📊Tips for Freelancers pt.2

▶️Keep an eye on the freelance boards

Some people are incredibly negative about the mainstream freelance job boards like PeoplePerHour and Upwork.

Yes, they are places where your path is strewn with scams and high fees, but they are home to lots of new opportunities and potential client relationships.

▶️Make sure you keep past work

You may not wish to mention or display every single past job on your resumé or portfolio, but it’s also unwise not to keep some kind of record of ALL of your past work.

Things don’t last forever; Online articles get taken down, websites close, and books and magazines go out of print.

▶️Forgive yourself for bad days

You may be inspired by your big job that needs to be done, but sometimes there are no such feelings, you just have to learn to forgive yourself for those days. It's not human to work like a robot every single day.

Allow yourself this day under the covers and try not to feel guilty about it.

▶️Don’t compare yourself to others

Comparing yourself to others is human nature, but it’s also a bad habit, and one that can lead to depression.

As a freelancer, it’s inevitable that you will encounter some uncomfortable comparisons. For many freelancers, myself included, freelancing is about a lifestyle choice as much as money. However, that doesn’t stop tinges of envy when you see people get promotions and pay rises, or jet off on intercontinental business trips.

🔔Use it to achieve the best

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📊Tips for Freelancers pt.3

💻 Keep your skills up to date

Nothing in life stands still. Everything evolves, from IT systems to marketing techniques to fashion trends. Even social networks fall in and out of favour, so there’s no point in being a Twitter expert if all your clients want to get established on Pinterest – or TikTok

However busy you are, it’s essential to keep learning new things and stay one step ahead of industry trends. Thankfully there are loads of ways that freelancers can find cheap training.

For example, Course can help you with this

💻Save and backup your work!

You’d think the need to backup data would be so obvious that it wouldn’t deserve mentioning in a freelance tips article. However, around 25% of people admit to NEVER backing up their data. Many more back up way less frequently than they should.

Things go wrong and mistakes happen. Don’t wait until you have a disaster of your own before being proactive about this.

💻 Use the right tools to speed you up

There are various software tools that make life easier every single day. industry standard apps in Office 365, labour-saving tools like TextExpander, and services like Trello that help organise business life.

The thing is, you do actually have to put some effort into finding the tools that truly work for you.

🔔Use this tips in your work

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📎Useful links to websites pt.1

🔵 Free illustrations

🔵 Selection of font combinations

🔵Photo stock

🔵Icons

🔵Random theme generator for design challenges and creativity development

🔵Design ideas

👍Use it for your convenience

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🔙How Freelancers Pay Taxes

If you are a sole trader, there are steps you need to take to ensure you pay the correct taxes.

👌The popular option for freelancers is submitting a Self-Assessment tax return online, with the deadline depending on the method chosen. Once the return is submitted, income taxes on freelance earnings must be paid through options such as direct deposit, online banking, or mail.
After submitting the tax return, a tax bill will detail the amount owed in income tax and national insurance that can be paid through various methods.

👌There is also an option to pay the tax bill using your tax code, but it's advised to avoid this if you do not want your employer to discover your self-employment status. If the tax bill exceeds £1,000, making advance payments may also be necessary based on income predictions for the following year.

👌Paying tax if you’re set up as a limited company
If you’re set up as a limited company, you will need to submit an annual Company Tax Return and pay Corporation Tax on your freelance earnings.

The deadline for filing this type of tax return is 12 months after the accounting period it covers has ended.

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🚀Best Websites for Freelancers in 2024

⬇️Best Overall: Freelancer

⬇️Runner-Up, Best Overall: Upwork

⬇️Best for Local Jobs: Craigslist

⬇️Best for Remote Jobs: FlexJobs

⬇️Best for Beginners: Fiverr

⬇️Best for Non-Digital Jobs: Taskrabbit

⬇️Best for Creatives: Working Not Working

⬇️Best for Writing Jobs: Freelance Writing Jobs

⬇️Best for Experienced Freelancers: Guru

💻Source

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👍Best Apps for Freelancers in 2024

Here is the list of the best freelance work apps under their specific genres.

