Use tools to track your spending and find free training to expand your skills
Talking about money is always a bit uncomfortable, but it's especially important for freelance journalists who don't have a regular income, which means they have to negotiate their rates with every news outlet they pitch to. In this article, IJNet contributor Clothilde Goujard provides some advice for how to manage your budget as a freelancer.
When you're getting get started with freelancing, work out how much money you need to cover your fixed expenses and compare it to the average payment you get for a story, to get an idea of how many articles you should publish in a month.
It's also advised to have some savings beforehand if you are considering freelancing, as there's always a possibility that something unexpected will come up, such as a sick day or a late payment.
To keep track of your income, Goujard recommends using tools such as Microsoft Excel, WaveApps or FreshBooks, to get an overview of submitted stories, budgets and outstanding invoices.
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