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As climate shows and plastic documentaries are becoming increasingly popular on Netflix, chances are that your awareness of the climate crisis is reaching new highs. Maybe you've asked yourself: “Why (on Earth) are we not doing more about climate change?” Climate anxiety, by definition, is the stress or fear we experience when we get closer and closer to an anti-goal without feeling like we can do anything about it. An “anti-goal” is something we don’t want to happen. In this case, climate change and the results of a slowly dying world. The powerless feeling of not being able to do anything to protect the things we love causes stress to build up inside. For a long time, I didn’t know climate anxiety was even a thing, much less that it affected my work as a freelancer and entrepreneur. But once I took a closer look, I understood that this worry for our planet and future had become a part of me, and it affected my life in many ways. I realized there were questions I grappled with daily, like how to create work with meaning when there’s this hovering reminder of climate change and whether or not what I do even matters. Is my contribution to this world enough? Climate anxiety can show up in many ways, including stress, fear, an inability to focus, even apathy. Built-up stress leads to anxiety or even depression, a state in which we shut down and don’t engage. You might think that more awareness around climate change should spark the urge in people to do something about it, but studies have shown that we actually do less. When you don’t know what to do or where to start, the opposite happens. Instead of engaging in positive climate action, we become numb to the subject. The more we learn about climate change, the less we do. How does this relate to freelancers? I believe that as a freelancer, this may hit you harder than most people. For one, you’re your own boss, so it’s in your personal power to make decisions about how you do business and spend your time, and the nagging feeling that you should do more for climate action can be hard to ignore. Second, since you’re the only one bringing in money to your business, disrupted workflow and creativity due to anxiety can hit pretty hard. Fear and anger are powerful emotions that can trigger instant action (it’s a survival thing), but they also create a tunnel vision that blocks creativity and solutions thinking. So if you’re constantly in a state of worry (even if to the smallest degree), you’re probably blocking ideas and inspiration that should be coming your way. If you find yourself stuck, you might want to find out if you’re suffering from a dose of climate anxiety. You don’t have to be an environmentalist to fall into this category; climate change affects all of us (your business, too), and the worry of a dying world can be overwhelming to handle. The worst thing you can do about climate anxiety is to ignore it, as it will only continue to build up inside. Here are four tips I’ve learned over the years to heal climate anxiety and invite the flow of creativity and inspiration back into my life. (And, psst, we need a lot of that to battle climate change and build a new kind of world!)
Are you ready to activate the aspiring activist inside you? Sign up for Anne Therese’s Climate Optimist Master Class this summer. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/30/could-climate-anxiety-be-causing-your-creative-block/
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This year’s election in New York City is going to be huge. Due to term limits, the mayor, comptroller, and two-thirds of City Council seats are open to a suite of new challengers. It’s an opportunity like no other to make meaningful change for our community. Earlier this year, working with an endorsement committee of six Freelancers Union member volunteers from different industries and backgrounds, we announced our first slate of City Council endorsements, as well as our two choices for mayor. As we get closer to the primary elections in which these candidates are running (June 22!), we’re continuing to conduct candidate interviews with the member committee to identify other freelancer-friendly candidates who deserve your vote. Freelancers Union represents more than 500,000 members, more than 150,000 in New York City alone. Freelancers are the backbone of the economy, yet they are still left out of many important policy discussions. But we have the power to change this! When we organize our members around important policy issues, like Freelance Isn’t Free, we have been able to make huge steps forward. We believe that supporting candidates who back freelance issues is an important step to building our collective political voice. Here are the three latest additions to our roster of City Council candidates. If you’re not sure what district you live in, you can input your address here to find your district and the name of your current rep. Elizabeth Adams in District 33 in Brooklyn (Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Bed-Stuy) “More than ever, we need fresh ideas and worker advocates to ensure a just economic recovery. And we need to prioritize high-quality jobs and protections for independent contractors and gig workers, or we will jeopardize the wellbeing and financial stability of our city. Our workforce has shifted significantly in the past several years—including with the growth of the gig economy and independent contractors—yet our laws and worker protections are still far behind. Our city needs to catch up, and I am looking forward to being a strong advocate for freelancers in the City Council.” —from Elizabeth Adams’ candidate questionnaire Marti Allen-Cummings in District 7 in Manhattan (Morningside Heights, Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville) "I am so proud to have the endorsement of the Freelancers Union. As a gig worker of more than 10 years, I know firsthand how their members have been left out by City Hall far too often. I also know that freelancers and gig workers are a pillar of the New York economy and these jobs are essential to our recovery effort. I look forward to working with the Freelancers Union on issues of wage theft, a portable benefits fund, and harassment in the workplace while we work to make New York the #1 destination for freelance and gig workers." —Marti Allen-Cummings Crystal Hudson in District 35 in Brooklyn (Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Prospect Park, Bed-Stuy) “I'm proud to have the support of the Freelancers Union and ready to work alongside them for the dignity and security of all workers. As we face the challenges ahead, we need bold leadership guiding our path to recovery and uplifting working people. I'll keep fighting to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to affordable housing, high-quality healthcare, fair wages, and worker protections.” —Crystal Hudson All of these candidates will be on the Democratic primary ballot on June 22. To connect with us on volunteering opportunities for any of our endorsed candidates, please email [email protected]. