Creating and Selling Digital Products

Ah, the holiday season — filled with joy, festive cheer, and maybe just a pinch of family drama! Let’s be real: navigating holiday interactions can sometimes feel like a game of emotional dodgeball. But fear not! Setting boundaries is like having a trusty shield that helps you enjoy the festivities without the stress. What is a boundary? A boundary is a limit you set regarding other people’s words or actions towards you. You can set different boundaries with different people. Good boundaries can: Create positive rapportPromote mutually productive collaborationsEnsure smooth, effective communicationDefine and clearly communicate expectationsProtect your time and energyPr…

This post was produced in collaboration with Hustle Culture, a free Substack newsletter. Every freelancer brings a unique mix of technical and creative expertise to the table, but most of us share two key skills: self-discipline and time management. Without those, working for yourself can look like long, slow days on the couch or weeks jam-packed with endless tasks. I’ve fallen into both of those modes, but over time I’ve developed a formula that helps me create a manageable and productive weekly schedule. It’s difficult for me to sit and focus on one task for many hours at a time. Instead, I break up my days and weeks into dedicated blocks for each of my weekly obligati…

Many freelancers believe inflation is just a distant line in government reports, something that barely dents their day-to-day hustle. If you find yourself thinking, “It’s just a few extra dollars at the store,” you are not alone. Yet behind those small changes is a slow but steady force that can quietly chip away at your financial security, often without immediate warning signs. Here’s a fact that may surprise you. Data from the 2025 Freelancer Rates Report shows that while rates have gone up slightly on average, many freelancers adjust their pricing less than once per year, often falling behind the real cost of living. If you skipped a rate adjustment, you are already ma…

You log off for the night, but your brain stays logged in. The project you didn’t finish hums in the back of your head. Your shoulders ache from hunching over your screen for hours. You’re tired, but not the kind of tired a nap can fix. That foggy, restless, emotionally drained feeling? That’s work-from-home fatigue. Working from home might look effortless from the outside, but it can wear on you in ways office jobs don’t. According to Psychology Today, the blurred lines, isolation, and irregular sleep schedule that often come with remote work can chip away at your mental health. As a freelancer, you may feel this even more intensely, as you don’t have built-in breaks, co…

We talk a lot about how to make sure your clients pay you, fairly and on time. Sometimes, though, the people who are hiring you for your talent and services are not clients, companies, or businesses as we traditionally conceive of them — they’re your fellow freelancers. Whether it’s being hired by a photographer to style a shoot, writing for a friend’s blog, or even performing on a comedy show, it’s important to set expectations, communicate clearly, and follow through. Set clear expectations from the beginning No matter who you’re working for, in whichever capacity it is (and yes, performing counts as work) it’s important to know from the outset if it’s a paid opportunit…

Freelancers across the country face a common challenge: figuring out how to structure their business to minimize taxes without triggering compliance headaches. No matter where you are working, staying on top of the local and state taxes you are responsible for is a critical part of the complex tax trade-offs that can come with forming and operating your freelance business as an entity like an S corporation (S-corp) or limited liability company (LLC). Now, under the new "Big Beautiful Bill" tax provisions, it is more important than ever to understand how you can optimize your tax strategy, taking into account all levels of tax: local, state and federal. Below is a breakdow…

Cash App is a decent way to receive instant payments. It’s fast and convenient, and there’s an option to open a legitimate business account and report taxes. But like any payment platform, it attracts scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users. Scammers use deceptive tactics to trick you into sending them money or handing over your Cash App account details. Once they get access, they can drain your linked credit card or bank account before you realize what’s happening. Moonlock, the cybersecurity division of MacPaw, is here to help. We’ll break down the most common Cash App scams, how to recognize them, and how to protect your money. Why use Cash App for fre…

From Leo Aquino, founder and financial coach, at Queer & Trans Wealth With the cost of living, health insurance and taxes all rising, saving for retirement as a freelancer can feel impossible. In part, that’s because as a freelancer or small business owner, you’re wholly responsible for creating your own retirement savings. Workers at large companies have some notable advantages in this area: many employers offer 401(k) or 403(b) accounts to full-time workers. This lets employees automatically contribute portions of every paycheck before that money hits their account. These contributions are often tax-free, and some match workers’ contributions up to a certain amou…

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ There’s an increasing popularity in the freelance blogging profession these days. Many freelance bloggers earn an income by creating exemplary content or collaborating on social platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The thing is, success in the field needs technical knowledge, regular posting, ongoing activity, and effort. For this, the right inspiration, moti…

This post was produced in collaboration with Hustle Culture, a free Substack newsletter by Olivia Rockeman centered around financial and creative guidance for working writers of all genres. Subscribe here. Last summer, when I quit my corporate journalism job to freelance full time, I thought I’d be lucky to earn enough in the first year to cover my rent. I left the corporate world for the autonomy and flexibility I hoped freelancing would provide, but I worried constantly about my financial prospects. The rates for freelance journalism projects are notoriously low, and I’d heard horror stories about writers being out of work for months at a time. In the months before I q…

Next week, the Freelancers Union will mark a major milestone: We’re turning the big 3-0. Obviously, the world is much different than it was 30 years ago, and by extension, so is the business of freelancing. Freelancers are nimble by nature, and just as the last three decades have forced freelancers to navigate a constantly shifting media, tech, and economic landscape, the Freelancers Union, too, has grown and changed. In the spirit of navigating change and getting back up again, even after you’ve been knocked down, we asked freelancers to share some of the “mistakes” they’ve made over the course of their freelance careers. Our members kindly shared their stories, as seen …

