20 Best Books For Freelancers (2023 Update)

Amazingly, one-third of the american workforce is freelance—that’s 42 million people who have to wrestle with not just doing the work, but finding the work, then getting paid for the work, plus health care, taxes, setting up an office, marketing, and so on. now help is here, and consultants, independent contractors, the self-employed, “solopreneurs,” and everyone else living a freelancer’s life will never be alone again but instead can be part of a strong and vibrant community.written by the authority on freelance working, sara horowitz, macarthur “genius” fellow and founder of the national freelancers union and, most recently, the freelancers insurance company, the freelancer’s bible will help those new to freelancing learn the ropes, and will help those who’ve been freelancing for a while grow and expand. it’s the one-stop, all-encompassing guide to every practical detail and challenge of being a nimble, flexible, and successful freelancer: the three essentials of getting clients and the three most important ways to keep them happy. five fee-setting strategies. thirteen tactics for making it through a prolonged dry spell. setting up a home office vs. renting space. the one-hour contract. a dozen negotiating dos and don’ts. building and maintaining your reputation. dealing with deadbeats. health insurance 101. record-keeping and taxes. productivity, including a quiz: “what is your ideal day?” building a community. subcontracting and other strategies for taking your freelancing career to the next level. retirement plans, plans for saving for education, and how to achieve financial freedom.

Start and scale your freelance business – the world's freelance workforce and the rise of a permanent gig economy are growing at a rapid pace, but the lack of proper training about how to run a freelance venture sets most freelancers up for failure. with even established freelancers facing new competition, he need is real and the time is now for freelancers to learn how to take their businesses and their paychecks to the next level. the six-figure freelancer is a proven path, a battle-tested guide that works for freelancers of all types, based on the author's years of trial-by-fire lessons to help you find, land, and amaze your clients. the book follows an outline of proven tactics to grow a business to the six-figure level and keep it there: knowing the current phase of your freelance business – knowing how to spot high-value, high-dollar clients – determining the structure of your six-figure business (solo or agency model?) speeding your process up and structuring your ideal freelance workday – putting together a client benefit-focused marketing tools plan – raising your rates and transmitting value to prospective clients – avoiding those six-figure earner pitfalls throughout this book, readers will have guided action plans and checklists to customize their own specific freelance business.

The software engineer's guide to freelance consulting will help teach you to be an effective freelance software consultant, which will enable you make more money, dedicate more time to hobbies, spend more time with your loved-ones and even discover new businesses. chapter 2: choosing a rate how do some people charge $2/hr and others $500/hr? where do you fit in? chapter 3: keeping yourself educated how do you keep yourself from becoming outdated? how do you keep your skills in demand and the projects coming over time? chapter 4: closing deals you've got the interest but now how do you get the client to start working with you? chapter 5: being productive productivity is a critical part of freelancing. since most freelancers bill hourly it can make the difference between making $100,000/year and $300,000/year. this chapter contains tips to maximize your productivity as a freelancer. chapter 6: building & maintaining relationships freelance consulting is a relationship-driven business. chapter 7: legal ideas being a consultant comes with legal implications that can save your butt when things go wrong. in this chapter our very own silicon valley lawyer richard burt will give you some tips of the trade. chapter 8: making great first impressions first impressions are a primer for excellent long-term relationships that will yield great value to you. this chapter will talk about first impressions as a freelance tech person. chapter 9: getting paid okay, so you've completed some contracts and now you're waiting to get paid. how do you get paid faster? can you reduce your risk? chapter 10: must-know tax tips as a freelance consultant, managing your tax effectively will save you a ton of money at the end of the year. chapter 11: communicating effectively say the wrong things and you can find yourself staying up late at night on the weekend. say the right things and you could find yourself making more money and spending more time with your family and friends. chapter 12: freelancing part-time what if you don't want to leave your current full-time job? what if you're in school full-time, or taking care of children? this chapter will help part-time freelancers. chapter 13: going back to a "regular" coding job in case you later decide freelancing is not for you, this chapter will help you ease back into a "regular" job without ruffling too many feathers. chapter 14: additional resources everyone who purchases the book receives an invitation to our slack community. you'll even get a direct line to experienced freelancers (including the authors) that can help answer questions any day of the week.

