How to earn six figures as a freelance drone pilot

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Contents
How to Earn Six Figures as a Freelance Drone Pilot ...............................................................................4
SECTION 1: THE BASICS OF FREELANCE PILOTING .................................................................................5
I. Types of Freelance Pilots..........................................................................................................5
i. Moonlighter ........................................................................................................................5
ii. Independent Contractor.......................................................................................................5
iii. Temporary Worker...............................................................................................................5
iv. Freelance Business Owner ....................................................................................................5
II. The Beauty of Freelance Piloting...............................................................................................5
i. Be Your Own Boss; No Interview ...........................................................................................5
ii. Fewer Working Hours...........................................................................................................6
iii. Freedom of Choosing the Best Work Place ............................................................................6
iv. Fewer Taxes.........................................................................................................................6
III. The Not So Bright Side..........................................................................................................7
i. Lack of Certainty ..................................................................................................................7
ii. Limited Incentives ................................................................................................................7
iii. Not Many Incentives ............................................................................................................7
iv. You Do Everything................................................................................................................8
SECTION 2: THE CORE PARTS OF THE BUSINESS ....................................................................................8
I. Choosing the Right Business Structure and Registration .............................................................8
II. Licensing Your Business............................................................................................................9
III. Freelance Contracts .............................................................................................................9
IV. Joining Drone Pilot and Freelancer Unions.............................................................................9
V. Freelancers’ Health Insurance ................................................................................................10
VI. A Retirement Plan for a Freelance Pilot ...............................................................................10
VII. Taxes.................................................................................................................................11
SECTION 3: ESTABLISHING YOUR BRAND, PORTFOLIO AND FINDING A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK .........12
I. Have A Great Portfolio ...........................................................................................................12
II. Share Quality Content............................................................................................................13
III. Networking........................................................................................................................13
SECTION 4: FINDING GOOD JOBS AND SUBMITTING AMAZING PROPOSALS .........................................14
I. Online is the Place to Be.........................................................................................................15

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II. Proposals ..............................................................................................................................15
SECTION 5: SETTING YOUR RATES ......................................................................................................17
I. The Competition....................................................................................................................17
II. Pricing Format.......................................................................................................................18
III. The Service Value...............................................................................................................19
SECTION 6: GETTING PAID AS A FREELANCE DRONE PILOT ..................................................................19
I. Get a Deposit ........................................................................................................................19
II. Get it in Writing.....................................................................................................................20
III. Invoice Frequently .............................................................................................................20
IV. Make it Easy to Get Paid.....................................................................................................21
V. What to Do if You Don’t Get Paid............................................................................................21
SECTION 7: MANAGING YOUR FINANCES AS A FREELANCER ................................................................22
I. Have a Budget .......................................................................................................................22
II. Plan Ahead............................................................................................................................22
III. Have a Good Insurance Policy .............................................................................................23
IV. Build Your Savings and Have Separate Accounts ..................................................................23

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How to Earn Six Figures as a Freelance Drone Pilot
In this age, freelancing is without doubt, one of the fastest growing sectors. More and more
people are gaining interest in freelancing for various reasons. For many, it is a good way to
earn extra cash, whereas for others, it is a way of spending free time and honing their
passions. Lately, many people have discovered just how profitable freelancing can be.
Freelancing can be a careerfor anyone who’s interested.You can freelance virtually in every
field, so don’t hesitate if you are thinking of becoming a freelance drone pilot. Many drone
pilots out there are earning a fortune from freelancing, and it’s about time you wrote your
success story.
While the job market is set to explode with an estimated100,000 new high paying jobs, you
have to look for clients if you want to earn a good income. You can’t sit around and wait for
work to fall inyourlap. But withgroundbreaking websitslike www.UAVLance.com, it’s never
beeneasierto find work. As a drone pilot,freelancing could be your best option,considering
the nature of your work.
So, what is freelance piloting all about and how do you make those big bucks? What I can tell
you is that before you start pocketing those bucks, you will have to develop an effective
process.After all, Rome wasn’t build in a day; and the same yields true for freelance piloting.
To help youclimb up the rungs ofthe freelance pilotingladder and get the best out ofit we’ve
createdthis guide to walk you through the process.We’ve collated freelancing wisdom from
many establishedplatforms to give you a comprehensive guide. If you are just starting out,
take the time toread this guide because it will have a significant impact on your piloting
success.

