Starting your own business and working as an independent contractor in any industry can be an exciting yet daunting prospect.
There is a lot of freedom that comes from working in this way and being your own boss, but it also means that you are responsible for more than you would be as a standard employee.
If you are considering a new career as an independent contractor in any niche, there are a few things you’ll need to think about getting before you get started.
Insurance
First of all, it’s worth getting some insurance coverage to ensure that you are financially protected if things go wrong.
It is important to remember that there are many different types of insurance you and get, so it is best to check what it is you need, from reputable providers.
Whether you are working on a military base and require dba insurance or if you small business owner and need public liability insurance, make sure to check out reviews and ensure you have enough coverage.
You can find independent contractor liability insurance that is worth having for the event of a client bringing a claim against you.
With independent contractor liability insurance, any damages that you may have to pay if you are found liable will be covered by the policy.
It is also worth getting income insurance to cover you in the event of you being unable to earn money due to sickness, injury, or other circumstances.
And finally, don’t forget to insure any equipment that you use or premises that you work from.
Taxes
Traditional employees don’t have to worry about Social Security taxes or Medicare.
Yet, as an independent contractor, you’re going to be responsible for paying these taxes all yourself since there won’t be anyone withholding them from your regular salary.
In addition to filing your annual tax return, you have to pay self-employment taxes if your net earnings exceed $399.
This, of course, can prove to be problematic if you’ve never had to worry about calculating your taxes before.
Fortunately, you may be able to get a wide array of deductions on business expenses.
We recommend that you consult an expert to make sure that you are complying with both federal and state laws.
Website
As an independent contractor, most of your clients are probably going to find you by looking up what they need online.
Because of this, having your own professional website where you can advertise your services and market yourself to prospective clients is important.
With millions of websites now live today, standing out from the crowd is crucial.
You can easily make your own website using one of the many DIY website building tools out there, but paying a professional might be the way forward if you want a site that looks amazing and creates a great first impression of you and what you do.
Social Media
You will also need to set yourself up on social media if you need a strong online presence to be successful in your chosen role as an independent contractor.
Along with searching online using search engines like Google, prospective clients are also likely going to look on social media for somebody like you.
While it’s worth having a presence on all the networks, it’s a wise idea to focus more on the networks that you know your audience uses most, such as Twitter or LinkedIn.
Equipment
Finally, depending on the type of work that you are planning to do as an independent contractor, it is likely that you are going to need some equipment in order to do it well.
At the least, you are probably going to need a good laptop or PC to work from. A business laptop is a good investment, as these are designed to be used more often and last longer.
Create a list of the equipment you will need for doing your job before you get started, so that you are set to succeed.
Working as an independent contractor is worth considering if you have a marketable skill and are sick of the 9-5 life.
But before you start, there are a few things you’ll need to consider getting before you’re ready to hit the ground running.