Freelancing is a form of employment in which a person is not a permanent employee of a company, but works independently as a contractor. Freelancers offer their skills and services to various clients for short- or long-term projects and are responsible for organizing their work and managing their finances. Freelancing comes with many advantages, such as freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity for professional development However, it also presents certain challenges, the most important of which are:

• Income insecurity – freelancers are not paid regularly,
• Managing a business independently – they take full responsibility for all their activities, including settling taxes,
• Lack of stability – they don’t have the same rights and privileges as full-time workers.

What freelancers need to know about the legal requirements?

Freelancers are often self-employed or form partnerships to minimize tax liability, but they may also use specialized platforms to find collaborators, such as Elance, Upwork, or Useme, or work on commission. Depending on the country, they have different rights and responsibilities. Below you will find the most important laws that apply to freelancers operating in the United States and the European Union.

Legal requirements of freelancing in the USA

Freelancers in the United States are often referred to as independent contractors, subcontractors, or seasonal workers. They are treated as business owners, which means they are subject to business regulations. Below you will find the most important legal requirements for freelancers in the United States, but be aware that a particular state or city may have its own rules that must be followed.

1. Tax issues

Freelancers in the United States are obliged to pay income taxes and the self-employment tax. Instead of getting the W-2 form for reporting their taxes, they get several 1099-MISC from their clients, which show the amount paid to the freelancer in a given tax year.

2. Contracts

The structure and content of the contract between the freelancer and the client will depend on the location. However, the contract should always specify the scope of the services and the method of billing. Some states or cities may have additional laws. For example, New York State has the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, which requires clients to provide a written contract to all freelancers who earn at least $800 in 120 days. Los Angeles has taken a similar step.

3. Copyrights and property

Copyright is also important for freelancers. Therefore, the contract should contain provisions on the transfer of ownership and the moment when it occurs. In most cases, this is the moment of payment. If such provisions are not included in the contract, the freelancer’s copyright may be violated by the client.

Legal requirements of freelancing in the European Union

In the European Union (EU), legal requirements vary from country to country – there are no top-down laws that would regulate this issue. However, below are some key rules that freelancers working in the European Union should be aware of.

1. The status of a freelancer

In the European Union, freelancers are considered self-employed, that is, people who run their own businesses. They are independently responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and other obligations. They are not subject to the same laws as employees, meaning they are not entitled to paid vacation or compensation for overtime work.

2. Tax issues

Just like full-time employees, freelancers also need to pay income taxes. They must file a tax return on the form appropriate for the EU member country. They may also need to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) if local laws require it.

3. Contracts

In all EU countries, freelancers are obliged to have written contracts with their clients that specify the terms of collaboration including compensation, scope of work, payment terms, and copyrights. In addition, if a freelancer processes clients’ personal data, they must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has been implemented in all EU member countries.

Summary

In both the US and EU markets, there are still no adequate regulations to protect freelancers – they are simply treated as self-employed. However, this situation may change in the near future due to the growing popularity of this form of employment. So if you plan to work with freelancers, make sure you understand the local laws.

Also, if you are an employer and want to manage freelancers in an easy way, use ż­·˘k8Ć콢Ěü. This tool will let you effectively plan the work of freelancers using Kanban boards, giving you full control over their assignments. In addition, you can create contact databases and store documents related to each freelancer in one place.

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Impact of side hustles on workplace productivity – table of contents:

1. Are side hustles more popular than ever?
2. What are the downsides of side hustles?
3. The influence of side hustles on productivity
4. A side hustle – should you fight for it?
5. Summary

Are side hustles more popular than ever?

Recent research clearly indicates that making money on the side is a growing trend. In Great Britain, 19% of respondents admitted to having a side hustle (Aviva, 2022), while in the United States this proportion is as high as 40% (Zapier, 2022).

The trend is undoubtedly a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the shift to remote work, which has opened the door to new ways to earn a living. At the same time, the current global economic crisis is also pushing people to look for new sources of income, so that they could keep their standard of living or build a financial cushion.

What are the downsides of side hustles?

It might seem that a side hustle is an excellent solution when you need a new source of income, after all, you can spend your spare time in any way you want to, and in such a case, you can decide by yourself how much work you can take.

In fact, however, the situation is much more complicated. The first thing that you need to consider is a possible non-competition clause in your contract, and whether you might expose yourself to financial penalties. As it is unacceptable to neglect your regular duties, the second concern is whether, with your side hustle, you’ll be productive enough in your full-time job.

The influence of side hustles on productivity

Does our productivity dwindle when we work more? The answer is yes – a survey conducted by Bankrate revealed that 28% of Americans felt the negative impact of having a side hustle on their personal relationships, physical health, as well as productivity at work. This has been confirmed by a study conducted at Stanford University by a British economist and academic, John Pencavel, in 2014. The obtained results indicate that:

• productivity per hour drops drastically when a person works more than 50 hours a week,
• after 55 hours, productivity drops so much that working more hours is pointless,
• people who work up to 70 hours a week do only as many tasks as those who devote 55 hours a week to their duties.

A side hustle – should you fight for it?

Whether a side job will have a negative impact on your employees’ productivity depends on their individual predispositions. While some employees may experience an immediate slump in productivity, others may show lower efficiency after some time, and some may not be affected at all.

However, what can you do as an employer when, based on comparative data, you spot that your employees’ productivity dropped, and discover that their side job is the cause? First of all, you should talk to them openly about the reasons for taking on extra tasks. Then, you can consider the following solutions:

• offering them education and training opportunities that can help them get promoted and earn more,
• giving them extra assignments so they could get a bonus,
• suggesting paid overtime that can benefit both the employee and the company,
• introducing a side hustle policy, which will outline the scope of acceptable extra work (however, there’s a risk that such a procedure will be perceived by some employees as an attempt to control their income).

Summary

For many people, a side job is a much better solution than asking a boss for a raise, taking overtime, or switching to a different career field. However, it’s important to remember that pursuing a side hustle means spending more hours to complete commissioned tasks in one’s personal time.