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SECTION1: THE BASICS OF FREELANCE PILOTING
I. Types of Freelance Pilots
We thought the best way to start this course of is by telling you some of the commonnames
freelancers are referred to.
i. Moonlighter:A moonlightercanbe definedas a pilot who has a full-time occupation,
but also does freelancing just to get extra income.
ii. Independent Contractor: This is a pilot who takes up projects intermittently. This
is technically the ideal freelancer.
iii. TemporaryWorker: A temporarypilot, or temp, as theyare commonly called in the
job market, takes on a task for a short period of time.The job could be on a contract
basis.The perfect example of a temp is a pilot who is hired by a company to perform
aerial surveys while their main pilot is on vacation or unavailable.
iv. Freelance Business Owner: A freelance business owner starts as an ordinary
freelance pilot, but along the way, they expand theirbusiness and hire other pilots to
help them withtheirgrowing demand.This isthe ideal solutionfor earning maximum
income.
At www.UAVLance.com you can earn money regardless of which type of freelancer you
choose to be.
II. The Beauty of Freelance Piloting
Research has shown that today’s generationwould rather opt for freelancing than against it.
One might wonder why this is the case, but the answer lies in the benefits that come with
freelanc piloting. There are a number of positives that any practicing freelance pilot gets.
Here are a few reasons freelancing is winning over many pilots:
i. Be YourOwn Boss; No Interview
Nobodyloves the sound ofan alarm going off in the morning when it is all chilly outside,and
sleep just seems to be at its best part. This is why freelancing is a good idea.It allows you to
take up tasks just when you want and only those you can comfortablyhandle. And you don’t

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go through an interview before you are hired. You just work hard when you want work or
need money.
At www.UAVLance.com you can be your own boss and work according to your needs
and financial goals.
ii. FewerWorking Hours
With freelance piloting, you don’t have to sit at a desk half of the day. On average, freelance
pilots work fewer hours than the regular employedpilot who works a standad40 hourweek.
And while many drone piloting jobs enable you to work remotely, some require you to sit in
a ground control station around the clock, often working more than 40 hours.
iii. Freedomof Choosing the Best Work Place
Freelancing gives you the freedom to choose where you want to work from. You can manage
clients from a café orat a friend’s or eveninthe comfort ofyourhome.You canwork virtually
anywhere if you choose to be a freelancer.
At www.UAVLance.com your freelancer past work, recommendations,andreviews are with
you wherever you go, so it’s as simple as searching for work, bidding on jobs and doing what
you do best…fly drones!
iv. FewerTaxes
One thing that will make employers envy you as a freelance pilot is the fact that you don’t
have to pay as many taxes that theyare subjected to.You will not be dealing with office rent,
payroll, and group insurance plans. Of course, you will have to buy equipment, and you will
pay dearly for transportationandeven parking, but one thing is for sure; youwill have fewer
deductions on your income than the traditional employer.
www.UAVLance.com allows drone pilots to be their own boss,work as many (or few) hours
as needed and find work from the comforts of their home.

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III. The Not So BrightSide
If you are considering freelance piloting as a full-time committment,thenbe preared to face
the challenges that sometimes come with it. Of course, every specialty has challenges and
here is what you will face as your freelance pilot.
i. Lack of Certainty
As a freelancer, certainty always seems to be lacking. Your client dictates your pay, and you
might not get the same amount every month. And uncontrollable factors,such as high winds
and bad weather can sideline your business for days ast a time. Salaried pilots are
guaranteed payment rain or shine, however, their earnings per flight are considerably less.
ii. Limited Incentives
In freelance piloting,payment is dependent oncompletionoftasks,but sadly, not all the time
will be spent on completing tasks. A significant part of a freelance pilot’s time is devoted to
looking for clients,negotiating prices and othermanagement activities.This time willnot be
creditedby the customer.Thisis one ofthe areaswhere the full-time conventionalpilot beats
a freelance pilot because the former is paid for the hours they appear at work.
iii. Not Many Incentives
While a traditionalemployed pilot has the benefits of their employer handling part or all of
the maintenance, insurance and healthcare costs a freelance pilot have to manage these
benefits ontheir own. You will have to insure your drone, pay maintenance fees andprovide
healthcare coverage for you and your family. There will be no end of the year bonuses or
paid vacations.

