6 Books To Read If You’re A First-Time Freelancer

As the title would suggest, this is an all-in-one practical guide for those who want to know not just how to do the work, but also how to find work, market yourself, set fees, negotiate and pay taxes. Written by Sara Horowitz, Macarthur Genius Fellow and founder of the international Freelancers Union and the Freelancers Insurance Company, The Freelancer’s Bible is helpful for those who are just starting out in the freelance world, as well as those who are already freelancing but want to grow.

‘A four-hour work week? Impossible!’ I hear you say. Well, according to bestselling author and business guru Tim Ferriss, drastically cutting the number of hours you work is a very real possibility. By moving your business online and outsourcing the boring but time-consuming work like marketing at a low cost, Ferriss argues you can create a four hour work week and generate a five figure yearly income while still keeping your passion alive.

Creative Inc. is a go-to guide for those wanting to start freelancing in a creative industry, from illustrators and animators, to photographers and graphic designers. Offering a mix of practical advice and personal success stories from industry professionals, freelancing experts Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho cover everything from creating a standout portfolio to setting fees, Creative Inc. is a crash-course in business for creatives. If you’re still unsure whether freelancing is for you, the book is a great guide to help in the decision-making process, and doesn’t sugar-coat the challenges of freelance work.

Unlike other business books, the founders of groundbreaking software company 37Signals tell you to forget what you’ve been told about starting a successful business. They tell you to stop worrying about working out a business plan, the competition, snagging outside investors and becoming a workaholic, because it often does more harm than good. Using straightforward language, ReWork will inspire and guide you to take up a number of counterintuitive ideas that will help you find success in your own business venture.

This is a practical guide for anyone wanting to turn their side hustle into a full-time job that you are truly passionate about. Incorporating the stories of successful female creative entrepreneurs, as well as a number of helpful and honest tips and tricks, My Creative (Side) Business will show you how to establish yourself as a creative freelancer, as well how to generate a regular income.

Aimed largely at women wanting to enter the freelance world, Michelle Goodman offers great advice and tips for starting out. All the sticky questions you have about women in the freelancing world are answered, such as whether or not to tell your clients that the weird gurgling sound during a video conference call is your sleeping infant. Goodman mixes hilarious anecdotes from a number of seasoned freelancers with her own personal experiences.  

My So-Called Freelance Life, Book Depository, $26.66