Launch your Career

Maximize Freelance Earnings with These Proven Strategies

We may receive compensation when you click on product links from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Many individuals embark on freelancing to supplement their income or to tap into their creative abilities. However, some soon realize that what began as a side hustle has the potential to become a fulfilling full-time career. Transitioning your part-time freelancing into a thriving full-time venture offers numerous advantages, including enhanced flexibility and the chance for increased earnings.

Despite these enticing benefits, the shift from a side project to a full-scale business can be daunting, necessitating meticulous planning and precise execution. In this blog post, we will share five essential tips that can guide you in transforming your freelancing endeavors into a sustainable source of full-time income. Whether you’re motivated by financial goals or a desire to unleash your creative prowess, these strategies will provide the roadmap to make your dream a reality.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 10.1% of total U.S. employment was self-employed as of January 2023. You know the saying, “If you can’t find a job, create one.” If you’re a creative freelancer who dabbles on nights, weekends, and in your spare time just to make some extra money, this can be the time to up your game and make your freelance career your full-time career. Turning your part-time freelancing into a full-time business can be complicated, but it can be the most satisfying job you’ll ever have.

Because Money Matters: How to Earn More Money as a Freelancer
$13.88 $10.62

If you are a freelancer wishing for better success, this book will help you get to the next level where you get paid top dollar and have the freedom to choose clients and projects.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/11/2024 03:03 am GMT

Planning

Being a full-time freelancer may seem like a day filled with doing whatever you want whenever you want, but it actually requires more discipline than working for someone else. Without a clock to punch or a boss to answer to, it can be tempting to take the afternoon off to go to the beach. However, the reality is that if you don’t work, you don’t make money. Therefore, getting organized and maintaining a strict work schedule is essential for success.

Unlock your freelance potential with proven strategies to boost your earnings. Discover how to stay organized, maintain discipline, and leverage your skills for maximum income. #Freelance #Freelancing #FreelanceTips #WorkFromHome #FreelanceLife Click To Tweet

Schedule your day like any other workday, with tasks and a detailed schedule or calendar, and keep your focus on the job. Utilize tools to help you build and plan your business, such as Trello. Additionally, explore resources like Fizzle and the Pomodoro Technique to maintain your concentration if your mind tends to wander.

Taxes

Independent businesses operate under a distinct tax structure compared to traditional employees, encompassing obligations such as paying their own Social Security and Medicare taxes. Navigating this landscape might seem complex, so your best course of action would likely be to consult a professional accountant who can clarify all the details. Essentially, you’ll need to reserve funds to cover the taxes that your employer once handled. The IRS accommodates quarterly tax payments based on your projected annual income, and a wide variety of expenses can be claimed as income deductions. By understanding and properly managing these unique financial responsibilities, you can ensure compliance and optimal financial planning for your independent business venture.

Bookkeeping

The odds are pretty good that you’re not an expert business accountant, so keeping track of your income and expenses can be a confusing concept. This is important when it comes to claiming the right income at tax time, knowing when to raise your prices, and figuring out where the money is going. Instead of taking courses in accounting, it’s much easier to find a program online. Find accounting software that fits in with your knowledge, and use it daily to keep your business on track.  There are many options, such as QuickBooks and FreshBooks.

Freshbooks - Accounting Software Built for Business Owners and Accountants

Easy-to-Use Accounting & Bookkeeping Features. Invoicing and Accounting Tools Built for Any Sized Business

Learn More
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Payment

Gone are the days of receiving payment for services through checks. In today’s digital world, online payment systems deliver funds instantly, utilizing virtual currency that you might never physically see. Among online payment platforms, PayPal reigns supreme, with a presence that spans the globe and acceptance in nearly every online business. If you wish to diversify payment options for your clients, numerous alternatives to PayPal operate on a similar principle. From well-known fintech solutions to traditional financial institutions, most now offer some form of online payment, providing convenience and flexibility in the ever-evolving digital marketplace.

Here are some of the most popular options:

  1. Direct bank transfer: You can provide clients with your bank account details and receive payments directly into your account.
  2. PayPal: A widely-used payment platform that allows you to receive payments from clients around the world. You can link your PayPal account to your bank account for easy transfer of funds.
  3. Stripe: Another payment platform that enables you to receive payments directly from clients. Stripe charges a fee for every transaction processed.
  4. Credit card: You can accept payments from clients via credit card using a payment processor like PayPal, Stripe, or Square.
  5. Check: Some clients may prefer to pay you via check, which you can deposit into your bank account.
  6. Cryptocurrency: If you and your client both prefer to use cryptocurrency, you can accept payment in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital currencies.
  7. Payment apps: There are several payment apps, such as Venmo and Cash App, that allow you to receive payments from clients.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the

first 3 months from account opening.

