Freelancing For Dummies

Are you ready to fly the corporate coop and become the boss of you? Do you dream of busting out of the cubicle wasteland and finding greener pastures as a freelancer? If so, you’re in good company. The U S Department of Labor estimates that nearly one-fourth of the American workforce is self-employed and that number is sure to increase over the next decade. But do you have what it takes to succeed as a freelancer, consultant, or contract employee? Do you even know what it takes to make it on your own? Here’s your chance to find out. A total guide to starting and running a freelance business, Freelancing For Dummies is for anyone thinking about striking out on their own, or who’s already decided to make the move into self-employment. It’s also an excellent resource for established freelancers looking for ways to jumpstart their businesses. Written by a top corporate communication consultant, it features hard-won tips from a slew of successful freelancers, including an accountant, a wr iter, a computer trainer, a graphic designer, a market researcher, an event planner, a medical trainer and others who share what they know about how to: Organize your home office and budget your time Create the ideal working environment Evaluate jobs and projects Land new business and manage client relationships Manage your money and pay your taxes Stay positive and manage the emotional uncertainties of self-employment Here’s your chance to take the leap from employee to boss with minimal stress and minimal sweat. A survival guide to building a successful freelance career, Freelancing For Dummies features: Self-assessments to gauge your skills and personality Critical “Get in, get out” information A gold mine of checklists, tear-out sheets, and sample forms Top ten lists War stories from freelancers who’ve made it Do you long for the freedom of being your own boss? Relax and let expert Susan Drake help you make the transition to becoming a fulltime freelancer.

Created especially for the Australian customer! Your step-by-step guide to success as a freelancer, consultant or contractor Ready to work on your own terms and in your preferred location? Freelancing for Australians For Dummies provides you with everything you need to make the leap from employee to being your own boss. A total guide to starting and running a freelancing, consulting or contracting business, it provides hard-won expert tips -- whether you want to strike out on your own or kick-start your existing business. Discover how to: Form your business and budget your time Evaluate jobs and projects Land new business and manage clients Protect yourself legally Manage your money and pay your taxes Stay current in your industry

If you’re trying to kick the “Buy Now/Pay Later” habit and get your spiraling debt under control, you need Managing Debt For Dummies now! This practical, commonsense guide provides straightforward strategies for coping with every kind of secured and unsecured debt, including, personal loans, car loans, mortgages, home equity loans, lines of credit, credit cards, finance company loans, and student loans. You’ll find out how easy it is to: Distinguish between good and bad debt Go on a “debt diet” to get back into financial shape Start a filing system to track debt and protect life after debt Adopt a smart spending regimen Increase your income Consolidate your debt Decide which bills to pay when you can’t pay them all Use credit cards responsibly You can still live well while slashing spending on groceries, clothing, and entertainment. Find out how in Managing Debt for Dummies.

Want to take control of your finances once and for all? Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies combines expert money management with personal finance tips. From credit cards and insurance to taxes, investing, retirement, and more, seven mini-books show you how to improve your relationship with money — no matter your age or stage of life. This easy-to-understand guide shows you how to assess your financial situation, calculate debt, prepare a budget, trim spending, boost your income, and improve your credit score. You’ll find ways to run a money-smart household, reduce waste, and cut medical and transportation expenses as you tackle your debt head-on and develop good saving habits. You’ll even get help choosing the right mortgage and avoiding foreclosure, saving for college or retirement, and determining your home-, car-, and life insurance needs. Discover how to: Take charge of your finances Manage home and personal finances Lower your taxes and avoid tax audits Plan a budget and scale back on expenses Deal with debt and negotiate with creditors Save and invest safely for college or retirement Protect your money and assets from fraud and identity theft Ensure a comfortable retirement Plan your estate and safeguard a will or trust Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies brings you seven great books for the price of one. Can you think of a better way to start managing your money wisely?

Awarded the "Outstanding Book Award" in the service/self-help category for 2013 from the ASJA (The American Society of Journalists and Authors)! There's no shortage of books on crafting book proposals, writing novels, overcoming writer's block, and getting in touch with one's muse. But what about a book for writers who simply want to earn a regular paycheck? Writer for Hire is just the wisdom full- and part-time freelancers need. Author Kelly James-Enger details: • 101 secrets to success, organized into five overarching strategies. You'll be able to implement what you learn immediately. • Invaluable advice on managing deadlines, querying effectively, working with clients, handling taxes, invoices, and more. • Strategies for getting more writing gigs, including networking (in-person and online), establishing yourself as an expert, working more efficiently under tight deadlines, and handling rejection with confidence James-Enger looks at the "whole freelancer," addressing both the craft and business of freelancing.

Tips on writing to consumers and business-to-business Create captivating, results-oriented, sales-generating copy Need to produce winning copy for your business? This fast, fun guide takes you through every step of a successful copywriting project, from direct mail, print ads, and radio spots to Web sites, articles, and press releases. You'll see how to gather crucial information before you write, build awareness, land sales, and keep customers coming back for more. Discover How To: * Write compelling headlines and body copy * Turn your research into brilliant ideas * Create motivational materials for worthy causes * Fix projects when they go wrong * Land a job as a copywriter

Turn your knack for language into a lucrative career Must-know techniques and resources for maximizing your accuracy and speed Interested in becoming a copyeditor or proofreader? Want to know more about what each job entails? This friendly guide helps you position yourself for success. Polish your skills, build a winning résumé and land the job you've always wanted. Books, magazines, Web sites, corporate documents - find out how to improve any type of publication and make yourself indispensable to writers, editors, and your boss. Balance between style and rules Master the art of the query Use proofreader symbols Edit and proof electronic documents Build a solid freelancing career

Amazingly, one-third of the American workforce is freelance—that’s 42 million people who have to wrestle with not just doing the work, but finding the work, then getting paid for the work, plus health care, taxes, setting up an office, marketing, and so on. Now help is here, and consultants, independent contractors, the self-employed, “solopreneurs,” and everyone else living a freelancer’s life will never be alone again but instead can be part of a strong and vibrant community. Written by the authority on freelance working, Sara Horowitz, MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and founder of the national Freelancers Union and, most recently, the Freelancers Insurance Company, The Freelancer’s Bible will help those new to freelancing learn the ropes, and will help those who’ve been freelancing for a while grow and expand. It’s the one-stop, all-encompassing guide to every practical detail and challenge of being a nimble, flexible, and successful freelancer: the three essentials of getting clients and the three most important ways to keep them happy. Five fee-setting strategies. Thirteen tactics for making it through a prolonged dry spell. Setting up a home office vs. renting space. The one-hour contract. A dozen negotiating dos and don’ts. Building and maintaining your reputation. Dealing with deadbeats. Health Insurance 101. Record-keeping and taxes. Productivity, including a quiz: “What Is Your Ideal Day?” Building a community. Subcontracting and other strategies for taking your freelancing career to the next level. Retirement plans, plans for saving for education, and how to achieve financial freedom.