It seems essential now to start diversifying our income streams. This is why so many of us now are freelancing. Side hustles or doing a little something extra can really take the edge off, but what we have to remember is that starting a freelance way of life is as much about finding the right tools to make life easier for you as you start on this journey. Here’s a number of things that you absolutely need to get yourself started:
A Reliable Laptop
Your laptop is going to be your office, meeting room, and filing cabinet all in one, so it needs to be reliable and, more importantly, comfortable to use every single day. Lots of freelancers like Lenovo laptops as they tend to balance performance, durability, and price pretty well. Whatever you pick, make sure you prioritise good battery life, solid storage for your projects, and a keyboard and screen that you can sit in front of for hours.
Project and Time Management Tools
When you have more than one client, keeping track of who needs what and by when quickly becomes a challenge. Get yourself organised before you start on this journey, and it’s going to make life incredibly easier for you. One solid example is in keeping track of your finances. You’ll need to create things like invoices, as well as ensure that you are ready for doing your tax return. Rather than feeling that incredible last-minute stress, have a solid filing system for each type of task.
In terms of the work that you do, you could use project management tools like Asana or Trello to help you see all of your tasks in one place, or you could use Microsoft’s free project management tools. Time tracking apps are also useful, particularly if you charge by the hour, as they will give you accurate records and help you understand which type of work is going to give you the best bang for your buck.
Reliable Internet and Backup
There’s nothing more stressful than if you have a video call drop in and out in the middle of a client meeting or a big file that’s refusing to upload. If you can, go for the most stable broadband you can reasonably afford, particularly if you live in a rural location, but also keep backup ready, such as a dongle to boost your signal. Additionally, a quiet local spot that has decent Wi-Fi could be a lifesaver if your home connection has a bad day.
Having a Basic Office and Financial Mindset
While you don’t need a fancy home office at the very outset, you do need somewhere where you can work comfortably without distractions so you can focus and take calls without feeling self-conscious. Think about a decent chair, desk, headphones with a mic, as well as some ways to keep notes, which make a big difference as to how professional you will feel, particularly when you’re starting out and learning the tricks that ensure you are in the right mindset.
Additionally, a financial mindset is key, and staying on top of your financial planning, from putting money aside for tax to building a small emergency buffer, is just as essential a tool as any bit of tech.
Starting to freelance can be incredibly freeing, but you’ve got to get those foundations in place.