That's $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase TravelSM.

Apply Now
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

It’s important to consider the pros and cons of each payment option and choose the one that works best for you and your clients.

Social Media

Even if your freelance business is not web-based, leveraging social media is key to any successful business.  Set up your domain/website as a start. Create social media accounts for your business (keep these separate from your personal social media sites) including (but not limited to) LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Consider advertising on one or more of these platforms and ensure that your profile is clear in terms of the products and services you offer.

Communications

You will want to create a business email address that is separate from your personal email address and it makes the most sense to leverage the same domain that you use for your website.  Your email address should be something that is easy to remember, such as [email protected].  Your hosting company should have tools for this or consider having Google manage your email accounts.

Most Trusted WordPress Hosting and Beyond

We power the freedom to create

Build, power, manage, and optimize your WordPress1, Headless and WooCommerce1 sites with the #1 hosting platform.

Learn More
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

One More Thing

At some point in their career, many people consider taking their careers in a freelance direction. There are pros and cons to doing so, but it’s the freedom of doing the work you want that attracts so many. If you’re thinking about launching a freelance career, you likely already know that it’s not going to be easy. It takes a lot of hard work to build an independent career, where it’s up to you to find the work you need to keep going. Before you decide to go freelance, you need to come up with a plan to decide how you’re going to do things. If you need to finance your new startup business, ensure you pick a reputable lender.

The Freelancer's Bible - Everything You Need to Know
$17.95 $6.20

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.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
12/10/2024 09:29 pm GMT

Additional Resources

  1. The Six-Figure Freelancer: Your Roadmap to Success in the Gig Economy
    $9.99

    The freelance portion of the workforce and the economy is growing at a rapid pace, but the lack of proper training or knowledge about how to run a freelance venture sets most freelancers up for failure. With this new workforce picking up speed, the need is real and the time is now for freelancers to learn how to take their businesses and their paychecks to the next level.

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:12 pm GMT
  2. Survival Skills for Freelancers
    $9.99

    Get more than 20 years of real-life experience – plus advice from over 100 freelancers – in 200 unputdownable pages. The bestselling guide to freelance life has helped thousands of freelancers in more than 26 countries to get more enjoyment from self-employment. Join them, and give YOUR freelance business the edge.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:29 pm GMT
  3. The Gig Economy: A Critical Introduction
    $22.95 $19.95

    This is the first comprehensive overview of this highly topical subject. Drawing upon years of research, stories from gig workers, and a review of the key trends and debates, Jamie Woodcock and Mark Graham shed light on how the gig economy came to be, how it works and what it’s like to work in it.

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:17 pm GMT
  4. My So-Called Freelance Life
    $19.99

    Tired of clocking in and losing out? Want to pursue creative, fulfilling work on your own time and also make a living in the process? My So-Called Freelance Life is a how-to guidebook for women who want to avoid the daily grind and turn their freelance dreams into reality.

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:27 pm GMT
  5. Freelance to Freedom: The Roadmap for Creating a Side Business to Achieve Financial, Time and Life Freedom
    $7.99

    Freelance to Freedom is the book on how individuals can reconstruct their life to create financial and time freedom.

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/11/2024 01:22 am GMT
  6. Freelancer s Roadmap From Beginner to $1M
    $29.99

    You want a better work-life balance… You want the freedom to choose when and where you work… You want to pick your projects and do away with those stressful commutes… And you want to build from success to success.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 08:58 pm GMT
  7. Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer
    $10.49

    This book dives deep on making freelancing more stable, beating "treading water" cycles, repelling 'bad apple' clients, multiplying online exposure and follows the journey of Liam, with honest, clear advice and guidance from laptop and rented desk to $1m web agency

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:13 pm GMT
  8. The Wealthy Freelancer
    $21.16

    Whether you call yourself a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor or solo professional of any kind, The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle shows you how to get the clients, income, and lifestyle you deserve.

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 09:17 pm GMT
  9. Designers | Fire up your freelance career

    You design. We’ll handle the rest.

    Do what you love, and get paid for it on 99designs. Find awesome clients and become a part of our global community of talented designers—all in a safe, secure workspace.

    Apply Now

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

  10. Freelancers' Guide to Boosting Tax Savings: Maximizing Tax Benefits for Independent Contractors
    $11.99

    In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn all of the tips and tricks to minimize your taxes and maximize your savings. Our expert team of tax professionals has put together a step-by-step plan that will take you through the entire process, from starting your business to filing your taxes.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    12/10/2024 08:13 am GMT
Lasso Brag


What's next?

home popular resources subscribe search

You cannot copy content of this page