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iv. You DoEverything
Freelance piloting demands that you get involved in almost every part of your trade. You
have to know the nuts and bolts of financing,marketing,taxes,legal and otherrelatedissues.
The workload can be too much for those who do not have a system for managing their
businessesmore so ifyouare just starting out.Thanks to sites like www.UAVLance.com your
finances, marketing, promotion and task management are handled for you.
Did the pitfalls of freelancing drain you of all the hope? No worries, there are better things
to come. Our next section will hopefully give you a more encouraging picture.
SECTION2: THE CORE PARTS OF THE BUSINESS
If you haven’t stepped in a finance class, such terms as contracts and taxes can be poignant,
but ifyou are set to go into freelance piloting,you have to understand them because theyare
the frameworks of your success.
I. Choosing the Right Business Structureand Registration
If you are planning to stayin the freelance pilotingsectorfor a long time,it would be prudent
to set up a business in your name. Clients view a registered business as being more reliable
and trustworthy. A companyalso sets the ground for referrals so that your clients can easily
link you up with their friends and help you grow your business.
However, before you register your business, you have to decide which business structure
will work best for you. Here, there are two primary structures that you have to choose from;
sole proprietorship and limitedliability Company. Sole proprietorship is a simple structure
that has less paperwork and it's best if you work less often as a freelance drone pilot.
A limitedliability company(LLC) is best if you work with large cliens,although it requires a
business tax return. However, filing taxes for an LLC can be included in your personal tax
filings ifyou are the sole employer. The beauty of an LLC is that it cushions your assets from
any legal liabilities. A freelance drone pilot is served best by an LLC rather than a sole
proprietorship.

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Once you determine the best business structure, the next thing you have to do is to register
your business.The registrationforms are obtainedfrom registry offices in various states or
the county clerk.
II. LicensingYour Business
Getting certifications and exemptions such as Part 107 or Section 333 means that the
government has granted your and/or your business the right to operate commercially. The
requirements vary with the nature of your business and location. The whole processes can
be bothersome.Somecompaniescanhelp youthroughthe licensingprocedures,and the best
to choose are those that do the paperwork and submission for you. Thankfully, the new Part
107 rule makes it much easier for pilots and UAS providers to get authorized to deliver
services.
III. Freelance Contracts
As a freelance drone pilot, contracts will always be a part of your everyday life. Drawing up
contractsandevensigning themis not always aneasything todo. However,there are various
platforms on the internet that offer templates which you can tinker with to suit your terms.
One may ask if it is really necessary to draft a contract. Yes, it is. A contract is like a shield
that will help you when a deal turns sour or when there are disagreements along the way.
A contract should include the key elements of a project such as the estimated time of
completion, the scope of the project and agreed fees. If you have qualms about a certain
contract, then you might have to get in touch with a lawyer. If your company has grown big
enough, it might be a very good idea to have a business lawyer who will help with
contracting.
IV. Joining Drone Pilot and Freelancer Unions
Just like all other employees, freelancers have their needs and challenges that they face in
the line of duty. This is why joining a freelancers union can help you a great deal. Of course,

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these unions are not in contact with your employers and therefore you shouldn’t expect
some sort of collective bargain like the workers’ unions for traditional employees.
The Freelancers Union is a notable example which has seen its number of members grow
tremendouslylately. It is free to join, andit guarantees accessto affordable health, insurance
plan and liability insurance. Furthermore, their website links members to jobs.
The National Association for the Self-Employed is a good option if you are seeking an
alternative to the Freelancers Union.
www.UAVLance.com offers the best communityfor communicating with other drone pilots
ad learning best practices for drone services.
V. Freelancers’ Health Insurance
Moonlighters can have health insurance covered by their other jobs, but many freelance
drone pilots might not be moonlighters. Therefore, obtaining a medical insurance plan is
almost a necessity.Failing to have one will get you slammed with hefty fines so simply put,
there is no escape here. If your spouse’s employer offers coverage to you too, then you can
likely take advantage of that.
Purchasing a health care insurance plan can be executed through federal or state online
platforms such as HealthCare.gov.
Health care coverage can eitherbe bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. The tiers are dependent
upon the health care costs that will be covered by the provider of your plan. For those who
are in goodhealth,then the lower levels suchas silver orbronze─ whichhave lower monthly
premiums─will be sufficient.However, one thing to note is that youmight have to delve into
your pocket more often if you choose the lower levels.
VI. A Retirement Plan for a Freelance Pilot
Unstable is the best word to describe freelance piloting. You can’t tell when the job and
money will come.Opportunities can be random and because of this,planning for retirement

