Since 2020, so many people across the globe left their full-time jobs to go the route of freelancing or starting their own business.
The work from home revolution began before 2020, but the impact of the pandemic sent the rush to remote work rising significantly.
As more and more people started working from home, many began to realize the benefits. No commute to the office. Boss no longer right over your shoulder. Choosing your clients. Just to name a few.
And they started to think, “Maybe I could do this on my own.”
There are currently 1.1 billion freelancers across the world. That makes up 31.4% of the world’s workforce. The workforce is shifting, and the growth of the freelance profession is likely to continue. As you consider making the leap to freelance, you’ll want to have certain technologies in place to help you be successful.
In this article, we’ll cover four of the technology tools that are most integral to freelancing success. Let’s jump in.
1. Project Management Tool To Keep Track Of Freelance Projects
As a freelancer, you wear multiple hats. One of those hats is that of ‘project manager’.
Freelancing brings with it numerous projects just by its nature. Unless you land a couple of huge gigs that support your financial needs, you’re likely to have numerous projects going on simultaneously.
To ensure each task gets done in a timely manner, it’s important to have a tool in place to keep track of all the things you’ve got going on. Failing to do so can lead to missed deadlines and unhappy clients.
There are tons of excellent options on the market when choosing a project management tool. A few of the most popular ones include the following.
- Trello
- Airtable
- Basecamp
- Microsoft projects
- Zoho
Make sure you review each option thoroughly and choose the one that best suits your needs. Look for the platform with the best user experience, the right tools, and the right price.
This will help you be as effective and efficient as possible while only paying for what you need.
2. Financial Management Tools To Track Freelance Expenses
It’s easy to mix up your personal and business finances as a freelancer. That’s why it’s so important to have tools in place to keep track of both…separately.
You’ll want to start by getting set up with a free calculator tool to calculate your finances.
Then, make sure you have a platform like Quickbooks or Freshbooks in place to send invoices, track expenses, and keep tabs on the financial health of your business.
Set up separate bank accounts for your business and your personal finances. If you try to filter both through the same account, things can get confusing fast. Not to mention, when tax time rolls around, you’re in for a world of trouble.
3. Google Drive For Sharing Files And Collaboration
If you’re creating content of any type as a freelancer, you’re going to need a solid platform to share and collaborate.
Google Drive is one of the best options on the market.
You can collaborate by sharing documents where others have the ability to leave comments and make edits.
You can create file systems and easily share documents, videos you created, photos, and other files so you and your clients have easy access.
The “Sheets” feature allows you to create spreadsheets to track various items and to develop reports or whatever you might need for your business.
There’s also a great feature in Google Forms that allows you to send questionnaires, surveys, and other forms. I use this feature often for roundup blog articles where I source answers related to the blog topic from experts.
There are so many tools within Google Drive. While there are other tools that do similar things, Google Drive is by far the smoothest and easiest to use.
Read more: 25 Google Chrome Features That Make Things Efficient
4. Top-Notch Email Platform For Communicating With Clients
Email is a technology you can’t live without as a freelancer. You’ll need email to communicate with clients, conduct outreach to boost your clientele, and to stay in touch with your partners and contractors.
I recommend having two tools in place for email :
Email for Communication
Have something like Google set up to communicate. Use a tool like Google’s Workplace so you can create a branded email. Rather than having an email that ends in @gmail.com, you can set up something like @yourdomain.com to show a higher level of professionalism.
Email for Marketing
Use a tool like SendinBlue or Mailchimp to collect email addresses and create email campaigns. Send out your latest blog post, news about your business, and other insights to keep your business top-of-mind.
Having a strong email tool for communicating as well as one for marketing will help you grow your freelance business quickly.
The Epilogue: Technology Tools For Successful Freelancers
There are a ton of other technologies you should consider having in place for your freelance business. These four, however, lay a solid foundation to get you heading in the right direction.
A project management tool will help you stay on track and keep your projects moving. Financial tools will help to get your money right. Tools for sharing, and email for communicating will keep you in touch and gain recognition for your freelance business.
By having the right technology in place, working from home becomes much easier. Tasks become simplified, and your freelance business stands a better chance of success.