Freelancing

What is freelancing?

A form of self-employment, freelancers lend their skills and talents to a number of clients on a flexible basis. They aren't employed by a company or committed to a single customer - freelancers have the freedom to choose the projects they'd like to work on and the clients they'd like to work for. They usually work from home, although some rent studio or office space.

While it's possible to balance freelancing with other employment, many commit to it full time. This is the most effective way to build good working relationships and an impressive portfolio.

What jobs can I do freelance?

Companies look to hire freelancers and contractors in a number of roles, including:

• Business adviser
• Database administrator
• Event manager
• Film/video editor
• Fine artist
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Interpreter
• IT consultant
• Magazine journalist
• Make-up artist
• Musician
• Newspaper journalist
• Personal trainer
• Photographer
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Social media manager
• Translator
• Web designer
• Web developer
• Writer

While creative roles are particularly popular for freelance or contract work, freelancers with the right motivation and skills are welcome in a range of industries.

Browse job profiles to learn more about going freelance in your chosen career.

How do I become a freelancer?

Decide what to offer

You need to figure out what services you’ll provide. Ask yourself:

• What skills do I have? (writing, graphic design, coding, marketing, video editing, etc.)
• What do I enjoy doing?
• Is there demand for this skill?

You could check freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to see what services are in demand.

Build your skillset and portfolio

Even if you're just starting out, having something to show is important. You should work on personal projects, volunteer, or do discounted work to build a portfolio. Make sure to create case studies or examples of what you can do. You could also consider taking short online courses to sharpen your skills.

Choose a platform

You could use a freelance platform such as:

• Upwork - good for professional services
• Fiverr - better for specific, clearly defined services
• Toptal - more selective, higher-end clients
• Freelancer.com

Or build your own brand by:

• creating a website or portfolio
• setting up a professional LinkedIn profile
• using social media or cold outreach to find clients.

Set your rates

Pricing depends on your experience, the industry average and the value you provide to clients.  If you’re new, start modestly, but don’t undervalue yourself. You can charge hourly, per project, or via retainers.

Get the business side in order

• set up invoicing
• track your income and expenses (important for taxes)
• understand your tax obligations (consider talking to an accountant)
• think about contracts as they protect both you and the client.

Find clients

• Use freelance platforms.
• Join Facebook groups or subreddits in your niche.
• Network (both online and offline).
• Ask for referrals after completing jobs.
• Send cold emails or DMs to businesses you could help.

Deliver great work and grow

You need to meet deadlines and communicate clearly and regularly with clients throughout the process. When a job is complete ask for testimonials or reviews. As your experience grows over time you should raise your rates to reflect your enhanced skills.

Where can I find freelance opportunities?

If you're still building up a client base, signing up with freelance agencies is a good first step. You'll gain access to clients in a range of locations, offering plenty of freelance jobs and contract work to choose from. Consider the following when starting your search:

• Find a Freelancer - the directory for FreelanceUK, specialising in creative and media-related professions.
• Freelancer - choose between fixed-price and hourly projects, and local and international jobs. It's free to join and you can bid on up to eight projects per month.
• Freelancers in the UK - hosts a range of freelancers, from graphic designers to sound engineers, as well as a blog full of useful advice and support.
• PeoplePerHour.com - includes a communication service between client and freelancer, with instant messaging and a secure payment method. An artificial intelligence (AI) system matches your skills to projects, and you can send up to 15 quotes per month for free.
• Upwork - jobs are available in hundreds of categories, and a payment protection plan means you'll always be paid for work on time. You can join for free or upgrade to a Plus account.

How much can I charge?

You'll be able to set your own rates for the work you complete. You may charge by the hour, day or project, depending on the nature of your work and which payment method is most cost efficient.

For instance, you may be able to complete a high-quality project in a short space of time, which, if you're charging by the hour, leaves you at risk of undervaluing your work. On the other hand, if you've completed a project for a client and they decide it needs changing, working to an hourly rate means you'll be compensated for the extra time you put in.

As you gain experience in completing work and collaborating with clients, you'll gain a better understanding of how much to charge certain clients for certain projects. With this experience, you'll also be able to charge more for your services.

Don't work free of charge, even when you're starting out. Some clients might offer free work in exchange for building your portfolio, but this approach is insulting and shows they undervalue your skills.

What are the pros of freelancing?

Freelancing comes with a lot of benefits, especially if you value independence and flexibility. Here are the main pros of freelancing:

• Freedom and flexibility - You can work when and where you want. This is perfect for people who want a better work/life balance or travel often.
• Be your own boss - You control the kind of work you take on, who you work with, and how much you charge.
• Unlimited income potential - You're not stuck with a fixed salary and as you gain experience and build a reputation, you can raise your rates or take on higher-paying clients.
• Variety of work - You get to work on different projects with different clients, which keeps things interesting. It's a great way to find what you actually enjoy doing.
• Global opportunities - This opens you up to different cultures, industries, and markets and means you’re not limited to your local economy or job market.
• Personal and professional growth - You'll learn not just your craft, but also business, marketing, negotiation, and time management. You'll also become more confident in your own skills and decisions.
• Build your own brand - Over time, you can grow your reputation and possibly even turn your freelance work into an agency or business. You own your career path instead of relying on a company to promote or recognise you.

What are the disadvantages of freelancing?

Freelancing definitely has its perks, but it's not all freedom and flexibility. Here are the main disadvantages of freelancing:

• Income instability - You don't get a fixed salary and some months may be great, others can be very slow.
• No employee benefits - No health insurance, paid time off, sick leave, or retirement contributions unless you set it up yourself. You're responsible for all your own benefits, which can be expensive.
• You're on your own - There is no HR, IT, or team to back you up, you handle everything. If you get sick or go on vacation, you stop earning unless you've set up passive income or retained clients.
• Client challenges - Some clients can be demanding, unclear, or unresponsive. You have to learn how to say no, set boundaries, and manage expectations.
• Self-discipline required - No boss means no one is checking in on you, which can be both a pro and a con. You must stay productive, manage your time, and stay motivated without supervision. Burnout is also possible if you take on too much or don’t set boundaries.
• Taxes and admin - You're responsible for filing your own taxes and probably paying more in self-employment taxes. You'll need to track income, expenses, invoices, and receipts.
• No job security - Clients can disappear, cancel projects, or stop hiring you at any time. There's always a level of uncertainty, especially in the beginning.
• Can be isolating - Working alone can feel lonely, especially if you're used to being in a team. You have to make an effort to build a freelance network or find community online.