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If you want to become a gig worker, don’t neglect useful apps and tools. Find out which tools can help you take your freelance experience to the next level.
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While holding a regular employee job is ideal for many, it’s not the right fit for everyone. Some people do gig work to have more freedom and flexibility in their everyday lives. If you’re already freelancing or considering trying it, you may be looking for tools to help you be more productive and organized throughout your journey.
I’ve been freelancing for many years, so I’ve had time to try various tools. Here are a few of my favorite tools to help gig workers level up their business.
1. Trello
Trello is a freelance project management and task management tool. When you’re a gig worker or freelancer, juggling multiple projects is the norm. Tools like Trello can help you stay organized so you don’t miss due dates or forget about tasks. I prefer digital organization solutions, so I’ve used this tool at many points in my freelance career. If you want to test out this service, Trello offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $6 per month or $5 per month when billed annually.
2. Google Drive
Google Drive is another tool that is perfect for gig workers. It’s a cloud-based file-sharing and file-storing solution that allows you to easily collaborate with others. You’ll have access to useful tools like Google Docs, a word-processing tool, and Google Sheets, a spreadsheet tool. I use Google Drive daily as a freelance writer.
I like to use Google Sheets to organize my freelance income and business expenses. This organizational system makes it easy for me to handle my taxes in the spring. Plus, I feel like I have a better idea of where my personal finances stand throughout the year. With Google Drive, you get up to 15 GB of storage at no cost. If you want more storage and a custom business email, paid plans start at $7.20 per month, or $6 per month when billed annually.
3. Focusmate
If you struggle with staying on track or get distracted when working alone, you may want to try Focusmate. I have ADHD, and it can be a struggle for me to get into the groove. I prefer working in a private environment to minimize distractions, so coffee shops aren’t my ideal work spot. But sometimes, I benefit from having someone nearby as an accountability partner.
Focusmate is a virtual coworking solution. You connect with another person, and both work on your own projects simultaneously. Each person will keep their video on throughout the session but can mute their audio after saying hello. You can book 25, 50, or 75-minute sessions.
I’ve used this accountability tool numerous times and have nothing but good things to say about it. Free subscribers get three sessions a week. If you want unlimited sessions, you’ll need to pay $9.99 a month or $83.88 annually. You can always start with the free plan to see if you like it.
4. Wave
At this stage in my freelancing career, all of my clients send payments to my bank account using their invoicing systems, but there were times when I was responsible for invoicing and collecting payments from my clients. As a busy gig worker, handling administrative tasks like invoicing can be a struggle, but tools like this can save you time and make getting paid easier. Wave was a simple and affordable solution for my needs.
You can create invoices for free and customize them to match your branding. You’ll pay payment processing fees when you get paid, but I found the credit card processing and bank payment fees to be competitive compared to other popular solutions. You may qualify for small business tax deductions, so keep track of the payment processing fee that you pay. For additional guidance, check out our small business resources.
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