Working as a freelancer has a vast range of undeniable perks—you can work from any location, at any time of the day or night, and tackle ...
Working as a freelancer has a vast range of undeniable perks—you can work from any location, at any time of the day or night, and tackle projects when you are most creative. You don’t have to seek approval for holidays, dentist appointments, or children's assemblies, and you are the boss of your schedule and earnings.
As with everything, there are, of course, downsides. With no steady income, you can be left balancing on a tightrope from job to job, wondering where the next batch of work is coming from, and always second-guessing your finances. Late payments, unreliable clients, and the lack of paid sick leave are also downsides— the pressure of being fully responsible for every aspect of your working life can cause a burden. Fortunately, however, the benefits usually outweigh the negatives, and we have a list of top tips to take the stress off, and help you make the most of enjoying freelance life!
Track Your Time
One of the most significant issues with freelancing is time. Being paid by the project can leave you feeling uncertain as to how long to spend on work while paying by the hour means the pressure is on from the client to complete as fast as possible.
It can be tricky to track where all those hours go and can make payment a murky area. Luckily, the world of tech is there to help. A good clocksoftware will help you essentially clock in and out on a job, removing any doubt. This benefits both the worker and the client, who can both see precisely how much time has been spent on a project.
Remember Rainy Days
As a freelancer, it is likely you will be responsible for your tax payments and pension, as well as any sick leave or holidays you wish to take. It is a good idea to prepare for this early on in your career, and make a point of saving a percentage of your wages to cover a rainy day. It is also advised to invest in a pension scheme, as well as savings opportunities which can earn maximum interest. Building up a substantial savings pot may take time, but you will be grateful when it comes to tax return time, during your retirement, or even during the months where work is scarce.
Set A Schedule
In a traditional workplace, there are likely to be strict requirements on your time, such as a fixed start and finish time, a set lunch break, and deadlines for each piece of work. Freelancing is not all that different—it pays well to be organized.
Make sure you are well aware of deadlines well in advance, and always ensure that you understand precisely what the client needs before starting a project. There is nothing worse than completing work only to find you have misinterpreted the instructions. By being organized and thinking long term, you can arrange work according to deadlines and priority, and hopefully, avoid the last minute panic at something which has been missed! If you follow these simple steps, freelancing can be a real joy.