This may lead to exhaustion and have a negative impact on their productivity. If you notice that your employees are struggling with such a problem, think how you can solve it and ensure that they can fully focus on your company. Perhaps, you’ll be able to come up with a mutually satisfactory solution.

Read also: How to learn self-discipline?

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How to learn self-discipline? – table of contents:

1. Find the area you are most passionate about
2. Nurture “the pain of self-discipline instead of the pain of regret”
3. Set simple habits for yourself
4. Don’t be afraid of mistakes
5. Exercise self-discipline like a muscle
6. Striving for better self-discipline – summary

Find the area you are most passionate about

It is much easier to build self-discipline in ourselves when it concerns an area that is close to us, arouses real emotion and we care to develop and succeed in it. This is confirmed by the words of presenter and billionaire Oprah Winfrey, who said: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

So if you’re having trouble with self-discipline, start by thinking about what it might be due to – there’s a good chance that you need to look for another area in your life that will become your true passion. In such a situation, you will very quickly see how much easier it is to devote yourself to something you care about most in life, and that the constant work to achieve success is no longer such a big challenge.

Nurture “the pain of self-discipline instead of the pain of regret”

Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur and motivational speaker, said ” the pain of self-discipline weighs only a few grams, while the pain of regret weighs many tons. It means that what is more important is not what we gain from becoming more self-disciplined, but what we lose when we don’t achieve a goal. This approach is in line with what we as humans strive for every day in terms of avoiding feelings that are unpleasant for us. So if motivating ourselves with possible benefits doesn’t work, we can try to think more about the consequences of a lack of self-discipline and observe the effects of this change.

Set simple habits for yourself

The third tip comes from American entrepreneur and motivational speaker Robert J. Ringer, who stated that “success is a matter of understanding and religiously practicing certain simple habits that always lead to success”. What habits will work for you must be discovered on your own by testing various options – including daily planning (which facilitates acting in an organized manner), long-term planning, taking care of yourself (in terms of movement, healthy eating or getting enough sleep – which translates into a better mood that promotes self-discipline), doing the most important things at the most productive time for you, reading motivating items, etc.

What’s more, it’s a good idea to set small self-discipline goals at the beginning, and then strive to make them a habit. In this way, achieving more results – building more habits – will come more easily.

You can employ dedicated tools to organize your time and plan your activities. The most popular function is the to-do list available, among others, in the ż­·˘k8Ć콢Ěü system, where you can write your responsibilities and resolutions in the form of notes, tasks, events, or meetings, and determine their statuses and priorities. In addition, when completed, you can mark each item as “done,” which will further motivate you to stay more productive and self-disciplined.

Don’t be afraid of mistakes

This tip is given to you by British entrepreneur and billionaire Richard Branson in the words ” making mistakes and experiencing problems is part of the DNA of every successful entrepreneur and I am no exception in this regard “. It is crucial to realize that we cannot blame others for our failure the moment we are aware that we lacked self-discipline. So we should think in such a way that we are responsible for all of our choices in life, and mistakes and failures are there for us to learn from and build even more self-discipline.

Exercise self-discipline like a muscle

At the very end a tip not from one of the top leaders, but from psychologist Daniel Goldstein, undoubtedly worth remembering: “I think self-discipline is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes”. If you want to become more self-disciplined, you can’t expect to achieve it in a week. It is also not worth giving up. It is essential to try again and again, even if you have already failed a couple of times to achieve the expected goal – without giving in to doubt, reluctance, or confusion. Over time, everything will become easier (including persevering in your resolve in pursuit of your goal) – just as it becomes easier to do more repetitions at the gym.

Striving for better self-discipline – summary

“Our lives will always be a constant struggle between the life of ease and its momentary rewards…. and the life of discipline and its more meaningful rewards”- such words spoken by Jim Rohn brilliantly illustrate the best effect that comes from constantly striving to improve your self-discipline. Try doing it according to the tips outlined above from top leaders, and you will undoubtedly see that you are much happier with the results of your daily work. All you have to do is take the first step and persevere in your resolve, with constant thoughts of the result that awaits you at the very end of the road.

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Social bookmarking – table of contents:

1. What are social bookmarking sites?
2. How to use social bookmarking sites?
3. 8 social bookmarking sites you need to know
4. Summary

What are social bookmarking sites?

You may associate the idea of bookmarks with the functionality of a web browser, where such a feature is built in. However, its biggest limitation is that you can only open them on a particular device and in the browser in which they were created. Social bookmarking sites allow you to go back to your created bookmarks from anywhere and on any device. You can keep your list with you at all times, plus you can share it with friends and a wider audience.

Social bookmarking sites are more than just a place to store interesting websites, posts or images you’ve found on the Internet. By sharing them, you create your own collection, which can also be viewed and commented on by other Internet users. This allows people to find individuals with similar interests, inspirations and collections on a particular topic in one place. If you come across such a bookmark, you won’t have to search the Internet yourself. You will get everything on a plate. That’s why it is safe to say that they work like an improved Internet search engine, because by typing in a given keyword, you get not only individual content, but entire collections tailored to the search term.

Apart from the benefits for the users themselves, such social bookmarking sites also benefit the brand. It’s a great way to increase reach, improve SEO and boost brand awareness. In a nutshell, it’s a brilliant content promotion tool that can increase traffic to a given website and improve search engine ranking. The use of social bookmarking sites is therefore an important step to create quality links that can help you climb to the top of Google search results.

How to use social bookmarking sites?

Of course, you can use them as a private place to store interesting content that you come across while searching the Internet or social media. However, social bookmarking sites are also a tool that can be cleverly used for other purposes.

You can share each collection with other users. So it can serve as a folder of inspiration and guidance for your team. It will certainly be a more interesting and understandable way of conveying information than giving boring guidelines. Here you can put interesting marketing campaigns or sample projects for inspiration. This way, your team will save time and will be able to easily return to the specific content.

Social bookmarking sites also provide important information about users and current trends on the Internet. By observing what is most frequently shared today, you can identify an emerging trend and create materials tailored to it more quickly.

