How to become a freelancer in the UK

1.9 million freelancers were estimated in the UK in 2021, according to Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Though, why would you become a freelancer and what exactly is a freelancer?

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers their services to clients on a project-by-project basis. They are not employees of a specific company but instead work independently, often remotely, for various clients across multiple industries. Freelancers typically work on a flexible schedule and are responsible for managing their own workload, billing, and taxes.

Freelancers are often sought after for their specialized skills, such as writing, graphic design, web development, or social media management. Clients may hire a freelancer to complete a specific task or project, or they may retain their services on an ongoing basis for regular work. Freelancers may also work with multiple clients simultaneously, depending on their availability and workload. In essence, freelancing offers individuals the flexibility and autonomy to build their own careers and take control of their professional development.

Popular freelancing occupations

There are a variety of popular freelancing occupations that many people pursue. One popular option is writing. This can include content writing, copywriting, or even ghostwriting.

Many people also freelance as editors, proofreaders, or beta readers. Others find success as virtual assistants, customer service representatives, or graphic designers. Then there are those who work as web developers, app developers, or software testers.

The list goes on and on, but these are some of the most popular freelancing occupations out there. No matter what your skillset may be, there’s likely a freelancing opportunity that’s a good fit for you.

So if you’re looking to ditch the traditional 9-5 and pursue a freelance career, consider one of these popular options, but here are the top five occupations among them (they account for half of all UK freelancers):

• Artistic, media and literary
• Teaching
• Managers and proprietors in other services
• Functional managers and directors
• Sports and fitness occupations

How to become a freelancer

It’s a rewarding feeling to go freelance, regardless of whether you’re an experienced professional or a recent graduate.

Your craft should be something you are passionate about. You can make a living from your passion if you know how to market it. It’s your passion made into a career. Is there anyone who wouldn’t want that?

As a beginner, it is difficult to make a decision, get started and maintain motivation after six months (or six years).

Shift your perspective before going freelance

There is a chance you are considering leaving your current job to start your own company, or perhaps you are a student pondering your future. When becoming freelance, expect your perspective to change. You should reflect on your commitments, responsibilities, and personal ‘non-negotiables’ which, when combined, define your lifestyle and circumstances.

Families and finances are two of the most obvious.

As a result of having a regular pay cheque, you have income, and as a result you begin building up debt. You probably have your rent or mortgage to pay each month, as well as your Direct Debits, which are taken out as soon as you are paid.

If necessary, you can drop some of these easily, such as a gym membership or Netflix account. But what if you forgot to pay your utility bill? Do you have any building projects going on? Do you have trouble paying childcare fees or managing your credit card?

You should ensure you have a complete picture of your incomings and outgoings before you become a freelancer, if you are giving up a regular salary, so you don’t miss payments.

Likewise, this will come in handy if you’re not currently employed but want to weigh the pros and cons of freelancing in comparison to regular employment. Think about what kind of lifestyle you want to lead.

Going freelance requires discipline

A person who becomes their own boss is literally ‘the boss’. You may not have a manager to report to, no sick pay, and no dress code for your kitchen table if you work mostly from home.

As a freelancer, you must learn how to work independently and keep to a productive routine without the constraints of a company.

Freedom is appealing to some people, especially if they are self-motivated. Nevertheless, many people may struggle to adapt to complete flexibility.

Create a business plan before you start freelancing. Defining your first quarter goals, whether they are billable hours or invoice amounts, can help you stay focused. The goal itself can be enough to motivate you, even if you tweak it once you get started.

Even if you don’t commute, try to stick to your routine as much as possible. The Internet is full of pictures of freelancers working from bed in their pyjamas, but will this work in reality?

Prepare a decent breakfast, get dressed, and set your alarm.

Perhaps you could set up a schedule where you work from the client’s office once a week, to add some structure and expectations.

Work out your freelancer fees and rates

Being a freelancer requires you to figure out how much you’ll charge. Fees may come in the form of flat project-based rates, or as daily (or hourly) rates.

Conduct a little basic research and find out how much your services or skills are worth. If you charge rock-bottom rates and can’t pay your bills, it makes little sense. Of course, it depends on your level of experience.

Keep in mind that it is important to build up your reputation and referrals. Achieve the respect and trust of a stable group of solid clients by doing work on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

Your self-employed success will depend on figuring out how to become indispensable to your clients.

There are no perfect formula for pricing your services as a freelancer, just a number of different variables which can have an impact the amount that clients will be willing to pay for your services, these include:

• Experience
• Industry
• Project duration
• Deliverables
• Project complexity
• Client’s geographic location
• Urgency

Create your portfolio with past jobs

Creating a portfolio with past jobs is a great way to display your experience and skills to future employers. A portfolio can include a variety of items, such as resumes, cover letters, job descriptions, performance reviews, and work samples.

