Setting up as a freelancer

[dogmumma90]

I'm looking for some advice on setting up as a freelancer.

I work full time, but I'm looking at ways to boost my income. I'm starting maternity leave in a couple of months, so I'm a bit limited in what I can do without impacting my maternity pay. With that in mind, I've been thinking of setting up as a freelancer, utilising my background in marketing and product management. This way, I'd also be able to do this work from home and be flexible around the baby. I've tried things like Upskill, but without a portfolio as a freelancer I'm just not standing out in the crowd, so I'm not getting any jobs.

I'm considering reaching out to a couple of local businesses and offering to support a project or two for free, to build up a bit of a freelance portfolio. I'd also set up a website first so I have a bit of an online presence and create an account with QuickBooks or Xero to help with invoices. Does this sound like a good approach, or is there something else I should do to get started?

I understand that I'd need to get in touch with HMRC if I make £1000+, but is there anything else I'd need to do to get set up please?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 😊

Obviously I meant Upwork, not Upskill! This is why I shouldn't post late at night 😅

Who are your potential customers, and what can you offer them that they can’t do themselves or get elsewhere? Be careful about fishing in the pond where you work. My advice would be seek out 1-2 ‘anchor tenants’ below the radar.

Does your contract allow you to work at a second job and/or is there a clause about intellectual property?
Also check whether freelance work would affect any occupational maternity pay.
So, may be hold back on launching a website until you've checked these details.

Upwork (and Fiverr and similar) are hard to make decent money from unless you have a very specific niche or a very good reputation (the latter might be difficult to build anonymously) because there are plenty of people on there who willing to work for about 50p per hour (only a slight exaggeration)

Assuming you're good to go ahead, notify HMRC (assuming you'll be a sole trader), get professional indemnity insurance, sort out your USP/marketing and admin/systems, get networking, avoid conflicts of interest with your employer. (I'd choose Xero over Quickbooks)