1st Edition
Free Agent The Independent Professional's Roadmap to Self-Employment Success
THE EMERGING TREND OF THE FREE AGENT LABOR FORCE
The Roots of Workplace Change
The Drivers of Change
Factor 1—The Great Recession
Factor 2—Employer to Enemy
Factor 3—The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
Generational Factors
A Case Study of the New Model
How We Got Here
HOW TO GET STARTED
Making the Transition from Employee to Free Agent
Setting Up Your Business
Your Professional Team
Corporate Structure
1. What Business Are You In?
2. Who Do You Work With?
3. How Will Your Business Income Impact Your Taxes?
4. How Does the Business Structure Itself Protect You from Liability?
Finances and Accounting
Bank Accounts
Tracking Mileage and Expenses
Invoicing Clients in a Timely Manner
Stay on Top of Accounts Receivable
Paying Taxes
Insurance and Risk Management
Risk 1: Becoming Unable to Work
Risk 2: Lawsuits
Pricing, Proposals, and Contracts
Proposals
About Your Company
Scope of Work
Pricing and Terms
Contracts
Contracts, Agreement, and MSAs (Oh My!)
Nondisclosure or Confidentiality Agreements
Getting Your First Client
Networking and the Art of Getting More Clients
STRATEGIES FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS AS AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL
Optimizing Your Independent Career
Co-Working and Connecting with the New Community of Independent Professionals
Building a Brand
Delivering a Great Result
Balancing Independent Work and Life
Rest and Recharge
Connect with Other Independent Professionals
Keep Improving Your Technique
Make Time for Family
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
The Dry Spell
Burnout
Stretching Yourself Too Thin
Bad Clients
Scope Creep
References and Notes
Introduction
Appendix A
Index
Biography
Katy Tynan