Including these items in your portfolio will give employers a better sense of your work history and what you are capable of. If you have significant experience in a particular field, you may also want to include letters of recommendation or other forms of documentation.

No matter what you include, be sure to organize your materials in a way that is easy for employers to navigate. An employer should be able to quickly see what your strengths are and how they relate to the job they are trying to fill. With a well-crafted portfolio, you will be one step closer to landing your dream job.

Freelancer business structure

Choosing a business structure is part of becoming a freelancer. Before you register with HMRC, you must decide on your business structure. You’re likely to be either a sole trader or a limited company unless you’re forming a partnership with someone else.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Make sure you do your research and don’t make hasty decisions. Find out what worked for your industry contacts in their first few years of trading.

When getting conflicting advice online, advice from people already in business is invaluable.

Freelancing as a sole trader

It’s common for sole traders to deal with less paperwork and have more privacy than limited companies (although don’t underestimate the amount of work you’ll have to do each year with your tax return).

In reality, however, they do carry all the risks, such as debt and other financial liabilities. The reason for this is because freelancers and their businesses are legally one. Freelancers must register with HMRC as sole traders.

Freelancing as a limited company

Limited companies are separate legal entities, so if your business goes bankrupt, your personal assets will not be liable.

It is also possible to look more professional to clients if you run a limited company.

When setting up (and running) a limited company, there is more paperwork, rules, and regulations. In addition to registering with Companies House and completing your own tax return, you will also need to complete your Self-Assessment.

How to find clients as a freelancer

As a freelancer, you must learn how to sell your skills. Don’t take on more work than you can handle.

If you want to be your own boss, you need to know who your first clients are or where to find them before you take the plunge.

If you’re interested in how to become a freelance designer, see who local businesses use to create their flyers, posters, or websites. Marketing does play a role, but word

How to register as a freelancer for tax

As soon as you’re up and running, register with HMRC so you know what your tax responsibilities are. No matter the structure of your business, this is an essential step that can be handled online largely.

There is a deadline for registering, which is 5 October after the end of your first tax year.

For all your early communications with HMRC, make sure you have an easily accessible email folder in addition to a paper-based one. As you pay taxes throughout the year, you need to enter certain details and login codes, and it can be difficult to find them all.

Once you have decided to become a freelancer, getting organized now will pay off later on, preventing lengthy call-waiting times with HMRC.

How to invoice as a freelancer UK

Invoicing as a freelancer in the UK can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be as you want to get paid ASAP. There are a few key things to remember when creating your invoices, and as long as you stay organised and keep track of your expenses, you’ll be able to stay on top of your finances with ease.

First, be sure to include all of the relevant information on your invoice, including your name, contact information, and the date. Make sure that you list out each individual service that you provided and the corresponding price. If you had any expenses related to the project, be sure to include those as well so that your client can see exactly what they’re being charged for.

Finally, don’t forget to include your payment terms at the bottom of the invoice. This will let your client know when they need to pay you by and how they can do so. Once you’ve got all of this sorted out, simply send off your invoice and wait for payment. With a little practice, invoicing will become second nature in no time!

Paying your clients is unfortunately a challenge for some, so make sure you have a system in place, so you know when to expect payments. Should cashflow be slow on arriving it may be worth checking out financial products for freelancer’s such as invoice finance.

Frequently asked questions

What are some skills that are in high demand for freelancers?

There are many skills that are in high demand for freelancers, including writing, graphic design, web development, software development, social media management, digital marketing, video editing, and project management. However, the specific skills that are most in demand can vary depending on the industry and market trends.

Do I need to have a lot of experience to become a freelancer?

While having experience in your field can certainly be an advantage, it's not always a requirement to become a freelancer. Many freelancers start out by offering their services at a lower rate to gain experience and build their portfolio. As you gain more clients and experience, you can increase your rates and target higher-paying clients.

How can I find clients as a freelancer?

There are several ways to find clients as a freelancer, including networking, referrals, social media marketing, and freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. Building relationships with clients and consistently delivering high-quality work can also lead to repeat business and referrals. Additionally, it can be helpful to specialise in a specific niche or industry to make yourself stand out to potential clients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, freelancing can be a great career option for individuals who are self-motivated, disciplined, and have a passion for their work. While having a particular skill set can be an advantage, it’s not always necessary to have years of experience in your field to become a freelancer. With the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and a dedication to providing quality work, anyone can become a successful freelancer.

By following the steps on how to become a freelancer, such as identifying your skills and target market, creating a professional profile, and continuously improving your skills, you can build a rewarding and fulfilling career as a freelancer.