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When thinking about mentorship, the first step is understanding the value of a mentor and how they can help you in your life. If you don’t have someone to talk to about your career, you will be disappointed with the results that you get. Mentors help to steer us in the right direction and remind us of our goals. Plus, they can motivate us to achieve more than we thought possible. There are many reasons that you might need a mentor:
The list goes on. In your professional environment, you will likely find many people who could be mentors. But it is important to go about finding one the right ones and then, once the relationship is established, stay in touch. When selecting people to mentor you, identify people you respect and are approachable. This is of particular importance, because you will want to develop a cadence of contact with these people over time. This means that they make themselves available for calls, meetings, coffees, or emails. When you find someone you would like to be your mentor, it is important to approach the relationship in a respectful way. To make sure that you don’t make a fool of yourself, you need to understand the ground rules for mentorship and what to expect over time. Mutual Respect: Using a Relationship to Build Ties Together As mentioned above, mentorship is a mutual relationship. Both the mentor and mentee have a responsibility to the other. You, as the person seeking advice and guidance, will want to carve out time to learn from your mentor. Here are simple steps to do so:
To the extent that you have a network of mentors, you are in a stronger position to succeed than someone who does not. Especially in today’s highly competitive environment, people who have mentors tend to be more successful than those who don’t. Here are some tips for taking your connectedness to your mentor to the next level: 1. Be thoughtful. Be intentional. Be clear about your intentions. • Start with the people closest to you. Your parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles are likely to be willing and able to help you navigate the professional world, even if you don’t see them often. • Look for people who are farther away. In college, you may have had a personal relationship with a professor, department chair, staff member in the career center, or faculty member in your area of interest. • Make a list of people who are supportive of you and your goals, and make a concerted effort to build closer relationships with those people. 2. Be proactive. Make the first move. • If you are comfortable doing so, ask people you know to meet with you for coffee on a regular basis. Some people will say yes. If they say no, you can ask whether you could get together for coffee on a one-time basis. • If you don’t know someone well enough to ask for a regular meeting, ask about a one-time meeting for advice on a specific topic. Conclusion: Staying in Touch is Just the Start via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/05/11/how-to-build-long-lasting-mentor-relationships/
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You’ve had just over a month longer than usual to file your freelance taxes, due to the IRS extension of the annual tax deadline to May 17. However, if you were stressing about paying your tax bill back in April, it’s doubtful that you are feeling more confident about it now. But if you haven’t filed your freelance taxes because you can’t pay your tax bill, it’s only going to hurt you in the long run. Now’s the time to get your taxes filed and make a plan to take care of your remaining tax obligations as soon as possible. Here’s what to do if you can’t tackle your freelance tax bill when you file your return: 1) File your tax return so you don’t miss the May 17 deadline and end up getting hit with late filing fees and penalties. You can file an extension to October 15, but that won’t eliminate the late payment fees and fines you may be subject to. It just gives you more time to file the return. 2) Pay as much of the tax you owe as possible, because failing to do so will subject you to more interest. If you don’t pay by May 17, you’ll start accruing 0.5% interest on the balance due, even with an extension. In addition, you’ll pay penalties on any tax obligations that remain outstanding after October 15. 3) Make sure you file your return to avoid paying a failure to file and failure to pay penalty. Regardless of whether you file by May 17 or extend your filing window to October 15, the failure to file penalty is 5% of the unpaid tax reported on your return. The IRS generally does reduce the “failure to pay” penalty amount for any month where both a failure to file and failure to pay penalty applies. However, these penalties are still charged each month — or part of a month — that your return is late, for up to five months. If you think the IRS isn’t watching the calendar, think again: They will still charge penalties even if your return is filed less than 30 days late. Bottom line: If you can’t pay your taxes in full and your balance is a moderate amount, it’s better to pay some of it monthly than to wait and keep accruing interest and late payment fees. If you’re really in deep and owe the IRS a lot of money, keep reading: We will address some options below. 4) Remember to pay your state and local taxes, too. Depending on where your business operates, you may have state and local taxes due this month as well. Be sure to check with your state and local tax authority to determine when those deadlines are and your tax rate so you can avoid fines and penalties for these tax obligations. 5) Investigate options to help reduce your stress. If you can't pay your balance in full, pay what you can now. You can apply for an Installment Agreement to pay the remaining balance. Entering into an Installment Agreement with the IRS may reduce future failure to pay penalties. Consulting with a tax professional can help you structure an agreement that eases your financial stress in this scenario, or if you have considerable unpaid tax obligations from previous tax years. 