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Over the past few years, 70% of small and medium businesses have embraced freelancers, thanks to the flexibility that comes with having a virtual team. There are no signs that this trend will slow down, especially after the pandemic has pushed most location-based businesses to work virtually. Buyers have also increased their reliance on digital channels, meaning that businesses had to adapt their marketing strategies to survive. As a result, these businesses need freelancers working in specific roles to keep them going, creating a demand for more freelancers. In this post, we’ll look at six in-demand jobs you need to look out for in 2021 and beyond. 1. Web DesignersBuyers rely on the websites they visit to find the information they need to inform their buying decisions. Today, 50% of mobile users prefer to use their mobile devices to browse or buy on the web, as opposed to downloading apps that businesses provide. To improve the user experience for those customers, businesses will need to simplify the design and layout of their websites. Doing so will result in increased conversions from the traffic they get from mobile visits. Take this mobile version example from EarlyBird: Even on mobile, their homepage has tons of white space, impactful illustrations, and a prominent header. These elements capture and hold a visitor’s attention once they land on the site, increasing their likelihood of signing up. In addition, having a modern and clean look for their website makes them look official and trustworthy. 2. SEO SpecialistsAs more businesses are publishing content to build an audience, buyers are becoming picky about the content they want to read. Buyers are not only interested in content that answers their questions, but in content that engages them. Businesses seem to be catching up with this, given that 31% of content creators are spending more than 6 hours per blog post. However, getting organic traffic doesn't rely on great content alone, so there’s a need to build links to help the content rank better on Google. Given that 65% of digital marketers find link building to be more challenging than other marketing activities, the need for SEO specialists dedicated to link building has increased. In fact, as of 2018, 75% of SEO jobs require you to have content skills to make sure you build the links a piece of content requires to rank, making it easier for buyers to find it on search engines. 3. Sales RepresentativesTo facilitate virtual work, more businesses are investing in collaboration tools. However, B2B sales processes take time, involving several decision makers. Software vendors can no longer rely on potential customers to make purchase decisions on their own, so they need sales reps with relevant sales skills. In addition to sending automated follow-up messages to nurture potential customers, sales reps also need to know how to implement a sales strategy to convert prospects into paying customers. Besides, software vendors also need sales reps who know how to increase customer lifetime value through upselling customers with relevant product upgrades that make their work easier. 4. Financial AdvisorsThe uncertainty presented by the pandemic means that more people will consider evaluating their finances. At least 56% of Americans haven't saved enough money for retirement, leaving them at risk of financial turmoil once they leave their jobs. To avoid that, those considering getting their finances in order will need financial advisors to help them manage their money better, get out of debt, and save for retirement. 5. Graphic designersIn addition to making content more appealing, images make it easier for blog visitors to understand the message behind the content, which determines whether they take action or not. To create visual content that boosts conversions, graphic designers need to create visual content that aligns with the brands they’re working with. Graphic design trends are also evolving, and graphic designers will need to learn about what's working to help them create better visual content. Geometric visuals are a huge trend due to the contrast they provide, and they need to be consistent both on a client’s website and on their social media channels. 6. Content CreatorsVideo content has become popular especially on social media channels, with Cisco predicting that video will make up almost 82% of all online content by 2023. Quite a bold prediction and it means that more video marketers will be creating engaging videos for the brands they work with. For example, 72% of consumers prefer watching a video to learn about a company as compared to reading their story. To meet this demand, 85% of businesses have set aside a budget to hire staff and provide tools to create video content. Bonus: How to land these jobsKnowing about in-demand jobs is important, but that's not all. While cold pitching, job boards or even applying on career pages might help, 80% of LinkedIn users are responsible for key business decisions. This makes LinkedIn a more effective approach when looking to work with businesses that are looking for the skills you have. To avoid getting stuck, consider using different approaches when reaching out to decision makers in a business you want to work with. Instead of asking them to hire you, ask about any openings they might have in the near future and what they would require from applicants. Make sure they know you’re open to working with them. Alternatively, if they have advertised for any roles, reach out to them to ask about your eligibility, e.g., working remotely as opposed to working in their offices. ConclusionFreelance work has changed forever. Some businesses have discovered the potential of working a virtual team, while others have learned how to get things done with freelancers. For freelancers, that's great news. More opportunities are coming up, and the skills we’ve just covered above are what businesses are looking for to thrive in the coming year. To set up yourself for success, select an in-demand skill, identify what sets you apart, and start reaching out to businesses on LinkedIn. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/30/the-most-in-demand-freelance-jobs-to-pursue-in-2021/
