Freelancing and good time management go hand in hand. Now you’re in charge of your own projects, your workspace and ultimately your success, being your own boss comes with plenty of benefits, but also the dreaded task of managing your time.
The truth is that when you work as a freelancer, numerous distractions are surrounding you, all the time. Whether it’s family at home, co-workers in a shared office space or the pull of YouTube and social media, being able to manage your time effectively requires dedication and perseverance.
Many freelancers rely on the following advice to streamline their working day and smash those deadlines. Want to know more? Read on for how to work effectively as a freelancer.
Streamline your billing process
As a freelancer, getting paid on time is essential, and the last thing you want is to have discrepancies within your invoices or create problems with clients overpayment. This is why more freelancers than ever are turning to FreshBooks – their innovative invoice software provides customizable templates to help you create professional and accurate documents every time. Not only can you personalize the thousands of templates designs available, but you can also automate monthly invoices and payment reminders. By simplifying the billing process, you’ll have more time to focus on your latest project and push your business forward.
Never underestimate a to-do list
The humble to-do list might seem like a trivial attempt at organization, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! By making a simple list of each day’s tasks and deadlines, and keeping yourself familiar with your itinerary, you’ll be able to stay focused and prioritize your tasks better. Overlooking this kind of organization can lead to other important tasks or responsibilities being neglected.
Track your time – every time
Time tracking software is a helpful addition to your freelancing toolkit. This clever software can establish how long particular tasks are taking, and where you can make improvements to your productivity. Using this collective data, you’ll also be able to make better time estimates, so you can relay to your client how long you think a particular assignment will take you and when they can expect their project to be completed.
Tracking your time won’t just help you stay productive and highlight your most productive hours, as a freelancer, if you’re being paid by the hour, then this is an accurate way of determining your fee. Leaving no room for error or misunderstanding with your client.
And finally, turn off your distractions
Procrastination and distractions are two of the biggest challenges facing freelancers. It’s not easy to exceed your clients’ expectations if you’re shifting your focus between your work and your social media newsfeed.
Distractions can also manifest in other ways. Unexpected phone calls, emails and communication requests can also throw your focus. When these things happen, re-schedule a time to address them fully. It’s the best way to avoid overlooking potential opportunities and neglecting the clients you already have.
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Part of my recent press trip to the Hard Rock Hotel in Mexico’s gorgeous
