Freelancing can be great. You get to set your own hours, be your own boss and control your workload. Most freelancers are creative and enjoy a life that is a little less predictable.
However, freelancing can be tough, too. You might not get weekends in the way that your friends do. You need to be organised and efficient, often chasing payments and fighting burnout. So, here are 5 organisation tips for freelancers.
Use an invoice maker
As a freelancer, you probably spend a lot of time sending invoices. It can be time consuming and tedious, especially when different clients want them in different formats. Save time by using an invoice maker. This will create the invoice for you, allowing you to personalise it into your own style and change the format depending on the client. You can also automate payment reminders and add late charges. Using an invoice maker will make your invoices more reliable and, as a result, speed up your payments.
Follow a routine
Being freelancer means you don’t need to follow a routine in the same way you would working a 9-5. However, it’s always good to incorporate your own routine. This will add structure to your week and help you to balance your workload. You’ll struggle to wake up for a 9am meeting if you’re used to getting up at 11. If you don’t know how to set a routine, try writing a list of all the things you need to do for the week and prioritizing each task. You’ll soon get a better idea of how much time you need.
Manage your inbox
Staying on top of emails can be difficult. However, it’s easy to fix. Create different folders in your inbox for all your projects. Delete any old emails that aren’t of any use. Replying to important emails straight away will help you to keep on top of your inbox, too.
Use an expenses app
Freelancers need to track their expenses. Just like a business owner, you can claim lots of items back on tax. Writers, for example, might be able to claim back their laptop or stationery, and possibly the expenses for any meetings they’ve been to. Keeping receipts can make this a little complicated, as they can easily get lost. There are plenty of apps that can track expenses and make the system more straight forward. Simply log in and you’ll be able to view all your expenses by day, week or month. When it comes to the end of the tax year, it’ll be a lot easier to track.
Set goals
Sometimes, it can be difficult to be motivated as a freelancer. You’ll get dry months where hardly any work comes in and you find yourself floating about, feeling useless. So, get in the habit of setting goals. There are plenty of journals and books that can help you. What do you want to achieve this month? How could you help yourself to get there? Small, achievable goals will raise your morale and help you to stay on track.
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
