In freelancing you’re self-employed, but the work is contracted by a business and can be steady and regular like in a job. One of the big benefits of freelancing is that you can usually charge more per hour in your freelance business than employers pay for the same work.
What’s in this Freelancing Guide
If freelancing sounds appealing to you, check out the guide below that provides an overview of freelancing, and offers six freelance business ideas. One of the advantages of starting a freelance business is that you can take clients right now, without much hassle or expense. Tap your network or find a project on a freelance board, and you’re in business. The key to developing a steady stream of clients is to provide excellent service and marketing. One of the best marketing strategies for freelancers is to cultivate referrals. Many freelancers are able to build their business solely through word-of-mouth. Freelance writing may be the quickest way to get started writing because it doesn’t require any special software. If you have a computer, Internet access, word processing software, and the ability to string words together, you can get started freelance writing today. Further, it’s extremely flexible. You can start part-time and build up your income as you grow and learn. You can work from home, in a java joint, while traveling in your RV, or from a remote location, you’ve always dreamed of living. At its essence, virtual assistants provide administrative support to businesses. Tasks can include calendar management, emailing, customer support, research and more. If you have office support skills, a virtual assistant business can be started quickly with little financial investment if you have the tools and equipment already. Designing a simple template can net a web designer as much as $1,000, with more complicated projects paying more. Along with building websites for clients, you can also create templates and themes that you can sell to DIYers, adding an additional stream of income. Like other forms of freelancing, being a freelance marketer can involve a variety of tasks allowing you to focus on a specific area or niche. Some examples of work freelance marketers might do include:
Copywriting (i.e. sales letters or catalog ads) Social Media Management Search Engine Marketing Internet marketing
While you can offer a variety of marketing services, many Internet marketers specialize in one type (i.e. social media) or in a specific industry (i.e. marketing for real estate agents). Today’s bookkeeping freelancer should be knowledgeable in bookkeeping and accounting software - especially QuickBooks (both software and online), which is the industry leader for the types of small business freelance clients you’d likely serve.