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/29/these-new-york-city-council-candidates-will-work-for-freelancers-rights/
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The May 17 tax deadline is only a few days away, so there’s no time to waste if you haven’t already filed your taxes. To help you maximize your freelance tax deductions and reduce your 2020 tax bill, here’s a handy checklist. You can also access a full summary in this PDF from CPA for Freelancers®. 1. Unemployment income benefits deductible up to $10,200. The IRS is forgiving up to $10,200 to individuals (and up to $20,400 for those married filing jointly) who filed their 2020 tax return including income from unemployment benefits before the American Rescue Plan Act was passed. This applies as long as your annual income is below $150,000. Make sure to include this income on your 2020 return. 2. The Economic Impact Payment Recovery Rebate Credit (Notice 1444 and 1444B). The Recovery Rebate Credit is a special benefit that many people received in May 2020 or in January 2021 in the form of an Economic Stimulus Payment. If you did not receive the maximum amount of the Economic Stimulus Payment, or if your circumstances have changed, you may be eligible for the funds now. The IRS will be able to calculate whether you are eligible and how much of the credit may be available to you if you follow the “Credit Figured by the IRS” instructions on your individual tax return. 3. Families First Coronavirus Response Act Deductions. If you were sick in 2020 or the beginning of 2021 due to COVID-19, or you had to take time away from your freelance business to care for a family member who was, you’ll want to see if you are eligible for qualified sick and family leave equivalent tax credits with IRS Form 7202, “Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals.” Form 7202 is a new federal form from the Internal Revenue Service which aims to help those who are self-employed claim sick and family leave tax credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). You may be able to claim these credits on your 2020 tax return, for leave taken between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, and on next year’s tax return (for 2021) related to leave taken between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2021. Please note that you cannot claim these credits for the same period as any PPP loan forgiveness you may be eligible for. 4. The Child Tax Credit (CTC). If you have kids, you’ll want to pay attention to the CTC, which is a $2,000 credit parents can claim on their taxes for every child under the age of 17 in 2020 (the same age range for child dependents when it comes to COVID-19 stimulus checks). The CTC is only refundable up to $1,400 per qualifying child). If you have older kids, you can claim $500 for each child aged 17 and 18, or full-time college students between the ages of 19 and 24. Looking ahead to the 2021 tax year, Biden has proposed a temporary increase to the maximum CTC, to $3,000 for each child age 17 and under, and up to $3,600 for kids under age 6. The proposed credit would be fully refundable and may be paid monthly. 5. Charitable donation deduction. Charitable donation deduction. You can take up to $300 in a cash/check/credit card deduction even if you are taking the standard deduction (not donated goods) in 2020 under coronavirus programs. You must provide the appropriate documentation to take advantage of this deduction. 6. Coronavirus IRA Hardship Withdrawals. If you are feeling the cash flow crunch due to the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act may provide some relief in the form of a waiver of the 10% early withdrawal penalty. The new rules to take a withdrawal from your retirement account will apply to you, if:
For example, you or your spouse are being quarantined, furloughed, laid off, or you are working less because of the virus or disease; are unable to work due to lack of childcare because of the virus or disease; or own or operate a business and you have lost hours or had reduced hours due to the virus or disease. 7. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. One of the key changes made in regard to PPP loan forgiveness is that it is not considered taxable income at the federal level. This could be a significant tax saving for your business. However, there is not any change in the guidance for state and local tax treatment of PPP funds. Therefore, be sure to check with your own state and local tax authorities for additional information. 8. Changes to Net Operating Losses may also provide additional funds. The Act also makes several important changes to Net Operating Loss (NOL) provisions which may help free up your freelance cash flow. Under this act, businesses can use NOLs from tax years starting prior to January 1, 2021, to fully offset their income. This is a change from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which limited the offset to 80% of income. The CARES Act also provides that taxpayers can, for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020, carry their NOLS back to their five prior taxable years, which could result in a tax refund. 