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Tatiana Mulry

The fourth course in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization includes an overview of laws surrounding freelance work and how to navigate them, how to prepare for taxes, intellectual property considerations, and how to protect one's work through legally sound contracts and agreements.

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The fourth course in the Building Your Freelancing Career specialization includes an overview of laws surrounding freelance work and how to navigate them, how to prepare for taxes, intellectual property considerations, and how to protect one's work through legally sound contracts and agreements.

CalArtians who do not see a "Sponsored by CalArts" notice when enrolling are encouraged to access this course and the specialization by joining through the Coursera for CalArts program linked in the course/specialization FAQ.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
In this section you'll review an overview of the course and student expectations. You'll also hear from experienced freelancers in our community about the practical ways they protect and grow their businesses.
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How to get and stay in business
Explore the path to becoming an official business and avoid risk so that you stay in business.
Client Contract Management
Setting and keeping expectations with clients starts with clear, clean, signed contracts.
Managing a Team
When you have too much work to do, and you've automated everything you can, you'll need to consider expanding your team. Here's how to hire, manage and fire wisely.
What about benefits and taxes?
One of the most important issues holding people back from starting a full-time freelancing career is that benefits are typically tied to employment. Learn how you can create benefits for yourself as a freelancer. We'll also explain how to explore and comply with your tax obligations.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the practical and real-world issues of freelancing
Provides comprehensive knowledge and skills to navigate the legal landscape of freelancing
Covers essential aspects of freelancing, including business formation, client management, team management, benefits, and taxes
Driven by experienced freelance professionals
Explores intellectual property considerations crucial for protecting creative work
Belongs to a specialization dedicated to building a freelancing career

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Protect and Grow Your Freelancing Business with these activities:
Review Legal Structures
Reviewing legal business structures provides a stronger grounding for understanding the legal implications of freelance work.
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  • Research different types of legal business structures.
  • Consider the pros and cons of each structure.
  • Consult with a lawyer or accountant for advice.
Compile Resources on Intellectual Property
Compiling resources on intellectual property strengthens students' understanding of protecting their creative work and valuable ideas.
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  • Identify sources of information on intellectual property.
  • Gather articles, videos, and other resources.
  • Organize the resources into a coherent compilation.
Attend Workshops on Tax Preparation
Attending workshops on tax preparation provides practical knowledge and guidance on managing financial obligations as a freelancer.
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  • Research and identify relevant workshops.
  • Register and attend the workshops.
  • Take notes and ask questions during the workshops.
Five other activities
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Follow Tutorials on Contract Drafting
Following tutorials on contract drafting enable students to better understand and create legally sound contracts for their freelance work.
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  • Identify trustworthy resources for contract drafting tutorials.
  • Follow the steps and instructions provided in the tutorials.
  • Apply the knowledge gained to draft your own contracts.
Create a Business Plan
Creating a business plan helps students think strategically about their freelance career and identify areas for growth.
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  • Define your target audience and business goals.
  • Research your market and competition.
  • Develop a marketing and sales strategy.
  • Create a financial plan.
  • Write your business plan.
Volunteer at Legal Aid Organizations
Volunteering at legal aid organizations provides hands-on experience and insights into the legal protection available to freelancers.
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  • Research legal aid organizations in your area.
  • Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend training and orientation programs.
  • Provide legal assistance under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
Practice Managing a Team
Engaging in practice drills on team management prepares students for the challenges of leading and managing a team of freelancers.
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  • Identify scenarios related to managing a team.
  • Develop strategies for resolving conflicts.
  • Practice delegating tasks and providing feedback.
  • Simulate team meetings and decision-making processes.
  • Seek feedback from peers or mentors.
Contribute to Open-Source Legal Projects
Contributing to open-source legal projects allows students to contribute to the broader legal community and engage with legal issues at a practical level.
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  • Identify open-source legal projects that align with your interests.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase.
  • Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project.
  • Collaborate with other contributors and maintainers.
  • Learn from the project and share your knowledge with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Protect and Grow Your Freelancing Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Freelance Writer
Freelance Writers will likely find this course useful. It will teach not only how to execute freelance business but also how to manage taxes and legal issues around a freelance writing business.
Independent Contractor
Independent Contractors who are involved in creative work may be able to use this course to help grow their business. The course will teach them project management, client management, and contracts. This course may be particularly helpful for those who want to start their own freelance business.
Freelance Project Manager
Freelance Project Managers will find this course helpful in many ways as it can help them grow their business. Not only does the course touch on legal issues that freelancers face but it also discusses managing employees.
Freelance Artist
Freelance Artists can benefit greatly from this course if they hope to start their own business or even improve their existing business. The course will help them to manage the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of freelance work.
Freelance Web Developer
Freelance Web Developers should find this course useful on their career path. It will teach essential skills for growing a freelance business and how to negotiate business contracts.
Freelance Business Consultant
Freelance Business Consultants will find this course helpful as they seek to build their business. The course will give them training in the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of running a freelance business.
Freelance Software Developer
Freelance Software Developers may find this course to be a useful tool for their career. The course will teach them about the legal and administrative aspects of managing a freelance business.
Freelance Marketing Professional
Freelance Marketing Professionals will greatly benefit from this course in their career. The course will teach them how to manage a freelance business, how to negotiate contracts, and how to set clear expectations.
Freelance Creative Director
Freelance Creative Directors can significantly benefit from this course as they progress in their career. The course will teach them about the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of managing a freelance business.
Freelance Animator
Freelance Animators will find much of this course useful in their career. It will teach them about the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of managing a freelance business.
Freelance Filmmaker
Freelance Filmmakers should consider taking this course to help manage their business. The course will teach them about the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of managing a freelance business.
Freelance Musician
Freelance Musicians will find this course helpful as it will teach them to manage the legal, financial, and administrative aspects of running a freelance business.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Freelance Graphic Designers will learn a lot from this course which can help them build their career. The course will teach them how to secure employment and how to set clear expectations from the start of projects.
Freelance Photographer
Freelance Photographers can learn many useful things from this course. Not only will it teach them how to manage a freelance business but also how to negotiate contracts, which will be helpful in the photography industry.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Protect and Grow Your Freelancing Business .
Provides a comprehensive overview of the freelancing business, including how to get started, find clients, set rates, and manage your finances. Its 12 sections cover everything from the basics of freelancing to advanced topics like marketing and negotiation. It's a great resource for anyone who is new to freelancing or wants to take their business to the next level.
Provides a unique perspective on the freelance lifestyle, focusing on the importance of automation, outsourcing, and creating a system that allows you to work less and earn more. While some of the specific tactics may be outdated, the overall principles are still relevant for freelancers today.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the gig economy, including the different types of freelance work available, how to find clients, and how to set up your business. It's a great resource for anyone who is considering starting a freelance career.
This classic book provides essential advice on writing clearly and concisely. It's a great resource for freelancers who want to improve their writing skills and produce high-quality work for their clients.
Provides a practical system for getting organized and managing your time effectively. It's a great resource for freelancers who want to improve their productivity and reduce stress.
Provides insights into the power of introversion. It's a great resource for freelancers who want to learn how to embrace their introverted qualities and use them to their advantage.

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