FREELANCERS/ SELF EMPLOYED/ CONSULTANTS etc - Would a separate topic be useful & of interest??

[Legacy]

I've no idea if this is possible yet (would need to lobby the powers that be... ) but I've noticed there are quite a few freelancer type questions appearing, and I personally would really value the chance to network/ chat with other people in the same situation as me.

I thought perhaps MN-ers who would like this could post here and give the following:

• Their line of work etc
• If they'd like a separate topic, what they could imagine discussing etc

I'd also be interested to know if anyone has found any other sites which are helpful in this area (especially forums)

OK, here's me:

Legacy: Marketing Consultant (epsecially healthcare related)
Run my own limited co (with associates, as necessary - I'm the only employee as such. DH is passive director)

Things I could imagine discussing:

• fee setting
• VAT issues!
• difficult client situations
• balancing home/work issues
• geeky home office problems
• seeing if I could employ any other MNrs!

Well done Legacy!

HattyYellow:

Bid writing, Research, Fundraising Advice (Charity/Arts)

Self-employed freelancer.

Useful topics for discussion:

Insurance/contractual issues.

Support - It's sometimes very lonely when you're not part of an organisation and work alone. It'd be really useful to discuss difficult client situations and also to have support to keep focussed whilst working predominantly alone from home!

Will think of more...

I would find this useful - am just starting out as a freelancer after nearly 4 years at home.

Oh yes, a new topic area would be a good idea.

Can't think of any other subjects to add to your very comprehensive list, but I'll my details:

NoNickname: Marketing Communications Consultant - many areas, but usually B2B.

Sorry - should also add that I am self-employed and don't employ others.

hat I am in v similar field, though also considering organisational development stuff, strategy work etc

yes I would
I'm a freelance PR consultant and copywriter.
I'm sole trader but now DP is self employed too we're thinking of changing, apparently if I'm a ltd company and he's partnership there are quite a few tax benefits.

Er, no, not madly, personally. But then MN is packed with hacks like me.

Mazzy I think strategy work etc works really well on a freelance basis. You don't have to be there every day and you can bring your previous experience in to play. Plus you're impartial as you're not involved in organisational politics etc..

Good luck on going back to work! I've also got involved in mentoring and am loving this part of the work.

Yes, count me in. Would welcome the opportunity to hook up with others in similar work situation as I too find it quite lonely.

lalaa: marketing/events logistics manager - consumer. run company with dh who works in event logistics and production. would enjoy opportunity to rant about clients, balancing home and work (when work is right there on the kitchen table), poss work opportunities for other MNers in the future. Oh yes, and fees.

Great Idea-
I'm an Usborne Books organiser, Self-employed, have an extensive team around the UK.

I could imagine discussing-
-working from home systems/being organised,
-networking
-recruiting issues (and promoting recruiting in certain areas)
-self-assessment/tax etc
-sourcing of all things home officey
-use websites etc
-helping anyone new to s/employment etc or considering it
Basically a great opportunity to bandy ideas around without feeling you are crashing someone elses forum lol!

Good idea. Freelancers have many very different emplyment issues which people with regular jobs can't relate to and vice versa.

Spidermama

Freelance journalist and broadcaster and as if that weren't bad enough married to freelance actor.

DH and I don't know from one month to the next who will be working and when. For example, apart from the first week neither of us has any work booked. Something will come up, it always does, but this certainly makes for a tough time budgetting, planning house changes and holidays etc.

Yes, a vote for this topic here!

Yes, I would probably use that topic a lot.

Snowleopard: Freelance writer and editor

I'd be interested in legal issues to do with self-employment and things like maternity pay and tax; technical stuff; sharing the unique difficulties and joys of working at home too. Maybe even networking.

Vote here too.

I love the idea of networking.

For example I am about to set up as a copywriter, bid writer with a business partner (fellow SAHM) who has a background in PR. I see Katierocket is doing the exact same thing and I'd love to know the pitfalls and share advice.

Another vote from me!

I'm a freelance pharmaceutical and medical market researcher - I work for a few big clients mainly analysing data and pulling together reports and presentations. I work 99% from home but sometimes work at clients' offices or at interviewing facilities.

Things I could mostly imagine discussing would be:

• negotiating rates
• general advice on client handling
• generally sharing experiences so giving others support and advice as well as asking for it myself
• would be great to network and find new contacts via MN if that's possible!

Agree with hattyyellow re support since I am not part of a big organisation but just working alone from home.

Will think of more later!

Oh yes, I am self employed so don't employ others.

And if anyone is interested in my services, I'd be quite interested in doing work outside of the pharma arena (although that's my predominant background - degree and previous jobs wise)

Yes please!

MissB: freelance journalist and copy writer

And another one:

vonsudenfed: freelance tv producer,
used to make programmes but that does not fit in the slightest with childcare, so now work on programme ideas, proposals, and, if I can, edits.
planning to diversify into writing, perhaps, when I can get my arse into gear.

Me please too. I've just started to do a few hours for DH's company, theoretically freelance, and we are going through the motions of setting me as a sole trader, but have done lots of investigations as to which is better, sole trader or ltd company.

Moodlum: freelance PR and copywriter (my background is Financial & Corporate PR, altho' I've done a lot of not for profit stuff as well).

I think we could talk about...

• getting things off the ground
• legal issues eg contracts
• childcare when its almost impossible to predict your hours (and therefore income). Currently, because I'm doing so few hours, this comes under the childcare category entitled Cbeebies.

me too - trying to work out whether I could be a freelance copywriter (just like you moodlum but more general B2B and some not for profit)

would definitely like some tips on getting off the ground - and motivation!

Childcare definitely a factor - you're right Moodlum it's difficult to predict how much you will need and hard to find ad hoc cover. Oh to have helpful parents nearby who could help out!

I also really struggle with payment being so erratic - especially in a household where Dh and I are both self-employed! Lots of invoices due to be paid but no cash in the bank half the time due to the rubbishness of some companies at paying up!

TantieTowie: freelance journalist

I think I'd find this useful - childcare is a main issue for me - I'm as flexible as you like because DH also freelance journalist but inevitably interviewees are only available when he's supposed to be working and vice versa. Causes some headaches... Also end up doing a lot in the evenings and naptimes so work life balance an issue too. We've recently decided we must keep our weekends clear - but have so far failed.

Count me in. Am marketing consultant to leisure and hospitality sector. Have own ltd company but employs only moi, 6 years old now. Would like to hear about how others negotiate the red tape/beaurocracy, any ways can save a few extra quid.