There’s an old saying that “time is money,” a notion most of us can appreciate. But when you’re a freelancer, you’re actually living and breathing that truth every day!
Whether your freelan...
Published 8 years ago
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Very interesting, having been in my own business for close to 20 years I look at some of this a little different. All these app's are great to help you do a lot of the book work and accounting. But some things to think about are; you have got a project to do, you agreed on a rate of flat fee. You finished the project and presented the invoice. How do you really get paid.
Two people you should get to be friends with. 1. a good attorney that has a background in this type of work. They can help you wite a good contract that gets signed by both parties so there are no missunderstandings on how and when payments will be made. Remember this project may take longer than a week. Can you live without a pay check for a month or two. Some companies want 30 to 90 day terms on payment. Some want a discount if they pay within 10 days of delivery. What happens if they don't pay? How do you collect? What are your rights, both under the laws of your state and the trems of the contract. 2. A good account. They will tell you what software to buy for your accounting. What you can deduct for your business and what you can't. Is all your travel deductable or not? Is that new computer you just paid $4,000.00 for completley duductable?
Most business's fail because they were under funded, were not set up properly or run properly. Doctors have office managers to run thier business because they are good doctors not good businsee owners/managers.
I hope this helps all of you to make and keep the money you work so hard to get.
Two people you should get to be friends with. 1. a good attorney that has a background in this type of work. They can help you wite a good contract that gets signed by both parties so there are no missunderstandings on how and when payments will be made. Remember this project may take longer than a week. Can you live without a pay check for a month or two. Some companies want 30 to 90 day terms on payment. Some want a discount if they pay within 10 days of delivery. What happens if they don't pay? How do you collect? What are your rights, both under the laws of your state and the trems of the contract. 2. A good account. They will tell you what software to buy for your accounting. What you can deduct for your business and what you can't. Is all your travel deductable or not? Is that new computer you just paid $4,000.00 for completley duductable?
Most business's fail because they were under funded, were not set up properly or run properly. Doctors have office managers to run thier business because they are good doctors not good businsee owners/managers.
I hope this helps all of you to make and keep the money you work so hard to get.
All very good points, Eric. A lot of the freelancers I've known didn't really think of themselves as a business until they've gotten stuck in tough project with no contractual "out" or, they've found that they didn't factor in what it would really cost to get the job done.
I agree with you: the apps are just a nice start, but at the end of the day, you really do need a good attorney and a good accountant on your side.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your experience with us. Congrats on 20 years in business, as well!
I agree with you: the apps are just a nice start, but at the end of the day, you really do need a good attorney and a good accountant on your side.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your experience with us. Congrats on 20 years in business, as well!