How to Become a Freelancer Expenses You Don t Need Incur to Start This Career
Author : Yuwanda Black
Many newbies to freelancing spend way too much money on things they just don’t need when it comes to setting up. Following are some things you absolutely do not need when you start most freelance businesses.
Some you may want to get later (depending on what type of business you start). For many though, you’ll never need the following.
Business Registration: In most cases, I advise freelancers not to register their businesses officially. The primary reason is, you need to see if you’re going to be doing this for a while first. You see, when you register a business, Uncle Sam gets involved.
You have to file certain tax forms when you officially register a business. Most freelance business owners just don’t need to do this. For example, I’m a freelance writer. I do business under my own name and social security number. There’s just no need for me to officially register my business.
I outsource work to other freelancers, and send them 1099 forms (independent contractor tax form) at the end of the year.
Phone: A Land Line — With the advent of technology like Skype and the MagicJack, there’s no need to have a dedicated land line (phone line) to do business with. You can also make calls directly from your computer using Google.
And did I mention that all of these methods are free and/or cost pennies a month? They are. How’s that compared to carrying the cost of a monthly land line?
Many freelancers, especially those who do most of their business online (eg, web designers, translators, freelance writers), use their cell phones to conduct business. And, not for nothing, in many cases, it’s rare that you’ll talk to a client anyway. The vast majority of client interaction is done via email.
Fax Machine: You can get internet-based fax service (eg, eFax), making it unnecessary to spend money on a fax machine. As the description on this site says, “With eFax online fax service, all you need is Internet access, an email address and an eFax account. There’s no need for special hardware or software, bulky fax machines or extra phone lines.”
For about $20 per year (yes, year!), you can have your own dedicated fax number, without the hassle and expense of a machine. And, you can receive and retrieve faxes no matter where you are, as long as you have an internet connection. How cool is that?!
Business Cards: I haven’t had business cards printed in years. As a freelance (primarily web) writer, I just don’t need them.
Knowing what you don’t need to start a freelance business is just as important as knowing what you do need. This way, you can allocate your funds appropriately.
Yuwanda Black is a long-time freelancer who lives internationally and has made her living completely online since 2007. Learn more about how to become a freelancer and get the free ebook, Living the Freelance Life! when you subscribe at InkwellEditorial.com.