Guides for freelancers
Helping freelancers to work effectively, create beautiful content, be successful, and build trust
I’ve been running a freelance business since 2006—originally in the UK, and now in the US. I work full-time as a professional freelance writer focusing on business, finance, and technology. I know a little bit about being a successful freelancer, and I want to share that knowledge with you.
I’ve written these guides to help new and experienced freelancers who want to work effectively, create beautiful content, be successful, and build trust. I’ve based these freelance guides on my own questions, research, and experiences. I’m a productivity geek, which means I’m always looking for ways to do things better. The stuff I write here is a combination of my curiosity, learning, and desire to help others.
Each guide contains my distilled knowledge about the subject, combined with independent research and learning from some of the best minds in the freelance world. I’ve also interspersed each guide with my personal take and examples of how I’ve applied that learning.
I certainly don’t know everything, and my way isn’t necessarily the right way! Although I’ve refined the freelance techniques you’ll read about here, there’s always room for improvement. I hope you’ll see these guides as a starting point and build upon them, based on your unique needs, insight, expertise, and experience.
Savings give you a financial buffer so you’re not relying on this month’s income to pay last month’s bills. Increasing your savings helps you reduce financial stress and stops you from underpricing your services because you’re desperate for work right now.
An LLC gives freelancers a reputation boost and liability protection. LLCs do come with startup and ongoing costs, additional rules, and slightly more accounting.
Freelancers have several options when it comes to choosing the right business structure or “entity” for their needs. Each type has its own overheads, rules, tax implications, and filing requirements. It’s helpful to understand the impact of each before starting your new freelance business.
Invoicing is critical for freelancers. Get it right, and you can efficiently charge for your work, speed up payments, track your revenue, and keep clients informed of your charges.
This guide explores the most important aspects of freelance deductions, from basics and tracking, through expense types and splitting expenses, to bookkeeping and taxes.
Completing a Form W-9 for your freelance clients is a legal requirement. This guide explores important aspects of a Form W-9, including how to obtain one, steps to fill it out, where to send it, and best practices.
This guide explores the most important aspects of your freelance revenue, from invoicing and management, through bookkeeping and tracking, to reporting income and understanding taxes.
Freelance business license requirements vary depending on where you live and what you do. Some freelancers won't need any type of permit at all, while others will require licenses from their city, state, or professional body.
In many cases, you can do freelance work while you’re employed, and it can be a good way to see if freelancing is right for you. But, it’s also important to check your employment contract, get the go-ahead from your boss, and make sure your freelancing doesn’t affect your regular work.
Learn about many of the common costs you incur when running your freelance business. Expense these fees to reduce your profits and the tax you pay.