9. An Expanded Interest Deduction. The previous limit of 30% adjusted taxable income (ATI) was increased significantly, to 50% for 2019 and 2020. Any business interest expense not able to be applied for this year can be carried into the next year. This increased limit will allow businesses a larger tax break this year. 10. Section 139 Tax Deduction. Section 139 was added to the federal tax code after 9/11 in order to allow businesses, nonprofits, and state and local governments to make tax deductible disaster relief payments to individuals who have been affected by a disaster. For section 139 to apply, the disaster must be a qualified federal disaster, and the payments must be qualified disaster relief payments. The IRS interpreted COVID-19 as a federal disaster, therefore payments for relief from this disaster are qualified under section 139 if: (a) the payments are made to reimburse reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 disaster; and (b) the expenses are not compensated by insurance or otherwise (qualified expenses). Employees are not required to substantiate expenses with receipts, credit card statements, etc. However, for employers it is key to document the terms of any qualified disaster relief payments that are intended to reimburse employees for qualified expenses. Given the deadline is approaching so quickly, there’s no time to waste in filing your taxes. Grab this checklist and make sure to allocate time this week to tackle your freelance taxes with form 1040 so you can avoid late fees and penalties! Jonathan Medows is a New York City-based CPA who specializes in taxes and business issues for freelancers and self-employed individuals across the country. He provides tax, accounting and business articles for freelancers on his website, http://www.cpaforfreelancers.com, which also features a blog and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. Please note, due to the high volume of inquiries in regard to COVID-19, Jonathan is not able to respond to individual requests for information at this time. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/28/your-last-minute-freelance-tax-deductions-checklist-is-here/
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Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). As groups put pressure on the Senate to take up the PRO Act and put it to a vote, there has been a lot of conversation about this bill that was first proposed in 2019. Simply put, the PRO Act makes changes to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and a handful of related laws that govern workers’ rights to organize. It makes it significantly more difficult for employers to retaliate against union movements with layoffs or other punitive measures, overrides anti-union right-to-work laws, and empowers worker solidarity by allowing sympathy strikes and boycotts, which are currently illegal. Most importantly for freelancers, it expands the right to unionize to include some independent and contract workers, effectively giving some freelancers the same space at the table as their staff counterparts. This is a huge step forward that acknowledges the rights of all workers to organize, to share information with one another, and to speak up for better working conditions. Workers of all kinds are stronger together than they are alone. Our work organizing freelancers for 25 years has proven just that, leading to multiple wins for the freelance community as a whole, from the passage of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act to the creation of PUA benefits for struggling freelancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PRO Act will help proliferate similar protections for exploited freelancers across the country. Many freelancers are concerned because the PRO Act includes an ABC test to determine who has the right to organize. The ABC test says that any worker is considered an employee with union rights unless they A) control their own schedule, B) work in an industry different from their clients’, and C) can prove that they are “customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business.” Only if an individual passes all three of these tests can they be considered outside the scope of unionization. Using the ABC test here means that a plumber who is hired to fix a leak at a consulting firm would not be eligible to join a union there, because they pass all three parts of the ABC test. A freelance journalist who regularly contributes to a local newspaper, however, would be eligible to unionize alongside its staff writers. Misunderstandings about the scope of the bill have led many to fear that the ABC test here could affect freelancers ability to contract work, as it did in California’s AB5. In fact, it was a concern for us as well, until we reviewed the full text of the bill that was passed in the House. Not only does the law itself specify that it is limited to amending the National Labor Relations Act, an important amendment was also passed on the floor of the house explicitly spelling out that the ABC test applies to unionization alone and cannot change anyone’s employment status. We do not downplay the seriousness of the effects that AB5 had for freelancers in California. But the ABC test is simply a piece of language that is used in different circumstances, for different purposes. When it is used to change employment or tax law, as it did in California, it can be detrimental to freelancers. But the PRO Act does not do that. It is our mission to help freelancers build more power, not less. We would never support legislation that would take away freelancers’ abilities to do their work. In our conversations with the labor organizations and elected officials who are driving the bill, they have also expressed their support for freelancers rights to contract work. The PRO Act is a step forward for more equitable protections for all workers, including freelancers. For more information about the PRO Act, check out our fact sheet. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/28/why-freelancers-should-support-the-pro-act/