6) Evaluate your estimated tax payments. It cannot be emphasized enough that for many freelancers, the key to avoiding paying additional fees, fines and penalties to the IRS is to make sure you stay on top of your estimated tax payments throughout the year. Set up a separate bank account and put the money you need for each quarterly payment in there as payments come into your business. This will help you avoid late payment fines, penalties and interest fees. The IRS also applies late payment fines to estimated taxes. These are calculated separately for each quarterly installment of estimated taxes. The number of days late is first determined and then multiplied by the effective interest rate for the installment period. Note that the next estimated tax payment is due June 15, 2021. The May 17 filing window for your freelance taxes is closing quickly… With the tax filing deadline just a few days away, it’s time to get your freelance taxes filed and paid — in full if you can. If it’s just not possible to pay your taxes, make every effort to file your return on time or request an extension to avoid paying the IRS more than necessary. Staying current on tax payments is no easy task when you are a freelancer. If you are facing a tax bill you can’t pay or tax problems from previous tax years, be sure to reach out to a tax professional. They can help you manage your individual tax situation and create a plan to help you take care of your freelance taxes now and in the future. 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/2021/05/10/what-to-do-if-you-cant-pay-your-taxes-on-time/
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The digital boom has made demand high for tech development experts, especially those in video and image processing. More industries are turning to advanced tech solutions and content marketing that require a particular level of expertise. The pandemic has also carved out a place for freelancing video processing developers to thrive by working less and making more money doing what they love. In a world that is turning to scientific advances in technology in nearly every industry, the role of a digital video processing (DVP) developer is becoming even more important when it comes to analyzing images and videos for research and testing purposes. Companies have developmental and functional needs and are hiring video and image processing developers to take their business to the next level and connect with their consumers in new ways. Freelance developers are also in demand for financial reasons. Keeping developers on staff can incur employment costs like insurance and payroll taxes. Hiring a freelancer is beneficial for both freelancing DVPs and businesses in many ways. The widespread use of video conferencing has become a mainstay for communication, so finding and hiring top talent in video processing has never been easier. Digital demandDistancing regulations that came along with COVID-19 brought to light the need for communication solutions that don't require being face-to-face. But the innovation doesn't stop there. Advances in video and imaging analytics have impacted navigation, security, and surveillance systems. And as the general public becomes more comfortable using technology for daily needs, smart phones, smart cars and home automation are industries that are also expecting growth. The demand for digital innovation has made DVPs a hot commodity. Freelance DVPs are perfect for many companies that don’t have the need or ability for them to be on staff. Hiring a freelancer for a highly technical specific project as needed is more financially feasible from a business standpoint. Other companies that do have ongoing need for video processing professionals recognize the demand and are willing to hire a freelancer because they know that they will be getting top talent. Rise of digital video marketingConsumers are spending more time on the internet. Video is one of the most versatile forms of content marketing, because it provides people with that face-to-face connection and requires less effort from viewers. YouTube is the second most popular website on the internet, reaching people of all ages, all walks of life and with all sorts of interests. Other video-based apps typically reach a younger crowd, but there is evidence that people of all ages are starting to catch on. Rise of AIThe trends in AI and image processing are leaning toward the development of automated software that can analyze images and videos. AI is now capable of completing a number of functional tasks, and industries of all kinds are benefiting from video and image processing technology. Photo restoration, image generation and analytics are helpful not only for fixing photos, but also for analyzing and enhancing medical research. Image and video processing AI is also helping detect diseases in plants, which is a major benefit for agriculture. Facial recognition technology is also being used in a number of ways. From unlocking devices to CCTV, AI developed for video processing can expect to become a necessity in many industries. Even cars are being developed that utilize object recognition to self-drive and indicate the presence of something that could cause safety issues for drivers. Benefits for DevelopersStartup costsVideo processing developers are turning to freelance for a variety of reasons. The No. 1 reason DVPs freelance is the cost of starting an online business. The costs to get a website running depend on the kind of media you will be showcasing and the amount of security that you require. It can cost $1,000 on average to have multimedia such as videos added to your website, because you’ll need to use a more complicated web interface. This is why many freelance digital video processing developers use freelancing platforms. Using a freelancing platform cuts your costs dramatically and you have to do almost zero marketing for yourself. More optionsAs a freelancer, you have the option to take jobs that you want or turn down jobs that don’t pay enough or aren’t very interesting to you. If you are choosing jobs that you find interest in, your productivity is likely to improve, too. There is no waiting until 5 to clock out, so you won’t be wasting time just trying to get your hours in. You work until the job is done and only when your productivity level is at its best. COVID-era tax creditsOne of the many concerns of video processing developers, and others who are entering the freelance world, is what happens if I get sick? What happens if I need to take family leave? What about a vacation? Fortunately, with the rise in freelancing and remote work opportunities, legislation is slowly coming along. In terms of COVID-19, there are provisions in place for freelancers who need to take time off to get vaccinated, quarantine and even care for others who have the disease. ConclusionThe demand for DVP gives freelancers an edge when it comes to choosing projects and a pay scale. Remote work is becoming more common, and there are many industries that find hiring a freelancing DVP is more beneficial for their needs. The opportunities for freelance video processing developers are great and are only going to expand further as technology continues to push the limits and propel us deeper into the digital age. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/05/06/digital-video-is-a-new-frontier-for-tech-freelancers/
