One of the joys of freelancing is that your set-up costs are minimal. However, you do need some basics when you start out; good news is you probably have most of them already!
Here's what we think to be the essential tools of the trade.
- Laptop or desk computer with Microsoft Word (though you can use Google Docs or any word processing program, just remember to save our as a .DOCX file before submitting to a publication).
- A decent desk and chair. If you don’t have a dedicated workspace, make sure you can find somewhere comfortable, like the kitchen table, for the long hours of writing you will be putting in.
- A phone (the smartphone you’re scrolling through social media on is totally fine - no need for a landline!).
- Wi-Fi (a decent connection to ensure you can carry out your research and ensure you’re contactable via email).
- Pens and notepads to take notes – alternatively (or additionally) a digital recorder or an app for recording interviews
- A system to keep track of invoices. An Excel spreadsheet (or Google Sheet) is fine for tracking invoices when you’re starting out (you can create these in your word processing program and save them as a PDF or get fancy and create something on Canva.com). As you do more work, you might like to upgrade to an accounting system such as Xero for invoices, book-keeping and tracking your accounts).
- A separate work bank account
- A separate email address. Make sure this is just your name – no nicknames or your email address from when you were 16 - be professional (we have seen some horrors over the years).
- A social media account, LinkedIn or website. If an editor has never heard of you, they might want to check you out. You can link to published work on social media initially and get a basic website when you are more established.
