Tools for the freelancer – Your rates, your time & billing your way

Freelance writing – freelance anything, is a business and like any business, you have to know how to determine a fair and workable income that will allow you to continue freelancing – otherwise you’ll starve, your bills won’t be paid and it will be mighty difficult to keep that roof over the head too, right?  You also need to know how to manage your time – and know how much time you spend on your projects and of course there’s always Invoice and billing practices to be dealt with.

Today, there are a number of ways that freelancers can manage and track their business and do it directly from the Internet or from their desk/laptop without spending a large amount of time and energy from scratch.

So, if you are still trying to get your pricing matrix in order, still trying to organize and keep track of billable hours, want to know what your break-even point is or are still writing out Invoices by hand – then let me see if I can make it a little less work.  Although some of the following tools will no doubt need to be ‘tweaked’  to fit in with your specific requirements while others are pretty complete, almost all will provide you with a  jumping off point and if they aren’t ideal, they will at least give you a good foundation for your own custom development.

McBead Creations, a “Gem” of a store!

The idea for a wire Bonsai pendant (similar to this one shown as item #30 at Step-By-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine’s website) led me on a quest to find jump rings that would allow me to complete the chain maille chain I decided to make for it.  I’d already started the chain and was about 1/2 finished when I realized I’d need to purchase more jump rings or make my own.  A stop at one store and I had a package of 500 jump rings that were slightly bigger than those I’d already been working with.  Hoping that I’d have better luck at the next store, I headed to what I can only describe as a “Gem” for bead enthusiasts and anyone else who loves being creative with beads, findings, wire and more!   Nestled among residential homes in a nice little strip mall in the Craig Henry Area, just off Greenbank Road in my favorite city – Ottawa, Canada, is a fabulous bead store called McBead Creations and here is where I found not only the right size jump rings to complete my project, but so many other wonderful things that the hour visit I enjoyed there, just wasn’t long enough and I intend to go back again very soon!

A fabulous bead store find is MY kind of chocolate!

If you are a beader, wire worker, chain maille artist, jewelry designer or just someone who loves to browse through lots and lots of wonderfully creative finds, or perhaps purchase gorgeous hand crafted jewelry for yourself or others,  you must visit this  shop!  From the moment you step inside the door you realize you’ve found an absolute goldmine of every imaginable bead, bobble, crystal, wire, finding,  pendant  – (oh the list is endless) -  that you could ever possibly hope to find all in one spot.  That isn’t were this treasure store ends however.  The staff is exceptional!  Like long, lost friends they greet you warmly and do everything possible to ensure your shopping experience with them is one you’ll enjoy.

Valueable gigs and valueless ads

Value yourself as a writer

There are more than enough “freelance gig” sites available for browsing so I tend to try and stay away from doing this too often. Sometimes though I’ll happen upon a few little “gems” worth a look due in part to the level of specialization some require but also due to the exposure and pay that a few of them have already demonstrated in the past.  I still found more than enough  “lumps of coal”  though and one in particular is just the type I’d hope writers would steer clear of.

First though, for anyone who is still considering a freelance career and may be wondering whether you have the drive, fortitude and resourcefulness it takes to succeed, I located an article that although from 2006, has a decent “assessment” factor to it.  SitePoint.com has an in depth article available entitled “Fire Your Boss! The Successful Home Freelancer’s Guide” written by Neil Flannigan and Jarvis Finger. You may find it of value in helping you determine if freelancing in any area is a good direction for you to take.

Now, for the gigs worth a look – and a little more about the types to avoid.

Take a leap into Demand Writing

If you are a writer who has faithfully churned out numerous articles which have been based on topics, experience or hands-on knowledge that you have, you know that you can write these with conviction and with the voice of authority.  In Demand writing that “voice” is often downgraded  to a whisper when you suddenly find yourself faced with a topic that you know little to nothing about and have to learn quickly and write about it well.

Make note of the possibilities!

That’s where the first step of the journey begins – moving out of your comfort zone can be a little nerve wracking but quite frankly, by doing so you are broadening your horizons, opening up doors to other things and most importantly, you are learning something about yourself.  It just takes a degree of willingness to take the leap and investigate the opportunities.

Dipping your toes in Demand Writing waters

There are numerous sites out there that offer writers the chance to investigate Demand writing opportunities – all it takes is the same fortitude that you already possess whether you realize it or not.   Although my methods will definitely prove different than yours, here’s how I overcame the challenge and how, today, I look forward to assignments and the challenges they bring with them.

Busy times, longer days and a “write to win” opportunity

The other day while I was out and about preparing for an out of town guest I noticed something – something very pleasant actually.  It was past 5 pm and I could still stand outside and enjoy a setting sun.  That means days are getting longer and the doldrums of winter are moving behind us – finally.

Your own Oscar opportunity

That doesn’t mean though that I have any more hours in the day to complete everything I want/need to but we can’t have it all – greedy, greedy.

I’ve not posted anything for the last week and it has bothered me profusely!   I’ve been busy  getting my house ship shape for our guest whom we had never met in person (good first impressions are even more important then) and my writing has taken over the other few levels of energy I’ve kept in reserve for those activities but I do have a few things I’ll be posting shortly which I’ve been putting together in spurts.