12 resources · 3 steps
Free resources for Freelancers & Consultants
Independent designers, writers, developers, coaches, bookkeepers and consultants working on their own.
Working for yourself means you are also sales, delivery and accounts. The essentials are a rate that pays the bills, a clear proposal and scope, a smooth start with each client, and invoices that get paid.
This selection is in that order, with a check on cash for the months between contracts.
These are general small-business resources chosen because they fit this kind of work. Unless its name says otherwise, none is made only for one industry — adapt the wording and figures to your business.
Step 1: Set your rate and win the work
- 1. Pricing & ProfitBillable Hourly Rate CalculatorFind the rate per billable hour that covers your income target, overheads and unpaid time.CalculatorOpen calculator
- 2. Quotes & PaymentsClient Intake & Discovery PackA questionnaire and discovery-call worksheet to understand the job before you price it.TemplateYou get: Word · PDFDownload templates
- 3. Quotes & PaymentsService Proposal BuilderTurn your notes into a proposal in PDF and Word, with good / better / best options if you want them.Document builderYou get: PDF · WordOpen proposal builder
- 4. Quotes & PaymentsScope of Work TemplatesAgree what is included, so extra requests become a conversation rather than free work.TemplateYou get: Word · PDFDownload templates
Step 2: Start and deliver
- 5. Customers & ReviewsClient Welcome & Onboarding PackWelcome a new client with how you work, and keep your own start-up checklist.TemplateYou get: Word · PDFDownload templates
- 6. Running Your BusinessProject Timeline & Milestone PlannerLay out tasks and milestones week by week and see what is overdue.SpreadsheetDownload spreadsheet
- 7. Quotes & PaymentsChange Order TemplatePrice and record a change of scope before you do the extra work.TemplateYou get: Word · PDFDownload template
Step 3: Get paid and keep enough cash
- 8. Quotes & PaymentsInvoice GeneratorSend a professional invoice PDF with a clear amount due.Document builderYou get: PDFOpen invoice generator
- 9. Quotes & PaymentsUnpaid Invoice TrackerSee who owes what, how overdue it is and which follow-ups are due.SpreadsheetDownload spreadsheet
- 10. Quotes & PaymentsPayment Reminder TemplatesAsk for late payment politely, from a first nudge to a final reminder.TemplateYou get: Copyable textOpen templates
- 11. Money & Cash FlowCash Runway CalculatorSee how many months your cash lasts if work slows down.CalculatorOpen calculator
- 12. Marketing & SalesCustomer Case Study TemplateTurn a finished project into evidence for the next proposal, with the client’s permission.TemplateYou get: Word · PDFDownload templates
Not covered yet
There is no contract template or tax calculator. Tell us what would help.
Find more
This is a starting selection. Browse by task for everything else in the library:
- Pricing & Profit
- Quotes & Payments
- Money & Cash Flow
- Marketing & Sales
- Website & SEO
- Customers & Reviews
- Running Your Business
Other types of business
- Home Services & TradesPlumbers, electricians, builders, cleaners, gardeners and other businesses that work at the customer’s property.
- Beauty & WellnessSalons, barbers, beauty therapists, massage and wellness practitioners, and personal trainers.
- Agencies & Professional ServicesMarketing, design and web agencies, studios and small professional-services firms with a team.
- Shops & EcommerceHigh-street shops, online stores and makers who sell products.
- Food & HospitalityCafés, restaurants, bars, caterers, bakeries and food trucks.