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Tips For Succeeding As A Freelance Worker

In a day and age where it is easily possible to work from anywhere, there has been a huge rise in the number of freelance workers, whether this is a job on the side or their sole source of income. It is easy to see why as there are many benefits to this type of work including being your own boss, great flexibility and the ability to take on as much or as little work as you wish. Although there are many benefits, there are also unique challenges, and it can be difficult to succeed. Read on for a few tips as to how you can manage as a freelance worker.

1. Web Presence

Acquiring work can be a challenge especially when you are first starting out. If you are to succeed and make a name for yourself, you will need to have a strong web presence in the form of a professional website and professional social media pages. Your website will act as an online CV and should contain links to your work along with testimonials from current or previous clients.

2. Networking

Networking is also vital when you are a freelance worker in order to land work and to develop a reputation. In addition to networking online through social media and communities like Reddit, you should also attend industry events and meet-ups – it is a smart idea to have business cards printed up so that you can distribute these at these events. Even if the people that you meet do not currently have any work, they may do in the near future or know somebody that does.

3. Maintain A Calendar

Time-management is crucial to success when you are a freelance worker, particularly if you work for multiple clients. You will not be earning when you are not working, so you need to know how to manage your time and what important deadlines, briefings, meetings and any other events you have coming up. Maintaining a calendar is the best way to do this, and there are many excellent digital calanders that you can use to properly manage your time so that you can work as efficiently as possible.

4. Invoicing & Accounting

It will be your responsibility to file invoices and handle your accounts which can be daunting at first. Fortunately, you can create a free invoice online which allows you to easily bill your clients so that payments can be made quickly and on time. There is also software that you can use to track your income and outgoings so that you can accurately fill in your tax return each year.

5. Keep Regular Hours

One of the major attractions of being a freelance worker is the flexibility that it provides you. Although flexible, it is a smart move to keep regular hours where possible as this will encourage you to sit down to work, stop distractions and also provide times where your clients can communicate with you. Many people like to keep typical office hours of 9-to-5 as this is when most people will be at work, but you could opt for different times or longer/shorter working days. Be sure to let clients know in advance when you will be unavailable.

6. Separate Home & Work Life

If you work from home, it can be challenging to separate your home and work life which can be problematic. You can keep the two separate by having an office space that is separate from the rest of the house, by having clear, established office hours and by not allowing distractions while you work. Additionally, it can be helpful to mark the end of the day by leaving your home office and leaving the house even if it is just a short walk.

7. Get Out

Following on from this, if you work from home it is imperative that you still make time to leave the house as otherwise this can lead to cabin fever. This could be a simple walk around the block, going to the gym or meeting a friend or client for coffee/lunch. It is also a good idea to be social in the evenings and at the weekends if you do not get much human contact while working.

It is easy to see why so many people have started freelance work in recent times, but it is not for everyone, and there are a few challenges to overcome particularly when first starting out. These tips should help you to establish yourself in your industry, obtain clients and carry out work healthily and professionally so that you can find success as a freelancer.

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