1st Edition

Free Agent The Independent Professional's Roadmap to Self-Employment Success

By Katy Tynan Copyright 2015
    173 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    173 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    There is a seismic shift underway in the employer/employee relationship that is redefining the nature of jobs and careers. Sole proprietors and independent contractors now represent more than 20 percent of the workforce, and that number is expected to reach nearly 50 percent within the next 10 years.

    Despite the proliferation of people engaging in freelance and contract work, however, the path to success is not always easy. Free Agent: The Independent Professional's Roadmap to Self-Employment Success details a pragmatic action plan to help you succeed in this new skills marketplace.

    Supplying practical strategies to help you get ahead of the change and become an in-demand resource with a steady stream of income, the book describes how work is changing and what is driving the growth of freelancing. Next, it explains how to get your new independent venture off the ground, how to find your first client, and what you need to know to avoid common pitfalls.

    To transition successfully from employee to free agent, you must have a plan to avoid the pitfalls and a support team to give you the expertise on complicated topics such as business structure, contracts, and accounting. This book is your guide to successfully navigating the transition.

    Detailing the tools and practices that will enable you to succeed as a free agent, the book includes case studies and interviews with those who have already made the transition. The book concludes by describing how to optimize your new freelance work style to make the most of your time and energy, so you can focus on doing more of what you love.

    THE EMERGING TREND OF THE FREE AGENT LABOR FORCE

    The Roots of Workplace Change

    The Drivers of Change
         Factor 1—The Great Recession
         Factor 2—Employer to Enemy
         Factor 3—The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) 
         Generational Factors
    A Case Study of the New Model

    How We Got Here

    HOW TO GET STARTED

    Making the Transition from Employee to Free Agent

    Setting Up Your Business

    Your Professional Team
    Corporate Structure
         1. What Business Are You In? 
         2. Who Do You Work With? 
         3. How Will Your Business Income Impact Your Taxes? 
         4. How Does the Business Structure Itself Protect You from Liability?

    Finances and Accounting
    Bank Accounts
    Tracking Mileage and Expenses
    Invoicing Clients in a Timely Manner
    Stay on Top of Accounts Receivable

    Paying Taxes

    Insurance and Risk Management

    Risk 1: Becoming Unable to Work
    Risk 2: Lawsuits

    Pricing, Proposals, and Contracts
    Proposals
         About Your Company
         Scope of Work
         Pricing and Terms
    Contracts
         Contracts, Agreement, and MSAs (Oh My!) 
         Nondisclosure or Confidentiality Agreements

    Getting Your First Client

    Networking and the Art of Getting More Clients

    STRATEGIES FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS AS AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL

    Optimizing Your Independent Career

    Co-Working and Connecting with the New Community of Independent Professionals

    Building a Brand

    Delivering a Great Result

    Balancing Independent Work and Life
    Rest and Recharge
    Connect with Other Independent Professionals
    Keep Improving Your Technique
    Make Time for Family

    Challenges and How to Overcome Them
    The Dry Spell
    Burnout
    Stretching Yourself Too Thin
    Bad Clients
    Scope Creep

    References and Notes
    Introduction

    Appendix A

    Index

    Biography

    Katy Tynan