelancing, Freelance — Photo credit: tracilawson via Foter.com / CC BY

You’ve had that feeling. You’re ready to chuck the corporate world and head off on your own business adventure. You’re your own boss. No one telling you what to do. Making your own hours. Setting your own priorities.

But are you ready for that?

How do you know?

First off, it is really easy when you’re upset, pissed off, and feel like your world is caving in around you, to think the grass is greener in the freelance life.

But is it really?

First you need to cool off. Take a step back. Give it 24-48 hours minimum to get your mind straight. There is nothing more damaging to your career or life than making a bad decision because you were in a bad emotional state.

Okay. So you got through that and you’re still thinking running your own business is where your life should be headed. What next?

How financially prepared are you?

If you didn’t have income for six to 12 months, could you survive? Do you have the savings?

How far can you scale back your fixed expenses to get you through the transition? What is your rent or mortgage? Could you downsize? Do you have car loans or student loans you have to pay on each month? Or credit card debt? Better to pay that stuff down or off before backing yourself into a financial corner.

Beyond your current spending, will your plan give you room to save? If you’re spending everything you earn you’re likely to be setting yourself up for the equivalent of a job with double the stress and risk.

Relationships are next.

How are you supported? Does your spouse, friends, family support you with this decision? When the going gets tough are they going to be in your corner, helping you through the difficult times? Or are they going to say, “I told you so.” and undermine you every chance they get.

Running your own business is hard enough as it is and entrepreneurship isn’t always as glamorous as the snake oil salesmen selling get rich quick schemes would have you believe.

Did I still not scare you off?

Then check this out and see if you have what it takes.

Is Freelancing For Me?

After checking it out if you think it is the lifestyle you want but you’re not fully prepared to make the jump yet, consider doing your new venture as a side hustle. Especially if you can keep the up front costs at a minimum, you just might be able to get it rolling and then minimize the downside risk of a failure and better time the transition to full time freelancer.

Want to get a second opinion? Contact me to schedule a call to discuss it.