When you’re self-employed, you’ve built a life around independence. You set your own schedule, choose your own clients, and take control of your financial future. But have you thought about protecting that future for the people who rely on you? Life insurance may not be the first thing on your mind when managing your freelance business, but it should be. If you have loved ones who depend on your income—whether it’s a partner, children, or even aging parents—life insurance ensures that they’re financially secure if something happens to you. Why self-employed workers should prioritize life insuranceUnlike traditional employees, freelancers don’t have the safety net of emplo…

As a freelancer, you might have clients request services from you that you can’t deliver. However, plenty of other freelancers could offer that service. Enter cross-referrals and professional networks for freelancers, which allow you to refer clients to other freelancers with different skill sets. Partnering with others who have complementary skills allows you to offer broader services to clients and build lasting relationships that benefit everyone involved. Benefits of a Diversified Freelance NetworkBuilding a diversified freelance network can help you grow your business by expanding the value you provide to clients. By partnering with freelancers who have skills that …

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ As a freelancer, you’ll need to constantly improve your project management skills to manage your projects smoothly. This constant improvement is important because it can result in effortless transitions between projects and a better output. But there’s another way to handle project management with ease, no matter how many projects you need to take on. With project management…

It is now official. The U.S. federal government will require nearly all payments to and from federal agencies—including the IRS and Social Security Administration—to be made electronically. Essentially, refunds are being moved to e-refunds for the coming tax season and in the next two years, the IRS is anticipated to phase out accepting payments via check. The IRS provides several electronic payment options for freelance businesses. To prepare for this change in your freelance business, it is important to familiarize yourself with electronic payment methods including IRS Direct Pay, which allows free payments from your bank account, and the Electronic Federal Tax Payment …

Whether you’re self-employed or employed and work in a tipped profession, there is a new opportunity to lower your federal income tax bill—thanks to the newly enacted 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).' For the first time, qualifying freelancers can deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their taxable income starting in tax year 2025, but as of right now, this deduction only qualifies until 2028. But before you celebrate, let’s unpack what this means and how to make it work for you. What’s New Under 'OBBBA' The “No Tax on Tips” provision applies to federal income tax only. That means while you can deduct tips from your taxable income, they still count toward your self-employ…

Tax Day (April 15, 2025) is just days away. Are you still scrambling to gather tax documents and get your return filed? If you just can’t complete your return accurately, you may be better off simply filing an extension with the IRS. Doing so allows you to have a six-month grace period to get your taxes filed without having the failure to file penalty assessed. However, you must still pay any taxes you owe (make an estimate and pay on or before April 15, 2025) to avoid late payment penalties and interest. Filing an extension can help reduce the stress of trying to meet the deadline and reduce your tax penalty burden if you already have one to contend with. Many taxpayers,…

One Year Since the Relaunch of the World’s Longest Invoice, Nonpayment Remains a National Crisis One year ago, we relaunched the World’s Longest Invoice to shine a light on one of the most pervasive issues facing independent workers. Since then, the numbers have only grown and they tell a sobering story. In just twelve months, over 1000 freelancers from 44 states have added their names and invoices to the campaign. Together, they’ve reported more than $7.4 million in unpaid wages. These aren’t edge cases or one-off mistakes. They’re evidence of a system that continues to allow clients to delay, avoid, or deny payment with little consequence. Freelancers from nearly every …

Your office can be anywhere you choose to set up your laptop. Traditional employees may remain stuck in whatever city their employer chooses, but you have something invaluable: complete geographic freedom. Moving opens doors to lower living costs, fresh creative inspiration, and access to markets that might remain out of reach from your current spot. Whether you're seeking financial relief from rising local expenses, craving a change of scenery to spark new ideas, or hoping to position yourself closer to ideal clients, your next ZIP code could become your smartest business move. Writing, makeup artistry, photography, event coordination, and tour guide work represent just…

There are two sides to every coin, and that includes freelancing. While you can enjoy flexible working hours, no commuting benefits, office-free attendance, and many other perks, you might encounter issues with burnout if you lack the right planning and strategizing methods. But there are specific approaches you can use to stop burnout before it starts or recover from it when it’s affecting your output; you can do this with a few specific apps that will help you organize your time and enhance your mood. Ready to discover which impressive apps can help with this? Nip freelancer burnout in the bud with the list of apps in this article and the top tips for success. What is …

One of the most challenging parts of freelancing is figuring out what you’re going to do about healthcare. Unlike traditional workplaces, which provide employees with healthcare plans, freelancers typically do not receive insurance plans from their clients. This can often leave freelancers in a precarious position, forcing them to pay high out-of-pocket prices for health insurance plans, relying on a partner’s employer healthcare coverage, or in certain cases, forgoing insurance entirely. New legislation seeks to change this, clearing barriers for clients to disperse money into an independent worker’s account to use for healthcare and other benefits like time off. These a…

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ Have you noticed that sometimes, a simple online daily task can still be time-consuming? You might want to get it done without taking up too much time and really wish for an incredibly quick way to handle them. Now, this might prompt you to think about delegating some of your routine online freelance tasks to someone, which can still take time. But what if you had some of the…

Have questions about Aflac? Attend our informational session on 2/11/25 to learn more! RSVP HERE Life is unpredictable, and unexpected health events can put a strain on even the most carefully managed budgets. As part of our commitment to supporting independent workers, we’ve partnered with Aflac to create a group plan to provide you access to their supplemental insurance plans at a lower cost. These plans provide an added layer of financial protection, helping you and your family navigate challenging times without added stress. Aflac is not health insurance, but supplemental benefits that offer you financial assistance for medical situations. Based on the plan you choose…