In an especially competitive workforce climate for Black Americans in the United States, it’s important that an additional stream of income is always handy. Freelancing has been the constant go-to for more cash to stay afloat, because if we’re all being honest, sometimes the struggle is REAL!

The biggest misconception for many is that freelancing is somehow easier. I mean, you usually get to make your own schedule, decide how much work you want to take on and have the luxury of working for more than one company independently, or even working for yourself.

As a part-time freelancer and friend to many other freelancers, I can say that the business of freelancing is much more difficult than it seems. With that being said, I’ve compiled a quick list of tips you need to lock in before jumping into the freelance gigs.

1. Time Management

I know you’ve heard it all before, but listen: you’ve got to manage your time meticulously in order to handle your workflow. Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them! This is especially important if you’re good at what you do and your services are in high demand. Sometimes that means not saying yes to every inquiry for a project. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself sinking in deep regret after taking on one too many assignments.Photo: The Late Late Show with James Corden

2. Travel

Travel often doesn’t get considered when it comes to freelancing, but it’s extremely important. When you’re at home stuck in front of a computer or freelancing at the same company several times, it can get monotonous and actually discourage you from being productive. Not to mention, it’s easier to get inspired when you have a change of scenery! RemoteYear.com & FreeLancer.com are great places to start looking for gigs in a new environment.Photo: Giphy

3. Strong Billing Process

Listen, we all want the “dollar, dollar bills, y'all”, but if you don’t have a strong billing system, then you could easily lose track of the value of your services and how customers pay you. I can’t tell you how many times a client has paid me late because I didn’t have a proper billing system in place. Check out FreshBooks.com, Google Wallet and Lystable.com for great tools to invoice and bill clients.Photo: Giphy

4. Constant Learning

Usually if you’re freelancer, it means that you’re also an expert in a niche market or for a specific skill. Sometimes being so knowledgeable can cause us to forget that we MUST continue to learn. If you want to stay sharp and ahead of the game, you’ve got to know new information, new technology and new concepts. Keep it fresh!Photo: Giphy

5. Help

Listen, it’s ok to get help. Freelancing is still business and this kind of entrepreneurship still requires a significant amount of resources. On top of all that, it gets stressful! Don't be shy about getting the administrative, and even mental, assistance you need to avoid being overwhelmed with a constantly heavy workflow. One amazing tool is Amy Ingram, a virtual personal assistant that emails, schedules and so much more. Check her out at https://x.ai/about/.Photo: Giphy

Whether you’re full-time freelancer or just doing it on the side, this compilation should be just the insight you need to a good start. I’d love to hear how these tools might’ve helped you.

What are some other woes to freelancing that you experience? Let me know!

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