A few essentials for the freelancer
A lot of cliches apply to freelancers — wearing many hats, fingers in many pies, juggling multiple tasks. In order to do everything that you need to do, you need the right tools. Aside from the usual suspects — productivity and publishing software, Web sites, and blogs — there are a number of essential tools that all freelancers should have at their disposal.
Here are a few that I frequently use. Many are free, some are Web based. But they all definitely help me get the job done.
Making a secure connection
Sometimes, you may need to transfer files to a client that are too large to send via email. Or, you might need to log into your Web server to upload or work with files. Most people do this using an FTP client. The problem with FTP, though, is that it’s insecure. A better choice is SFTP (SSH file transfer protocol).
A couple of my preferred tools for doing secure file transfers are WinSCP and FileZilla. They’re easy to use, and FileZilla runs on both Windows and Linux. There are also version of these applications for PortableApps (more on PortableApps in a moment).
Being a Linux user and a bit of a command line junkie, I also like to use SSH. I’ve got that set up on my laptop in two ways — as a GNOME panel applet and through a nifty desktop application called GNOME-Do. There’s even an SSH client for the Blackberry!
PortableApps
PortableApps is a suite of Open Source applications that you can install on a flash drive (or an iPod or a portable hard drive). Just plug the drive into a Windows box, and you have a flexible set of software that doesn’t save any information to the host PC. Yes, I like PortableApps. A lot. In fact, I always carries a USB flash drive with PortableApps installed on it.
The range of applications is quite good, and cover a variety of tasks. As PortableApps is Open Source, all you have to pay for is a USB flash drive — and they’re quite cheap nowadays. Believe me, the investment will pay off.
If you want to get an idea of what PortableApps can do, take a peek at this article.
Instant messaging
For a variety of reasons, email or a phone call don’t always cut it. In those cases, instant messaging is the way to communicate. My preferred IM service is Google Talk, which supports both text and voice chat.
Speaking of clients, at least ones of the instant messaging type, I usually recommend two. First, Pidgin. It’s software that enables you to consolidate accounts for up to 16 messaging services into one application. No need for multiple pieces of software like MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, or the Google Talk client.
The other client I sometimes use is Meebo. Meebo, like Pidgin, enables you to consolidate accounts for several messaging services in one place. The difference is that Meebo is Web-based, and doesn’t support as many services as Pidgin.
Skype
Even if you have a good land line or mobile phone plan, it’s easy to rack up a hefty phone bill. Especially if you’re calling someone overseas, or just on the other side of the country. That’s where Skype comes in handy. You can make free computer-to-computer calls, and very inexpensive calls to conventional phones.
I often use Skype for two, three, and sometimes four way conference calls, and to record podcast episodes and interviews. For the latter, there is a lot of recording software for use with Skype. My current favourite is Skype Call Recorder, a Linux application that even works with my Eee PC netbook.
Invoicing
Getting paid is nice. In fact, that’s why you’re probably doing the work. That means sending the client an invoice. One way of doing that is to whip one up in your word processor of choice and send the file via email. I’ve found, though, that using a Web-based invoice service works better.
My current favourite is Blinksale, which has both free and for pay options. Blinksale lets me customize invoices, automatically calculates taxes, and lets me email the invoice automatically. On top of that, the service has solid invoice tracking — I can determine what invoices are outstanding, and which ones have been paid.
A PayPal account
We’re all used to receiving cheques and direct deposits to our bank accounts. And while electronic payments are nothing new, not as many freelancers use them. A PayPal account is a good way of receiving those payments.
You’re probably wondering who would send you an electronic payment. A client might, especially if they’re overseas. You might be running ads on your Web site or blog, and want to get your monthly revenues quickly. You might write articles for publications. Or you might be selling ebooks and reports and the like from your Web site.
PayPal makes accepting those payments easy. You can hook your PayPal account into your bank account, and even accept credit card payments. Keep in mind, though, PayPal does charge a small fee for transactions.
Is that everything?
Definitely not. Believe me, I could write hundreds of more words on this topic. And I may do that in the future.
What tools are essential for your freelancing business? Feel free to leave a comment.
