It’s Monday once more; so let’s start the freelance week off in the best way possible by looking at a précis of the last 7-days’ best freelance articles, news and advice with The Freelance Bulletin. The original articles can all be accessed from the hyperlink attached to the respective author’s name.
Whose job is it to manage freelancers?
Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Jon Younger and Rishon Blumberg offer tips on how ‘Agile Talent’ should be nurtured and managed in order to maximise the returns from employing freelancers; such as:
- Assign a roving chief technology officer or project manager;
- Create the role of “external talent manager”;
- Broaden the role of your “chiefs”;
- Leverage your project mentors.
There is, of course a very simple approach…treat the freelancers the same way you do your permanent staff…make them part of your team.
How to collaborate with clients remotely
Although remote working is often assumed to be both a draw to and a benefit of freelance working, it does present its challenges. In this article, Laura Elizabeth offers some great advice and some useful apps that could be employed to optimise remote working – whilst ensuring your clients remain content (and more importantly – feel they are getting value for their investment):
- Get your time zones straight;
- Show them your face;
- Keep everything organised and accessible;
- Don’t go off the radar;
- Try some automation tactics;
- Curb your software addiction;
Whilst remote working is often beneficial, it does also have its drawbacks too. Take a look at our article on how to get the most out of working from home.
UK Government to target IT contractors in tax crackdown
If you’re a freelance IT contractor (UK based) then take a look at Graeme Burton’s article on how the Chancellor has £400m in tax income in his sights…
How to juggle the financial ins and outs of freelance work
Along with the oft-celebrated perks of the freelancers’ lifestyle comes the financial irregularity that many suffer. Here, Jennifer Woods offers some advice (US perspective) with relation to:
- Budgeting;
- Taxes;
- Liability;
- Income Protection;
- Retirement Planning.
For some great (UK based) advice, see our article on what you should do in your first year of freelancing.
3 ways to price your work for our freelance writing business
Here, Shelby Larson discusses 3 different pricing models and the pros and cons of each:
- Per word;
- Per page;
- Per project.
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