The freelancer's guide to corporate event design is the only book that will get the reader up to speed on the ever-changing and growing industry of corporate production. written by one of the industry's leading designers, this book uses a candid and straightforward style to illustrate the process of designing a successful event. learn the fundamentals of venue selection, rigging, lighting, audio, video, and scenic design with informative diagrams and detailed illustrations. this guide will show how to plan, design, and execute events of any size. additionally, the designer will be armed with a strong knowledge of common mistakes, tips and tricks, and industry standards that will build and train a production team prepared for just about anything. * the only book that covers scenic design and production aspects of corporate live events! * packed full of color illustrations and photographs demonstrating the techniques you'll need to learn* includes environmentally friendly "green" suggestions

No more 9-to-5. no boss. work whenever and wherever you want on interesting projects with great clients. make lots of money! "freelancing will be fun," they said. once you figure it out, sure. you can make lots of money, travel the world, and work on your terms. problem is, it's a crowded, noisy, competitive freelancing world. if it seems like every third person you meet these days is a freelancer of some kind, you're not off. it's the wild west all over again, and there's no straight-shooting guidebook to help you figure it all out. until now. the freelancer manifesto will show you a new way to stand out and thrive. you'll find out how to: stay ahead of the curve, and the mass of freelancers unwittingly doing the opposite.stake your claim, regardless of you specialty or location.scale your business, whether you're just starting out or an experienced pro.the freelancer manifesto gives you a different way of operating in today's marketplace. take it, use it, stand out, and prosper.

Vincent and his wife were stuck in dead end newspaper photography jobs, in debt, stressed, with a baby on the way while making $15 an hour. after winning the highest award in his field, vincent was offered a 3 percent raise. he knew at that moment he needed a monumental change. one month away from their baby being born, vincent and elizabeth started a side photography business out of desperation. in less than four years, they grew their business to pay off all of their debt, including their home, and left their jobs for a life of freedom. with the world moving rapidly towards a freelance model, freelance to freedom is not only timely and necessary, but it's also entertaining, engaging and paints a picture for anyone looking for a life of freedom with money, time and location.

The definitive guide to becoming a successful freelance writer, now in an updated and expanded third editionsecrets of a freelance writer has long been the authoritative guide to making big money as a commercial freelance writer. secrets of a freelance writer is the definitive guide to building a successful and lucrative freelance writing practice.

Prime your freelance writing career for success! so you want to be a freelance writer. great! but now you're faced with a laundry list of questions: should i freelance full time or part time? should i write for magazines, newspapers, or online markets? how do i dream up the perfect article idea, and how do i pitch it successfully? how do i negotiate contracts, foster relationships with editors, and start getting steady work while avoiding financial panic attacks and unpleasant ulcers? the essential guide to freelance writing answers all of these questions–and much more. from breaking in to navigating the basics of the business, this book is your road map to a fruitful and rewarding freelance life. you'll learn how to: – dig into various markets, including consumer magazines, trade journals, newspapers, and online venues. – make your digital mark and build your writing platform. – pitch like a pro and craft solid query letters that get responses. – conduct professional interviews in person, by phone, or by e-mail. – write and structure various types of articles, from front-of-the-book pieces to profiles and features. – quit your lackluster day job, and live the life you've always wanted.filled with insider secrets, candid advice, and zachary petit's trademark humor and blunt honesty, the essential guide to freelance writing won't just show you how to survive your freelancing writing career–it will teach you how to truly thrive.

Mysterious vigilante renato jones showed the – one% that for all their money, for all their power, they are not untouchable. – but now they're pushing back, and resulting class warfare may be more than even – renato can handle. when full-time villains control the whole word the only herowho can take on the job is self-employed… a kaare kyle andrewsproudly presents season two of the most dangerous comic on theplanet! collecting renato jones – season two #1-5

The freelance essentials: what you need to know before you take the leap includes a comprehensive introduction to the many aspects of business and working life that freelancers must deal with. also looks at the differences between freelancers and contractors, to help people decide which is most suitable for them.

The freelance essentials: what you need to know before you take the leap includes a comprehensive introduction to the many aspects of business and working life that freelancers must deal with. also looks at the differences between freelancers and contractors, to help people decide which is most suitable for them.