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Nobody is going to be sorry to say goodbye to 2020. This year has been one of stress and fear, of uncertainty and wave after wave of unthinkable tragedy. But in the midst of some of the darkest depths in modern history, people have stood up - and stood together - to demand positive change and respect in ways that have shook the status quo. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of solidarity, the communal uplifting that happens when we acknowledge that our actions have power beyond ourselves. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a surge of mutual aid networks across the country has shown that neighbors are stepping up for one another. They’re standing in solidarity, in recognition of our common human bond, and making the statement that need and abundance aren’t opposing points on the moral spectrum, but simple facts of life. In this moment of crisis, we have the opportunity to build together, to reimagine how things can be as we move forward. There are still dark days ahead of us, but now is the time to plan together for a more just future. For 25 years, Freelancers Union has been providing a space for the independent workers of this country to dream big together. In the time since then, freelancers have become a powerful force in the economy - the future of work, as we now hear over and over again. And though it’s in the best interests of the powerful few to keep independent workers alone and disconnected, it is our mission to ensure that all freelancers, in all industries, feel empowered to do their best work on their terms. If you’re feeling motivated to make a difference for the freelance community this year, whether you’re moved to fight wage theft, harassment, racism, or intimidation, we encourage you to find your place in the Union. If you’re in the position to give this Giving Tuesday, consider making a donation to Freelancers Union to help us continue to be able to provide a space for freelancers to find community with each other. Get involved in your local SPARK group and make connections with freelancers in your area. And reach out to [email protected] and let us know what issues you care about most. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/26/the-future-is-in-our-hands/
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Both freelancers and those hiring them think about work in terms of hourly rate, even when a flat rate has been negotiated. It's just the easiest way to think about value in terms of money and time. In some instances, thinking only about money per hour negates the experience and effectiveness of the freelancer and results in lower-quality work at a higher rate. On the flip side, when you’re embarking on new work or a new long-term relationship, it might make sense to think in terms of hours so that compensation accounts for unknown factors. Follow these two simple rules to get paid what you deserve and provide value to your clients. Results instead of hoursIf you deliver high-quality results and have a strategic, replicable system for executing your work, you can often get a lot more done in one hour than someone who doesn’t. This means that, if you’re getting paid hourly, you’ve in fact lowered the amount you’re making by being good at what you do. You can definitely increase your hourly rate to reflect the efficiency of your work, but when you're marketing your services to clients who have never worked with you before, a higher hourly rate for your services isn’t going to make sense until they have first-hand experience with your quality and efficiency. When you present your services in terms of a package of deliverables instead of hours spent, you’re able to accurately price the quality of your work while still looking competitive with your peers. Beware of your comfort zoneThis only works if you stick to what you know. If it is a new type of work that you’ve never done before, consider the time it will take you to figure things out the first time. You might want to think about an hourly rate to ensure that you’re fairly compensated when you’re not sure how long it will take you. If it is a project that you’ve done over and over again, you’ll have a pretty accurate idea of the time it will take you and could do a flat rate. This same rule will also apply to long-term contracts. You’ll want to find the best fit for both you and the client, but it's usually a good idea to start with an hourly rate so you can both see the time it is taking you, acknowledging that it will take less time as you move forward because you’ll have a better understanding of not only the work but the client and how to work best with them. Once you’ve established a good working relationship, you can think about a flat rate if that makes sense for both of you. © 2020 Fruition Initiatives LLC This article is for informational purposes only. I’m not a mental health professional, attorney, doctor, tax accountant, or financial adviser. Please consult a professional as needed. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/25/when-to-charge-an-hourly-or-flat-rate/