🔵Freelance Job Sourcing Apps: Upwork, Toptal

🔵Time Tracking App: Apploye

🔵Project Management Software: Trello, ClickUp

🔵Communication Tools: Calendly, SaneBox, Neo

🔵Invoicing Platforms: PayPal, Wave, QuickBooks

🔵Designing Tools: Figma, Webflow

🔵Programming Software: UltraEdit

🔵Writing Assistants: Grammarly, Google Docs

🔵SEO Tools: Ahrefs, Moz Pro

🔵Cloud Storage Platform: Dropbox

🔵Productivity Tools: Todoist, Win The Day, Clean Email

🔵Social Media Management: Loomly

🔵Assignment Calculator: Study Crumb

🔵Portfolio Website for Freelancers: Canva

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📊Tips for Freelancers pt.4

🔼Set up Google alerts for startup funding rounds

All levels of funding, from seed money to series C, allow a company to expand their operations. This may mean they are hiring for just the work you do! Make sure you're notified daily when a startup in your niche has made it easier to afford your work.

🔼Share work samples with your clients annually

Even if it's been awhile since you've done work for a client, showing off your latest projects gives you a reason to keep in touch. It also has the benefit of letting them know what you're up to. Actors use show reels and graphic designers use demo reels in much the same manner.

🔼List and get introduced to agencies near you

While many freelancers mistakenly assume that agencies are the competition, the truth is that they can be a lucrative source of work! Make relationships with larger service providers in your area so that you can possibly take on their overflow work during busy seasons.

🔼Add your LinkedIn link to your personal website and Twitter profile

Use a free bit.ly link to customize a different link to LinkedIn from each site. This makes it easy to determine where people are finding you, and you can focus your efforts on the most effective platform.

🔼Ask for testimonials

Nothing speaks to potential clients quite like a word-of-mouth recommendation. Use the LinkedIn recommendations tool to solicit words of praise from future and current clients. You can also ask for them through email. Display the testimonials on your website, portfolio, resume and social handles!

🔼Become an expert on up-and-coming tools

As more and more freelancers seek to use the most updated resources, they will be looking for help in mastering them. By establishing yourself as a go-to authority, it will be easier to market yourself and find work requiring those tools.

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📊Tips for Freelancers pt.5

🔼Build case studies on your expertise

These reports don't have to be fancy, but they should show how your work has positively changed clients' lives for the better. Use stats, testimonials, and budget reporting to back up the ROI for your work.

🔼Check your online reputation

Your digital footprint is very important in establishing a professional persona. Check in with Google regularly by setting search alerts to see what shows up for your name on the internet. Scan sites and google photos to be sure nothing negatives can make it hard for you to get work.

🔼Find your niche

An important part of your branding is to determine what your specialty will be. Whether you focus on a particular skill, technology, industry (or all three), make sure your marketing reflects this decision. Potential clients should be able to easily identify your niche (restaurant logo designer, for example) without doing too much research.

🔼Get listed in directories

Many lists of freelancers and marketplace sites allow for free submissions. Simply search for terms such as "freelance designer directory" or "Squarespace developers" and make sure the sites you submit to are up-to-date with their information.

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🗣️How to find freelance graphic design work: best practices pt.1

➡️Get the word out

Consider regularly sharing posts on Facebook, Twitter, Behance, and Dribbble about projects you’re proud of. The more often people see your work, the more they’ll remember what you do. And when someone needs a graphic designer, your name will come to mind. I’ve gotten freelance writing leads from people who recommended me after seeing my work on Facebook.

➡️Pitch local businesses — in person

Finding new graphic design work locally gives you the advantage of connecting with people in person. Take inventory of neighbourhood businesses and visit websites to see who’s in desperate need of a makeover.

Drop in during a company’s slower times. Ask who’s in charge of marketing or decision-making. Often that person will be the owner, maybe the person you’re talking to. Introduce yourself as a graphic designer and tell them you’ve checked out their website. Without being insulting, share your ideas about possible improvements.

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🗣️How to find freelance graphic design work: best practices pt.2

➡️Working with a recruiting agency

Working with a recruiting or staffing agency can be a great way to find opportunities you wouldn't otherwise know about. These recruiters only make money by filling these positions. Which can mean that they may pitch dull-as-dust roles with the same enthusiasm as dream jobs.

Keep in mind that these agencies get a share that automatically cuts into your rate. So it’s actually in your best interest to be your own recruiter. That way, you can create opportunities beyond a recruiter’s network and what you’ll find on job boards.

➡️Be your own recruiter

Try sending emails to creative directors and managers at companies you actually want to work for. Keep it brief with an overview of your relevant experience and a link to your portfolio. Be clear about the skills you offer and the type of projects you’d like to work on. Make sure they know you’re looking for contract or freelance opportunities.

