by Lexi » 24 Oct 2016, 22:41 As more people choose to freelance or work from home, setting up your own home office is essential to get work done, and to be organized. Most of us have bits here and there, but having things all set up ensure that you can work more efficiently.
• Get a good chair with armrests. This is the best investment you can make and your back and neck will thank you for this in years to come. Buy one that is adjustable in height, and that is wide. Sliding off your chair is uncomfortable, and as you will be sitting there for most the day, make sure it has good support and cushioning.
• Invest in a desk. Most people make do with a table, but having a dedicated desk allows you to work more efficiently. Choose one with good legroom and one with shelves saves space, and is ideal for smaller areas.
• Stationery supplies. Even though you can save most things on a file, you will need some physical supplies. Stock up beforehand and dollar/pound stores do good value items. The essentials include: Sticky notes, pens (gel ink) pencils, notebooks, printer paper, clear plastic files, ring binder, hole punch, paper clips, sticky tape, staples, stapler, envelopes, and address labels. I use address labels to separate my clear plastic wallets, to keep receipts and invoices safe.
• Buy a printer/scanner. While it’s not necessary, most companies will expect you to have one. A scanner is important if you need to send copies of documents, proof of purchase, or photos. Some companies will email copies of a brief or a contract to sign. While some companies will let you digitally sign, not all are so advanced. Look out for the cost of replacing cartridges when you buy one, and also the size. Think about where you can put it, under the desk, or on another table? As a freelancer, you may have to send out invoices, and not all companies accept emailed one, and want hard copies instead.
• Internet. It’s best to look around for the best deal with the fastest service. If you rely on the internet for work, you shouldn’t go for limited package. You may have to download images or watch videos and you can’t do that if you run out of bandwidth. Don’t forget you can claim this as a business expense. Keep you router on your desk for the best connection.
• Landline. You should be able to get a good landline deal with your internet, and having a landline to make and receive calls is more reliable than a cellphone. Make sure any answering machine machine message is left neutral. Consider a hands free set and have a charging station on your desk. While people use these less often, when the reception is weak, you’ll be grateful for the landline. Also, some people prefer to use a landline, as it is harder to hack if a conversation is private.
• Cellphone. The best investment is a smartphone these days as it allows you to communicate in real time via so many methods. Consider using a separate number for work and one for personal use, because if a client is trying to call you and you are the phone to a friend, it’s not good. I had one friend who used to leave me messages all the time, and she used up all the space in my mailbox, so no one could leave me any messages.
• Desk lamp. This is an important tool, as often as a freelancer you will have to work at night or to complete a deadline. Choose one that is adjustable and that doesn’t have a bright glare.
• Computer. It’s your own choice whether to have a laptop and a docking station, or a desktop. Make sure there is enough room on the desk, for a mouse mat and mouse. The important thing is that it fits on the desk without being cramped.
• Surge protected extension leads. This is an essential if you have all your technology plugged into one outlet. I would recommend using two; one for the printer and the computer and the other for phones, and any other items such as tablets.
• A set of drawers. It can be a small set of plastic ones, or cardboard ones, and put all your stationery in them, and also your files. I keep one for each and keep them by the side of the desk.
Keep your desk clutter free, and have an in tray so you know what you need to finish, or a list of things to do on a sticky note. Don’t forget to clean it regularly too, and make sure all the cables are safe and switched off at night. Don't forget all these items are usually tax deductible, so keep all the receipts.
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