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Stories hold a kind of hidden power. From fashion design to fine art photography to film and television, stories are constantly shaping and reinforcing our interpretation of the truth. People who tell these stories, including creative freelancers like writers and artists, have a tremendous influence on which stories get told in the mainstream narrative— and who gets helped (or harmed) in the process. Why Storytelling MattersThe importance of stories in our world was best described by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In her TED talk “The Danger of a Single Story,” she explains that by only engaging with one story about a group of people, it manifests as a stereotype that is both untrue and incomplete. “I’ve always felt that it was impossible to engage properly with a place or a person without engaging with all of the stories of that place and that person. The consequence of the single story is this: it robs people of dignity,” she said. Stereotypes also drive a wedge between people and make it harder to relate based upon universal experiences. Like Adichie explains, “it emphasizes how we are different, rather than how we are similar.” If you’re not a writer or a filmmaker who’s directly engaged with the architecturing of story, you might be wondering: How does what I do relate to storytelling? The answer is simple: representation. Anytime you design a social media graphic, take an advertising photograph, or build a marketing campaign, you’re using words, images, and other visual elements that influence the end consumer. Here, you have a choice. You can reinforce a harmful stereotype that perpetuates society’s limited perception of a group of people. Or, you can broaden our understanding by showcasing a person’s humanity in an authentic way. As explained by Makeba Clay, Senior Diversity Fellow at American Alliance Museums, seeing work that reflected her own experience at The Phillips Collection (TPC) was deeply important. “By exhibiting work related to my own cultural heritage, TPC facilitates access to memories, emotions, and inquiry intimately tied to my understanding of place, identity, and community,” she explained. Choosing to represent a range of experiences in your work as a creator not only helps people from that group feel acknowledged; it propels us all toward truth. Storytelling as a Path to AllyshipPerhaps the greatest and most often overlooked aspect of storytelling is the potential to further a connection between those who’ve traditionally had a platform to tell stories, and those who haven’t. The stories we tell are a way of saying who's allowed to belong in the world, which in turn demonstrates who's life experiences are valued and appreciated. Fostering equal representation as a creative freelancer is an effective mode of non-performative allyship; moreover, it contributes to a more tolerant world. Resources for Equitable StorytellingIf you’re ready to take responsibility for the impact of the stories you tell, here’s how to get started. Uplift VoicesThe most powerful thing you can do as a storyteller is to know when to step aside. If your story centers a white, able-bodied, and otherwise mainstream narrative, consider how you can put that perspective on hold (even if it’s your own) to uplift other voices in your work. For example, a journalist can make a point to interview BIPOC experts in a science article, or include Black-owned businesses in a product roundup. A photographer can choose to include someone who’s disabled in a brand photoshoot; an advertising director can choose to interview someone who’s non-binary for a nonprofit campaign. Use Inclusive Language and VisualsIf you aren’t sure how to discuss a particular identity, check The Diversity Style Guide for updated information on inclusive language. Similarly, the Trans Journalists Association offers guidance on respectful coverage of the transgender community. If you’re a writer, graphic designer, social media manager, or marketer of any kind, you can use sites like Nappy, Tonl, and pocstock to find inclusive stock imagery. Designers can refer to Color.review, a helpful tool for choosing text colors that are easy to read by everyone. Expand Your CommunityLastly, it’s important to see what associations and industry groups exist in your industry. Marketers can refer to the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM) to understand how to take action for equitable marketing. Creators can also do their part in understanding how different groups of people are excelling in their own field, which can help change your own narrative about what people in your area of expertise look like. For instance, writers can consider the following: National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Disabled Writers, Editors of Color, and The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Additionally, People of Craft is a collection of inspiring BIPOC creatives to follow, collaborate with, or hire. No matter what your industry, keep in mind the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: “Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.” via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/05/05/the-creative-freelancers-guide-to-allyship/ |
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
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