8 social bookmarking sites you need to know

There are quite a few social bookmarking sites that have been created to this point, and each of them is slightly different from one another. To choose the best site for you, check out the following descriptions:

Pinterest

Pinterest is a popular network that most people are familiar with. It is mainly used for sharing content in graphic form i.e. images, photos or infographics. By creating a profile there, you can save (pin) interesting content on thematic boards. How does it work? Let’s say you’re looking for inspiration for a small bathroom renovation and you search Pinterest for this purpose. If something catches your eye, you can pin it to a specific board, so you won’t miss anything and you’ll have the whole collection in one place.

Pocket

Pocket is available in a free and paid version. With the paid version of Pocket, you can annotate, highlight, and add notes to pieces you’re reading. It has an interesting interface that lets you not only save articles, but also sort them from the oldest to the newest and add them in a list of favorites. It also allows you to archive and tag them. On the main screen, you have access to popular entries. Articles saved in Pocket are available to read even if they are deleted from the original server. An interesting feature of this site is that it saves your place and brings you right to the section of the article you were reading before closing out.

Mix

This is one of the most popular social bookmarking sites which allows you to save and share various materials. It lets you store interesting photos, videos, stories and articles. Users can also input their own interests to see content offered by others that are relevant to those interests. It greatly facilitates getting useful and interesting information.

Digg

Digg is a site that provides the most interesting information on a variety of topics from around the world. You can like, share or bookmark each of the available articles. In Digg, content is arranged according to its popularity on the Internet, which lets you learn about the prevailing trends.

Slashdot

Slashdot is a social bookmarking site that provides news on various topics related to science, technology and politics. Any content available there is moderated by a team of experts, which may suggest that it is at least pre-filtered news and you are unlikely to find fake news there.

Reddit

Reddit has been around since 2005 and operates a bit differently than the portals mentioned above. Just like in the previous ones, you can upload any content including links or images. The difference is that here users submit posts that other users ‘upvote’ or ‘downvote’ based on if they like it. Of course, more upvotes means more shares and a greater chance of reaching a large audience.

Dribble

Dribble is a beautiful site aimed at designers. It’s not only a great place to find inspiration, but also to present your designs to a wider audience.

Scoop.it

The unique feature of Scoop.it is that the platform collaborates with companies. In addition, it is a publishing network that aggregates content, so it is a great place to publish and promote your own links. By properly using Scoop.it, you can get better quality links to your blog and great exposure.

Summary

The above list probably brought you a little closer to the available options and the way individual pages function. They are not only a great way to store interesting materials, but also a promotional tool with great potential. They are still underestimated, but if used properly, they can bring many benefits with little effort. Choose the page that suits you best and start working to improve brand awareness and gain a better position in the search engine.

Read also: Top 5 video interviewing tools.

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How to become a copywriter? – table of contents:

1. Who is a copywriter?
2. How to become a copywriter?
3. How to find a job as a copywriter?
4. Knowledge about copywriting
5. 6 features of a good copywriter
6. Summary

Who is a copywriter?

The main task of a copywriter is the creation of a different type of content. Starting from the most simple such as descriptions of products for the internet store, sponsored articles, social media posts, blog articles, or expert texts. Copywriting is a broad field, hence experienced individuals define their main area of interest.

It is not possible to create good product descriptions and be a specialist in medical and technical texts. It is better to develop in one direction and become a specialist in the chosen field. It is the truth that to become a copywriter you don’t have to be a graduate of linguistics or journalism. You don’t have to finish any course. It doesn’t mean that anybody can start his journey with content creation.

No matter if your text is the description of the product or blog post, every text on the internet is created to sell – directly or indirectly. Some individuals want to present the advantages of their products, while others wish to gain conversion in the form of signing up for a newsletter or downloading the application.

The main task of a copywriter is the presentation of the given subject to the audience, transferring the knowledge, explaining the given subject, persuading them to purchase, presentation of the advantages of the given product or service.

A good copywriter has to be a good observer. To create text that will attract customers you have to be a psychologist and sociologist. To write good quality content the mere technique, that can be learned, is not enough – one has to be broad-minded and should have the vocabulary and the ability to translate visions into words.

How to become a copywriter?

There are two ways of becoming a copywriter. Most of the people, who have writing skills, and wish to try their hand at content creation usually start with easy texts, that don’t require high linguistic skill and expertise. What is required, is good research skills and the ability to format text correctly.

A such person gains skills and knowledge through practice. After several months this individual can change the direction, select a different type of assignment, and use his experience gained in the meantime.

The expert text requires a bit more from the copywriter – he needs to know the field. In this case, the mere selection of keywords or simple formatting is not enough. The copywriter needs to possess substantive knowledge. He needs to have basic knowledge of marketing campaigns, Google Ads, and search engine optimization.

How to find a job as a copywriter?

Your career can be led by two distinctive paths: you can either start to search for assignments independently or to establish cooperation with a marketing agency.

Starting the cooperation with the marketing agency allows you to concentrate on content creation only. You don’t have to publish advertisements, respond to offers, or send e-mails to clients. Here the whole marketing is done by the agency. Your only task is to create the content.

Additionally, cooperation with the agency gives you the possibility to use the expert knowledge possessed by your new cooperators. If you don’t have any experience, but you feel that copywriting is the thing you wish to do in the future, this solution can be ideal for you.

The work of a freelancer is a bit different and requires other skills. The individual is not employed and is responsible for running his own business. If you choose this scenario you have to create content as well as contact your clients and search for assignments. Currently, there are many internet websites, where you can find orders and offer your services. Those websites can make your job easier, but still, you will have to spend a lot of your time on service orders.

No matter which of two career paths you choose – freelance or steady employment – your first step is the creation of a portfolio. You have to collect text to show them to your future ordering parties. You can start by writing several articles or even decide to run a blog. Your place on the net is a great way to show your skill and enthusiasm – it is your digital business card. You should be visible and findable, create good quality text and you will have the audience.

Currently ordering parties care less and less about experienced, courses, or the number of finished projects. They appreciate the enthusiasm and eagerness of the candidate for work. This means that the cv has to be accompanied by a portfolio of texts that show the abilities of the candidate, not necessarily his photo.

Knowledge about copywriting

Where else you can get more knowledge about the copywriting process? Access to any knowledge is not a problem today, most of the simple and common information can be found on the internet. There are many podcasts, movies, e-books, or video movies on the internet, that offer useful advice, tips, and hints.