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can be such a bother. How do you start when you always feel the money is not enough and
more is coming?
It is always good to spare a little cash for the coming days when you won’t be that energetic
to supervise workers and run around town looking for drone jobs. No matter how little
money you raisedthis month, you have to save a part of it because after all, I can assure you
there is no day you’ll feel you have so much money that you want to stop earning. Set the
amount that you wish to save every month and just go by that no matter the conditions of
work. If April turns out to be very productive,thensave morethat monthso that ifsomething
were to happen and May or June is disappointing,youwon’t feel the pinchbecause you have
been saving more during peak months.
There are many typesof retirement plans that are dedicated to securing your future. IRA’s
and 401K programs are the most popular.
• Roth IRA
• SEP IRA
• Solo 401(k)
At www.UAVLance.com you can earn money flying drones and save for your future!
VII. Taxes
While the traditional employee has their taxes deducted from their salaries, yours is a
different case. Freelancers are subject to self-employment tax and quarterly income taxes,
whereas a conventionalemployer pays their taxes just once a year. The process can be a bit
cumbersome for a freelance pilot.
What you need to remember to fulfill your tax requirements as a freelance pilot:
 Your Income: Always have records of your income so that you can easily calculate
your tax requirements.
 Self-employment Tax
 Quarterly Taxes: Freelancers are expected to pay their taxes on a quarterly basis.

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 Deductions: Freelancing calls for high levels of orderliness. You need to keep all the
receipts for the purchases you make. If you have all these,then there will be a whole
lot of deductions from your taxes.
 Accountant:If youare dealing withmanyclients,youmight have tohire a professional
accountant who will ensure that you estimate your taxes and get every deduction
right.
 Annual Filing: Make sure you file your annual tax returns.
SECTION3: ESTABLISHING YOUR BRAND, PORTFOLIO AND
FINDING A PROFESSIONALNETWORK
After you have decided that freelance piloting is a good opportunity, and have mentally
committedto being a successful pilot, it is about time you set up your brand. Come up with
somethingthat’s youridea.Somethingthat sounds unique.Yes,we know you are not the first
freelance drone pilot, but you have to be the first of your kind to claim a part of the market.
What makes you different? What’s your unique selling proposition?
I. Have A Great Portfolio
A good portfolio can sell you out to clients. It is the way all the freelancers are going, no
matter their specialties.
Today, people will go online when they want to find out about anything, so if you establish
your presence there, the chances of being spotted are very high.
In your portfolio, include the works you’ve done before and testimonials from your clients.
If you are thinking about how you will come up with a portfolio, don’t worry, there are a
number of portfolio creators on the internet that you can search. Some of the creators are
free, whereas others demand payment for their services.
www.UAVLance.com offersa oneofa kindportfolio managementsystemthathighlightsyour
expertise and gives your drone business credibility.

