to ask what you do if you are self employed/work at home

[PocketFluff]

In a few threads recently people have talked about being self employed, some only doing a few hours a week, or being able to have a work at home job that fits around the children.

Can I be nosey and ask what it is you do and get a bit of the action myself?

Boris Johnson’s message to freelancers: “I salute you”
12th November 2013By PCG

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has today sent a message saluting freelancers across the UK, saying their “contribution to the lifeblood of our economy is immense”.

His comments come as he shows his support for National Freelancers Day, the annual celebration of freelancers, contractors and entrepreneurs in the UK.

In his message, Boris Johnson acknowledged that choosing to go freelance can appear daunting but said it is “a choice that’s brave, and ambitious, fulfilling and rewarding”.

National Freelancers Day on 21st November will see Karren Brady joined by a high-profile panel of experts for a ‘Question Time’ style debate at LSO St Luke’s in Central London. On the panel alongside Karren Brady is Isabel Oakeshott, Political Editor of the Sunday Times, LBC’s Nick Ferrari and BBC Business expert Liz Barclay along with John Glen MP. Freelancer and broadcaster, Sue Lawley, will chair the debate.

Following recent research showing freelancing is the fastest growing sector of the European labour market, some topics for discussion will be the impact of freelancing on the economy, as well as how decision-makers should respond to the freelancing and acknowledge this when formulating policy.

Simon McVicker, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

“Boris Johnson’s message to the 1.7 million independent professionals in the UK for National Freelancers Day is incredibly uplifting and represents a clear understanding of what freelancing is all about.

“He recognises the crucial, flexible expertise of freelancers and how much they contribute to the UK economy. It’s refreshing that he also understands that the choice to go it alone can be a daunting one, recognising the personal risk that freelancers face. We salute him!”

Read Boris’ full message:

Hello

I wanted to send my very best wishes to freelancers everywhere on National Freelancers Day. Your contribution to the lifeblood of our economy is immense. Taking the plunge on being a freelancer is an immense decision that can in many cases appear daunting. But it is also a choice that’s brave, and ambitious, fulfilling and rewarding. There are now 1.7 million freelancers in Britain, many of you propelling growth in the city I am proud to serve as Mayor. London salutes you, and so do I. You are our bright and vital talent. Whether you freelance, you are an entrepreneur or you run a small business three things you won’t be short of are ability, aptitude and agility. Those triple As are the theme of this year’s National Freelancers Day. They are also exactly what any budding freelancer needs to succeed! Good luck. I look forward to your continued success in the years ahead.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

EJM
Considering Karren Brady is the daughter of a millionaire Football club director and got the publisher of soft porn papers to buy her first big project, I'm not sure what she's got to do with freelancers ....

Artist / Illustrator / Cartoonerist

Oh,forgot to say that I sometimes deal in antiques and collectables,mainly books and vintage clothes,but anything that catches my eye that I know there is a market for.

Book dealer.

I worked from home for 6 years, now I WOH but still freelance. I describe myself as a Project Manager but it's coming up on 10 years self-employed and I've done proofreading of translations (I was not in the UK at the time though and I do not have a qualification - would recommend anyone interested in that field takes the advice of the other posters), website copywriting, editing and content management, transcription, exam marking for a professional body from home and now it's mostly project planning & delivery, group facilitation, coaching and counselling.

I have several professional qualifications, all of which I funded myself and for the last 8 years my work has mainly been split between 2 organisations offering me repeat contracts (mostly just one now, and I'm currently actually employed by them too 2 days pw and freelancing the other 3).

Up until this year I have been able to work school hours only. I've deliberately extended them now. The first few years coincided with having very young children and I didn't make enough to be taxed, but as I have been able to put in more hours I have - for the last 5 years I'd say. I'm aiming to get back into permanent employment now, although I quite like the mix of employed part time and freelance the rest.

I'm a writer. I love my job (except for getting the pay cheques in once I've done the work...)

So jealous of all of these jobs. I want to be a freelance proofreading copywriting dog walking historian!

I remember seeing someone on one of those 'I love 1990' type programmes and their job title was "Soap Historian" or something. Now there's a job I'm qualified for!

Soap as in soap opera by the way. Not the cleaning material

fishandlilac what do you mean you teach life skills? Sounds interesting..

Pity Boris Johnson didn't get a freelance editor to check over his statement then he wouldn't have two immenses within ten words of each other

Aww, thanks Boris. That letter is sweet and it is nice to feel that someone recognises the contribution we make – but it does feel a bit like the headmaster's speech at the 6th form leaving do.

Some of us are actually quite.... high-powered! Not me especially, but some of the highest-paid and most influential people in the country are self-employed. Boris makes it sound like we are all nobly struggling in our wee garrets. :)

I tutor in the evenings once DD is in bed.

I'm surprised at the wide variety of home working, but getting the impression that most are (like me) only just scraping a living.

I can only do this because my living costs are very low and I'm a naturally frugal sort, but sometimes I wonder if I've shot my self in the foot because I've become so out of step with 'normal' nine to five life.

I've got so used to being my own boss and arranging my time to suit myself that I think I'm now unemployable.

Really I think if I went for a job interview they'd be able to tell that I've spent the past ten years in my pajamas.

Translator. I earn about three to four thousand euros a month.

Lazysuzanne - I think it's losing confidence in a way. I was thinking the other day I ought to find a part-time job to supplement my hours but the thought fills me with dread. I just don't know how to get on with people any more having spent so many years working on my own. I'm a bit inappropriate with what I say sometimes. Minor things would really irritate me. I don't think I'd take criticism at all well. And I'd find it really hard to sit for hours a day next to someone I didn't like much.

I'm employed by someone so my income is reasonable for part-time working at the level I am. But I'm getting concerned that I'm becoming a bit of an eccentric recluse.

Self-employed - bookkeeper. Was an accountant pre-kids. Works really well for me as do school hours a few days a week.

Becoming?
Bolder,I was always the eccentric recluse :o

ImpOfDarkness wow. What language(s) do you do?

I'm not scraping a living, but it's feast or famine some months - turning down work, or emailing contacts to ask if they've got anything. I make anything from 15k to 25k a year, and am shit with money. I don't save anything. I do try to put £500 a month into joint account, and I pay the majority of DD's nursery fees.

And like some others on here, I'd find it really hard to be back in an office! What, you need me there at 9am? Every day? Erm... OK.

French and German, but in a very lucrative niche that I'm not sharing

ImpOfDarkness fair enough!
Inspiring though. I don't need that kind of money but it's good to know it's possible to make it!

ImpOfDarkness ... are we the same person?

Oh lord imagine having to be anywhere at a specified time, never mind at work for 9am every day.

I only just make it to the hairdresser for 5.30 every six weeks :o

Freelance marketing/PR....going really well....two weeks in!