As you know, last Thursday was Thanksgiving here in the United States. Although the holidays are a time for family and relaxation, I am sure that many of you could not stay away from your work. I am interested in knowing how many of you guys and gals worked over the holiday weekend. On top of this, how much time did you spend at your computer?
In the near future I want to create a series of posts focusing on the flexibility and freedom of being a freelance writer. Along with this, I also want to include information on how working for yourself can be a detriment during the holiday season.
Any information you can provide would be great. You can leave a comment for all of us to read, or send me an email if you are more comfortable doing so. Thanks in advance for the information!
A lot of you guys and gals have asked for more advice on tax related subjects. While I do know a thing or two about this through firsthand experiences, I am not a tax professional. For this reason, please note that my advice may not pertain to your situation.
In my opinion, it is a good idea for all freelance writers to hire a tax professional. Early in my career I was unsure of what this could do for me. But once I hired somebody to help with my taxes I quickly realized that it was one of the best decisions that I ever made.
With a tax professional on your side the money aspect of your career becomes much easier to deal with. Imagine how difficult it would be to file your own income tax return as a freelance writer. Is it possible? Most definitely. That being said, it is also very difficult. You may know the basic details of doing this, but a tax professional has the experience to help you save money in a number of different ways.
In addition to helping you file your year end return, a tax professional can also assist in many other ways. For instance, freelance writers have to pay quarterly taxes. After all, you no longer have a paycheck that money is being withheld from. Once again, your tax professional can help you set this up. Along with this, if you ever have any questions about your career and how it pertains to your tax situation you are only a phone call or email away from a qualified answer. There are always a couple times each year when I call my tax professional with a question that has me stumped. Once I get off the phone I feel much better about everything.
If you are new to freelance writing think about hiring a tax professional. This is one person that you definitely want on your side!
Starting a freelance writing career is a lot of fun. In fact, starting any new career is sure to excite you. Of course, the fun does not always last a long time. To ensure long term success, you need to start your freelance writing career on the right foot. What does this mean?
1. Know what to expect, both good and bad, from the start. If you have unrealistic expectations you will eventually find yourself in a bad spot. It is not easy to know what the future holds, but try to keep your expectations and goals in check.
2. Knowledge is power. The more you know about the freelance writing industry the better off you will be. If you think you know everything already, you are wrong. There is a lot more information to take in. After five years as a freelance writer I am still picking up new nuggets of information on a regular basis. Do not ever stop learning!
3. Be in control at all times. The last thing you want to do is let your freelance writing career spiral out of control. It is important to control the direction of your career, your money, the clients you work with, and anything else that is important to your success. As a freelance writer you are your own boss. You need to be ready to make all the decisions, no matter what they are.
It is never too late to change your ways and start moving in the right direction. Hopefully the three tips above will open your eyes to what you should be doing.
