There is a striking number of people who are freelancing these days. According to Upwork and Freelancers Union, 36% of workers in the US (that’s 57.3 million people) are freelancers who work from home. This group contributes $1.4 trillion to the economy every year, which is a 30% increase since 2016! What’s more, 63% of freelancers in the US opt for a work-from-home career over traditional jobs.
There’s no denying it — more and more people are giving up their 9-5 jobs for a career with more autonomy, flexibility, and the chance to work in an industry of your choosing.
Due to the nature of freelancing, it’s not enough just to hit all your deadlines; you have to produce high-quality work that solves a client problem or adds value. Freelancers are juggling a ton at any given time, and with more clients, more work, and more items on your to-do list, the more you need a system to keep you on top of things.
Why do I need software as a freelancer?
As freelancers, we all have those tools that help us do our best work, organize our projects and make more money. You know, your tried and true, your starting roster of software that you couldn’t imagine freelancing without. The tools that make you say, “I can do this.
Now imagine if the tools you use to run your business (and maybe some parts of your personal life) didn’t exist. How would that impact how you do your job or your quality of work?
Sounds a little stressful, huh?
Or maybe you’re on the flip side of the coin and don’t yet have an arsenal of tools to help you do your job. Perhaps you’re just getting started and need a little more direction on where to get started.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Having a dependable list of tools is beneficial for many reasons:
- Keeps you organized and on track
- Helps you see your current workflow in a way that makes sense to you
- Increase productivity and quality of work
- Streamline communication efforts between you, your clients, and your team
- Saves you time and from forgetting things
And that’s just scratching the surface. Depending on the software, you can automate tasks, send invoices with just a few clicks, and strengthen your service offerings.
It doesn’t take much to understand the importance of software as a freelancer. However, with there being so many to choose from, how are you supposed to know what’s right for you?
Software for freelancers
Freelancing is not for the faint of heart — you need a unique combination of expertise, determination, and resilience to keep going. But, you are not a robot. You need tools that will not only help you make more money but will make your life easier, too.
Just ask these freelancers.
“This is the easiest-to-use invoicing software on the market. I love that I can also keep track of the time I spend on projects using the time tracking Chrome extension. It helps me see how much time I’m spending on projects so I can give better estimates of my project rates.
– Alaura Weaver, Copywriter, on using Freshbooks
“Since using software to streamline processes in my business, I’ve been able to take on more clients and charge more. I’ve gone from “barely even profitable” to “booming” in less than a year. Plus, being able to schedule emails, collaborate with clients in-app, and automate my billing process gives me more time to focus on doing what clients hire me to do—write damn good conversion copy.” – Emily Zoscak, Owner & Copywriter at Splashy Copy
“The right software has helped me in two major ways. I’m able to keep better track of all the random thoughts and ideas I have throughout the day. Plus, I’m more consistent with tasks like social media, emailing, and getting invoices out to clients on time (and paid). – Amy Cocke, Copywriter
This is why we’ve hand-picked some of the best software for freelancers — no matter your line of work — so you can build the systems you need to do and be your best. Regardless of your stage in your freelancing career, whether you’re passing the one-year mark or if you’re a 10-year veteran, the right tools make a difference.
Check out our Essential Tools for Freelancers series and change how you freelance for better and for good.