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This is a post from our partner Reedsy, a marketplace for the best freelancers in the publishing industry. To join their curated community of professionals and access thousands of authors, apply here and receive a $50 Reedsy credit toward your first project. There’s nothing like a good podcast to fill those mundane hours of housework with invigorating knowledge — or to energize a nice walk around the block (ah, the glamor of COVID life). Podcasts are also an excellent way to take a mental break when working from home — as so many freelancers are — while still honing your career skills. Some are informative, some are inspirational, some are just so #relatable it feels like you’ve got some good friends sharing jokes in your ears. So set aside your work as a professional editor teaching clients how to publish an ebook, or your illustration project drawing every single condiment for someone publishing their own cookbook, and take a breather with one of these essential podcasts for freelancers. This encouraging podcast shares weekly ideas to help you be “prolific, brilliant, and healthy,” as they put it. Tackling subjects like motivation, productivity, bravery, and rituals and bringing in expert guests from various fields to cover them all, Accidental Creative provides a hearty dose of inspiration and consistent reminders to keep looking after yourself, as well as your business. The Creative Process is about just that: the processes through which people channel their creativity and their personal journeys to create art, music, and literature, among other things. Now with over 200 interviews with figures like Robert Olen Butler, Roxane Gay, Neil Gaiman, and Viet Thanh Nguyen (all of whom happen to be among our favorite writers, but there’s all types of artists to choose from!), this podcast provides fascinating insight into the minds of accomplished artists, their sources of inspiration, and the many ways in which they work. Hosted by Park Howell, The Business of Story focuses on storytelling in marketing, and how you can use narrative to find, express, and share the heart and purpose of your business — in your case, your freelance business! With a focus on social media, PR, advertising, and good old-fashioned marketing, Howell digs deep into what makes for excellent brand storytelling, and guests who work in a variety of fields (content creation, AI, filmmaking, academia, you name it) provide a fresh angle in each episode. As the name of this podcast suggests, The School of Greatness is all about inspiring you to become the greatest possible version of yourself. Consisting of more than 1,000 episodes, this long-running podcast’s past guests include some of the world’s most accomplished athletes, celebrities, scientists, and creative thinkers. To do a bit of name-dropping, these are some of the interviewees: Brené Brown, Maria Sharapova, Steve Aoki, and Kobe Bryant. Have you paused everything you were doing to start listening yet? Budgeting, freelancer pay, insurance, and personal finances: Oh My Dollar tackles all these difficult, overwhelming subjects with simple, friendly, and practical tips. This isn’t a ‘where should I invest my million dollars?’ sort of podcast. It’s a podcast for ordinary people who want to learn to live without money anxiety and with a sense of control, and it will empower you by providing you with the financial tools you need to thrive. Warmly recommended for those in need of accessible, actionable, and indeed economical advice! With a background in tech startups, Fortune 500 companies, marketing strategy, and content creation, Latasha James certainly didn’t enter the freelancer world without experience. Now, she wants to share her expertise with people who are just starting out, and The Freelance Friday Podcast is the space where she does so, with the help of some eminent guests! Discussing vital topics like social media strategies, avoiding burnout, and creating a personal emergency fund, Latasha’s pro tips are absolutely essential. Another specifically freelancer-oriented podcast, Nathan Allotey’s Freelance Jumpstart is a thoughtful and valuable resource for, well, jumpstarting your freelance career. With episodes on topics like productivity, strategy, building a portfolio, client problems, and setting personal goals, this broad-reaching podcast will give you all the skills and savvy you need to manage your gigs effectively and avoid fishy situations like freelancer scams. Business 101 for those who have trouble with even one-on-ones, this essential podcast for introverted freelancers walks listeners through the basics of emerging from your (safe, comfortable, but often inhibiting) cocoon of introversion to successfully build and grow a business in the intimidating world beyond yourself. Denise Lee’s starter kit for triumph shows you have nothing to fear from other people, and helps you build a solid foundation of entrepreneurial skills