Freelance UK blog

Hello

Having spent seven years in journalism/PR, I'm thinking about freelancing. I'm on the brink of redundancy so it seems like a good time to take the leap but I'm extremely nervous (still have to pay the mortgage). What's the best way to start up? I was thinking about trying to get work with an agency to start with but been getting mixed advice on this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Jules

 

As a journalist or freelance writer the world is your oyster; depending on your skills and experience odiously.

There are many writing agencies out there so shop around to get work however, don't be afraid to advertise your services as well. Ever thought about setting up your own website? (Don’t worry I’m not touting for work). A simple web page with examples of your work will bring people to you. Many website now have regular articles and updates a lot of which are supplied by freelance writers.

Hope this helps

p.s Welcome to the forum by the way

 

Welcome Jules

I agree with jOnesy that casting your net wide is the best option. Try agencies, tell everyone you know what you're doing, try and gain referrals and business from contacts you've dealt with before but do also advertise your services.

Depending on who you're aiming to service you could narrow down your marketing efforts to within geographical boundaries, or else target clients operating in certain sectors for which you have knowledge or want to concentrate on. An online presence is a necessity as more and more companies are using the internet for all forms of recruitment - including freelancers. Freelance Alliance (Find a Freelancer - Freelance UK) offers you an instant online portfolio presence for £5 per month. It's optimised for the major search engines so that members will be found for freelance skills and location of members in Google, so whether you have a site or not it's a cost effective means of being found so you can sell your wares.

Also do read Sarah's blog. She covers many of the ups and downs you'll experience - last week's 'Becomming Business Minded' does cover the importance of thinking like a business in terms of marketing yourself and so on. It's also reassuring when you think you're alone in setting out in to the big wide world of freelancing!

Best of luck!

 

thanks...

you've just given me strength and courage to persevere and hope for the best. i have been into lots of trials and failures especially in my field of interest but you've just provided me an insight and open up myself on a lot of facts. thanks for sharing to us those relevant info and let's hope for the best. cheers!