4 Important Lessons To Learn In Freelancing

January 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

When people think about the future of the business world, they often look to concepts like automation or potentially even machine learning. It’s true these are going to have a part of play in the business world of tomorrow. However, there’s another concept that is rapidly becoming key and that is the gig economy. If you don’t know what this is the gig economy is basically the collective term for freelancing. Rather than working on a permanent or long term contract for a business, you will instead work on your own terms. 

 

This does provide a lot of benefits. For instance, it’s a more flexible situation and it theoretically means that you can switch jobs whenever you want. You could also take on multiple positions as a way to boost your income. Some people will be able to work from home as freelancers while others will find it more beneficial to work in an environment like a hot desk. It largely depends on whether you can remain productive in a completely private environment. 

 

There are benefits for the employer too. They will be able to ensure that you are able to keep costs low and we’re going to explore why this is. Some reports suggest that the gig economy could cover 50% of the total workforce by 2025 in America. To be prepared for this change and the role that you might have, there are some lessons to learn here. So, let’s explore a few key considerations. 

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Employer Responsibility 

 

This isn’t quite the same as when you are working on a full-term contract. For instance, one of the key changes to keep in mind is based on your physical or emotional well being. Let’s say that you are working for a business on a contract and you develop RSI. RSI is probably one of the most common injuries experienced by office workers today. It comes from working long hours without breaks, often in the wrong environment. 

 

You might be wondering whether you could take action against the business that hired you and the answer is it depends. If you are operating from home then you won’t have a leg to stand on here. They won’t have any real responsibility for your physical well being because you will have chosen your own environment. You can say that the contract required long hours without breaks. However, as a freelancer, you choose the contracts that you take on so this doesn’t really hold water. 

 

On the other hand, you might be working from their office. If that’s the case, then you might have a stronger case. A law firm like Alvine Weidenaar, LLP that specializes in personal injuries could be in the right position to help you out here. 

So basically, it depends on your unique set up how much responsibility your employer is going to hold. Usually, though one of the benefits of hiring freelancers is that business owners can avoid this particular headache for better or worse. 

 

Networking 

 

To succeed as a freelancer you need to know how to network effectively. Essentially, you will be your own personal agent operating for yourself to ensure that you are going to have the right strategy in place.

 

LinkedIn can be a great place to start here. While you won’t need all the social networks when networking, LinkedIn provides the clearest avenue to connect with individuals in the business world. It also ensures that you can rub shoulders with the right people. Be aware that there are also platforms specifically for freelancers to use. 

 

One of the issues to consider here is that they are highly competitive. You will often need to fight to rise above those who are seeking out the same clients and projects as you. You can also get into price wars where you will be up against those willing to work for a lot less than you can perhaps afford. This is certainly one of the rougher elements of freelancing that you will be forced to face. 

 

Slow Down 

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You might think that being a freelancer isn’t going to provide you with that much stability. In a way, this isn’t the case. You may actually find you have more stability if you know how to approach this model the right way. However, there are certainly going to be challenges that you will face. 

 

For instance, you do need to consider the issue for the slow down. Just like with any business there are periods throughout the year where the demand for particular freelancers will rise and fall. For instance, writers are more in demand through the festive season when there are more marketing opportunities. Through January to March, the businesses tend to hold off spending as much money in this area. You need to be prepared for this and the budget to compensate for the change. 

 

In other words, you can’t afford to leave yourself in a position where you are struggling because you weren’t prepared for a downturn. 

 

Tax 

While employers are able to shift responsibilities as a freelancer you will have more to take on. One of the biggest responsibilities you will have is always going to be handling your own tax. Tax is something that stumps a lot of people and with freelancers, it’s a little more complicated. You’ll basically be operating as a little business. You will need to make sure that you are paying for your tax the right way. 

 

It’s important that you don’t make any mistakes here. Otherwise, you will be penalized and you’ll be forced to pay up. Complete your calculations carefully and consider using an accounting solution. You probably don’t want to shell out for a professional accountant and you don’t really need to. Instead, you will be able to make sure that you simply use a cloud service to keep track of your earnings in real-time. 

 

We hope this helps you navigate some of the challenges of being a freelancer that you may encounter when you are operating in this business model. It’s best to be prepared for the biggest changes here. 

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Three Ways to Organize Your Tools

February 6, 2019 Leave a Comment

Three Ways to Organize Your Tools If you’re like most homeowners, you have a collection of tools you look to whenever a repair is needed around the house. Or, maybe you use your collection of tools to work on DIY projects. You probably own several screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers and pliers along with nails, screws, etc. It’s a good idea to have a nice collection of tools, but it can be challenging to keep it organized. Check out three easy ways to organize your tools. Store Tools by Size Homeowners with garage storage cabinet systems find it very easy to organize tools by size. As an example, if you have several number two screwdrivers, then you would store them together in one area of a cabinet. If you have four number three screwdrivers, you’d store them together in another part of the cabinet. Of course, you would sort the screwdrivers by type as well. Keep all of the Phillips head screwdrivers together and all the flat-head types together. Organizing in this way allows you to find exactly what you need right away for the repair or project you’re working on. Prioritize Tools You Use the Most There’s a good chance you use some tools more than others. You may find that you use your needle-nose pliers for a lot of repairs around the house. If so, when organizing your tools, put your needle-nose pliers front and center in the cabinet or drawer. That way, you don’t have to search for tools you use on a regular basis. Alternatively, if you have a basin wrench that you rarely use, keep it near the back of the cabinet so it’s secure and doesn’t get in the way of tools you use more often. Keep the Same Types of Tools Together Do you know any friends who simply throw their tools in a box or chest without any type of organization? In short, they have a drawer of miscellaneous tools that they have to search through every time they need one. It’s a good idea to organize your tool cabinet by keeping the same types of tools together. Put all of your hammers in one area and all of your wrenches in another. This will make the process of finding a tool a lot quicker. Lastly, organizing your tools can make any project more enjoyable. You can spend more time repairing an appliance or putting up a new front door and less time searching for the right tool in your toolbox or cabinet. Plus, if another family member needs a tool from your collection, he or she will be able to find it without a problem.

