Is Freelancing for you?
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by: Jonathan Bentley |
Who can describe freelancing? “ Be humble, your only as good as your last job?” “ It’s not what ya know but who ya know?” 2009 is my 16th year attempting it and you still have to be on your toes. Budgeting for economic slowdowns, taxes, ect.. can give the common freelancer enough stress to throw in the towel. Let’s be honest here it’s not for everyone. Weathering economic slowdowns or paying the taxman can come at anytime. So you have to be on your best game to keep the fires going so to speak. When supporting a family is # 1 and being the breadwinner #1 it can be stressful let me give you some not so common tips that you should consider.
# 1 Have money in the bank for hard times at least a 3 months income.
#2 Be flexible when things are slow, maybe take a lesser skilled job to have some money comin in.
#3 Budget, Budget, Budget being thrifty and debt free living can make it possible.
#4 A side job? maybe consider it maybe a hobby/job that can bring in extra money like a vending business maybe where it is flexible hours?
#5 most freelancers when getting paid use a 1099 process therefore taxes are NOT withheld well don’t live on that income take 20% off the top and put it in a higher interest rate savings account for 1/4 payments to the IRS.
#6 Remember freelancing takes years to get in the loop it’s a “ who ya know Business” I highly suggest making phone calls and contacts through fellow freelancers and by all means have a GREAT attitude! in order to be sucessful take pride in what you do be on time and work hard.
#7 I have a very short list of who I recommend for one big reason I’m recommending someone as my equal or better for a job for my client I don’t want someone ill fit for that job who may show up late be lazy or have a bad attitude and can’t run a camera under stress.
#8 I got in this business because I enjoy it and like to have a good time there is nothing worse than working with stick in the muds by all means have fun smile, laugh and enjoy success you won’t get rich doing freelance but you sure can have fun!
#9 Getting paid ah now here’s where ya need to understand some things. We do a job as freelancers based on a dayrate + necessary overtime. Once our invoice is submitted it usually is around 30 days before a check arrives in our mailbox sometimes 45 days and let me tell you having been owed $$$ thousands in a months time it can get frustrating. Here are a few tips as well I put ” DUE UPON RECEIPT” on all my invoices that doesn’t guarentee it being paid right then but at least a term is given. Next when submitting an invoice make sure it goes to the accounting person ( and doesn’t sit in the PMs inbox unread) have an accounting persons name and your invoice # so you can speak to them when the time comes. Let me tell you being nice to the accounting clerk will be in your best interest . I have received checks in hard economic times quickly just by being nice, honest and not rude.
# 1 Have money in the bank for hard times at least a 3 months income.
#2 Be flexible when things are slow, maybe take a lesser skilled job to have some money comin in.
#3 Budget, Budget, Budget being thrifty and debt free living can make it possible.
#4 A side job? maybe consider it maybe a hobby/job that can bring in extra money like a vending business maybe where it is flexible hours?
#5 most freelancers when getting paid use a 1099 process therefore taxes are NOT withheld well don’t live on that income take 20% off the top and put it in a higher interest rate savings account for 1/4 payments to the IRS.
#6 Remember freelancing takes years to get in the loop it’s a “ who ya know Business” I highly suggest making phone calls and contacts through fellow freelancers and by all means have a GREAT attitude! in order to be sucessful take pride in what you do be on time and work hard.
#7 I have a very short list of who I recommend for one big reason I’m recommending someone as my equal or better for a job for my client I don’t want someone ill fit for that job who may show up late be lazy or have a bad attitude and can’t run a camera under stress.
#8 I got in this business because I enjoy it and like to have a good time there is nothing worse than working with stick in the muds by all means have fun smile, laugh and enjoy success you won’t get rich doing freelance but you sure can have fun!
#9 Getting paid ah now here’s where ya need to understand some things. We do a job as freelancers based on a dayrate + necessary overtime. Once our invoice is submitted it usually is around 30 days before a check arrives in our mailbox sometimes 45 days and let me tell you having been owed $$$ thousands in a months time it can get frustrating. Here are a few tips as well I put ” DUE UPON RECEIPT” on all my invoices that doesn’t guarentee it being paid right then but at least a term is given. Next when submitting an invoice make sure it goes to the accounting person ( and doesn’t sit in the PMs inbox unread) have an accounting persons name and your invoice # so you can speak to them when the time comes. Let me tell you being nice to the accounting clerk will be in your best interest . I have received checks in hard economic times quickly just by being nice, honest and not rude.
You can visit John @ http://jonathanbentley.tv/
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