I loved (and still love) being able to set my own schedule each day and take time off whenever I want. I can go to a museum on a Wednesday to avoid the crowds and catch up on work that evening — or over the weekend. “At FlexJobs, we define freelancing as any work you do, at any level and in any amount, that is not employee work. It can come in all shapes and sizes, such as working as an independent contractor or consultant, taking on a side hustle, or being self-employed in some capacity,” said Frana. Luckily, this is FlexJobs’ area of expertise. Frana cited a recent FlexJobs report that evaluated the number of freelance job postings by industry between January 1 and May 31, 2022. According to their report, these industries have the most remote, freelance job opportunities (listed in order from highest to lowest number of postings):
- Accounting and Finance
- Administrative
- Computer and IT
- HR and Recruiting
- Bookkeeping
- Customer Service
- Writing
- Virtual Admin
- Project Management
- Marketing
- Executive Assistant
- Recruiter
- Customer Service Representative
- Accountant
- Administrative Assistant
- Bookkeeper
- Graphic Designer
- Copywriter
- Social Media Manager
- Project Manager When I first started freelancing, I took whatever I could get — which is not something I suggest. Now I have a minimum hourly rate. And while most of my work is paid by the project (one flat rate), I keep track of my hours so I don’t dip below that minimum hourly rate. To determine a good rate, Frana suggests, “Talk to other freelancers in your field and people who have hired freelancers to get a better sense of what the going rate is for the job. Once you have a general idea of what freelancers in your field are charging, determine your ideal annual income and what it will take to earn it. Then, we recommend dividing the dollar amount you need to earn per week by 40, which will give you the hourly base rate.” “During the price negotiation, mention these expenses and justify your rate by being clear on everything you’re offering to the client,” said Frana. “Once a rate has been agreed upon, make sure your contract outlines the specifics, like when payments are due and what happens if the client doesn’t pay.” When it comes to finding your first freelance gig, Frana suggests checking out freelancing job boards and gig work sites and tapping into your professional network. Frana suggests asking your clients “to pass your name along to anyone else who might be seeking out your services. It’s a great way to actively market your freelance business, with barely any investment in time or money.” In my experience, the more clients, the better. That way, if one drops off, you can still stay afloat. To start, Frana suggests “asking every client about their expectations on turnaround times, scope of work, and rates. By putting everything on the table before you start working with a client, you’ll avoid potential pitfalls later on, build better loyalty, and be able to successfully foster a client relationship for the long-term.” And finally, if you’re not getting paid on time, the people you work with are rude, or you don’t like the work you’re doing, it’s probably not worth sticking around. Unlike a traditional job, where quitting is a big deal, it’s super easy to cut clients as a freelancer. There’s no need to be miserable. “It’s essential to establish a contract with every client that you work with. Whether a client skips out on paying you, or the scope of work begins to snowball out of control, having that signed document in your corner will be a tremendous asset,” said Frana. I personally use Trello to keep track of what projects I’m working on, which ones I’ve invoiced, when payments are due, and when I’m paid. In the past, I’ve also used Asana and Airtable. You can also just use a series of folders on your desktop. The trick is to find a process that works for you and then keep it well managed so nothing slips through the cracks. That said, it’s up to you. I actually still use a notebook to keep track of all my assignments and deadlines, but that’s mainly out of habit. Over the years, I’ve found that I operate best when at the end of every work day I outline a plan for the following day. For example, I might plan to spend two hours on one project before shifting to another for the next four hours. I always schedule time for lunch and any other non-work things I have to do that day. You might not stick to the schedule completely, but it helps guide your day and keeps you on track. If I put aside a two-hour block of time for a client, I do my best to avoid checking my email, my phone, or letting another project distract me during that time period. I’ve also used the Pomodoro method in the past. It’s the same idea, but it breaks your focused work periods into 25-minute chunks followed by a short break. TBH, hiring an accountant may be your best course of action. Frana suggests that freelancers “be realistic on how much work you can accomplish during any given day or week, and learn to say ’no’ to projects, as needed.” “If freelancing is more than casual side work, you may want to consider setting up your business as an LLC,” said Frana.