to power through the stress of something new. A podcast aiming to boost women’s ambition and confidence, Ali Brown’s Glambition shares empowering interviews with female founders, CEOs, pioneers, and leaders, helping encourage the listener with their stories of breaking down barriers and reaching breakthrough success. This sophisticated podcast will get listeners thinking about the impact they’re making on society, and spur them to align themselves to their purpose. YouTuber and entrepreneur Sara Dietschy hosts That Creative Life, a podcast featuring compellingly honest interviews with creatives like Tessa Violet and Ted Forbes. This podcast pays extra attention to technology and social media platforms, discussing issues like the financial side of being a YouTube creator and marketing your product, as well as overall tech and YouTube news. With so much to choose from, we hope some of these podcasts sound right for you! Do note that this is not a definitive list, so if one of these leaves you wanting more, you can always search for similar podcasts online. Consider this your starting point — a door into the world of freelance-related podcasts. Happy listening! via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/24/10-must-listen-podcasts-for-freelancers/
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If challenging times are a necessary catalyst for our growth and resilience, by anyone’s standards, we should all be in the best shape of our lives come 2021! Woweee, it’s been a year. And my friends, it ain't over yet. As we head into the final month of this tumultuous year, you may have a lot on your mind. And if you’re anything like me, the pressing issues, large and small, become overwhelming if you’re not careful. So, careful we must be. This moment is too important for us to miss a beat — we’re going to need every resource available to show up in our fullest, most badass capacity. It’s time to show 2020 we’re not messing around! How? By honing our focus on what matters to us and taking inspired, consistent action toward the change we want to see. Now, I recognize this is easier said than done, so here are five ways you can find your focus, create a plan of action, and stay sane and happy(ish) in the process. 1) Train your brainHave you ever noticed a tendency to focus all your attention on the negative things that happen? Seriously, nine great things can happen in a day, yet you obsess over the one thing that didn’t go so well. You’re not alone. In fact, there’s a term for it: negativity bias. While this is completely human, it’s not very helpful when there’s purpose-driven work to be done. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Luckily, there are several tools that are proven to help focus the mind on the what’s going well, freeing you up to stay in positive motion. My chosen method is journaling for 20 minutes as soon as I wake up. I stream-of-conscious everything that’s on my mind onto the page and, in the process, make sense of it. It’s the most effective way I’ve found to let go of the crap that’s taking up space in my head. Another great way to train your brain to look for, and focus on, the good stuff is to keep a gratitude journal or listen to a guided gratitude meditation. To do: Explore a method of training your brain to focus on the positive. Maybe your tool is meditation, talking to a therapist, walking with a friend, or playing piano. Consistency is key, so try a few things to see what works for you and do it daily. 2) Identify what’s most important to youWith so many equally important things demanding our attention right now, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and paralyzed, or try to do everything and burn out. You’re not going to be able to do everything this red-hot minute, so let’s figure out what matters most to you right now so you can create a workable plan. To do:
3) Identify how much bandwidth you haveOK, you’ve narrowed things down to three areas to focus on in the next three months. Now, unless you’ve figured out how to clone yourself (let me know if you have!) or can operate on 4 hours of sleep, it’s time to look at what’s already got on your plate and allocate your resources accordingly. To do: Ask yourself the following:
4) Brainstorm actionsNow it’s time to fill in the blanks with actions you can take to keep your focus on these three things. For example, my primary areas of focus for the next three months are (1) kids/virtual schooling (2) supporting my clients (3) supporting activists and politicians dedicated to protecting ALL people and our democracy. My action items include:
5) Bundle your timeI’m a big fan of bundling my time. For example, my client days are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Tuesdays are content creation and marketing days, and Fridays are finance and admin days. Introductory calls are also on Tuesdays and Fridays. This helps me stay in the zone of that day. It also makes things much easier when I need to “find” time for a new opportunity or need. To do: Look at the five areas of your business (value creation, value delivery, marketing, sales, finance/admin) and see how you might bundle your time so like activities live side-by-side. You’ll be amazed at how much this one action frees up your time and headspace. I hope these ideas have helped you feel a little clearer about where and how to spend your valuable time and energy. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/23/5-ways-to-take-inspired-action-in-tough-times/
