There’s a specific moment every sole trader hits.
You’re at the laptop at 9pm editing a social post, knowing full well the quoting, the invoicing and three unread client emails are still sitting there waiting for you.
That’s the moment the business stops growing.
The answer isn’t to work harder, it’s to get help. But “getting help” is where most sole traders stall, because hiring a freelancer feels like a whole other job you don’t have time for.
Who’s any good? Do you hire someone offshore? Will they ghost you? Will they disappear after the deposit? Do you really want to wade through 40 proposals from people you’ve never heard of on a site that doesn’t know Australia from Austria?
Here’s how I’d think about it.
Start with the one job draining you most.
Not your whole marketing plan.
One job. The logo refresh. The website build. Next month’s social content.
Small, defined, finishable. Good freelancers do their best work when the brief is tight.
Hire local, on purpose.
Great help lives around the corner — and the cheapest quote from the other side of the world rarely stays the cheapest. You spend weeks explaining what you need, and half the time you end up paying twice because the job wasn’t done right the first round.
Pick someone who can pick up the phone during business hours.
Someone who isn’t guessing at what your customers want.
An Australian freelancer gets your market, your tone, your time zone and your tax year. When something needs changing, they change it. No week-long turnaround.
Use a freelance platform, not your inbox.
A good freelancer platform connects you with local marketing professionals and keeps the whole job in one place, so hiring stops eating your week.
The right one lets you:
- Tap into a wide range of local experts — web development, logo design, social content, product photography, digital marketing, advertising and more
- Post a job for free — no subscriptions, no credits, no paying just to look around. A service fee only applies when you hire
- Compare and choose — see who’s qualified, who’s available, and who’s a fit before you commit
- Keep everything in one place — chat, files, feedback, payments. No juggling five apps or 1000 emails
- Pay securely, on your terms — funds only release when you approve each milestone
That’s the gap we built Unjumble.com to close. We’re an Australian marketplace connecting sole traders and small businesses with local marketing freelancers — designers, copywriters, social media specialists, web developers, the lot. No admin spiral. If you’ve been putting off getting help because the hiring bit feels harder than the work itself — that’s exactly what we’ve fixed.
Post your first gig in under five minutes at unjumble.com and see who’s ready to jump in.
(And if you’re a sole trader who offers marketing services yourself — designer, copywriter, social media specialist, developer— you can join the platform as a freelancer here.)
And once the work’s done? That’s where SOLE App takes over — invoicing, tracking, accounting, sorted. One less thing on the 9pm list.
You don’t need to do it all yourself.
You just need the right people, in the right places, on the right platform.
Byline bio:
Authored by Zac Kelly is Co-Founder and CEO of Unjumble, Australia’s marketplace for local marketing freelancers. After years leading go-to-market strategy for some of Australia’s largest and most trusted companies, he’s now focused on helping small businesses access the same quality of marketing talent — onshore and without the admin. He writes and speaks about small business, the future of work, and why offshoring creative work usually costs more than it saves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need different invoice templates for different industries?
Yes. Different industries often have unique invoicing requirements and client expectations. Using a template tailored to your industry can improve professionalism and help clients process payments more quickly.
What is the most important element of an invoice?
Clarity is the most important factor. A well-structured invoice should clearly show the services provided, payment amount, due date, and payment instructions so clients can understand it at a glance.
Do tradies need a specific invoice format?
Tradies generally benefit from invoices that clearly separate labour, materials, and other costs. This makes it easier for clients to understand the charges and reduces the likelihood of payment disputes.
Can I customise invoice templates to match my business?
Yes. Most invoicing software allows you to customise templates with your logo, business details, colours, payment terms, and other branding elements to create a professional appearance.
Can a better invoice template help me get paid faster?
Yes. Clear, professional invoices reduce confusion, minimise back-and-forth communication, and make it easier for clients to process payments, which can help improve payment times.
