Freelance UK blog

[sarahsrays]

Hello

I have just started a blog on Freelance UK about the ups and downs of freelancing. You can read the first post by following the link from the home page.

I and Freelance UK both hope that the blog posts will be good openers for discussions on the freelance issues that affect us all. Please do have a read and get involved in the discussion. The articles don’t have a comments function so we are going to use the forums as the place for discussion and comment.

I hope you enjoy the blog and that we all get something useful from it – I am hoping to learn a lot from other freelancers as well.

Sarah


Thanks Sarah - direct links to your blog articles: Blog of a first time freelancer.
Quoting quandaries.
Freelance New Year's resolutions.
Are you a freelance workaholic?
Finding freelance work.
Overcoming self-doubt as a freelancer.
Networking for beginners.
Coping with a freelancing dry spell.
When to save and when to splurge.
What do you miss about office life?
Becoming business-minded.
Beat the blank page: Conquering 'creative block'.
Tweet tweet! Getting to know Twitter.
Do you follow home working ‘rules’?
Computer says no.


Freelance UK

[Melinda.Jones]

URL isn't working at the moment.

[sarahsrays]

Thanks for highlighting that Melinda. Good start eh?!

I am looking into fixing the link to the article directly but you can access it from the home page too.

Sarah

[kati31]

Hi Sarah,

I must say that it is great to read a story such as yours. I have been thinking for a while of doing a course in photography and then become freelance and everyone but my husband to be seem to think that I am completely mad!!!My Dad and Sister especially seem to think the investment is far too big and that it will take me for ever to make any return on it!
But the way i see it is that i have a little 2 year old girl to care for.My future hubby is in catering so it is making it very difficult for me to find a job in what i was doing before (hotels) because of the unsociable hours and no family around to help with childcare.
So as i believe that as i have always had some interest in photography, and that i can study for a recognised qualification from home and also do a lot of the work from here, it would be ideal for me.I am quite realistic and realise that it might take me a while to get any clients but i can't help thinking that if some people manage it, why not me? As i am very hard working and dedicated.
So I just wanted to say that your article makes me have a bit more faith in my project ( getting married next sunday so want to get that out of the way before getting started on buying equipment, enrolling on course and setting up portfolio and website!),
So thank you very much

Kind regards

Katia

[sarahsrays]

Hi Katia

I am glad it gave you some hope and I hope you do get your photography venture off the ground.

If you check back each week some of the issues I'll be discussing on the blog might be of help to you as well.

Congratulations on the wedding too!

Sarah

[perkywriter]

Hi Sarah,
Like the previous thread I just wanted to thank you for such an inspirational blog.
For some time I have been attempting to muster up the courage to dip my toe into the freelance water and like you, have found that over researching it makes for depressing reading.
I too believe that there is never a 'perfect' time to take the plunge, and reading your blog has made me even more determined to take that deep breath and just dive in.
While I won't be giving up my day job for a while yet I'm now firmly focused on spending much of my spare time building up my contacts and writing my heart out to get publushed wherever possible.
And I'll be checking back to this site regularly for more advice from the experts!
Many thanks once again.

Kelly

[Helenj]

Thanks for the post Sarah, it was quite reassuring.

I've just started out freelancing this month but with almost the opposite problem - I've paid five months rent so I'm not going to be made homeless when I'm starting up but I have but one commission so far. The financial aspect is quite a worry but I guess all I can do is pitch as often as possible until I secure some more work.

I've always been in favour of just going for things rather than potentially missing out, and your post made me think I've done the right thing by 'freelancing by the seat of my pants'!

Helen

[GTFC]

Hi Sarah,

Love the article, I just saw it on the Newsletter! Everything you've said there is spot on. I've been a freelancer for six years now, first in marketing and then specialising in copywriting over the last couple of years. I'd agree with all of your comments, especially about author's amends.

The problem with writing is that, in most cases, the work is 'subjective' so if a client argues he doesn't like something you've written, it's very hard to charge for changing it. And even more annoying is when you know that you're right and they are wrong anyway! Happily this has only happened to me on the odd occasion, and most of these are when I've been freelancing for other writing agencies, something I've stopped doing now as I found it too contentious . . .

Anyway, I ramble on. Great article and will definitely look out for the next

Cheers

Gill

[foxie1978]

Thank goodness I'm not alone - and Sarah it's so lovely to hear things are working out for you and you're just a year ahead of me. Good for you, girl!

I've done it too. All I've ever to be was freelance - after spending eight years in TV, I took the leap (via 6 months in Sydney to check it was what I really wanted to do and I didn't miss TV - it took me about the duration of the flight but hey I needed some time to dream too!) Came home, took a whirlwind journo course and have spent a year 'cutting my teeth' for an agency - and I've been told working for a news agency is one of the hardest times I'll ever go through. Fingers crossed. It WAS tough but I gained so much so quickly.

And I made it out the other side unscathed - I think. I may be a little mentally disturbed but I haven't noticed yet.

Anyway, that's my background but the main reason I was inclined to reply is that I think I'm in a spot of bother. I was 30 last week and (obviously I don't expect anyone to get the violins out) my oh-so-generous boyfriend has booked me a three week holiday in February. Now, this I need after a year of working with very little holiday and sitting outside people's houses until midnight but the timing is hideous.

It gives me four weeks to try and get commissions and do some real-life stories and then I have to abandon ship for three weeks.

Has anyone else got any advice for how I handle this. Should I ring up Office Angels and start my freelance dream in March or will this be manageable?

[sarahsrays]

Hi Foxie. That is a bit tricky but what a great present! I would be inclined to maybe wait until you get back if that is at all financially viable. I know that's easier said than done.

There are a few reasons I say that. Once you start you will really want to keep up the momentum. If you get a new client, and then there is the opportunity for repeat or ongoing work I don't think you would want to turn that down so early in the working relationship. Another reason is that you might be constantly worrying about work while you are away if you are just one month into running your own business. Also, I think it might be better mentally to start after the break with a clear run ahead of you.

However, if you do pick up some freelance work or have some pitches accepted before you go, it definitely wouldn't be the end of the world!

If I were you I think I would spend between now and your holiday really preparing by researching potential clients, making some plans etc etc., then I would really enjoy my holiday and go for it 100% on return.

I don't know if that helps. I bet you are eager to get started! I hope it all goes well anyway and that you have a great holiday.

Sarah