It is worth tracking the social media accounts of known creators, who already managed to achieve success. They frequently share their valuable insights with others and provide useful advice.

Additionally, many good books dealing with copywriting and SEO marketing are available on the market. Try to find some of them, but remember that it is just the first step to copywriting career. What is most important here is the practice.

6 features of a good copywriter

If you are still thinking about becoming a copywriter, try to check the list of features that every good copywriter should have. Those characteristics are necessary to be able to stay on the job. The competition is huge, so even if it is not difficult to become a copywriter, it can be hard to be successful and have a steady income. Check, if you have all, that is required.

Good writing skill

The ability to change thoughts into words is one of the first and most important prerequisites to becoming a copywriter. The talent you have needs to be honed and developed, do not underestimate the need for constant practice.

Reliability

What clients expect is quality. You cannot provide quality without hard work, dedication and diligence. Weak-quality content does not bring the expected result. Such text can weaken the image of the company as the expert, hence the copywriter should handle all the assignments with diligence and fairness.

A curiosity about the world

Rich experiences, a great number of books read, or knowledge about the matters that are currently trendy help to create good quality content.

Independence

It is one of the most important characteristics of a good employee, not only a good copywriter. The writer has to be able to carry out research independently and make sound decisions related to his duties. During the cooperation with the client or the agency the subject and just several guidelines is all the author gets, all the rest depends on him – nobody will tell him, how to write his texts.

Ability to understand others

All the content is created for somebody. Every brand has its target audience. No matter if one writes a blog post or an advertisement, a copywriter should be able to understand his reader and his needs.

Creativity

A copywriter should have the ability to think creatively. New ideas, new themes, new content – all this requires a certain amount of creative approach.

Summary

How to become a copywriter? More and more people dream about becoming an author. It can be a profitable job if only one is diligent, creative, and talented. Copywriting tasks can be done remotely, they don’t require any specific education or knowledge. Writing can be your way to success, don’t hesitate and try your hand and change your career path.

Now you know how to become a copywriter. Read also: SEO copywriting – 7 things to remember when creating SEO friendly content

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Online Freelancer Marketplaces vs Freelancer Management Systems – table of content:

1. Online Freelancer Marketplaces
2. Differences between FMS and OFM
3. Summary

Online Freelancer Marketplaces

Knowledge of both OFM and FMS management systems enables drawing a clear line between the two. As we have covered Freelance Management System in our previous publication, without any further ado, let’s take a look at Online Freelancer Marketplaces.

In a nutshell, Online Freelancer Marketplace is a virtual platform where freelancers and employers browse their profiles, one searching for a job and the other for talent. The design of the platform forms a scattered network of independent contractors, without a centralized hub to navigate. Gains apart there are is a nuisance connected to lengthening the process of recruitment taking way much time than before for finding the right one.

Most relationships develop through word-of-mouth referrals or sent private messages between employers and contractors. OFMs have tools for working with freelancers such as the ability for contractors to create profiles where they describe their work experience and availability, as well as appropriate channels for communicating with them.

Online Freelancer Marketplaces are effective platforms for job-seeking freelancers and the right place for companies to find professionals. Both parties take plenty of advantages from these marketplaces. One of the most popular OFMs so far is Fiverr, where you can find workers from all over the world.

Differences between FMS and OFM

1. Finding and managing

The main purpose of FMS is to manage freelancers from one spot. This allows you to automate many processes such as billing and payments, to name a few. Thanks to one centralized place, it enables create reports on the work done and constantly track their progress.

The main purpose of OFM, on the other hand, is to quickly find the right contractor for the job. These exchanges are used for simple accounting of projects along with a discussion of rates for their execution.

2. Payments

Freelancer marketplaces (OFMs) sometimes charge freelancers as much as 20-30% for a completed assignment. Additionally, they charge employers about a few percent per invoice. This results in frequent reconciliation of work and payment outside this market.

Freelancer management systems (FMS) not only do not charge freelancers prior to commission but offer automatic payments for completed projects. All you have to do is provide a summary of your work so that the employer checks and evaluates its correctness, and the system will automatically pay you for the work.

3. Personalized software

FMS systems can gather data from users and implement changes to ongoing projects at the software level. Moreover, they offer the possibility of constant access to ongoing work with the use of built-in tools. Freelance marketplaces, on the other hand, offer ready-made software with limited customization options. All in all, we recommend that those enterprises that organize small and seasonal projects should pick OFM, while larger businesses looking for more extensive software should go for FMS.

Summary

Both FMS and OFM look and work similarly at first glance. However, considering the above aspects, we can safely say that Freelance Management System is a much more powerful tool that offers work organization at every stage of contact with freelancers. Online Freelancer Marketplaces, on the other hand, is a closed ecosystem for finding the right talent.

It provides access to a community of independent contractors, while a freelancer management system allows you to manage the available pool of independent contractors along with powerful tools such as automatic payments or integration with HR and other financial systems. The FMS is therefore a much more powerful tool with greater customization capabilities.

Check out our articles about Freelance Management System:

1. Features of a good Freelance Management System
2. 6 Best Freelance Management Systems
3. Who needs a FMS?
4. How do Freelance Management Systems help at work?

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Productivity Apps for Mac – table of contents:

1. Increase productivity with Mac apps
2. Productivity at work: an app for everyone
3. The 20 best productivity apps for Mac
4. Focus on productivity

Increase productivity with Mac apps

The profits generated are the most important factor for the success of a project or a company. To achieve it, you need both efficiency and productivity. Only thanks to them your work will take the right rank, you will sell goods or services and easily earn money. And in your personal life, you will achieve your goals.

What is the difference between productivity and efficiency? Productivity measures the value of goods or commodities produced. Productivity measures how long it takes to produce them. Your goal should be to maximize productivity while maintaining a stable output.

Productivity at work: an app for everyone

In fact, everyone should be interested in how to raise productivity. It determines whether the work we do – at home office, in a corporation or during home duties – will bring the expected benefits. It is worth using professional, dedicated applications – with their right handling work efficiency goes up significantly.

