Author: Stephanie Whalley

One of the big attractions of freelancing is the freedom to choose your own schedule, and when and where you work. Sometimes, however, you might find yourself being treated like a regular employee rather than a self-employed contractor. Not only is this not what you signed up for, but it can actually get you in trouble with HMRC! This is because of legislation called IR35, which was introduced by the government to help tackle the issue of tax avoidance. What actually is it, though? And how does it affect you if you’re a freelancer? Let’s take a look. What…

One of the most empowering things about being a freelancer is being able to set your own rates and decide when and how you want to be paid. Setting clear and realistic payment terms and conditions minimises the risk of delayed payments and helps build stronger client relationships. Delayed payments are a real issue, as recent research published by IPSE shows that almost a third (32%) of UK freelancers experienced payment delays from clients in the 12 months leading up to the survey. Separate GOV.UK research also explored the ever-present late payment problem and found that businesses attributed paying invoices…

The definition of a trend is ‘a general direction in which something is developing or changing’. Understanding the changes and directions happening in your industry and amongst your target audience can be incredibly valuable when creating a solid marketing strategy. But it’s important to remember – just because something is a trend, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something you should immediately jump on. We explore the key things to consider first, so when the next trend comes along you can act quickly or simply ignore it all together. The difference between regular trends and viral trends In the world…

Once upon a time, our devices and phones served just a handful of purposes. These days, they’re more like an extension of ourselves. Our smartphones (and other devices) are now our calendars, online banks, health trackers, nutrition guides, maps, the key to instant communication with contacts all around the world, and so much more. Professionally, apps can drive productivity, boost organisation, automate some of your most arduous tasks and help you set up and maintain robust processes and systems. That’s why, as a freelancer, staying up to date with the latest apps is such an effective way to stay on…

When you’ve poured your time, skills and funds into creating something as a freelancer, releasing it into the world can be a bit scary. Especially if you’re worried other people might claim it as their own. This is where Intellectual Property (IP) protection comes in. The first thing you need to do if you want to protect your IP, is get to grips with what Intellectual Property is. When you know what you’re dealing with, you’re in a better position to make the right moves for your business. What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual Property is something that has been…

Earning a living comes in all shapes and sizes these days, with a massive array of options for generating income, such as creating content for OnlyFans.

Being a self-employed freelancer usually means you’re wearing so many hats that it can be easy to skip something. Forgetting to share a social media post or pushing back a self-imposed deadline might seem harmless, but there are other more critical things that shouldn’t be overlooked. For some freelancers, creating contracts of work can be one of those things you keep high on your priority list and share with every client you have. After all, a well-drafted freelance contract can often support smooth working relationships, align expectations and protect your business in case any issues arise. We share our tips…

As a freelancer, your time is your own. This is great when it comes to setting your own schedule and managing your own time. You don’t need to worry about things like core working hours or set office hours, but it also means you don’t get paid for a contracted number of hours like an employee does.

Blogging is dead, right? Wrong. Blogging is very much alive and well, and can actually be a vital part of your digital marketing strategy when done right. Your customers are still searching for information and a blog is a great way to ensure you’re there to save the day with answers. You reading this blog post is the perfect example. This almost certainly won’t be the first time a blog has been recommended for your freelance business – and it probably won’t be the last. So, let’s explore the benefits of having a blog as a freelancer in more detail…

Outreach sounds scary, we get it. Especially when outreach is so often associated with old-fashioned methods like cold calling or door-knocking that make you wonder if you’ll need a rejection therapist on speed dial to execute. However, lots of freelancers – your competitors included – are using outreach strategies to engage and win new clients and keep their calendars full of projects. Plus, while cold methods still have their place, the world has evolved and outreach has become far more diverse and versatile. So, fear not, we’re here to steer you in the right direction, help you nail your outreach…