5
Tips for Today ' s
Freelance Entrepreneur
From millennials who have been grinding away in the workplace for a few years to Gen Xers looking to move out of their cube , many have been intrigued by the possibility of freelancing .
It means the freedom to set your own hours , to work closely with clients , to be your own boss and have greater control over your career .
According to Forbes , there are 53 million freelancers in America today , and by 2020 , it ’ s estimated that half of the workforce will be doing freelance work , whether full time , as a part-time gig or as their side hustle .
Unlike a traditional job , where you generally don ’ t need to bring more than a packed lunch to work , freelancing requires a few essential tricks and tools to succeed . Whether you ’ re looking to start out or refresh your personal brand , homeworking experts cite five important tips to help you succeed at the freelance game .
1 . Manage your time . One of the best parts , and the most challenging parts , of freelancing is that you get to make your own schedule . Many find that they need some sort of structure in their day , and for this reason it ’ s important to have the right time management
50 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE | JUNE 2018 software . This will notify you of calls , deadlines , track how long you work on a project and more .
2 . Get the right laptop . A laptop is your office , your meeting room , your library , your entertainment source and so much more , making it one of the most essential freelancing tools . It ’ s the lifeline between your business and your clients , so it ’ s critical to be sure you have the right one . A great option is the remarkably thin and light LG gram . This computing powerhouse comes in 13- , 14- and 15-inch screen options and packs a battery that lasts over 16 hours . Each model weighs about two pounds and for small businesses looking for extra connectivity , LG ’ s commercial-grade model comes equipped with the Windows 10 Pro operating system . It ’ s fast , mobile and able to keep up with the daily demands and surprises of the freelancing life .
3 . Use professional email and social media accounts . For all work-related correspondence and interactions , be sure to use a dedicated email account . This will make you appear more professional to prospective clients . You should also set up work-related social media accounts where you can post examples of work and professional insights and network .
4 . Keep track of finances . For a lot of freelancers who
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