This is especially important when working on a Mac. iOS can be extremely powerful, but you need software to take advantage of that computing power. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 20 best Mac apps to make productivity and ease your new reality.

The 20 best productivity apps for Mac

1. Todoist

The list opens with Todoist – an inconspicuous app that will enhance your productivity rate. It is a platform for organizing and prioritize your tasks. Features enable you to track progress, sync with calendars and share to-do lists with co-workers. Simple, easy, reliable.


2. Slack

If you want to make your team more efficient and therefore more productive, try Slack. It’s a great tool to bring everyone together and invite them to collaborate on a project. The app has many practical features for organizing the work of a whole team at once and is really user friendly. A brilliant solution for businesses.


3. Notebook (Notes)

Seemingly a simple system app, but when handled well, it can immensely boost your workflow. Fully synced with all your iOS devices, Notepad lets you share notes in real time, send other links, and organize their collaboration. Without any additional installation, Notepad is already on your Mac.


4. Asana

If you are wondering how to make your team more productive, look at Asana. It helps to organize projects that are handled by more people. The visualization of the tasks of the entire team, progress tracking and built-in messenger are just a few of its fine capabilities. The chat and tagging features are very practical for organizing daily office work.


5. Everhour

A Mac-dedicated tool to increase your productivity – the app will improve your results, help you save time and complete projects faster. Accessing Everhour is really easy – just a few clicks, right in Safari. The program is perfect for time tracking, budgeting and task management.


6. MindNode

Another proposal is MindNode – an interactive notebook for people who have a thousand ideas per minute. To turn ideas into reality, it’s worth writing everything down meticulously. It will also help you increase your productivity by organizing your work hierarchically using maps, charts and diagrams. With a simple interface and many applicable options, it’s worth a try.


7. Magnet

If you want to organize tasks, many of which you do simultaneously, choose Magnet, a functional Mac app. Increasing productivity is necessarily about harmony and order. Surprising pop-ups or multiple programs open at the same time make productivity plummet. Magnet helps you organize everything and divides your screen into practical sections. An additional advantage is the possibility of personalization.


8. 1Password

A tool that helps you increase your productivity step by step is 1Password. It’s an app for remembering and managing passwords – very practical on any Mac. It’s not just about autocomplete forms. Using a series of reminders, the program will help you remember your most important passwords. A perfect option to save time and work faster and more efficiently. Interestingly, Business Insider named 1Password as one of the top 100 apps in the world.


9. Grammarly

If you want to create documents, e-mails and reports of the highest quality, you need Grammarly. With it, you can quickly and easily spot possible errors and correct them. Your written content will be flawless, and your productivity and evaluation in the eyes of contractors will increase significantly.


10. Spark Mail

This program is like rediscovering your email inbox. It dramatically improves your working experience, and in turn, empowers you to complete duties faster and better. Spark Mail helps you plan, group, tag and organize your messages. An interesting collaboration feature lets you share emails with other users. The productivity rate in teamwork increases by using this Mac app.


11. Bear

Bear is a simple but indispensable Mac app. It helps you increase your productivity – the app enables you to take notes and organize the stream of ideas popping up in the head of every business pioneer. Additionally, you get the ability to add pictures, photos, and even handwritten drawings.


12. PDF element

Increasing productivity also includes improving your work with the popular PDF format. With this application, you will be able to edit text in received files – change the font typeface and color, add highlights and comments. Productivity will also increase – you will save the time you used to spend converting PDF documents.


13. CloudApp

To work efficiently in a team, efficient file sharing is a must. This is exactly what CloudApp makes possible. It makes it easy to take a capture or screenshot and convert it to the format of your choice. With its powerful features, you will be able to share media files with your colleagues with great ease and quickly.


14. Alfred

If you want to be productive while working on your Mac, start using the potential of keyboard shortcuts. With this application, you’ll be able to set up your own shortcuts and apply them to open, close, or search for desired applications and folders at a glance. The rich functionality and intuitive interface will come in handy in your home office or big corporation – in a word, everywhere.


15. Microsoft To-Do

An application from MS that can be successfully run on Mac. The program helps you to be more productive at work – the application allows you to create daily plans and various activity and “to do” lists. This powerful task manager will definitely help you to fulfill all your responsibilities and achieve the expected results.


16. White Noise Lite

Stress interferes with productivity. So, try to distract yourself from stress – the White Noise Lite app was designed to minimize it. Its main function is to play relaxing sounds – for example, sounds of nature or cafĂ©s. Working in a motivating and appropriate sound environment allows for the highest focus and productivity.


17. Skitch

If your tasks rely on illustrations and photos, you can increase productivity step by step using Skitch. Easily and quickly tag any visual material and, if necessary, share it with others who are working on the project. Easy to handle and integrates with PDF documents – worth a try!


18. Ulysses

Ulysses is a treat for writers who want to be productive. With its unique features, creating texts becomes easier than ever before. What’s more, the application continuously saves the written document – so there’s no fear of losing any data. The built-in proofreader allows you to catch errors and inconsistencies that may have snuck into the text. Finally, the effects can be conveniently exported to universal formats.


19. Pocket

If you want to maintain a high productivity rate, you can’t get distracted while working. The Pocket app can help. When you find something interesting on the web but can’t review it now, leave it in Pocket for later. You’ll come back to the interesting page after work. With these simple steps, you can make the most of your time at the office or at your Mac.


20. Prismatic

At the end of the list, an application that has been present on Mac for a short time, but very convenient and functional. With Prismatic you can save the time you spend reading the news. The program itself follows the sites you specify and presents new posts in the form of a clear list. This way you will always be up-to-date and your productivity will not be affected.

Focus on productivity

If you work on a Mac a lot, you know that it’s a powerful and stable piece of hardware. But you can get the most out of your Mac by installing apps that will help you get more done. Check out our list of 20 recommended free programs that will help you achieve any goal.

Read: Top 28 productivity apps in 2021/2022.

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Best Flowchart Apps – table of contents:

1. Flowchart – what is it?
2. Best Flowchart Apps
3. To summarize
4. Key questions

Flowchart – what is it?

