Freelance UK blog

[brighteyedgazelle]

I am not alone; you give me hope! Thanks for such a positive article, like you say sometimes you have just got to take a chance in life! I am currently at breaking point with the 9 to 5 and daydreaming about a nice little office and it is painful. I wonder if I can ask, were you employed in a writing capacity before going freelance? My problem is that I am trying to build my portfolio in my spare time and despite doing some writing within the 9 to 5 I could not really present any of it as entirely my own work. In short, my portfolio is skinny but I do have one Pr agency who are happy to send me work from time to time so that is encouraging. I am guessing you had a large portfolio and website before jumping ship? Further, have you felt the impact of the recession and marketing budgets being cut?

Well, the plan for now is save some money, beef up the portfolio and get a website sorted. Wherever I am up to by May I think I am going to get a job in Starbucks part time and go for it! Follow your heart!

Thanks again

Tabitha

[Jfreelance]

Hey Sarah - loved your article. It is sooo true - us freelancers have to be disciplined. I'm a bit of a freelance-aholic too.
The very first day I went freelance - way back in the year 2000! ... I got up and checked my emails ... and started replying and started working.
And then! suddenly ! at 11am ... I realised I still didn't have any knickers on!
From that day on ... I don't go near the computer until I've put on my make-up and my knickers!
Every day - the first thing I do - is put on my make up.
My husband asks me when I'm about to walk the dog ... "why do you need to wear 'make up' to walk the dog?"
Routine. Freelance discipline.
Happy freelancing Sarah!
chrz

[sarahsrays]

Hi Tabitha

To answer your questions, I was working as a writer when I was employed before becoming freelance. However, before that I had made a sideways step into writing from editing/admin work. I didn't have much writing experience and I blagged my way in a bit really! I know nobody wants to work for free and it isn't ideal but if you are willing to do a bit, there are lots of opportunities to build a portfolio these days and once you have that I think you are halfway there. It sounds like you are on the right track with your PR work and even better if you're getting paid!

I didn't have a website before I jumped ship and that is still something I need to work on. At the moment I use a wordpress website which is free and I have my portfolio and CV on there. I know some people think that isn't very professional but I have gained good work by sending the link out as an application in the past. It might be worth doing something like that for now so you don't have to spend loads of money?

As for the (whisper it!) recession, I haven't felt the effects yet but I do have the fear about it! I am very worried about it but we can only do our best and see what happens I suppose!

Best of luck with the writing!
Sarah

[sarahsrays]

Hi JFreelance

Your comment about putting your knickers on has amused me and I will remember that!

I am one for launching myself straight out of bed and onto the computer as well. I think getting ready before I start tapping away needs to be a priority for me too.

I like the lack of routine that comes with freelancing to some extent, but yes, we must remember not to let ourselves go!

Sarah

[foxie1978]

Oh - the knickers thing made me laugh!

Well I've completed a week of my freelance career and although not many pennies in the bank as yet, I loved it! Lots of positive responses and so fingers crossed.

The freedom it gave me actually meant I worked a lot harder - and without a grudge towards anyone!

But, yes, my appearance has taken a nosedive and so this week's focus is to have more of a routine - which includes washing my hair everyday like I used to and putting some make-up on.

Glad to know you're all out there too. x

[sarahsrays]

Hi Foxie

Good to hear that you've had such a positive start with the freelancing!

Sarah

[Sarah Wood]

Hi Sarah,

Loved today's blog as always. I went to my first event just yesterday! It wasn't a speed one though and was a very relaxed and friendly affair. I just saw it as an excuse to get together with other like-minded people, so it didn't really occur to me to be nervous. It was very useful though - even if it is just to get you away from the computer for a few hours!

xx

[sarahsrays]

Hi Sarah

Your approach sounds much healthier! That is the approach I should try to take now that I have the first one out of the way. I am not much of a public speaker but I would like to give another event a go.

Did you have to stand up and explain your business etc or was it more of an informal chatting thing?

Sarah

[Sarah Wood]

No I didn't have to stand up and talk to an 'audience' - might have felt differently if I had!

Also I know exactly what you mean about dry spells. Setting targets is really good though. I also aim for at least 5 approaches a day, even when I'm already busy. And of course record each one as I'm going along so I can chase them up - or just be confident that I am putting the effort in!

xx
Sarah

[GTFC]

Originally Posted by foxie1978

Oh - the knickers thing made me laugh!

Well I've completed a week of my freelance career and although not many pennies in the bank as yet, I loved it! Lots of positive responses and so fingers crossed.

The freedom it gave me actually meant I worked a lot harder - and without a grudge towards anyone!

But, yes, my appearance has taken a nosedive and so this week's focus is to have more of a routine - which includes washing my hair everyday like I used to and putting some make-up on.

Glad to know you're all out there too. x

How's it going Foxie?

Know the feeling about routine and letting yourself go. I often end up in my dressing gown, hair standing on end, until halfway through the day - and on a bad day, 'til tea-time! I had to do a call with a client in the US on Skype for the first time the other day. We were just dialling in when I suddenly had a panic that she might want to use the webcam as well . . . but happily she didn't! Phew . . .