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II. Share Quality Content
After you have your niche, you have to let it be known that you are in the industry. You have
to reach out to potential clients in every way possible. Most people will opt for social
networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and much more.
Apart from social media, there are also other areas that have proved to be very fruitful for
freelance pilots. Online communities are what freelancers treasure these days. These
communities have the benefit of giving you a lot of information regarding your area of
specialization, and they also provide job outlets and discussion forums.
Content creation is also another way of attracting clients. Set up blogs that have content
which is related to your area of specialization. For example, as a drone pilot, you will be
postingblogs about relevant subjectswhich cancatchthe clients’attentionand engagethem.
You can also have the content on other peoples’ blogs or publishing sites.If you have a site,
then clients will be visiting it,and if it’s good enough,you will get traffic flowing to your site.
On publishing sites, your work will be showcased, and clients will get you know you.
When creating content to be published on other blogs, try to tilt the subject so that you can
link the blog you are writing for with your field. For example, if you are a drone pilot, you
can come up with a post entitled“How Cell Phones are changing the Use ofDrones” and post
it on a Tech blog. At the bottom of the article, you will include your name and incorporate
some links to your blog or site within the writing. This way, you will win more and more
clients.
At www.UAVLance.com you can showcase your expertise in the pilot exhibitions portal,
which highlights work from past clients, take skills assessment exams to show your
knowledge in drones and piloting, and you can share your expertise in the best practices
forum.
III. Networking
For you to get more jobs, you have to network. Vigilance and discipline is required if you
want to earn a comfortable living.

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But does networking involve dishing out brochures to passers-by in the streets and
whispering to everyone you come across that you’re the newest drone pilot intown? No,not
really. The first thing to do is just talk to friends and any relatives and business partners you
have. Just tell them what you are doing and give some details. These are the people who can
meet business partners and get you your first clients.
It doesn’t end there. As a freelancer, you will need a lot of exposure. Just grasp every single
opportunity that comes by. If there is a conference in town on matters of drones or local
small businesses,make a point of attending. These are the places you can meet many real
clients and even mentors who will help you through your freelance piloting journey course.
There are also many online tools that you can use to meet with new clients such as Meetup.
Here,you will get professionalevents that have beenscheduled. Attendsuchforums and find
an opportunity to talk to the people. It does no harm to write a short speech that can sell
your business.After the speeches, go out and meet the people talking to them one-on-one.
They will be nodding as they recall, ‘this is the guy whose company provides that amazing
aerial footage.’
Meeting professionalsshould also be on your to-do list.Freelance drone piloting is relatively
new and apart from UAVLance, there are not many platforms out there that cater to UAV
enthusiasts.As networking is so important, you should make the best use of the platform to
connect with people who share your interest in drones and UAV.
At www.UAVLance.com you canconnect with a communityof other drone pilots and service
providers with similar goals.
SECTION4: FINDING GOOD JOBSAND SUBMITTINGAMAZING
PROPOSALS
A matter of concern to any freelance pilot is when the jobs will come. Freelance piloting is a
whole different story from that of an ordinary pilot.You don’t have a fixed salary that comes
in whether you show up for work or not. You have to work to get paid. Finding work is one
thing and finding good work is another. There might be jobs, but they pay little amounts of
money, which isn’t profitable. Finding good jobs means looking in the right places. You have

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to know which is the best place to obtain the best contracts and how to evade conniving
middlemen.But again,finding clients is a goodthing, but if youcan keep them for the future,
the client will be your security.A long term client will have tasks for youmore than once,and
you should do all you can to make them happy so that they keep calling on you. Make them
feel there is no better drone pilot than you.
www.UAVLance.com provides pilots the best platform for finding local drone jons, both
small and large as well as the largest database of drone employment opportunities.
I. Online is the Place to Be
In today’s world, freelance piloting would not be lucrative without online marketplaces.The
world is growing, and this means there are many jobs to be completed. Online freelance
piloting platforms, such as www.UAVLance.com, are new to this equally new industry and
provide a goodplace for pilots to advertise their skills and freelance pilots to searchfor jobs
within their specialty.
The good thing about most of the online platforms is that they connect people from all over
the country so you will not be limitedto your locality.Employers on UAVLance pay for travel
expenses, depending on the type of work and the size of contract.
II. Proposals
Now that you know where to find the best drone jobs, what’s next? You have to say
something about the services you offer, and in a way that will win the client.
It is not always easyfor clients to choose the best pilot.If theyadvertise on a broad platform,
then they will get so many proposals.You have to edge out the others to be awarded the job.
Once you are selected and you do a great job, then the next time, the client won’t have put
you through the vetting process;they’ll come to you directly. That’s how important drafting
an excellent proposal is.