The term flowchart denotes a type of diagram, flow map, or process flow that aims at organizing workflow. Regardless of the terminology, the point is to outline in the clearest possible way the components of a given process and the relationships between them. This makes it a key solution for the manufacturing industry, for managers supervising company’s processes and for those involved in logistics or quality control.

Flowcharts provide information essential for the understanding of the mechanisms governing processes, enabling the detection and removal of irregularities, but also introducing improvements where possible. The applications listed below may prove helpful in this respect.

Best Flowchart Apps

1. Dia

This application is characterized by an intuitive layout and the ability to devise standard and custom shapes. It is a fully free program, equipped with new functionalities, thanks to the open-source license under which it is made available


2. ThinkComposer

Just like its predecessor, this flowchart is available at no extra charge and is licensed under an open license. This is especially important because its design focuses on illustrating advanced processes in professional activities that require regular actions with its support. The program gives the possibility to create complex, multi-level flowcharts, create lists with a multitude of charts and provide reporting options for already created projects.


3. Plant UML

This software certainly differs from the solutions presented here – the graphical interface is replaced by the PlantUML scripting language. Therefore, it is not for everyone. However, programmers who need to drag objects every time should be satisfied. Plant UML gives you the possibility to define various types of flowcharts with the possibility to export them in many user-accessible extensions (PNG, SVG, LaTeX). Plant UML is a free tool.


4. Graph Editor

It is an intuitive program with automatic solutions, organic and orthogonal edge routing, and many forms of exporting the finished file (e.g. as PNG, JPG and PDF). It is also available completely free of charge.


5. Libre Office

Libre Office is associated as an alternative to Microsoft products such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint. At the same time, it is a tool with which you can also create diagrams. This is possible due to the presence of functionalities such as inserting shapes, adding text and images, which makes working with it flexible. The program is available for free.

To summarize

Flowcharts are an inseparable element of the functioning of many industries, while their clear presentation is crucial from the point of view of information flow within a company, planning, implementation and control of processes. However, when circumstances (e.g. dynamic growth of a company or its wide range of activities) make it necessary to create them on a larger scale, it is necessary to take steps towards their automation.

Flowchart applications are helpful in this respect. With their support, the time required to create diagrams can be significantly reduced while maintaining their quality.

Do you want to know other useful tools? Read: Top 10 Spreadsheet Apps.

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Spreadsheet Apps – table of contents:

1. What are spreadsheet apps?
2. How do spreadsheet’s online features make your job easier?
3. Top 10 Spreadsheet Apps
4. Summary

What are spreadsheet apps?

A spreadsheet is an electronic document where data is organized in the rows and columns of a grid to manage, calculate and process. The app has numerous features including a wide range of formulas to search, edit, and analyze the collected information. Initially, spreadsheet programs were simply a collection of tables, combined with basic calculator options. Now, tools like Google spread enable you to analyze massive amounts of data in real-time.

How do spreadsheet’s online features make your job easier?

Spreadsheets make work easier in many ways whether it’s running a household or small business. Thanks to them, you can control your budget, funds for investments or customer orders. Increasingly popular are those apps that operate in cloud, i.e.online spreadsheet programs. Such solutions are ideal for teams – many users can simultaneously work on one file. We have prepared a list of 10 free and functional spreadsheet apps.

Top 10 Spreadsheet Apps

1. Google Sheets

It is an extremely recognizable application, already available from the browser. The spreadsheet program from Google provides huge functionality, similar to paid Excel. Besides, it is synchronized with other Google account apps. Spreadsheets also provides conditional formatting and pivot table options, an extensive charting system, and math and logic operations.


2. LibreOffice Calc

This program is part of the free office suite and offers an excellent spreadsheet application that works offline. The basic version of the program supports even complex and extensive spreadsheets, plus it works on Mac, Windows and Linux platforms.


3. Smartsheet

Another suggestion is Smartsheet, an online spreadsheet application to do more than just analyze numbers. The program enables you to track the project and manage different stages of its implementation. A simple interface makes even beginners perfectly cope with the operation of this software. It is worth using especially when working in a team.


4. Quip

Quip is a powerful spreadsheet tool from a CRM software development company. The spreadsheet feature is just one of the many capabilities that this application features. A built-in word processor and presentation editor are extra add-ons. Quip’s options include a wide range of different mathematical and logical functions, over 400 in total!


5. Zoho

Although Google spreadsheets is the most popular online application of its kind, Zoho has plenty of additional practical features that are worth checking out. Over 350 capabilities are available, containing such advanced options as conditional formatting, pivot tables, and data validation. It can also import data from external sources. And the whole software works completely online – so you gain access from any device.


6. EtherCalc

Among online spreadsheet applications, EtherCalc stands out for its ease of use. You don’t even need to create an account to create and edit spreadsheets. For advanced users, the program can be hosted on your own server and thus customized. In other cases, the program operates locally, via a browser.


7. Airtable

Another suggestion is Airtable, which is actually a database software. Yet, it operates on a spreadsheet interface and retains its functionality. Basic features include creating diagrams for planned products, handling checklists and sales solutions, and even creating scripts for video productions. All this makes Airtable an excellent application for entrepreneurs.


8. WPS Office

A great, free spreadsheet program is WPS Office. It looks beautiful thanks to interesting visualizations and a friendly interface. The app combines more than 100 functions that handle the data collected in tables. It is an interesting alternative to paid, commercial programs. Since WPS Office works with all common file types, it will do well as software for home use.


9. Gnumeric

The ninth suggestion is Gnumeric, a spreadsheet program that has advanced features but is completely free. The developers of the application have built into it many tools not found in the competition. These include, for example, automatic saving of editable workbooks and other attractive capabilities.


10. Spread32

Spread32 application has the same basic functions as other spreadsheet programs. However, there is one major difference – you do not need to install it. Spread32 is a portable program that you can burn to a flash drive and use on any Windows computer. Its interface is very clear and it is easy to learn.