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No matter the size or industry your business is in, forming strategic partnerships is key to increasing your bottom line. But actually forming these kinds of partnerships isn’t easy. You need to take a strategic approach to make sure that it’s mutually beneficial for both parties. Here’s how you can form and leverage strategic partnerships to grow your business. 1. Establish clear goalsBlindly entering into a partnership without knowing what your objectives are is a recipe for disaster. It’s not an effective way to generate results. The first step to forming mutually beneficial strategic partnerships is to establish clear objectives. What are your goals? And what exactly do you want out of a potential partnership? Simply saying that you want to increase sales is too broad. Getting more into specifics will help you find potential partners to approach. For example, if your aim is to increase your reach in foreign countries, you’ll want to look for distribution partners who can help make it happen. If you’re an agency and you have customers asking for services you don’t offer, you’ll need to look for partners who can fill that gap. 2. Identify strategic partnersThe next step is to look for potential businesses to approach. Start by looking into your local community. Are there any businesses that can help you achieve your goals? Who do they currently partner with? To extend your search, consider using sites like LinkedIn to find even more companies that might be willing to work with you. Tools like Reply’s Linkedin email finder provide an easy solution to contacting potential partners. You could also tap into your own professional network. Don’t be afraid to ask for connections from friends or acquaintances even if they’re in completely different industries. 3. Decide if a partner is a good fitMany companies are careful about who they partner with and for good reason. There’s not much incentive for a company to partner with others if there’s nothing in it for them. The same is true here. When creating a list of potential strategic partners, identify what you can offer them. What are some of their weaknesses? Do any of your products or services complement theirs? What “gaps” do they have that you can fill? Something else to consider is whether a partner you want to approach aligns with your core values. For example, if one of your business values is to reduce your environmental impact, you’ll want to look for partners with similar commitments. This isn’t necessary, but taking this step can prove beneficial when you make a proposal. 4. Assess your resourcesBefore you commit to a strategic partnership, it’s important that you have the resources to meet your end of the bargain. For example, if a company agrees to work with you on their projects, can you deliver? If not, you may need to expand your team or seek funding to get what you need whether that’s additional staff or more equipment. If you’re not in a position to take on more work, you shouldn’t take the risk. If a partner can’t rely on you to deliver your end, they may end the partnership and seek other options. This could have a negative effect on your reputation. 5. Build relationshipsDon’t just immediately reach out to a company and make a proposition. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the company, including what their current situation is like and what their long-term goals are. Try to connect with key stakeholders in the company and build relationships with them. This can include sharing helpful resources and reaching out in person. Keep the conversation going before you make contact. 6. Create a proposalOnce you’ve built rapport with potential partners, the next step is to reach out and propose a partnership. Share more information about your business and why you’d be a good fit for them. Companies will be more eager to work with yours if you create a proposal that highlights how they can benefit. If you simply talk about what a company can do for you, they’ll likely feel less inclined to agree to your proposal. They might not even bother responding. 7. Put everything in writingNot every partnership needs to have a legally binding contract. Some partnerships can simply start as a handshake agreement. But it’s definitely a good idea to have a signed agreement, especially if money is changing hands. With any kind of strategic partnership, it’s important that you get the terms in writing. Written agreements help prevent any misunderstandings and can settle any disputes that arise. They also protect you in the event that a partner company decides to end the relationship. A written agreement may include details, such as what resources your company will provide, how you’ll be compensated, who is responsible for what, and more. It may also include details about exclusivity. 8. Maintain a line of communicationOnce you and a partner sign a written agreement, you can’t take a “set and forget” approach and hope things will work out on their own. You need to put in the time and effort to develop that partnership to ensure things are working out for both of you. Make sure that your company is readily accessible and responsive. Depending on how many partnerships you bring on, you might consider hiring a team to manage those relationships. Hold meetings whenever necessary to review the results and make any changes. 9. Monitor your goalsAs you work with another company, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your goals. Is the strategic partnership having a positive impact on your bottom line? Or is the partnership not working out as well as you had hoped? If not, there are two approaches you can take. You can reach out to the partner in question and ask how you can do a better job together. And if things aren’t working, don’t be afraid to terminate the partnership and seek out another organization. 10. Keep growingStrategic partnerships are a great way to build your own brand and credibility. You can leverage those relationships to help you form partnerships with larger, more well-known brands. This will help your business continue growing. ConclusionForming strategic partnerships is a proven way to grow your business. They help you increase brand exposure and reach new customers. Partnering with other companies needs to be more of a priority if it isn’t already. Implement some of the tips as described here to form and leverage strategic partnerships to increase revenue growth for your business. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/27/10-ways-to-leverage-strategic-partnerships/