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Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested in an interview that one of President-Elect Joe Biden’s first steps once he takes office should be to use an executive order to cancel $50,000 in debt for every person with federal student loans. The proposal was first released in September, in a joint statement with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and is seeing new life as we get closer to the new president’s inauguration. The proposal has not officially been endorsed by Biden, though his campaign did include a $10,000/year student debt cancellation plan for those who enter a service position such as teaching, government, or nonprofit work after graduation. An estimated 46 million Americans have student loans, making it the second-biggest form of household debt in the country behind mortgage debt. The total amount of student debt stands at more than $1.6 trillion. Student debt is also an equality issue, as it disproportionately harms BIPOC students; twenty years after college graduation, the median white college graduate has paid off 94% of their student loan debt, while the median Black college graduate still owes 95% of theirs. This moment of conversation is an opportunity for us to shape future policy by raising our voices. As the incoming Biden administration shapes its plans, we have the unique responsibility to advocate for policies that support racial and economic justice for all working freelancers. So we’re asking Freelancers Union members to share with us how student debt affects your life, and how you’d like the next administration to address this issue. Fill out the survey here. Your answers will help us shape our requests as we work to make change that benefits all freelancers. In the meantime, Freelancers Union members have free access to Summer, a tool that can help reduce your federal student loan payments. Similar to tax software, Summer uses information about you and your loans to find forgiveness options in your state and help you enroll in income-driven repayment plans that can reduce your monthly payments. Some Freelancers Union members have already reduced their student loan burden by more than $100,000! via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/19/its-time-to-take-a-stand-on-student-debt/
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Thinking about all of the things you could get sued for as a freelance writer is probably dead last on the list of things you actually want to devote brainpower to, or close to it. After all, you have good relationships with the clients and publications you’re working for. Plus, getting hit with a lawsuit isn’t the type of thing that happens to writers who are worth their salt, right? Unfortunately, even the most experienced writers aren’t immune to legal action, warranted or not. The reality is that all freelance writers — those who have years of experience and those who are new to the scene; those who freelance full time and those who are freelancing off the side of their desk — take on inherent risk due to the nature of the craft. So, what exactly can freelance writers get sued for? 1. Intellectual propertyThough avoiding copyright infringement is a fundamental precaution writers take, lawsuits alleging the illegal use of others’ work or ideas are far from uncommon. There are, of course, bona fide cases where writers have failed to provide proper credit when using someone else’s intellectual property (and have felt the wrath of doing so); however, with millions of pieces of content being published every single day, it’s not hard to imagine how someone could make a case against a writer for publishing what could be construed as copycat content, albeit unknowingly. 2. DefamationYour subjects may not always like what you have to write (or tweet) about them. But there’s a fine line between freedom of the press/speech and what can be perceived as defamation of character, such as libel or slander. This is especially dicey territory if you write about high-profile figures, but the risk isn’t exclusive to this group alone. No one messes around when it comes to their reputation and neither should you, which is exactly why we provide all writer insurance policyholders an expert team of lawyers to defend claims like these at no additional cost. 3. Using someone's name or likeness without their permissionBeyond defamation, you can be sued for using someone’s name or likeness without their permission for what the Digital Media Law Project calls a commercial or “exploitative” purpose. Again, this isn’t just for celebrities. It applies to everyone, from your neighbor to the next up-and-coming A-lister and even to people who are deceased. 