Nowadays, freelancing has become a recognised career choice, not just a side hustle or something you do between jobs. It offers more freedom and flexibility than traditional 9-to-5 setups and that is something modern workers are prioritising.
It’s all about setting your own hours for maximum productivity, working from where you feel comfortable and working on projects that really resonate with you.
In fact, it’s even possible to earn more as a freelancer than if you were in a role with a set salary.
Why Freelancing Is Gaining Serious Momentum
The availability of online platforms and the desire to have control over a healthy work-life balance are two of the biggest reasons why freelancing has become as popular as it is.
However, there are plenty of other reasons why more people are turning to it instead of staying in traditional job settings.
You are independent: Essentially, you get to be your own boss and can dictate when, where and how you work depending on your own preferences.
There is more variety: You aren’t required to work on a project because a manager told you to, you can pick the ones that you want to work on.
It’s more flexible: There’s no need to clock in and you can work when you feel the most productive even if it’s first thing in the morning or late at night.
More opportunities: Thanks to the Internet, you can find projects and clients from all over the world and there are no geographical barriers.
Essential Internet Tools Every Freelancer Needs
If the Internet didn’t exist, the freelancing industry wouldn’t be what it is today. From helping freelancers to finding work to promoting their services on social media, it forms of the backbone of this type of work.
But it’s not just about having the Internet. You also need the right tools to be able to do your job well. Here are a few of them.
Project Management Assistance
When you’re working solo, you need some tools to help you manage your projects and progress. Otherwise, it’s easy to lose track and possibly miss deadlines.
Trello: Gives you a visual overview of your tasks in the form of lists, boards and cards. It’s ideal for those working with multiple clients simultaneously and has a free version.
Asana: If you are working with a team, you can assign tasks, set due dates and keep an eye on progress from your dashboard.
Notion: In addition to managing tasks, you can take notes and manage invoices.
Tools For Communication
A big part of freelancing is being able to communicate quickly. Whether you need to update clients on progress or collaborate with other team members, these tools can help you manage it all.
Slack: This is a messaging platform used by teams globally and you can create channels according to clients or projects.
Google Meet: A free platform if you have a Google account for video meetings which can also be integrated with your calendar to keep track of meetings.
Zoom: If you need to host a virtual workshop or just have a quick client check-in, Zoom is a reliable tool to use.
Platforms For Sharing And Storing Files
If you work with a lot of imagery, videos or documents, you’ll need a place to store them securely for easy access.
Google Drive: In addition to storing and sharing files, you can also collaborate in real-time across Docs, Sheets and Slides. You’ll get 15GB free but if you need more storage, there are paid plans.
Dropbox: This is a cloud storage platform which syncs across all of your devices for you to access your files from wherever you are.
Writing And Content Tools
If you are creating content and writing for clients or to promote your own services, it’s important to have the right communication tools.
Grammarly: Ensures your grammar is correct, picks up on any spelling mistakes and can even recommend writing improvements.
Google Docs: Also part of the Google suite, it’s a cloud-based app which supports comments and updates for easy collaboration.
Platforms For Creative Designing
A lot of freelancing jobs require an element of designing, whether it’s creating adverts or social media content calendars for clients.
Canva: A basic designing web-based platform for those who aren’t pro designers and need something quick and simple with pre-made templates.
Figma: This is for UI/UX designers or those who are working as a team on design projects who need to see comments and updates in real-time.
Apps For Payments And Invoicing
As a freelancer, you will most likely be in charge of your own invoicing and receiving payments from clients.
PayPal: A platform to send invoices and accept payments on as well as the option to withdraw money to your actual bank account.
Wise: This is perfect for freelancers who work with international clients in different currencies.