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Booking jobs by word of mouth and networking often means that we freelancers know how to present a very precise image of ourselves. On one hand, having that image down pat can mean quick bookings and easy marketing when selling the idea that we’re the right person for a particular job. On the other hand, working too hard to maintain this specific image can be pigeonholing. How do we transition into new freelance careers when past clients are so used to hiring us for one particular job? As a production coordinator in the film industry, I capitalized off of the quick references that came with production managers associating my name with “coordinator.” My experience supported one rule of thumb among some freelancers: Focus your self-branding efforts into one specific image and role. In this case, working hard to promote myself as a “Production Coordinator,” as opposed to “Producer, Writer, Director, sometimes Office Production Assistant,” helped condense my hireability into an easy-to-digest question of whether or not someone needed a production coordinator. My simplified image as a production coordinator contributed greatly to the growth in my network as more production managers shared my contact information. As I began to produce smaller projects on my own, though, my worry flipped. How would I break out of this pigeonhole of only working as a production coordinator when I aspired to more? I needed to learn how to navigate my growth as a producer alongside my stable work as a production coordinator. Identify the different circles in your networkSimilar to how I needed to be mindful of how I presented my aspirations of producing to production managers, I also needed to be aware of my general image among different circles in my network. Some of my coordinator peers, for example, were confused about my producing. “Does that mean you’re not booking as a coordinator anymore?” they asked. Though I firmly rejected that notion, I realized that crossing those wires in shaping my impression as both a coordinator and producer might have damaged my immediate hireability. Knowing who in your network may contribute to your new path versus who will continually hire you for one consistent job may help you better understand how to communicate among these circles. Inevitably, you may come across an awkward moment where your different freelance careers and their associated networks collide, and someone exclaims: “Oh, I didn’t know you did that, too!” When that happens, don’t be afraid to be transparent about your career paths and freelancing pursuits. You shouldn’t feel like you’re playing a sensitive game of public relations every time you connect with another freelancer or work on a job. However, narrowing your image among those various circles gives each of them a more condensed image of what you do, how they can help you, and whom else they can connect you with. Specify your new trajectory and reach out to connectionsAfter you have an idea of who may be open to helping you transition into your new freelance career, reach out and share your thoughts on how you want to grow. Specificity is key here: Most peers in your network don’t want to do the work of career guidance and career advancement—they just want to size up their own network and point you in the right direction. You may hear this need for directness and specificity in the form of a common question: “So, what do you want to do?” If you’re like me, the first few times, you’ll fumble, saying that you “can write and direct, too,” or that you’re “thinking between maybe being this thing, or maybe this…” Having a readymade plan not only shows your connections that you’re prepared to make the next step and that you’ve thought through the specifics of the various other titles related to your current freelance career, it also gives them action items: Do they know other people who work in that career path? Can they connect you with them? Specificity can only help these connections as they package you in their communications with the rest of their network. Following this logic, I would have been better off putting in more of the mental work related to my career transition before even reaching out to potential connections who could have helped me in said transition. Then, when they asked me the inevitable question, “What do you want to do?” I could have answered: “I want to produce docu-style commercials for nonprofit organizations and socially responsible corporations.” Some may argue that specificity in this regard can also be pigeonholing, since it seems likely that peers may not be able to help if they don’t know anyone in the very specific lane you’re inquiring about. However, I’ve found the opposite to be true—your connections will appreciate the specificity and work backward, so that, in the above case, for example, a peer might tell me, “Well, I don’t know anyone doing docu-style commercials for nonprofits, but I do know plenty of producers doing docu-style work in general.” Switch your main titleAt some point, you will reach a point where you need to completely flip your branding efforts over to your new title. This is your “graduation,” so to speak: your LinkedIn title changes, you begin mentioning your new job in conversation, and you book mostly under your new title, not your old one. Sometimes, prematurely making this switch can be the impetus you need to fully embrace your new career path—too much one-foot-in-one-foot-out can end up hindering both your career paths. Sometimes, making the same switch can be harmful as you inevitably switch off sources of income related to your old job. In making this switch, you make a brave leap in assuming that your new job will be worth it. Be kind to yourself, have patience, and believe in yourself. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/22/making-the-transition-from-one-freelance-career-to-another/