Mysterious vigilante renato jones showed the – one% that for all their money, for all their power, they are not untouchable. – but now they're pushing back, and resulting class warfare may be more than even – renato can handle. when full-time villains control the whole word the only herowho can take on the job is self-employed… a kaare kyle andrewsproudly presents season two of the most dangerous comic on theplanet! collecting renato jones – season two #1-5

Are you ready to fly the corporate coop and become the boss of you? do you dream of busting out of the cubicle wasteland and finding greener pastures as a freelancer? if so, you’re in good company. the u s department of labor estimates that nearly one-fourth of the american workforce is self-employed and that number is sure to increase over the next decade. but do you have what it takes to succeed as a freelancer, consultant, or contract employee? do you even know what it takes to make it on your own? here’s your chance to find out. a total guide to starting and running a freelance business, freelancing for dummies is for anyone thinking about striking out on their own, or who’s already decided to make the move into self-employment. it’s also an excellent resource for established freelancers looking for ways to jumpstart their businesses. a survival guide to building a successful freelance career, freelancing for dummies features: self-assessments to gauge your skills and personality critical “get in, get out” information a gold mine of checklists, tear-out sheets, and sample forms top ten lists war stories from freelancers who’ve made it do you long for the freedom of being your own boss? relax and let expert susan drake help you make the transition to becoming a fulltime freelancer.

Are you running your business, or is your business running you? too many consultants, freelancers, coaches, and service providers rely on gut feelings and the rumor mill to make pricing and terms decisions for their businesses. if that's you, then you already know those strategies don't work – they can prevent you from earning what you're worth, keep you up at night, and may even get you into situations that can threaten the health of your business. – but you can do better. name your price offers clear methods and easily tailored principles so you can focus on what's important to you – running your business with resounding success. – in name your price, you'll learn: how to set your core pricing structure based on proven models used by top freelancers and consultants – how to identify risks and build them into your pricing model – how to set terms and write agreements that benefit you and your clients – and protect your time – how and when to negotiate with clients and how to have tough conversations – when to adjust your pricing and how to do it smoothly – when to say no to clients and how to do it gracefully – how to set the tone and teach clients how to treat you – how to shift your mindset and get out of your own way – and how to put it all together so you can move forward with confidence – discover simple and powerful ways to take the lead in your business to get more growth, more energy, and more satisfaction. author kate dixon's clients use these principles to run profitable and fulfilling businesses – now you can, too. – you've done the work. you've built your brand. now name your price!

Imagine how great it would be to cut costs and grow your business beyond your wildest expectations by "remoting it" with outstanding global freelance talent? yes, you can eliminate the expense of maintaining an office and many other costs with this approach. think about the freedom this offers you and your workers-to be productive, efficient, and innovative from any location in the world. by michael brooks describes how to achieve this result at a fraction of the cost of traditional business models and how to create and lead a great remote culture. spoiler alert: you and your teams can be just as effective, happier, and even more productive, in a fully remote environment than in a traditional business structure. even if they didn't start out with a remote workforce, many entrepreneurs and leaders at large companies are realizing how using global online freelancers is a game-changing solution for achieving a massive competitive edge. brooks delivers a playbook for success with examples, tips, and best practices that have helped him build an award-winning, industry-leading global freelance marketplace business, which he runs from anywhere using freelance talent. are you ready to "win" in business with freelance talent? you'll learn how to hire, manage, motivate, and innovate with skilled global freelancers, and discover the technologies and processes to help ensure success. this fast-paced book explains how to: lead an exceptional remote culture. easily find and hire people with a wide range of different skill sets build a loyal workforce. conduct productive meetings, even across multiple time zones. leverage cutting-edge virtual collaboration tools. use a freelance platform to hire, screen, manage, and pay workers. -save vast amounts of money while achieving results that go well beyond your expectations. are you ready to ditch the office and experience the power and freedom of working from anywhere while running a booming business? get this book today!

Designing beautiful boards and making smooth animation come naturally to us motion designers. all of the above is within your grasp if you're willing to take the plunge into freelancing. school of motion founder joey korenman worked in every kind of motion design role before discovering that freelancing offered him not only more autonomy but also higher pay, less stress, and more creativity. since then, he's taught hundreds of school of motion students his playbook for becoming a six-figure freelancer. now he shares his experience and advice on breaking out of the nine-to-five mold in this comprehensive and tactical handbook. the freelance manifesto offers a field guide for motion design professionals looking to make the leap to freelance in two clear and concise parts. the first examines the goals, benefits, myths, and realities of the freelance lifestyle, while the second provides future freelancers with a five-step guide to launching and maintaining a solo business, including making contact, selling yourself, closing the deal, being indispensable, and becoming a lucrative enterprise. if you're feeling stifled by long hours, low-paying gigs, and an unfulfilling career, make the choice to redesign yourself as a freelancer-and, with the help of this book and some hard work, reclaim your time, independence, and inspiration for yourself.

