Archive for the ‘Freelance Writing and Article Marketing’ Category

Being a freelancer and working from home gives you the freedom to set your own hours, avoid the rush-hour commute, and even work in your pajamas. Working outside of a corporate environment might make you the envy of your friends, but it’s important to remember that freelancing begets a high level of financial responsibility. While most employers take taxes out of paychecks and cover a percentage of health insurance costs, freelancers are not afforded this opportunity. Thankfully, there are deductions you can take to soften the blow of expenses that eat into your freelancing income.

1. Security system

Since you’ll be working from home, consider investing in an ADT security system. The installation of such will help protect your property and can even reduce your home insurance costs. Keeping your home, apartment, or condo safe is important, especially if you’ll be working alternate hours (e.g., late in the evening) or working alone. You’ll also want to make sure the office equipment you’ve purchased is safeguarded, especially in your absence during meetings or conferences.

2. Home expenditures

Working out of your home reduces your tax liability because you will be able to subtract a percentage of your household expenses. Understand, however, that you must have a designated office space in your house to qualify. You don’t need to add an addition on your house complete with wingback chairs and all-walnut furniture, but the IRS will expect something more than a card table in your foyer. You will be able to write off the square footage of your office space, as well as a portion of your water, electricity, heating/cooling, and telephone bills.

3. Health insurance

Medical expenses, such as doctor bills and health insurance premiums, are a high expense for everyone. Freelancers, in particular, often pass on insurance coverage because they can’t afford monthly premiums. Thankfully, as a self-employed person, you can write off 100% of your medical expenses and reduce your tax liability. Be sure to keep records of payments made to your insurance provider, and request an itemized list of expenses from your doctors to make your life easier at tax time.

4. Business equipment

Every piece of equipment you purchase for your freelance business, including computers, printers, ink, paper, pens, stamps, and envelopes, are eligible write-offs. Create a folder or spreadsheet at the beginning of each tax year. Deposit receipts into the folder and enter dollar amounts into your spreadsheet. This is a simple and effortless way of keeping record of all your business expenses and maximizing your return.

5. Travel expenses

Did you travel to attend a business seminar, meet with a client, or set up shop at a trade show? It doesn’t matter how you reached your destination – bus, train, car, or airplane. Expenses associated with your travels, such as tickets, fuel, car rentals, and mileage can be deducted.

You may need to do some research with the IRS to determine which expenses are permitted – for instance, that new plasma TV might raise an eyebrow or two if you can’t prove it’s necessary for your business – but many expenses are IRS-authorized. Once you’ve done the groundwork to start your career as a freelancer, just keep an eye out for allowable expenses that can help you breathe a little easier when it’s time to review your 1099s.

Danielle has been freelancing under the security of ADT for a year and makes the occasional cross-country trip for business reasons. For once, she’s actually looking forward to tax time! Read her eatbreatheblog.com.

A work at home ghostwriter can make a ton of money. Although for marketing, it takes a lot of work on their part at getting the word out there to show they are the best candidate for the job. This is no easy feat. However, there are quality elements that help get a ghostwriter’s work established and showcased, and also build their credibility.

But first let’s discuss the meaning of a ghostwriter and why a home based worker would hire one.

If you look up the word on a free dictionary online, you will find that it simply means “One who writes for and gives credit of authorship to another.” Further more, the full meaning is writing content for someone else in the client’s voice and style and also gives them the full rights to the content.
There are big demands for writers, and with that said, the door is wide open for income possibilities.

It happens often…a home business professional’s time is challenged to come up with that last minute article or blog post about a specific marketing technique or perhaps the latest Twitter tips and networking resources. Or maybe they just don’t feel creative enough to tackle an ebook they’ve had on a shelf for years. As a result, outsourcing is considered. The ideal option is to hire a ghostwriter.

Below are the top 5 quality elements required for success

1. Knowledge of Market and Audience – The most important among these elements is the knowledge of their client’s market and audience. Without this, a writer is forced to spend quality time performing research for their client. And you know, time is money. A professional in the writing field should have on display the niches they are most comfortable with on a blog or website. It’s also suggested that they strive to study other niches for more jobs prospects.

2. Open Communication – A good writer always acknowledges and is open to full communication with their client. With good communication between freelancer and customer of course results with better clientele satisfaction. Staying in touch is crucial in order to deliver the best quality written work.

3. Good Research Skills - Of course excellent researching skills is a must in order to produce the best possible work. A good researcher always checks for accuracy and double checks not just one, but numerous sources. Research can also give a freelancer fresh ideas.

4. General Writing Experience - A ghostwriter must first have experience in getting their work accepted and published on other websites, blogs, and directories before venturing out for work. Of course if you market for clients without a significant amount of knowledge for it in general, it’s much like counting chickens before they’re hatched.

5. Discipline and Motivation- Every professional that makes their living in the writing industry definitely needs patience, motivation, and disciplinary skills in order to thrive as a good writer. They must have a passion for it in order to succeed. They must love what they do enough to spend time each and every day polishing their skills and be forever on a quest for more ideas and jobs.

Article Written By Tammy Embrich

Tammy has been successful in the work at home industry for many years. She is an Internet marketer, article marketer, and ghostwriter.

She offers free job leads for the job seeker, as well as other work at home resources, work at home articles, tips, Ghostwriting Services and more at http://www.onestopwebemployment.com.

You can also find Tammy at Work At Home Jobs, offering legitimate work at home companies, more free job leads, work at home articles, and much more.