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The point manypeople miss is that theyneed to communicate withthe client in the proposal
just like they would do at a personal level. Freelance pilot sometimes want to show how
knowledgeable they are in a particular field, and they include too much jargon in their
proposals. In the end, the client is confused, and there seems to be a barrier between the
client and you, the freelance pilot. The client can’t tell if you are on the same page. The first
point to note before drafting a proposal is excellent communication skills. You have to
connect withthe client.Make them want to read the next line and aftertheyreachthe bottom
of your piece, they should feel the urge to speak to you or even meet you.
If you can chat to the client before submitting your proposal, that would be a plus for you.
Schedule a chat using the UAVLance chat feature to get a feel of what your client wants. Try
to be inquisitive,but not annoying. Then bring them to the point where they are curious to
know what youhave instorefor them.Once youreachthispoint,comeup withthat proposal.
Here’s what you must include in your proposal
 Objectives
Having understood what your client needs, you have to roll out your objectives and explain
how you will help the client achieve their goals. If the client needs to get aerial footage of
their property, but doesn’t know how to go about it, tell them how you will help not just to
organize the race, but successfully too.
 Timeframe
You have to be preciseon how muchtime will be spent throughout the project. Tell the client
what to expect after a week, two weeks, and so forth.
 Budget
It affects your credibilityifextra costs start popping up in the course of the project. You have
to be clear to the client about the costs and be ready to account for them.
 Profile

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In your profile, you have to showcase yourself. Talk about the projects you have completed
before and explain why you think you are most suited for the tye of job. If you are not well
versed with drafting proposals, you can always have your profile written by professionals.
Always follow up withthe clientsafter submittingyourproposals to know what the outcome
was and why it turned out as it did.
www.UAVLance.com providesall of the tools necessary to build a winning profile and win
good paying jobs.
We’ve touched on pricing and taxing in the other sections. Let’s now take a look at the
process of setting prices.
SECTION5: SETTING YOUR RATES
Most freelance pilots often wonder how much to charge. It is a dilemma because you fear
that if you charge too high a price, a potential client will end up hiring another pilot and if
you charge too low, you will end up earning less than what you wanted. Although you can
use other pilots as a gauge, it is advisable not to look for answers from other pilots, but to
figure out your best option from your own numbers. Whenever you are setting rates,
consider things like competition, service value, the pricing format, and the budget of your
client.
Some employers are willing to pay much more thanother employers. In other words, if your
services are high nd, then your prices should reflect that and you should search for those
employers.
At www.UAVLance.com you can find these clients by searching jobs greater than a certain
amount of money.
I. The Competition
With more pilots getting licensed each day, the competitionis increasing. Many pilots post
theirrates online, so thisis where you check andeven contactthose who are among the best.
Always check the market-based prices. If your services are better, charge more than the

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market.If youfeeltheyare not yet there,charge a lower rate. The overruling questionalways
lies whetheryoufit in.Don’t be toostrict;youwill lose potentialclients.Askyourself whether
you are at the top or the bottom of the ladder. It will help you to aim higher in your budgets.
II. Pricing Format
When you have decidedto finally price your services,thenyou should put one thing in mind.
Charging by the hour is the easiest optionfor piots to understand, and it has its advantages,
like being able to bill for all of your work, in the event you must refly, revise the data, or the
employer job scope keeps changing. But hourly billing also has its drawbacks – there’s less
flexibilitylater down the line when you’ve quotedthe client a rate and you mayalso need to
lower your rates if the client has a lower rate in mind.
If you are limitedby the speedat which youcan complete your job, with time, you will learn
to work in a more productive manner, therefore, earning a higher equivalent rate.
With project based pricing, however, you know how much you will get upfront. It is always
good for a freelance pilot to be confident about the scope of work that he or she is pricing.
You cannot afford to have a misunderstanding with one of your best clients regarding the
scope of labor and the minimal charges that you are offering.
On the basis ofa firm contract that will be agreedon for future purposes,it is necessarythat
you come to a firm agreement with your client. Whenever you are setting the price, you as a
freelance pilot should know that the rates are not permanent.When youare negotiatingwith
your customer, use the phrase “let’s start with this”. If the client agrees to it, then you
proceed. If he or she does not, always give room for negotiations to ensure it is fair to both
parties. The key to setting and negotiating rates properly is by simply doing it. The more
clients you talk to, the more experienced you become.
www.UAVLance.com offers a platform for you to offer your services and searchjobs by both
fixed and hourly rate jobs.