This fabulous book includes three related chapters from the freelancer's survival guide by kristine kathryn rusch. time management – being your own boss means setting your own schedule. sounds easy, right? instead, it's one of the toughest parts of freelancing. in this short book, international bestselling writer kristine kathryn rusch shows you how to create a schedule, meet deadlines, take time for vacation, and cope with illness. the perfect guide for freelancers who can't find enough time in the day. – goals and dreams – everyone has dreams, but most people don't know how to achieve them. goals help people achieve their dreams, but how do you know if you've set the right goals? in this excerpt from the massive freelancer's survival guide, international bestselling author kristine kathryn rusch will help you set the right goals to achieve your dreams. she also has tips for staying positive and remaining patient while you're on the road to success. – turning setbacks into opportunity – setbacks happen to everyone. surviving them is hard. surviving failure is even harder. but every successful person survives at least three failures before finding that success. so how do you turn failure to success? the answers lie in this excerpt from the massive freelancer's survival guide by international bestselling author kristine kathryn rusch, who will show you how to turn those inevitable setbacks into opportunity.

Start a profitable freelance writing business in the next 30 days do you want to turn your writing hobby into a lucrative part or full-time career? what if you had the freedom to choose when and where you work? maybe you've considered becoming a freelance writer for the web, but weren't sure how to you get started. don't worry, you're not alone. heck, you might have already read a book or two on this exact topic – there are a few out there. because rarely will you find a book that shows you the exact steps you need to take to accomplish a specific goal. and one that's enjoyable to read to boot! no fluff, no information you don't really need just to fill up space. in make money as a freelance writer, gina horkey and sally miller will give you only the ones you need to start a freelance writing business from scratch. nothing more, nothing less. best of all, you'll discover how to land your first paying client – even if you're starting from zero. and by following the seven steps listed in this book, you can be earning $1,000 as a freelance writer in as little as 30 days. not bad considering the price of the book, right? completing the action steps listed in make money as a freelance writer will help you to: * choose your top niche(s). * acquire your first few samples. * create your freelance writing portfolio. * start sourcing writing work. * send your first several pitches. * land your first client. * and earn your first $1,000! reading this book (and doing the work) will save you time, money and your sanity. don't keep trying to figure this whole freelance writing thing out on your own. these seven steps haven't just worked for us. these steps have worked for thousands of other freelance writers in our community. so read the book, join the ranks and start earning as a freelance writer today. are you ready to turn your writing hobby into some cold, hard cash? these steps can work if you're a stay-at-home mom looking to add a little extra income to your household budget. or if you're a college student in need of a part-time job to pay the rent. or maybe you dream of escaping your nine-to-five. you want financial freedom and a more meaningful life. these steps help you accomplish that too! so what are you waiting for? click the buy now button at the top of this page and start taking specific actions to make your dream of getting paid to write a reality!

All of us are working toward our dreams: doing our own work, on our own time, on our own terms. it’s time to take stock of where you are and where you want to be. ask yourself: who is planning for your retirement? who covers your expenses when clients flake out and checks are late? who is setting money aside for your taxes? who is responsible for your health insurance? take a good look in the mirror: you are. the money book for freelancers, part-timers, and the self-employed describes a completely new, comprehensive system for earning, spending, saving, and surviving as an independent worker. from interviews with financial experts to anecdotes from real-life freelancers, plus handy charts and graphs to help you visualize key concepts, you’ll learn about topics including: – managing cash flow when the cash isn’t flowing your way – getting real about what you’re really earning – tools for getting out of debt and into financial security – saving consistently when you earn irregularly – what to do when a client’s check doesn’t come in – health savings accounts and how to use them – planning for retirement, taxes and dreams—all on your own

"freelance your way to freedom is the gig economy bible that every person needs to start a side hustle with serious profitable potential today. this book will provide actionable advice, real-world scenarios, and personal tips that have enabled alex to take her freelancing profile from $36,000/year in 2015, to a 7-figure empire in 2021. with unique insights that come from an individual who had virtually no preparation for working on her own, navigating the gig economy, or managing money, freelance your way to freedom covers those critical moments in business when decisions need to be made quickly and without warning. by leveraging alex's personal story, filled with relatable struggles, mindset challenges, difficulties in business as a woman, this book is packed with relatable anecdotes, practical tips, and hands-on examples that will help readers put down the book, open their laptop, and make the gig economy work for them. as a digital nomad, social media influencer, and photographer herself, alex will include photos from her perspective as a gig economy worker throughout the journey. freelance your way to freedom will unapologetically break down both the good and the bad of this new, decentralized market- place that just can't seem to be tamed. but to people like alex, the wildness of the gig economy is what makes the adventure that much more fun"–