4. Honest mistakesEveryone is human, after all. Mistakes like online corrections are quick and easy to fix, but when it comes to a blunder with serious budget implications —something like a typo that requires a reprint or mistakenly sending the wrong file to print —you may find yourself in hot water if you can’t outright foot the bill. The good news is you can protect yourself and your hard-earned cash with professional liability coverage that starts at less than $1/day. 5. Breach of contractMaybe you have a personal emergency and miss a contractual deadline at the 11th hour, setting off a chain reaction that leads to missed sales opportunities for your client. Or perhaps you uncover you’re not seeing eye to eye on a signed scope of work, leading a client to sue you for not delivering content they believe they are owed. No one likes to think these types of scenarios will escalate to the point of getting lawyers involved, but when they impact an organization’s bottom line, it’s more common than you’d care to imagine. Whether a lawsuit is justified or not, all it takes is one allegation to send you down a time-consuming, nerve-wracking and very expensive path of defending your name in court and protecting your future business. Knowing how important professional liability insurance is in enabling writers to protect themselves, Freelancers Union is partnering with Dinghy to offer affordable freelance writer insurance faster and easier than ever before. Learn more and get a free quote online in minutes. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/18/5-things-freelance-writers-can-get-sued-for/
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Being a freelancer may seem worlds away from being a small business owner, but the truth is, they are two peas in a pod. Sure, writing an article for an online publication at a per-word rate may feel very different from opening your own restaurant. The truth is, though, when you break it down, most freelancers operate as a tiny business with just one crucial employee — themselves. With that entrepreneurial connection in mind, here are a few unique lessons that apply to both freelancers and their small business counterparts. Always Be LearningAll professionals must maintain a growth mindset in the ever-evolving modern world. This is a lesson that business owners and entrepreneurs use to maintain cutting-edge knowledge of their industry and business operations. This allows them to not just survive, but thrive as they stand out against the competition. For a freelancer with literally thousands of competitors in nearly every field, the importance of continuing education cannot be overstated. It doesn’t matter if you’re learning about a new collaborative tech platform, researching a recent case study in your niche, or following an industry authority to help you adapt and thrive during changes — learning new things is always important for success. One of the key ways to do this, both for small businesses and freelancers, is to find ways to track and manage your growth. Regardless of the work you do, it’s important to cultivate this critical small business attitude that you should always be ready to take the next step in your professional evolution. This especially applies to the COVID-19 crisis currently unfolding. Eighty-eight percent of small business owners have reported that the pandemic has affected their business operations. Many freelancers have had similar struggles as work has dried up and countless unemployed or furloughed individuals have flocked to the freelance market. While the challenges are real, disruption on this level tends to create countless opportunities to stand out from the competition, especially for those who are willing to stay positive, growth-oriented, and forward-thinking in their mindset. Strive to Balance Administration, Passion, and WorkBoth freelancing and entrepreneurship have suffered from a romanticism that has painted the lifestyles in rose-tinted light. However, the truth is that running your own business takes a lot of grit, tenacity, and willingness to do the dirty work that no one else wants to do. For instance, a business owner who opens up a coffee shop is aware of the fact that while they may be able to indulge their personal interests by sourcing beans, training baristas, and having access to unlimited cappuccinos, they also must be willing to roll up their sleeves and tend to a host of other responsibilities. They must tend to everything from accounting and marketing to cleaning their shop, whether they want to or not. Similarly, a freelancer must be ready to balance their passions, their workload, and their administrative duties. A freelance writer, for instance, will likely enjoy the freedom to creatively write regularly. However, they must also be ready to market themselves, pursue new gigs, and even regularly edit and proofread their own writing. Additionally, they must be ready to tend to dull administrative tasks on every level. Just a few examples include: ● Regularly invoicing clients ● Keeping track of taxes and paying them on time ● Reading and understanding contracts, regulations, and other legalese A willingness to tend to the nitty-gritty work of running your own business (even a business of one) is critical for small business owners and freelancers alike. Remember that the Buck Stops with YouFinally, a small business owner knows that the buck stops with them. They aren’t afraid to take calculated risks and assume responsibility as they look for ways to answer daily challenges and build a successful enterprise over time. This willingness to lead and be decisive is easier to maintain when you know that everything in your business depends on you. As a freelancer, though, this critical level of responsibility can often be missing. This can be both because you’re working with clients who share responsibilities with you, as well as a steady turnover in clientele. This apathy can make it easier to shift into the mindset of an employee rather than a boss. However, if you want to succeed over the long-term, you must assume responsibility and take chances when necessary. Meet deadlines, communicate with clients, and remember that you and you alone are the face of your company. Building a Freelance BusinessIf you’re a freelancer, you’re also a small business owner. As the leader of an army of one, you must operate with the boldness, balance, and eagerness of any entrepreneur. Always be ready to learn and grow, don’t procrastinate on the boring and undesirable work, and, above all, remember that the buck really does stop with you. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/17/building-your-small-business-of-one/