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III. The Service Value
Service value involves basing your prices depending on the value of your client’s services.
For instance, a job for an individual consumer wanting aerial footage for a wedding is not
valued as high as a corporationlooking for aerial footage with data processing.The benefits
from the latter would no doubt be great. You should price accordingly. Always ensure that
you hit your basic budget number, so it is beneficial to aim higher and be cognizant to that
client may negotiate for a lower rate. When setting rates, you should also keep into
considerationfinancial compensation.There are lots of indirect benefits that can affect the
rate youcharge your client, for instance more potentialwork infuture and referrals. Keepin
mind that the price you charge, solely depends on the amount of work involved and also the
service value that you bring to the job.
www.UAVLance.com ‘s job posting and bidding platform allow you to easily negotiate your
rates with clients so that both parties are satisfied,the job is well done and the client rehires
you for future business.
SECTION6: GETTING PAID AS A FREELANCE DRONE PILOT
There is nothing as frustrating as a client asking for more work to be done when you haven’t
got your paycheck for previous work yet. Most freelance pilots tend to be quite optimistic
when theythink that a bunch of brand new bills will be sent theirway in a couple of months.
But that sense of accomplishments can easily fade away. It happens when you have a
stubborn client, late invoices, several arguments over payment and much more.
UAVLance provides a fair and guaranteed method to ensure the job is done right and the
pilot is paid immediately.
I. Get a Deposit
To avoid the frustration that comes with not getting paid, either on time or at all, it is
necessarythat youget a depositpayment before youstart working on any project,especially
if you are working with a new client. It might seem rude to say that you won’t work without

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a deposit payment, but it is for the better. Many don’t do this because they are afraid that it
might jeopardize the relationship they have with the client. This is no different from any
professionalservices companywhich demands a down payment as a way to ensure that one
is trustworthy and they will be able to pay. As a freelance drone pilot, be wise; once you
receive the down payment, you should not treat this money as actual income because it is a
liability until your work has been approved.
www.UAVLance.com offers a platform where employers place funds in escrow, which is
released when the job is done. No more late payments. No more accounts receivables.
II. Get it in Writing
Always have legal, binding contracts between you and your clients. It is necessary because,
after your work, the client can leave you in the dust. They may not be happy that you are
asking for a contract, but it’s all about respect and professionalism.The contract is there to
protect both parties, so if you notice your client is hesitant to sign it, then that should raise
eyebrows. Contracts should come upfront before the deposit payments. Before you start
working, you have a deposit and a contract that will assure you of this client’s ability to pay
you.
A contract proves that your client is fiscally stable. The document will come in handy if you
have to sue a client who breachesthe terms andthe court will help you get your moneyback.
Changes do happen, all the time and everywhere. Projects change, conditions change,people
change, contracts eitherwiden oreven get smaller and people also change. Whenever any of
these changes occur, it is advisable to address them in the contract, no matterhow small the
change is. This costs money, but it's wise always to record every single detail.
www.UAVLance.com offers a platform where jobs are under contractandemployers canalso
have pilots sign non disclosure agreements and confidentiality agreements.
III. InvoiceFrequently
Some clients might not require invoices, but it is still appropriate that you send them
regardless. It is good business practice and also important for tax purposes.The shorter the

