5 Actionable Tips You Can Take To Be A Better Freelancer
Ahh, the wonderful world of freelance. You can be contracted, be selective in regards to clientele, and the independence can be rewarding.
Of course with the positives, come the negatives, especially when it comes to making it make sense (and cents). There are many questions that you must ask yourself, whether you're just breaking into freelance or are a bit more "seasoned". How many hours do you want to work weekly? Daily? What is your desired annual income? With this income, how do you intend on being paid - by the hour, daily, weekly, monthly, or per project? This is where it gets a tad bit more difficult. Doable, but difficult.
Here are five actionable tips on how to evaluate your worth, determine your rate, as well as how to conduct profitable client negotiations.
Your network determines your net worth.
This statement holds true in a variety of situations, but especially when it comes to being a freelance worker. No matter the field, you ultimately have the power to choose what type of clientele you work with, essentially yielding more or less income. If you work with businesses and individuals with lower budgets, you can certainly expect lower pay than those with increased ones. It's perfectly okay (and acceptable) to be selective. Charge based off of your worth. This is when you have to ask what type of product do you deliver? You can't expect that millionaire lifestyle based off of mediocre work.
Your work should speak for itself and your rate.
Calculate your rate.
This is a subject that comes to mind often, especially when first starting out. The downside to this is, the answer varies on an individual basis and under varied circumstances. How many projects do you want to take on? How much time do you want to spend working? Will this result in your desired annual income? Double Your Freelancing provides much-needed insight. This is actually a wonderful and user-friendly way to assist with your financial goals. With their calculator, you're able to determine how much to charge to reach your goals. You'll be able to assess what and how to charge.
Effectively negotiate clientele budgets.
You've taken the steps to efficiently run your freelancing business; however, the reality is, every client is different (as are their budgets). Many freelancers base their pricing on what others are charging. This can work for so long and at what cost? Many freelancers miss the big picture. It is imperative to understand how your work or service can fit into a client's budget. Having an open dialogue, yet providing solutions backed by critical thinking on how to be an investment to your client is vital. This can ultimately bring them more success and more projects for you.
Invoices save lives, time, and money.
With clientele comes money, and that's one thing that you always want to have figured out and organized. This is why invoices are critical in the freelance world. They provide documentation not only for you, but for your clients. They show what is owed. They tell the freelancer everything from payments made, non-payments, and can prove to be quite useful during tax time. Each invoice should be numbered to prevent error and confusion between clients. Be sure to keep a copy of every invoice for your records. Not sure how to create an invoice of your own? Microsoft Office comes with templates built in its software. Sites like Invoice Home and Freshbooks offer an array of free template designs as well.
Tax time, a confusing time?
Taxes can be confusing for many freelancers, but I encourage you to do your research. This will save you a lot of time and money in the end. While you may not think you should pay taxes, more often than not, you are not exempt. For many freelancers, you have to pay self-employment taxes in addition to income taxes, depending on the money earned annually. Make sure you're aware of what type of return to file, forms you'll need from clients, and keep a good record of all business expenses. Good recordkeeping is key to being a successful freelancer.
One last and very important thing to remember when working as a freelancer: contracts are your friends.
Featuerd image by Getty Images
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Erica "Ms EKlass" Pierce is a mom, radio/tv personality, and writer. She's a lover of music, all things Beyonce, Harry Potter, and yes, her interests are as diverse as her content. A proud graduate of Ball State University, Erica is always eager to paint a masterpiece through the art of storytelling.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images