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If you’re a freelancer who has been impacted by COVID-19 and is feeling financially stressed by tax debts, recent changes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may help you. These changes fall under the Taxpayer Relief Initiative that the IRS rolled out this year. The initiative is designed to give taxpayers impacted by COVID-19 and who owe the IRS money some relief through a set of expanded tools for settling debts, including: · Taxpayers who qualify for a short-term payment plan option may now have up to 180 days to resolve their tax liabilities instead of 120 days. · The IRS is offering flexibility for some taxpayers who are temporarily unable to meet the payment terms of an accepted Offer in Compromise. · The IRS will automatically add certain new tax balances to existing Installment Agreements, for individual and out of business taxpayers. · To reduce burden, certain qualified individual taxpayers who owe less than $250,000 may set up Installment Agreements without providing a financial statement or substantiation if their monthly payment proposal is sufficient. · Some individual taxpayers who only owe for the 2019 tax year and who owe less than $250,000 may qualify to set up an Installment Agreement without a notice of federal tax lien filed by the IRS. · Qualified taxpayers with existing Direct Debit Installment Agreements may now be able to use the Online Payment Agreement system to propose lower monthly payment amounts and change their payment due dates. If you are a freelancer who owes taxes, consider these options for settling up with the IRS.The IRS offers various options for short-term and long-term payment plans, including: 1. Installment Agreements via the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) system. This may be a good option if you owe $50,000 or less in combined income tax, penalties, and interest, or if your freelance business owes $25,000 or less combined and you have filed all your tax returns. For this option, you should be able to pay your balance over time. These short-term payment plans are now able to be extended from 120 to 180 days for certain taxpayers. 2. Temporarily Delaying Collection. You can contact the IRS to request a temporary delay of the collection process. If the IRS determines that you are unable to pay, it may delay collection until your financial condition improves. 3. Offers in Compromise. Certain taxpayers qualify to settle their tax bill for less than the amount they owe by submitting an Offer in Compromise. To help determine eligibility, use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool. Now, the IRS is offering additional flexibility for some taxpayers who are temporarily unable to meet the payment terms of an accepted Offer in Compromise. 4. Penalty Relief. The IRS also has reasonable cause assistance available for taxpayers who have failure to file, failure to pay and deposit penalties. First-time penalty abatement relief is also available if you have only been subject to these issues once. More good news: You don’t necessarily have to talk to anyone at the IRS to take advantage of these relief plans. You can find additional information on IRS.gov, and if you are interested in requesting a payment plan, you can apply through IRS.gov without ever having to talk to a representative. For other relief, you may have to call the number on the notice you received from the IRS. If you owe state taxes, you will need to check in with your state regarding payment plans and potential penalty relief as well. Have you received a notice from the IRS? Don’t ignore it! Another key point for freelancers — don’t ignore notices you receive in the mail from the IRS. The IRS will not call or email you (if you receive tax notices this way, beware that they are likely a scam). The sooner you get in touch with the agency after receiving a notice in the mail and make a plan to take care of your obligations, the sooner you can eliminate the stress of owing a significant tax liability. If you need assistance navigating your IRS obligations, reach out to a tax professional who is experienced in IRS tax resolution. They can help you determine the best options for you. 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/2020/11/16/easier-access-to-tax-debt-relief-for-freelancers/