Being your own recruiter means pursuing companies and people you want to work with. So be brave and be picky — find clients that are right for you.

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❗️Do Freelancers Still Get A Pension?

Freelancers and self-employed individuals lack automatic workplace pension contributions but can still rely on the State Pension by making qualifying National Insurance contributions for at least 10 years. It's important to check your State Pension status via the Personal Tax Account to understand your future pension entitlements. To enhance retirement savings, setting up a private pension is advisable, providing a tax-efficient savings method and the structure for managing future finances.

💲Despite the challenges of variable income, starting a private pension with as little as £50 a month can accumulate over time, aided by tax relief which effectively lowers the cost of contributions.

⬇️When choosing a private pension, options include Stakeholder and Personal Pensions. Stakeholder Pensions feature low minimum contributions and capped charges but offer limited investment choices. Personal Pensions, frequently managed by insurance companies, present a broader range of investment options, appealing to those seeking more tailored investment strategies. Both routes offer valuable pathways to supplementing the State Pension, securing financial stability in retirement for freelancers and self-employed professionals.

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🧳Buying A House When You’re A Freelancer

Buying a home as a freelancer can be challenging due to fluctuating incomes and stricter mortgage lender requirements. However, it's possible with careful planning and the right approach. Here are condensed strategies to enhance your chances:

✔️Utilize Self-Employed Mortgage Calculators

- Online mortgage calculators designed for the self-employed can provide a preliminary assessment of how much you might borrow based on your income and savings. Use these tools as a starting point to understand your financial standing and set realistic goals.

✔️ Consult a Specialized Mortgage Advisor
- A mortgage advisor experienced in working with freelancers can navigate you through the application process, assessing the risk level of your application and offering tailored advice to boost your approval chances.

✔️Review Your Financials with an Accountant

- An accountant can offer invaluable insights into your finances, helping you prepare for a mortgage application by ensuring your tax payments are up to date and by forecasting your income, thereby improving your affordability profile.

❗️Remember, while these steps can help, success largely depends on finding lenders willing to work with self-employed individuals and presenting a strong, well-documented case for your reliability as a borrower.

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🔥Resume summary example

At the top of your resume sample, you may choose to include a summary. This section is particularly useful for freelancers because it allows you to speak directly to the employer and explain your situation. A hiring manager won’t be left wondering why your resume doesn’t look like others once they see that most of your career has been freelance.

👍In just 3-5 sentences, the summary should offer a taste of everything you have to offer. Mention your job title, your number of years of experience and your biggest achievements. If education is important in your field, you can also note any relevant degrees here. As a freelancer, it’s important that you define who you are and what you do – and the summary is the place to do just that.

Check out the summary from our freelancer resume sample for an idea of how to structure your own:

ADAPTABLE SUMMARY EXAMPLE
Dynamic Freelancer specializing in content creation, journalism, entertainment writing, and social media management. Adept in creating engaging, stimulating, and data-driven content that relays powerful messages to targeted audiences.

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🔒Statistical Insight

Statistical Insight: According to Flexjobs, a jobs board for remote work, the top fields for freelance employment are:

📌Computer & IT

📌Accounting & Finance

📌Administrative

📌Project Management

📌Customer Service

📌Medical & Health

📌Writing & Editing

📌Education & Training

📌Marketing

📌HR & Recruiting

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❗️Why LinkedIn Matters in 2024

LinkedIn rarely makes digital marketing headlines. Yet, used correctly, it can be the single best social media platform for founders and startups.

👍Growing Your Personal Brand

LinkedIn is where you go to grow your personal brand—but not just any kind of brand. If you want to become influential in photography, you go to Instagram. If you want to become influential in photography, you go to Instagram. if you want to become known as a business owner or entrepreneur, you go to LinkedIn.

👍Finding New Leads

52% of buyers say LinkedIn is the most influential channel during their research process. Almost 90% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn for lead generation, and 62% of them say it generates twice as many leads as the next-highest social channel.

👍Networking with the Right People

Almost 25% of LinkedIn users are senior-level influencers: decision-makers, business builders, and C-level executives. These are the kinds of people you need in your circle when building a business.

👍Hiring a Well-Rounded Team

LinkedIn is the place to go when you’re looking for a job—and it’s also where your new hires are hanging out. Post job opportunities, look for referrals, and hire your dream team.

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