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interval between sending out an invoice and getting paid, the better. It is advisable to learn
to bill at least once per week. This is ideal for most freelancers. If you suspect your client
might be a fraud and is always claiming that they don’t get your invoices, you can use
professionalinvoicing software like PayPal. This will not only help with collecting payment,
but also lends your services some credibility.Be stern and let the client know that work has
to stop unless they agree to pay you and that they should stick to the terms of the contract.
www.UAVLance.com provides a simple invoicing system for pilots to bill employers.
IV. Make it Easy to Get Paid
Sometimes we contribute to our own hardships through our inefficient processes. If you
don’t make it easy for your client to pay you, then theywill certainlydelay. Let them have no
excusefordelayed orno payments.By thisyoucan,for instance,acceptcreditcard payments.
You can also open a PayPal account which offers free merchant accounts which assist inthis
process.Always include all the informationa client would need to payyou.For instance,your
name, addresses, phone number, email address, project name, payment amount, tax
identification number and so forth.
www.UAVLance.com offers a simple platform for getting paid by your employers…fast!
V. What to Do if You Don’t Get Paid
It might get as bad as clients not paying you and yet they have all your details and know how
the money is to be sent. If this happens, you should stop working and politely ask for your
money from the clients. Close all possible doors for excuses and show the client that you are
serious.If at all it gets to the point that theyare not responding anymore, then it is now time
to talk to your lawyer. Send your client a letter from your attorney. Proceed to court and
ensure you are certain about your records and that they are all valid, to ensure your client
has nothing on you.
At www.UAVLance.com, funds are kept inescrow and pilots request release for payment
when the job is complete.If the employer doesn’t release payment, thenthe pilot can protest
the job and UAVLance’s Conflict Resolution Team will help with arbitration.

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SECTION7: MANAGING YOUR FINANCES AS A FREELANCER
The pay you earn as a freelance pilot might be quite a lot, especiallyif you have many clients
and jobs flowing your way. Successful piloting calls for proper budgeting. Many pilots use
credit cards to maintain the cash flow, which is not a very good idea. Some have separate
cards for personal and business purchases, which is essential in business. Here is how to
keep your finances in order.
I. Have a Budget
People often make the mistake of thinking that because they’re making good money,
budgeting is not necessary, but this is poor judgment. Budgeting is intelligent. It helps you
save forthe future andalso minimizesmoneywastage.You canstart bymaking plans around
a small amount of money for maybe a month or so. Learn to stick to your monthly budget.
Sticking to your plan will help you to budget for your major expenses hence cutting off the
unnecessary ones. It helps you to know how much to set aside for a particular expense, for
example taxes,entertainment,householditems andso on. Let your budget be basedonthree
categories: revenue, personal expenses, and profit.
II. Plan Ahead
Given the rather erratic nature of income from freelance piloting, it is important that drone
pilots plan ahead.Situations change.Forinstance,a key client passes on, and you’re left with
a big hole in your income. You may end up having to dip into your savings while having no
source of income. For the sake of your sanity, make sure you invest wisely and always be
building your businessandexpandingyour revenue streams.Youshould alsotake advantage
of retirement plans that are available to you. It is a proper way of saving money.
Part ofplanning aheadis creating a nest egg. Basedonyour first sixmonths ofincome,create
a projectionforthe next year by choosing yourlowest monthlyrevenue figure and try to live
aroundthat.Using a worst-casescenariofigure like this will help youprepare fortimeswhen
cash flow is low. You’ll also be prepared to deal with a cash flow emergency. This could
happen if you’ve billed hours, but haven’t received payment for them (which you should
expect to happen from time to time). Make smart investments and educate yourself. The

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more knowledge you have on financialpossibilities,thebetteroff youbecomewhen it comes
to investing your money.
III. Have a Good InsurancePolicy
Just as they say,smart people expect the unexpected. As a freelance drone pilot, you need to
have a just-in-case plan. One can never know when he or she will need a hefty amount of
money for an emergency. Having an insurance cover will help you whenever a crisis has
occurred. There are three primary insurance covers you should have:
• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Disaster insurance
IV. BuildYour Savings and Have Separate Accounts
Savings are important since they help one a great deal if disaster strikes at any given time.
Saving up the money that is left over from your personal expenditure reduces wastage and
also ensures thatyour freelancing careerdoes not go down the drainage.Monitorandensure
that a good percentage of your income goes into your savings. Accountability ensures you
will be debt-freein the event ofanemergency,inwhich caseyou canuse part ofyour savings.
Freelance drone pilots should set up separate accounts for business and personal use. Use
your business account for running your business – receive and make business related
payments. Pay yourself a salary, based on your budget projections, and transfer that from
the business account into yourpersonal account at the same time eachmonth,so that you’re
not continually dipping into your business account.
In short,to manageyourfunds properly, yourbusinessaccountsshouldnot be mixedup with
your personalaccounts.A personalcredit card shouldbe used forpersonal purposesand not
for business transactions,andneither should you use your business credit card for personal
purposes.
.

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