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Succeeding in the freelance world can be challenging, but there are many useful tactics and resources to help those who have made the leap. One of our favorite and most effective tips for all freelancers out there is that referrals are the bread and butter for your growing business. And they cost you nothing. My biggest clients so far have all come through referrals, and have helped me boost my business’s revenue to six figures. So, let’s examine how client referrals can breathe life into your freelance business, and what we can do to acquire them. Client referrals cost nothing!It costs nothing to ask for a referral except a few moments of your time. Not only is this method the most budget-friendly for your small business, but this small gesture packs a mighty punch when it comes to bringing in new business. Expert Opinion: According to the New York Times, “65% of new business comes from referrals.” This is a staggering statistic, and proof that referrals are effective at growing your business. Customer acquisition costs can really get in the way of business growth, but bringing in clients by way of free referrals can help scale back your marketing overhead costs. Once you have established a way to harness the customer referral business, it will keep building. You could even choose to eventually establish a reward program for your existing clients for referring new clients! Good things come to those who ask, so you might as well start thinking of referrals as your new best friend. Client referrals work on built trustTrust is one of the most important things between you and your clients. Building a relationship and doing good work is the most powerful organic marketing there is, and a way to establish this trust. Expert Opinion: Jennifer Bourn of Bourn Creative reflects: “So many people focus on tricks and gimmicks and marketing tactics to get referrals, and I think they often forget that if you do amazing work, the referrals will come naturally. Great work speaks for itself, and a great experience makes referring new business to you a no-brainer.” Great work speaks for itself and establishes a foundation of client trust on which you can continue to build. This doesn’t, of course, mean you can’t ask your clients who have given positive feedback to leave a positive review or refer other customers right away. But think of trust as a two-way street. It must be earned before asking a client to trust you enough to stick their neck out by referring to other people or businesses to you, as it is their reputation on the line too. Client referrals come with higher ease -- and lower cost of acquisitionNot only do referrals cost less to generate -- and by less, we mean nothing -- but according to experts, referred clients were found to have contributed 25% more margins in sales than other customers. Furthermore, the threshold of work required to acquire and nurture clients who came to you by way of referral is far lower than with clients who know nothing about your business, since that foundation of knowledge and trust is already partially there. This greatly eases the burden on both parties. Although it may take a few moments to generate a client-worthy referral pitch, this will cost you far less time overall since you have to spend less time “wooing” your referred clients. Referred clients also tend to stick around longer. Don’t believe us yet? Here are some supporting statistics from other experts:
The math is simple. Client referrals lead to more referrals, and thus more conversions and higher sales. Referrals go both waysReciprocity has proven to be a very effective business strategy -- “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” This applies to growing referrals for your business as well. You can start this exchange by following your clients on social media, engaging with and really understanding their business, and then referring others to your clients. Even LinkedIn should be used for opportunities to network and exchange referrals. Not only does offering up a referral first establish trust and a great rapport, as we mentioned earlier, it makes customers highly likely to offer you referrals in exchange. Make it easy for them to give you referrals, as well. Creating a seamless user experience will set both you and your customers up for success. A unique way to encourage your clients to send you referrals is to build an online course that’s short and completely free that they can use as a “freebie” for their own clients. If the course is well-designed and offers a lot of value, it’ll make your client look good, but it’ll also give your brand exposure and you can even include a call to action within the content for them to contact you as well, thus increasing your referrals. Pro tip: Saying thank you makes you more “referrable”To get referrals, you have to make yourself as “referrable” as possible by taking into account all we have discussed previously, and then taking the time to thank your customers who referred you to others. Why? This helps maintain your connection with clients who took the time to send business your way and will make them more likely to send more customers your way in the future. A simple thank you goes a long way! The bottom line is...If you’re a freelancer looking to expand your business, there’s a good chance you can’t afford NOT to make referrals your go-to marketing strategy. Think of referrals as your secret weapon on the path to success. Committing to these concepts and actions for a few years can and will help incentivize your clients and colleagues to spread your good reputation and fantastic services for free, in turn allowing you to build more relationships and expand your business even further. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/11/12/why-referrals-are-the-key-to-your-freelance-success/ |
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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