Freshbooks.com | A Review from a Real Freelancer

Source: http://www.meridenchamber.com

If you do a general Google search for online accounting programs for freelancer, Freshbooks.com is one of the results you will get. Advertised as “painless billing” and offering a variety of packages as well as a free trial, FreshBooks is quite the interest of many freelancers – I being one of them.

FreshBooks.com at First Glance

FreshBooks is 100% online. You sign-up, create an account and get on with your business. You will have your own log-in page and can even create a logo and customize your invoices. At first, you will receive a 30 day free trial with FreshBooks. From there you will have to select from their packages that include $19.95, $29.95 and $39.95 per month. Now here is the issue for most freelancers. If you are a full-time freelance writer, you have multiple clients you need to juggle. In order to organize and actually use all of your client slots, you HAVE TO use the $39.95 per month feature. Though some can get away with the $29.95 per month, it is quite difficult.

Though the 30-day free trial is great, once it is up you are directed to a screen that FORCES you into upgrading. They do not even show you the free option – which FreshBooks.com does have. I had to actually call customer service to get them to put my account at “free” status. Apparently they don’t like offering out the free version.

FreshBooks.com Projects

FreshBooks.com has a project feature that allows you to enter projects, track status and even bill them out – all great. But for a person who also runs a copywriting company, the projects are very difficult. My writers found that the instructions were jumbled, even when you put clear paragraph spacing in between each instruction. Furthermore, they didn’t have a way to check off if a project was “pending”, “in review” or even “completed”, which doesn’t work well for me. My Microsoft Access spreadsheet can at least do that.

FreshBooks.com iPhone Application

iPhone and Blackberry users can get access to their FreshBooks by downloading an app, but it costs money to actually use the one that allows you to see all of your clients. $14.95 for the iPhone. So now I am paying $14.95 on top of my $39.95 per month for one billing program? Ouch.

FreshBooks.com versus QuickBooks Online

I have had other freelancers ask me which is better? Though I used FreshBooks.com for a good solid six months, I went back to QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks may not have a project feature, but in all honesty with the lack of features on FreshBooks part for that, my Access spreadsheet is just fine. Furthermore, the Basic QuickBooks Online costs $12.95 per month and I can have as many clients as I want or need. Furthermore, QuickBooks has an iPhone application that is FREE. No monthly charges to access my books online via my phone. The reporting features of QuickBooks, especially for tax time, are much better than FreshBooks.com. You can also track your checking account for your freelance business with QuickBooks – something FreshBooks.com doesn’t offer.

So my opinion? If you are a full-time freelance writer, your best option is QuickBooks online versus FreshBooks.com.  You have most of the FreshBooks features with QuickBooks for less money, more accessibility and better features overall.

Sorry FreshBooks.

Are You on Schedule?

http://www.danielbmeador.com

Freelancing means you are your own boss, on your own schedule and doing what you what when you want it. The issue, however, is too many freelancers take this very concept a little too literally. They miss deadlines, do things last minute and procrastinate to the point where they are working 12 hour days or even 18 hour days to make sure stuff gets done. Why? Because they are not on a schedule.

The Schedule Factor
A schedule is extremely important for a freelancer. Whether you do graphic designing, writing or editing, you need to have a daily schedule and organization so you know what needs to be done and you work on it bit by bit just like you would in a real office with a boss breathing down your neck. Sure you are your own boss, but if you are not productive, then you might as well go back and work for the man at this point -- because you aren't making money efficiently your way.

How to Create a Freelance at Home Schedule
If you are freelancing from home, you need a schedule. The good news is, this doesn't have to be 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. You can do whatever works for you, but also keep in mind you have clients.

Step One: Make a list of your clients and their normal operation hours. While some work typical office hours, others may be in a different country. Make notes of who may overlap your "awake" hours. It is important to have working hours when your clients do so that you can contact them with questions, issues, etc.

Step Two: Write down your assignments or projects. If you do not have a list of what you are doing and when it is due, you already have a severe organization issue. Sticky notes, by the way, do not count for organization. You should be using a spreadsheet or Access document. I will provide a template in a follow-up post for you all to use.

