When you operate as a consultant, working on the fly (or while you’re literally flying) is just the nature of the beast. But it’s well worth it for the many benefits that come with self-employment, like the ability to travel and take a new job every day if you want. The downside, of course, is that you probably have to juggle multiple clients and projects simultaneously. For the reason, it behooves you to carry an iPhone (arguable the best smartphone on the market) that is chock full of useful apps to help you manage your busy and complex schedule. And here are just a few of the very best applications to ensure that your many jobs go off without a hitch.

1. Freelance Classifieds. Those that love ODesk will be sadly disappointed by their app, which pretty much redirects users to the browser to search jobs, but this brand new freebie could provide a solution for any consultant that could use a few more clients. It lets you browse listings on multiple freelance sites, enter a laundry list of search criteria, and then wait for the app to deliver results. The app is still in beta (aren’t they all?), but it’s definitely worth a look while it’s still being offered for free.
2. SG Project Pro. This app is by no means cheap, but user reviews claim that the $39.99 price tag ($4.99 for the iPhone counterpart) is worth every penny (and as a consultant, you can write it off!). Gantt aficionados will find themselves at home in this app and although there are a slew of tools at your disposal, the user-friendly nature of the program will have you creating and editing timelines, prioritizing task schedules, setting risk levels, and communicating with multiple groups in no time. As a bonus, the app now links up to Dropbox for easy access to and sharing of project files. This is a must-have for any serious consultant.
3. Dropbox. This well-loved freebie is essential for anyone working in multiple locations. All you have to do is install the software on your computer and your iPhone to start uploading files (docs, pics, videos, etc.) that you want access to wherever you are. Sounds simple? It is! And as mentioned above, coordination with SG Project Pro means you can add applicable files to your saved projects and easily share them with clients.
4. QuickVoice2Text Email. At $2.99, this useful app is a bargain, especially in states with hands-free cell phone laws. With clear voice recording you can easily send audio messages or save “notes to self”, but the talk2text feature is what really wows. According to users, it delivers word-for-word accuracy, something that other apps promise but ultimately fail to deliver, so you can be sure that the message your record translates perfectly into the text that clients receive via email.
5. GetPaid!. Anyone offering contractor services has likely faced a problem or three when it comes to getting paid for work. Whether your issue has to do with managing a timesheet, ensuring that invoices are accurate and complete, or tracking payments over the course of a project (or from multiple clients), this app will help you to keep all of your expenses, payments, and accounts-owing under control so that you never lose a penny (and all for just $4.99).

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.