Free Agent

Book description

There is a seismic shift underway in the employer/employee relationship that is redefining the nature of jobs and careers. Sole proprietors and independent contractors now represent more than 20 percent of the workforce, and that number is expected to reach nearly 50 percent within the next 10 years.

Despite the proliferation of people engaging in freelance and contract work, however, the path to success is not always easy. Free Agent: The Independent Professional's Roadmap to Self-Employment Success details a pragmatic action plan to help you succeed in this new skills marketplace.

Supplying practical strategies to help you get ahead of the change and become an in-demand resource with a steady stream of income, the book describes how work is changing and what is driving the growth of freelancing. Next, it explains how to get your new independent venture off the ground, how to find your first client, and what you need to know to avoid common pitfalls.

To transition successfully from employee to free agent, you must have a plan to avoid the pitfalls and a support team to give you the expertise on complicated topics such as business structure, contracts, and accounting. This book is your guide to successfully navigating the transition.

Detailing the tools and practices that will enable you to succeed as a free agent, the book includes case studies and interviews with those who have already made the transition. The book concludes by describing how to optimize your new freelance work style to make the most of your time and energy, so you can focus on doing more of what you love.

Table of contents

  1. Front Cover (1/2)
  2. Front Cover (2/2)
  3. Contents
  4. Introduction (1/2)
  5. Introduction (2/2)
  6. Chapter 1: The Roots of Workplace Change (1/2)
  7. Chapter 1: The Roots of Workplace Change (2/2)
  8. Chapter 2: How We Got Here (1/2)
  9. Chapter 2: How We Got Here (2/2)
  10. Chapter 3: Making the Transition from Employee to Free Agent (1/2)
  11. Chapter 3: Making the Transition from Employee to Free Agent (2/2)
  12. Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Business (1/2)
  13. Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Business (2/2)
  14. Chapter 5: Your Professional Team (1/2)
  15. Chapter 5: Your Professional Team (2/2)
  16. Chapter 6: Finances and Accounting (1/2)
  17. Chapter 6: Finances and Accounting (2/2)
  18. Chapter 7: Paying Taxes (1/2)
  19. Chapter 7: Paying Taxes (2/2)
  20. Chapter 8: Insurance and Risk Management (1/2)
  21. Chapter 8: Insurance and Risk Management (2/2)
  22. Chapter 9: Pricing, Proposals, and Contracts (1/2)
  23. Chapter 9: Pricing, Proposals, and Contracts (2/2)
  24. Chapter 10: Getting Your First Client (1/2)
  25. Chapter 10: Getting Your First Client (2/2)
  26. Chapter 11: Networking and the Art of Getting More Clients (1/2)
  27. Chapter 11: Networking and the Art of Getting More Clients (2/2)
  28. Chapter 12: Optimizing Your Independent Career (1/2)
  29. Chapter 12: Optimizing Your Independent Career (2/2)
  30. Chapter 13: Co-Working and Connecting with the New Community of Independent Professionals (1/2)
  31. Chapter 13: Co-Working and Connecting with the New Community of Independent Professionals (2/2)
  32. Chapter 14: Building a Brand (1/2)
  33. Chapter 14: Building a Brand (2/2)
  34. Chapter 15: Delivering a Great Result (1/2)
  35. Chapter 15: Delivering a Great Result (2/2)
  36. Chapter 16: Balancing Independent Work and Life (1/2)
  37. Chapter 16: Balancing Independent Work and Life (2/2)
  38. Chapter 17: Challenges and How to Overcome Them (1/2)
  39. Chapter 17: Challenges and How to Overcome Them (2/2)
  40. Chapter 18: References and Notes (1/2)
  41. Chapter 18: References and Notes (2/2)
  42. Appendix (1/2)
  43. Appendix (2/2)
  44. About the Author
  45. Back Cover

Product information

  • Title: Free Agent
  • Author(s): Katy Tynan
  • Release date: April 2015
  • Publisher(s): CRC Press
  • ISBN: 9781482258820