The changing nature of business in our present world is such that several people are now looking at freelancing as a viable mode of earning an income. Whether out of necessity or to explore areas they are passionate about, freelancing is an excellent opportunity to bring your ideas to life, work from home, and build a career on your own terms. There are obviously both advantages and drawbacks to being a freelancer. Freedom vs loss of stability. Fixed earnings vs plenty of room for growth. Not being tied down to a single jobs vs a lack of stability.
One of the biggest benefits of freelancing jobs is that it requires the bare minimum in initial investment to get off the ground. On the other hand, looking at how Facebook bought Giphy, a start-up with a unique concept, for supposedly $400 million, the returns for your hard work and novel ideas can be astronomical. Therefore, in the long run, it helps to keep investing in your freelance work by learning new techniques that can help you get more work and constantly marketing yourself to potential clients. It’s also crucial to be up to date with the latest tech in your particular field that won’t only support your job but your mental wellbeing as well so you can continue to be productive.
Computers and Backup
The one basic necessity to running a successful freelance business is that you have a good computer. To start with, depending on your job, it can either be a PC or laptop, with the latter giving you the added advantage of being mobile. Laptops are more expensive but they’re generally the choice of modern freelance works, especially those working in media. However, depending on the size of your team and the budget you have available, investing in faster, secure and the latest computers should pay off in the long term. Remember, computers are like any other machines and will eventually run out of juice, and you need to have a backup ready all the time. Speaking of backup, make sure you always have a couple of backups on portable drives, kept in different locations. Make use of the Cloud too but make sure the site you store your precious information on is properly secure.
Internet Booster
At the very heart of freelance work is connectivity. To achieve that, you must have a good internet connection, whether you are at home or working from a private office space. Even when working from coffee shops, make sure that the Wifi available is fast enough for your needs. A choppy internet connection can prove to be annoying and also result in issues during video calls, leading to problems with your clients. As a general rule, your workroom should get the maximum connection bars if you’re going for mobile connectivity, and if that is not the case, invest in a booster as soon as possible. The good news is that broadband internet has never been faster or cheaper so this crucial part of your freelance business won’t take up too much of your budget.
Smartwatch
More of a personal purchase and not an obvious necessity but a smartwatch can help you keep mentally and physically fit and prevent you from losing yourself to your work. When we work on our own, we have a higher tendency to slack off on essential things like food, drinking water regularly, and exercise. This is especially true if we work from home and our days can be consumed by work with no room for a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Nowadays, some of the best smartwatches in the market give regular updates on your heart rate, remind you when to have water, and nudge you to get up and stretch if you have been sitting for long. Remember, all the long nights and hard work you put in is of no use unless you have your health to enjoy it.
Camera
You might think that because your line of work is not related to photography, you do not need a camera. Well, we are now living in a highly visual world, and many jobs eventually requires a good camera, be it a professional one or at the very least a camera from one of the high-end mobile devices. For example, if you sell bespoke products online, you need a camera to post pictures of your items on social media. An HR consultant might need a camera to update his or her website ever so often with headshots. If not at the beginning, you will find that a camera can eventually come in very handy. They’re even a great alternative to an expensive scanner as there are many apps out there that turn your phone into a near professional photo or document scanner.
smartphone and smartwatch -DepositPhotos
