Since 2019 there has been a 22% increase in the total freelance workforce. This brings the estimated total of freelancers in America close to 60 million people. This meteoric rise in freelancing shows no sign of stopping.
When you are a freelancer you soon figure out that all aspects of your business rest on your shoulders. Two of these are time management and time tracking. Freelancer time tracking is a vital skill as it may determine how you get paid.
It also allows you to determine your output capacities and arrange your schedule into appropriate work blocks. If you are wondering how to track your own time, or how to manage time better, check out this nifty guide.
Table of Contents
1. Keep Accurate Records Everyday
Employee time tracking software keep track of your output and time spent working at the end of each operational shift. While you don’t have to formalize it into final copy quality right away, you should at least make a rough draft of a timesheet.
This helps maintain accountability throughout the entirety of your work process. Nobody wants to spend the extra time recording time at the end of each day, but it is the only way to ensure you have accurate records.
2. Determine Your Output
Most freelancers get paid by the piece. Some get paid hourly or per day. Regardless of how your payment methodology works, determining your output will help you plan your work.
Figure out how much work you can get done in an hour. Measure this on a good day, a bad day, and a mediocre day to help strategize your work. Time tracking for freelancers is all about knowing your output potential.
3. Establish Work Blocks
Now that you have gotten your record-keeping strategy down and have determined your output, you can start establishing work blocks. Work blocks are the key to staying organized and not getting overwhelmed.
4. Use Freelancer Time Tracking Software
Getting comfortable with time tracker software is one of the easiest and convenient ways to record your time. No more scrawled lists of crumpled paper, or email chains to yourself with your hours.
Check out timetrak.com for one of your best options out there. This will help you learn how to track your own timecard. That way all of your time will be in one easy-to-access and understand place.
5. Retain Time Records Indefinitely
Come tax season as a freelancer you will want to make sure to dot all of your i’s and cross all of your t’s. This means keeping all time records in the event of an audit or other government action.
Everything falls on your shoulders as a freelancer and this means housing your time records indefinitely in a safe place. Digitize copies and store them on a hard drive for extra security and convenience.
Time Is on Your Side
Freelancer time tracking methodology is an important thing to analyze for any aspiring independent worker.
Unlike conventional public or private sector employees, freelancers are responsible for recording their hours independently. Make sure that you use the 5 tips in this guide to ensure a seamless time tracking experience.
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