I've gone freelance! Any advice?

[InfinitySeven]

Hi everyone,

I've taken the jump, and I'm going freelance. I work in digital marketing, and I've been working in London agencies for the past few years, gaining lots of experience. For various personal reasons, I'm now going it alone.

I've set my website up, and I'm approved to bid for work on PPH. I'm making a list of companies to contact and offer my services too, and I'm hopeful that I'll get my first freelance client soon! I've got no qualms about doing the work, it's second nature to me, but finding my own clients is new.

I've also signed up to join a few local networking groups, but the meetings seem to be quite far away.

Anything else I'm missing/anyone would recommend?

Congrats!

A strong LinkedIn profile. Connect to people you have worked with before. Tell them you are now freelancing.

Good luck.

Open a separate bank account and put 20% of your earnings in there. When (and if) you get a tax bill you won't panic. You also need to register with the tax office. They will give you a new tax code, which you give to the tax credit folk. You will need to file a tax return every year, sorry. You're allowed to deduct business expenses (stamps/ink/20% of your gas and electricity/advertising etc) off your tax bill too, so look online for these.

Good luck

A big polypocket for your bills and receipts will save much weeping come tax return time!

In terms of clients, pph and the bid sites can be very low paid - putting your effort into your own existing network may take longer but will pay more in the long run.

Get in touch with 'skills' people you've worked with in the past - for eg, I do copywriting and have a friend who is a proofreader/editor and we refer work back and forward from each other all the time.

Hi there
I wrote this page for ebayers but much of the information applies to any self employed person
talkinpeace2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/here-is-list-of-questions-i-most.html

YYY to Linkedin

and good Luck

Join relevant discussions on linkedIn and email discussion groups and get stuck in - offer advice, chat about hot issues in your sector, post links to stuff that might interest people.. basically get your name and email signature recognised. Look for opportunities to speak at events and write articles for trade press.