The freelancing economy is not only getting strong – it’s growing. More than 15 million Americans were self-employed in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and one study estimates that 40% of the US workforce will be contract workers by 2020. Why are more people choosing freelance and contract careers? The answer to that question is complex but it is obvious that one of the reasons self-employment is less complicated than ever is the availability of technology that supports freelance careers.
Here are some of the best technologies designed to make sure that exceptional freelancers can be as productive as their full-time workers.
Noise Canceling Headphones
Sony noise canceling headphones making it easy to work anywhere – like in the now corny crowded cafe that lets anyone with a laptop sit for hours after buying a cup of coffee. They keep all the annoying noise out of the coffee shop, while still supplying you with the comfort of working in a crowded space so you do not feel alone.
Smarter Notebooks
Everyone from reporters to sales people can benefit from Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook because it turns out that taking notes by hand is smart. Unfortunately, getting ideas and quotes down on paper makes it harder to work with them later. The collaborative effort of Moleskine and Evernote lets you write something with a ballpoint pen and has it appear in your Evernote account so you can access it from anywhere.
Tools to Streamline Operations
Successful freelancers act like professionals and treat business operations like the precedence they should be. Bonsai is a tool designed to guide freelancers through contracting, invoicing, billing follow-up, and client communication.
Backpack and Battery in One
That Tylt Energy Backpack + Battery having a place for everything so you can put everything you need for achievement where it belongs. It also has a 10,400mAh rechargeable battery, two 1Amp USB ports and a 2.1Amp USB port so your technology never lets you down when you need it most.
Lots of Reserve Juice
Even the most conscientious freelancer has vital technology shut down at the worst possible moment. Its really smart to travel with such a reserve LinearFlux Lithiumcard Pro. This portable charger is among the lightest and slimmest on the market (the size of a credit card) but packs quite a lot of power – enough to fully charge your phone. Even better, it can even be used to back up your data.
Do-It-All Tablets
Tablets across the board are making notebooks and file folders out of date, but that doesn’t suggest they’re all created equal. A Microsoft Surface The Pro 4 can replace a laptop with the addition of a few accessories, but has all the portability you need on the move.
Your Face Anywhere
Being available for on-site work can boost your freelancing career, but it is not all the time possible. BeamPro bills itself as the next smartest thing to being there as it reduces the communication barriers that other telecommunications devices trip over. You will not but buying yourself this expensive piece of material – this is the kind of essential freelance technology you should offer to a client’s HR department who has said more than once they want to provide you with a table.
Like anything in life, freelancing is less complicated with the right tools. The gadgets above may or may not be what you need to be competitive in your industry, but they’re a good place to start. When unsure, use the strengths of your network and find out what types of technology are helping your partners succeed. The technology they find most helpful may surprise you!