Step Three: Ask yourself when you want to work. What do you have going on that may effect your schedule? For example, I have a three year old and a husband with a weird work schedule. Therefore, certain days of the week I can work more than others. Chunk together time where you can get solid work in and note times where it is "iffy" as to what can be accomplished.

You should have a schedule for each day of the week you are working and that schedule should include when you start, when you have time to contact clients, when you will be working straight and when you will take a lunch -- just like a real job. If you want a three hour lunch break, schedule it in. That's what is great about this, but the bottom line is, you need to schedule it in.

Step Four: Write it down and print it out! Once you have your schedule, type it up and print it out. This should be next to your workspace as a reminder. Try out your new schedule for a week or so and make adjustments where necessary. The good news about being your own boss is you have that luxury.

A schedule when you are working from home as a freelance writer is extremely important. This ensures you stay on task and don't miss out on working on a job to go shopping (or golfing...). The bottom line in freelancing from home is TIME IS MONEY. Your time is now money. No one is paying you hourly and you are in charge. You need to get work done and get it done efficiently and within a timely manner in order to make it worth your while.

Do I Really Need a Schedule?
Some people hate the idea of a schedule. In my experience these are also the freelancers from home that never make any money -- just saying. But if you are really questioning whether or not you need a schedule, ask yourself this:

• Do you work on a project with equal chunks of time each day so that it is not rushed nor pushed to a 12 hour day last minute?
• Do you find yourself working longer some days to catch up?
• Do you find that you are frequently late or turning in poor quality work?

If you even answer "yes" to one of those, you need a schedule. 

You will be surprised at just how more efficient you are at freelancing from home with a schedule and how much more money you make just by creating a schedule.

A Real Freelancers Schedule

People are always asking me what my schedule is. Since I run a copywriting business and write for clients myself, mine is quite hectic and days are filled with a lot to do. The great thing, however, is I rarely work a 40 hour week and still make $4,000 per month (profit). Why? Because I'm organized.

Monday: 10am-2pm

Tuesday: 7am-4pm

Wednesday: 7am-2pm

Thursday: 7am-4pm

Friday: 7am-1pm

Saturday/Sunday: Off (unless I want to work extra)

*I do a working lunch. Meaning I eat while working.

I work around a three year old, a pregnancy, family/friends and a husband who is a firefighter. I still take care of the house, do the shopping, spend time with my son, write my own blogs for fun and relax. But during those work hours I'm all business. I work, work, work. The rest of the time is my time, while that time is work time.

Your Schedule Can Change and It Should
Life changes, things happen and your schedule is not the same every day. When my son was first born I had hour long chunks of work time, but still made it happen. Even if you work one hour in the morning, two mid-day and three at night several days per  week on a scheduled basis, you are more efficient. Create a schedule that works for you. Reassess your schedule weekly or monthly depending on your situation. I know mine changes monthly and when our second child is born it will change quite severely, but no matter what is going on, I will have a written schedule of some kind. I will know what hours I work, even if I'm working 20 minute chunks between a waking baby.

A schedule almost psychs your mind into "work mode" and you will see a difference instantly just by having one.

If You Are Too Lazy to Follow a Schedule, You Need a Career Change
I have had people say it is too impossible to follow a schedule. They can't do it or refuse to do it. If you cannot self-motivate and self-discipline to follow a simple schedule that YOU create, then YOU need to not work for yourself. Some people find this to be harsh, but in my 10 years experience as a freelance writer I can tell you that those very individuals with this mentality I have met in the past, never made it anywhere past entry level and $3 articles. Interesting isn't it?

Schedules. They are not the enemy -- they are what helps you make money in the freelance writing industry.