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How To Make The Most Out Of Small Storage Spaces And Box Rooms

June 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Often, especially in period properties, there are little areas that aren’t big enough to be living spaces, but make perfect hideaways for storing all the stuff that you don’t necessarily want on your display shelves in your hallway. However, these nooks, corners and tiny rooms in your home can still be a functional, design-led space, which you won’t be embarrassed by when your guests accidentally stumble upon it, looking for the bathroom.

 

Keep Containers Within A Theme

 

Whether you’re storing food in jars, or bedlinen in boxes, you’ll want to invest in containers that match or at least complement each other, to achieve a well thought out interior style. Your shelving can also make a design statement; you could go for sturdy, thick wooden shelve, especially when you need to store heavy tins and jars. For a sleeker finish; white shelving, or surfaces that match the wall color, will ensure that your mason jars and enamel boxes remain the stars of the show.

 

Your larger, floor storage boxes and containers needn’t be boring cardboard or plastic crates either. Consider using vintage trunks and suitcase, or investing in woven baskets and industrial wooden cartons to hold and look after your items. Labels are a great way to tie together your storage containers too; think about postage tags or “chalkboard” style stickers that will be easy to reuse and rename. A pulled together, and cohesive look will ensure that every area of your home is appreciated and aesthetically pleasing.

 

Invest In Space Saving Items

 

If your electrical and functional items are space savvy in the first place; they’ll be a lot easier to incorporate into your perfect box room environment. If you need spare seating, for when guests come to dinner; foldable chairs and stools are much easier to slide into a small space, instead of the stackable variety that will block any flow to the area.

 

The same goes for electricals; many are geared towards smaller living spaces and apartments, so it’s worth check out lists like the Top 10 Best Vacuum Cleaners for a Dust-Free Life and finding an easily-stored option that’s right for you and your home.

 

Utilize Each And Every Space

 

No wall, floor, or even ceiling space, should go unused; make sure you’ve utilized each area of your box room, under-stairs storage, and walk-in closet. It’s time to be inventive, as there are no rules to your hidden storage solutions. You can hang larger items, like bikes and ironing boards from the wall and ceiling; why use up your precious floor space, when the solution could be right above your head. For a thorough list of clever ideas, check out Easy Storage Solutions for Every Space and get some inspiration.

 

If there’s wall space left between shelves; hang a hook or two there for bags, towels, umbrellas, and utensils (the list is endless). And, if you have a door to the space, and can reach the back of it, you can utilize the whole of the surface are with hooks and hanging organizers; believe it or not, the back of the door is the perfect place to house your shoe collection. You never know, your box room might just become the space you most proud of in your home, and all the effort will have been worth it.

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How To Give Your Hallway The Wow Factor

June 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

Sadly; the hallway is often neglected, or last on the list when it comes to renovating and decorating your interior space. So much emphasis is put on specific rooms, like your kitchen, living room, and bathroom space, while the entrance to your whole home is left tired and unloved. However, with some care and attention; you can create a beautiful interior space, which will greet you and your family every day when you walk through the front door.

 

The Walls

 

As you first walk in through your front door; your eyes will immediately see the surrounding walls, so what they look like will have an immediate effect on your mood and the feeling of the space. Your hallway is the perfect opportunity to set the tone of your whole house, so when guests arrive, they’ll get a sense of your style and personality straight away. Therefore, it’s important to think about covering the walls with a paint color or wallpaper print that will explain a little about who you are and stand the test of time.

 

Classic white or neutral shade is always a great option, as it will allow you to hang any artwork or photographs with ease. If you enjoy having fresh (or faux) flowers as your enter your home, or have a variety of accessories and trinkets to display; a plain wall will ensure that they slide in seamlessly and the space won’t look too cluttered or overwhelming. For some entrance hall design inspo, check out Pinterest here: https://uk.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=entrance%20hall&rs=typed&term_meta[]=entrance%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=hall%7Ctyped.

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The Floor

 

The flooring in your entrance hall is also paramount, as it will always have the most footfall in the house (unless your kids like to race through the back door after school). Therefore, it needs to be hardwearing to have any longevity in your home. Carpets aren’t the best idea for a hallway space as they are likely to get stained and worn out quickly; however, there are densely woven options that are made with heavy use in mind. Consider looking into engineered timber floors or tiling as durable options that can still provide a design feature and a warm ambiance.

 

Another option, if you’d like more of a cozy feeling when you enter the house, is to lay a knotted or dense-weave rug on your wooden or tiled floor. Covering the first area of the hallway with a rug will ensure the floor is protected and any dirt from people’s shoes is collected in one place as they take them off.

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The Function

 

As the hall is the first place everyone piles inside after they’ve been outside; it’s worth investing in some decent storage and space saving items. A sturdy shoe rack near the front door is always a smart idea, as mud and debris won’t get trodden throughout the house, and everyone can find their shoes in time to leave for work or school. The same goes for somewhere to hang bags and coats; it’s always so nice when you know exactly where something you need it, and you’ll be able to throw your jacket on as you walk out, saving you time and stress in the meantime.

 

Lastly, create an area for smaller items like keys, pens, and even phones. Whether you have a set of hooks, a small cupboard, or a decorative bowl near (ish) the front door, it’s a great system to have in place for a busy family. If everyone knows where to leave (or dump) their items; finding them will be a breeze and there’ll be no excuse to be late!

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