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Before I started freelance writing a year ago, I was worried about pitching perfectly and writing error-free pieces for my first drafts. I would spend countless hours scrolling listicles with titles like “What Not to Do When Pitching” and stressing myself out so much that I would never hit send on those emails. Although the ideas were there and the passion for writing was fervent, I still felt underprepared to pitch to publications. Now, a year later, I can send anywhere from three to 20 pitches in a week and feel confident in my ability to convey the purpose of my story and how I plan on unfolding the work. But the challenge I’ve had to overcome isn't sending the perfect pitch or DMing editors with the right amount of exclamation points on Twitter. The biggest obstacle was convincing myself that my work deserved a chance in the vast world of freelancing. As a Black female journalist, I’m aware that my demographic is underrepresented in this field. This is why, when my supervisor for my first editorial internship with a magazine was a Black woman, I felt blessed to work under her leadership. Out of all the wisdom she instilled in me on reporting and writing, the most valuable piece of advice I keep at the forefront of my mind as a freelancer is believing in the quality of my work and believing that I deserve a chance. Although I spent so much time researching before freelancing, I hadn’t read anywhere about believing in yourself and silencing thoughts of imposter syndrome. But as I dive deeper into the field, part of me wishes I had come across that advice first. Whether you’re a photographer, makeup artist, writer or actor, thoughts of inadequacy can pop up, even if you are “successful” in your field. The weight of these feelings of inadequacy can be exhausting and even worse, prevent you from doing what you love. Here are three tips I wish I had come across before leaping into the marvelous world of freelancing. Being Yourself Already Makes Your Work AuthenticIf I had a dime for every time I threw out an idea because I thought it was too unoriginal, I could settle into early retirement. The idea that we have to come up with an idea or concept that has never been thought of before is quite asinine. The sentiment is nice in theory, but the pressure that comes with that desire is overwhelming. One of the most important things I’ve realized when it comes to creative expression is that there’s a major difference between authenticity and originality. Although I may not be the first person to ever write on a topic, my worldviews and opinions on the matter make it authentic and subsequently unique. Don’t allow the pressure to create something that’s never been done before to keep you from even starting. Take the picture. Sing the song. Dance the dance. The concept could’ve been done one hundred years ago, but it hasn’t yet been done by you. Stay in Your LaneThe saying “comparison is the thief of joy,” couldn’t be more true when it comes to freelancing. There are moments when I want to tailor my work to whatever is working for someone else. But I’m often humbly reminded that what works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for the next. By staying in my lane and keeping my eyes on my prize, I can silence these thoughts of comparison and conformity. Don’t be a chameleon. By comparing your work to the person in the lane next to you, you’re taking your eyes off the road and heading for a major crash and burnout. It’s tiring to constantly try and adapt your work to look like someone else’s. Additionally, you rob yourself of the joy of creative expression and end up more like a machine simply putting out work with little enjoyment. It’s important to remember your why and hang on tight to it so that when the inevitable road bumps come along, your why will still be the destination even if your freelance journey looks different from someone else’s. Be Your Own Motivational SpeakerI’m grateful to have friends and family in my life that can encourage me at times when I feel down. But the simple reality is that I’m not always going to have a cheerleading team in my ear at all hours of the day. Learning to be a self-motivator and encourager is a valuable trait that I’ve had to pick up in the past year as a freelancer. The bottom line is that in life there are going to be “nos.” In the world of freelancing, there are definitely going to be “nos.” Feelings of disappointment and frustration are what make us human, but it’s important not to let the “nos” keep us down. Separating yourself from your work can help you to not feel the weight of being turned down so harshly. At first, if my pitches got rejected I would feel like I was being rejected. But the biggest motivation I can give myself when things don’t go the way I hoped that they would is to remind myself that what I achieve as a freelancer isn’t a reflection of my worth and value as a human being. It’s easier said than done, but the quicker you figure out how to separate your job title from your actual identity as a human, the healthier you can function in your line of work. If you have to cheesily set reminders on your phone with motivational quotes to pop up throughout the day, so be it. Be your biggest cheerleader. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/21/overcoming-freelance-self-doubt/
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This is a post from our partner TaxAct. With deduction maximizer, a free personalized tax plan, and $100k accuracy guarantee, TaxAct's online tax software helps freelancers rest easy knowing their taxes are done right. Freelancers Union members get 25% off the cost of federal AND state filing right here. Regardless of one’s current employment situation, it’s no secret that 2020 has put the vast majority of Americans through the wringer in one way or another. Some of those hit the hardest include self-employed individuals such as freelancers, independent contractors, and small- to medium-business owners. The CARES Act and self-employment taxesThe CARES Act aimed to mitigate some of the difficulties faced by the broader working class, and the self-employed sector certainly saw some substantial benefits. These workers are accustomed to setting aside money themselves to pay their quarterly taxes — as opposed to people whose employers share the tax burden of Medicare and Social Security throughout the year. This makes a temporary tax deferral a favorable option for many self-employed individuals and small businesses. What if I do decide to defer paying my taxes?First, it’s important to know how much — and what kind of — tax you are technically allowed to defer. According to the IRS, “self-employed individuals may defer the payment of 50 percent of the Social Security tax imposed under section 1401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code on net earnings from self-employment income for the period beginning on March 27, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020.” However, the deferred payments must still be made by the dates applicable to all employers who do choose tax deferral. To avoid incurring a penalty, you must adhere to the following dates and amounts:
What does that mean in plain English? Let’s look at an example. Let’s say that you calculated what you typically owe in Social Security tax, and it came out to $10,000 (for the period beginning March 27, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020). That simply means that you’d need to pay a minimum of $5,000 by December 31, 2021. The remaining amount would be due December 31, 2022. Note: You can always choose to pay more than the 50 percent by the 2021 deadline. The rules are the same in that you’ll pay the remaining balance by December 31, 2022. Should those who are self-employed defer tax payments?The ability to defer some tax now in favor of keeping more money in your wallet may seem tempting, but you may want to consider being cautious with that choice. During a time when changes seem to crop up with each new week, you may want to consider continuing to set that money aside — and potentially paying it as usual — while you still have it. That could help you to avoid a larger tax bill further down the line. Even if additional aid does arrive for business owners and the self-employed, it may not be enough to cover taxes owed in the long run. Regardless of your choice, remembering to keep detailed records of your income and expenses — which you likely already do — will help immensely when it comes time to file and pay your quarterly estimated taxes. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/20/what-self-employment-tax-deferral-means/
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The modern concept of freelancing is less than half a century old, but it has increased its significance and users rapidly. Today, there are 57 million freelancers in the US. Organizations are also focusing on outsourcing their work to freelancers, as they are more economical and efficient. In this concentrated market, efficiency is necessary to maintain your distinction. The written proposal is the first impression a freelancer can make with a prospective client, and it sets the tone for any further discussions they may have. As such, a compelling, engaging proposal is one of the most important tools a freelancer can use to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Ways to Write an Engaging Proposal1. Analyze the Job Description and Know Your ClientThe first step before writing an engaging proposal is to analyze your client. Pay attention to the requirements and needs for the job in question. Focus on the project outline and job description. Your main focus should be on the words used in the description. If the client's language is informal, use informal language in your description and vice versa. Another aspect of the job description and proposal process is to perform a quick background check on clients. Unfortunately, it is not a guarantee that every client is genuine and will pay you adequately. Verify the information that the client provided in the proposal using an internet search, business listings, and other free tools. Often, a quick search of "[CLIENT NAME] + fraud" will be enough to turn up evidence of past issues. 2. Know YourselfBefore writing anything, make sure that you know your skills. Assure that you have adequate skill sets that the client is demanding. If they are searching for a PhD writer, then include your PhD-level projects in the proposal. Only list those strengths that are relevant to the project’s description — do not include all the skills that you are a master of. Provide evidence of those relevant skills with examples from your past work. 3. First Impressions Are ImportantThe majority of the companies receive a number of proposals when they post a job. Therefore, creating a striking first impression is necessary. If the first few lines of your proposal are flat and unappealing, your chances of getting the job will drop. Don't feel stuck with formal introductions. Show them that you are perfect for the job from the very first line. 4. Consider SpecificsBe specific while writing the proposal. Do not include a lot of background details and bragging just to paint a picture for the client. Provide specific details of how you would do the job, and draw a track of the project completion. Use a timeline to illustrate your plan for the completion of the project. This will show your seriousness about the project. 5. Ask the Right QuestionsWhen you have a direct conversation with the organization, ask them relevant questions about the project. You can use this opportunity to ask them about any subtle conditions and requirements for the job to show that you are sensitive to the client's needs. Do not jump straight to the financial details. 6. Use Future PacingFuture pacing is a psychological technique in which clients can imagine themselves in the future, when their desired goal is achieved. Using this technique creates a positive image in the client’s mind. An effective way to use future pacing is to offer a step-by-step plan. Consider yourself hired by the organization and brief them about the next steps. 7. Validation Is RequiredValidation is the final step in freelancing. On both the client and freelancer sides, complaints and broken agreements are, unfortunately, common. Therefore, both entities must validate the proposal before initiating the project. Offer them to validate your account and other details that you have provided. Similarly, validate the details regarding the organization. Anatomy of a ProposalRegardless of your effort, a proposal will be unclear and unsuccessful if it is not arranged properly. Making the content creative is up to you, but it should follow a basic structure. According to Master Thesis, the following are the elements that are necessary in a structured proposal: Problem Statement: The proposal must contain a detailed explanation of the client’s problem. This reflects your level of understanding and expertise to solve their problem. Proposed Solution: Provide them with more than one solution that can address to the problem. Pricing Information: Do not make the pricing section to complicated or vague. Keep it simple and easy to understand. Putting It TogetherAs the freelance marketplace becomes more crowded, it has become more difficult to retain and attract new clients. If you want to do so, your proposal must stand out. Companies receive thousands of responses to job postings. Only an engaging proposal can grab their attention. I hope the strategies I have mentioned above to write engaging content are helpful. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/19/how-to-write-an-engaging-proposal-that-will-win-you-the-gig/