How to Work from Home as a Freelance Writer Successfully

The issue with the term “work from home” is that most people hear this and take it too literally. They become lazy, irresponsible and just assume that they are going to make it big or become wealthy overnight – all of which are wrong. So how come so many people work from home as a freelance writer and make a successful living, but you can’t? Consider some of the following:

The Work from Home “Dream”

Those that want to work from home as a freelance writer often do so not because they love to write, but because they want to make money and work for themselves – this is issue number one. The other “dream” misconceptions of working from home as a freelance writer:

·         I can make my own hours

·         I can be my own boss

·         I can choose when I work and how much I work

·         I can write on whatever I want to write

·         I can become rich working 20 hours per week

·         I can be a writer; I did good in school

Let’s talk about these “dream” misconceptions and how most likely they are destroying your chances of ever being a successful freelance writer.

I Can Make My Own Hours: Yes and No

Sure, you can make your own hours, but do those hours work around the people you are writing for? As a freelance writer, you still work for someone in terms of writing. What if that client is available 6am to 4pm, but you only work 5pm to 11pm? How will you contact your client with issues or questions? If you answer “I’ll wait until the next day”, then right there is your freelance writing failure. Though you can make your own hours, you still have to plan those hours around your clients.

Bottom line: If you are selfish with your hours, you might be surprised how many clients you lose or don’t get altogether.

I Can Be My Own Boss: No

A freelance writer still works for someone and answers to someone. Whether it is an editor at a newspaper, CEO of a copywriting company or the owner of a company you are writing a press release for, you answer to some sort of client and that client is, technically, your boss. If they are unsatisfied, they fire you. Therefore, if you think you will work from home as a freelance writer successfully by saying you work for no one, then you have just axed your chances of writing successfully.

Bottom line: Even great authors like Stephan King and John Grisham report to an editor at their publisher’s office and they still have to report on time and do the job. Everyone answers to someone.

I Can Choose When I Work and How Much: No

You can pick and choose what clients you take on, but that’s as far as your power goes. Clients will give you assignments, which might take you longer than your scheduled hours. If you don’t do it, you won’t get more work from that client. It’s quite simple. Those looking to work from home as a freelance writer need to be flexible with their working hours, flexible with how much work they take and always strive to do the best. Why? Because one week you may have work and the next none.

Bottom line: Take what you get when you get it, get it done and do it no matter how long it takes.

I Can Write on Whatever I Want to Write: No

If you have been freelancing for years and built up a large enough clientele or work for a newspaper, then yes, you can. However, most who start to work from home as a freelance writer do not have that luxury. Therefore, being an avid researcher is important so that you can write on any topic presented to you. You cannot just pick and choose. If you do, you will be surprised at how little you make.

Bottom line: Learn to research and learn to write on what you are told to write. Pretend you are starving and work is your food. Take the food you get so you don’t starve to death tomorrow.

I Can Become Rich Working 20 Hours Per Week: No

The whole “get rich, work less” jargon was created by the schemers of the work-from-home industry. They lure people in saying work 15 to 20 hours per week and make $5,000 per month from home. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. This is no different with working from home as a freelance writer. Freelance writers have to work long hours, long weeks and sometimes for little pay. Even famous writers work more than 20 hours per week. Do you think Stephan King wrote all of his novels working when he felt like it or just 10 hours per week? No. Stephan King writes a minimum of 2,000 words per day for eight hours per day the entire week. Sure he’s rich, but he didn’t get there nor keep himself there only working a few hours a week.

Bottom line: If you think you will make it big working a small number of hours per week, you will be surprised at how little you make. Get to work and get working hard.

I Can Be a Writer; I Did Good in School: No

Those who want to work from home as a freelance writer often fail because they say they are a good writer. Writing a term paper in school is nothing like writing a 400 word article on the effects of a prescription drug and hair loss or installing a vinyl fence. Those who look at freelance writing as “homework” ultimately fail. Those who are passionate about writing, who write naturally and without effort are the ones that are successful. You have to be naturally witty, entertaining and more so conversational. A client that asks for an article on vinyl fences doesn’t want a book report. They want something interesting for their readers to learn from.

Bottom line: Not everyone is cut out to work from home as a freelance writer. Just because you were good in school doesn’t mean you are good at professional writing.