Summary

Spreadsheet applications work best when they are tailored to your needs and expectations. Consider the following variables: application features, accessibility, interface, and price. Before choosing a program, ask yourself what tasks you will be performing in the spreadsheet. Will these activities be limited to the basics, such as creating tables and calculations? Or do you need a tool with additional features, such as project management? Once you’ve determined your needs, test the available solutions for functionality and ease of navigation. You can start with the solutions described above. If you are still having trouble deciding, ask friends, family, or Internet users for their experiences and recommendations.

Do you want to know other useful tools? Read: Top 10 Free Online Whiteboards in 2021/2022.

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However, in a world dominated by the Internet, where we are more and more often dealing with remote cooperation. So, is there still a place for such solutions? It turns out that there is. The answer to these needs are digital whiteboards – virtual whiteboards with the support of which you can create and co-create projects, work and gain knowledge independently and with others. What features do these whiteboards have? Which free online whiteboards are worth using? You will find the answers and more about them in the following article.

Free Online Whiteboards – table of contents:

1. Free Online Whiteboards – what is their phenomenon?
2. Top 10 Free Online Whiteboards
3. To summarize
4. Key questions

Free Online Whiteboards – what is their phenomenon?

The key and competitive features of the whiteboard are:

• Its size, which is basically unlimited (as far as the creators themselves can go),
• The ability for multiple users to co-create in real time,
• File pinning option,
• The ability to export and present work results.

These elements are the basis of any digital whiteboard. However, their popularity forces the entities offering them to compete offering other functionalities as well. Below we present a selection of the 10 best whiteboards, with the help of which working and learning will become pleasant and easy.

Top 10 Free Online Whiteboards

1. Miro

This online whiteboard features multiple templates within a single whiteboard, which does not preclude you from creating it yourself from scratch. Miro provides for collaboration on a shared project (chat option, audio connections), and then its presentation (thanks to the screen sharing option, including the selected section of the whiteboard). Within the free version of the tool, you can use 3 whiteboards.


2. IPEVO Annotator

IPEVO Annotator is a free whiteboard with the help of which you can turn your electronic equipment into a whiteboard in an instant. It is especially handy during presentations, when you can mark and describe the content that appears on the screen. Due to the fact that this function has been subordinated to the program, if you want to save the presented content, you need to record it or capture it in the form of a screenshot.


3. InVision Freehand

It is an online whiteboard designed for real-time co-creation of group projects. Its layout monitors progress of work in real time, with visibility of the authorship of individual changes. Team members working with InVision Freehand can communicate with each other through comments; if this solution is not enough, it is necessary to go for additional tools. The program provides a free plan and paid, extended versions.


4. Stormboard

Stormboard, as the name suggests, is a tool for brainstorming. Unlike its traditional brainstorming software counterparts, Stormboard creates the conditions to make them in more orderly manner. By means of colorful cards, which embody individual threads. Within each of them, you can generate real-time editable boards, with the option of teamwork. Stormboard also enables the assignment of tasks, voting on individual ideas and consultation in the form of text chat. The free version includes access to five “storms”, each of which allows five users to contribute.


5. Limnu

Limnu is very similar to a physical whiteboard in its form, which may convince traditionalists. It also has an option of co-creating the content and sharing it without the possibility of editing. You can use it within the free plan and the paid ones contain more advanced features.


6. AWW

It offers 3 separate toolbars – the first containing “instruments” for writing, drawing, and applying forms to the whiteboard; the second related to communicating with other team members (in text and audio form); and third for navigating the whiteboards, which makes work plain sailing. The basic whiteboard package is available for free.


7. Conceptboard

It allows for the creation of extended objects, also within numerous teams. An attractive feature of Conceptboard is the option to embed audio and audiovisual files on the whiteboard. Moreover, it enables collaborators to communicate directly via the program (chat option, comments, task assignment). 50 objects, regardless of the number of whiteboards in which they operate, are available in this case free of charge.


8. Sketchboard

With this app you can design unique boards with existing tools, according to the “drag and drop” method. Tags assigned to individual projects make searching much easier. Sketchboard is available for free as part of a package that includes three whiteboards and five users.


9. Whiteboard Fox

In the case of this whiteboard, simplicity leads the way. Nonetheless, the options for self-drawing, embedding text and images, sharing content, and contributing content have been retained. The whiteboard is completely free.


10. Explain Everything

This whiteboard is distinguished by the ability to record video and voice, making it an ideal tool for online training, tutoring and remote teaching. It will also be practical during the implementation of group projects, thanks to the parallel editing option, with the possibility of communication in the audio version.

To summarize

Whiteboards are extremely practical tools that, depending on the choice made, can function as a space for cooperation, a tool for presentation or for creating educational and training content. It is certainly a form attractive to implement in variety of objectives and a nice change for all those bored with common solutions.

Do you want to know other useful tools? Read: The 8 Best Data Collection Apps in 2021/2022!

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But is it possible to construct an email message in such a way that firstly: it won’t be ignored, and secondly: it will attract the reader? It turns out that it is. Applications for creating newsletters are bound to make it if properly handled. We’ve checked the most recent and best ones on the market and prepared a brief review for those who would like to learn and develop this marketing activity.

The Best Email Newsletter Tools – table of contents:

1. What is a newsletter?
2. Newsletter – what is it for?
3. The Best Email Newsletter Tools in 2021/2022
4. How to write a newsletter that will engage the recipient? Summary
5. Key questions

What is a newsletter?

The literal meaning of this word denotes a letter with news, nothing unambiguous. But in the marketing context, a newsletter can be defined as an electronic bulletin, i.e. a one-time, informative and low-volume publication sent in the form of a message to a mailbox. A newsletter is an occasional form, sent to a specific target group of customers on an irregular basis. The pretext for creating a newsletter can be fundamental changes in the company, change of assortment or company’s anniversary. A newsletter cannot be created too often, as customers will regard such messages as an offensive attempt and pushy advertising.

Newsletter – what is it for?

The primary function of a newsletter is to remind customers of the existence of our company. However, it is not enough to send a link to our online store or invite them to make a purchase. This is definitely not enough to make a convincing impact on the recipient’s decision. For this reason, a newsletter can be a double-edged weapon. On the one hand, it is a great idea to attract customers by e-mail, on the other, it can discourage them. With a newsletter you can:

• make the recipient curious,
• strengthen the company’s image,
• cheaply and easily convey advertising message,
• build trust through customer contact,
• professionalize the brand in the eyes of the recipient

How to write a newsletter so that it interacts effectively with the recipient? We have reviewed the three most recommended apps for creating e-newsletters.