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Innovation is part of the very nature of tech, so it may surprise some to learn that IT is still a male-dominated industry. There needs to be a concerted effort on the behalf of tech companies and educators to make room for other voices to be heard. However, this effort often falls on the shoulders of those who are facing the discrimination. Learning how to overcome gender bias is a key ingredient to success in IT freelancing as a woman. As tech culture progresses, there are more opportunities for people to turn to freelance. There are a variety of benefits of this, but freelancing is riddled with regulation issues. Women are often the target of unhealthy power dynamics in the workplace, and this is no different in the world of online work. Freelancers are often left unprotected by business policies and ethics practices that a company may have in place, so condescending behavior and restriction often goes unnoticed. Women in techUnfortunately, subconscious bias still exists even where progress is being made for gender equality. As humans, and particularly as forward-thinking creators in tech, we have the ability to overcome these ingrained biases when it comes to gender. With an understanding of these biases, solutions can begin to surface. It’s important that women in IT continue to take up space in the industry and let their presence be known so that the unique challenges they face can be recognized. Although IT has been thriving throughout the pandemic, women have not. Women are traditionally the caregivers of their household, and during the last year, have been more likely to quit work, work less, or be willing to work for less so that they can take care of vulnerable populations that have been most affected by the disease. According to Freshbooks’ Third Annual Women in the Independent Workforce report, 60% of self-employed women say it will take six months or more for their business to reach pre-COVID success. This same study indicated that less than half of self-employed men reported the same projections. Another unique issue that freelancing women face is parenting. In general, the United States' parental leave is much shorter, comes with less provisions, and is only available to women. When it comes to taking parental leave as a freelancer, the options are limited and usually require losing income. Strategies for overcoming gender biasGender bias is a phenomenon that has been widely studied and yet we still don’t completely understand it. Even people who don't believe they have bias can still be problematic if they do not consciously make an effort to overcome these ingrained belief systems. Progress for women in tech is slow going, and even progressive policies fall short and leave women short changed and their work underappreciated. Until more tech companies make space for women to be part of the conversation, there are some things that women can do to put themselves at the top of the stack and start earning according to their skills and abilities. 1. Find a mentorFinding a mentor in the field is the No. 1 way for women to learn how to make an impact in IT and boost their freelancing income. Top women in tech know the struggles first-hand and have had to create their own routes to success. A mentor can give tips on how to make work stand out, how to make more money as a freelancer, and where to find clients that are helping women move forward in IT. 2. Know your worthBecause of the wage gap that women face, they often settle on lower rates in order to land business. Knowing how to negotiate your worth can help offset pay gaps experienced by women in tech. A good negotiator can sniff out someone who is willing to cave, and women are often seen as easy to persuade. Although you may need the job, being willing to say no and walk away confidently if a deal isn’t good enough shows clients that your time is more valuable than others'. Freelancing relies heavily on price and service negotiations, so learning the art of negotiating is essential for women in particular. 3. Be tenaciousIt is important that all freelancers market themselves and become leaders in their respective fields, but for women this may be an uphill battle. A recent European study focused on women in the fintech industry found that only 1 in 5 executives are women in one of the most progressive parts of the word. They have to work harder and know more than their male counterparts in order to secure gigs. Additionally, there is less incentive for women in tech to continue working after becoming parents because research indicates that mothers with an advanced degree experience the same success as mothers with no degree at all. So in order to get ahead, women must be fearless and determined despite the barriers that stand in their way. ConclusionThe bar is extremely high for female IT professionals. Freelancing can be especially difficult for women with families to get ahead and get their ideas noticed. Surviving in the IT industry as a woman can be daunting, and seeing success can seem impossible at times. Even though things are changing and more people are becoming conscious of gender biases that prevent women from reaching the top in tech, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/04/15/making-it-as-a-freelancing-woman-in-tech/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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