The Best Email Newsletter Tools

1. Revue

The brand’s advertising slogan is: build a loyal audience. The application allows us to strengthen our ties and come out with new proposals for our customers. Revue is a multipurpose tool for creating differentiated newsletters that we can apply in different ways. The e-newsletter can interact with other marketing activities, creating cross-promotions. The software lets you manage subscribers, schedule newsletters or create your own profile page. What is important, Revue has an extensive catalog of ready-made forms, and creating an interesting email is intuitive and easy, also in the context of placing links to Twitter or other websites in the content.

2. Benchmark Email

It is an email marketing management software. The basic idea of the brand is the simplicity of creating proper relationships with customers. The software has a set of specialized tools for creating newsletters and maintaining constant contact with recipients. Messages generated in the program look professional and reliable, which strengthens trust in the advertised company. Benchmark has a simple configuration and optimized customization, so it simplifies the process of creating valuable e-mail content.

3. GetResponse

It improves lead generation, boosts sales and creates effective newsletter campaigns. GetResponse services, in the context of email marketing, for many well-known companies: Ikea, CD Project or Carrefour. GetResponse delivers over 700 million emails every week, which makes the platform a marketing giant. The application enables you to generate emails with a simple message editor where you can design interesting newsletters and other email forms.

How to write a newsletter that will engage the recipient? Summary

An efficiently written newsletter can be a great way to engage your audience to check out your website online. In terms of creating good newsletters, there are four aspects that are key to creating valuable content. A newsletter should be:

• interesting in its message to the recipient,
• engaging for the reader,
• original in terms of content,
• SEO optimized, as long as it is also published on an online site.

Sources:

Do you want to know other useful tools? Read also: 8 Best Group Chat Tools in 2021/2022!

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Group Chat Tools – table of contents:

1. Group chats tools – what is it and who does it serve?
2. 8 Best Group Chat Tools
3. Summary
4. Key questions

Group chats tools – what is it and who does it serve?

The essence of group chats is the ability to discuss in a group, so in a number greater than two interlocutors (although available solutions do not exclude this form of conversation). Modern communicators provide text, audio or audiovisual forms, with the option of exchanging files, their co-creation, creating thematic threads, assigning tasks, “unchecking” those completed, monitoring the progress of the project, making corrections, etc. All in real-time with no delays. As a result, group chat has become a comprehensive tool for remote work, regardless of the place where it is done.

Online group chats save a lot of time associated with commuting to a shared meeting place (not to mention situations when such a possibility is excluded – e.g. remote work in quarantine). What’s more, available forms of information exchange minimize differences resulting from the lack of physical presence of co-workers, and sometimes even surpass traditional solutions in terms of organization (e.g. thanks to advanced functions of organizing effects of particular work stages in one place, with simultaneous visibility for all group members).

This makes group chats very attractive for those who prefer to work remotely from home while being an alternative to stationary forms of learning and project team meetings. With these in mind, we present a list of the 8 best group chat tools in 2021/2022.

8 Best Group Chat Tools

1. Microsoft Teams

The free version of this tool can connect with up to 300 users (not including guests). The number of available forms of communication is extremely wide and includes text, graphic, audio and audio-visual forms. Interaction can take place through individual or group connections. Also, regardless of these connections, collaboration activities for real-time file creation (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) can take place in a general forum or group room. This tool is also perfect for giving, sharing, and receiving presentations.

2. Skype

Skype provides text, audio, and audio-video calling, with the option to quickly switch between these modes. Among the features valued by its users, it’s worth noticing: recording conversations, blurring the background during a video call and communicating with people who do not use the application (in this case, however, fees come into play). Skype renders remote working on basically all modern devices – in addition to traditional computers, laptops and phones, these include Xbox One consoles, tablets, Amazon Alexa and Kindle Fire HD.

3. Messenger

Group chats on Facebook are possible using Messenger, which is familiar to everyone. It allows text and graphic communication, with audio and audio-video connectivity. It is also a mediating space for file transfer. The latest novelty introduced to the group of Messenger functionalities is Messenger Rooms, where you can create calls/conferences involving up to 50 people, not limited only to users of the application.

4. WhatsApp

The direct alternative to Messenger has established itself by starting with text messaging; some time ago, it expanded its services to include video calling. It is also a platform through which you can exchange files and share your location.

5. Discord

Discord is a platform that has been particularly popular in the “gaming” community; however, as it has grown enough to gain popularity among the public as well. It enables text, audio, and audio-video communication, with the option of the file transfer. Its advantages include intuitive use, the efficiency of operation, compatibility with other platforms and software (Windows, Android, macOS, iOS and Linux). Discord also works in a browser version.

6. Viber

It is an application enabling group chats with a wide range of means – text, audio form, audio-video, file transfer and multimedia. Among the useful features offered by Viber, we should mention synchronization with saved contacts and the ability to connect with people who do not use the application (for a fee).

7. TeamSpeak

This solution was created to enable group voice and text chat for online multiplayer gamers. Yet, the additional functionalities introduced by the creators, such as the file transfer option or instant messenger personalization make TeamSpeak useful for those who appreciate minimalism and simplicity.

8. Signal

Signal will be appreciated by those who particularly value their privacy. This is because Signal does not store information about contacts and does not share them further while relying on end-to-end encryption. Also, connection metadata is not collected in this case, and the messenger itself is enriched with an option to automatically delete already-read messages.

Summary

You can’t complain about the shortage of communicators for group chat, and the choice of individual ones is a matter of needs and preferences. When deciding on a specific solution, the following factors should be considered:

• company’s needs, i.e. what features and capabilities are required in the workplace,
• financial resources available, i.e. how much of the company’s budget can be allocated to the purchase of the tool,
• employees’ preferences, as they will use the solution every day, so it must be functional and easy to use.

These tools are already an integral part of our reality, which will probably become even more so in the future. So it is worth using the available solutions – especially that many of them are available free of charge.

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