Thanks Pirrera - I am definitely on the look-out for any opportunities where I live (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) to help ward off the cabin fever I occasionally get.
Do you find you live a more or less healthy lifestyle as a homeworker? I started to feel less healthy, basically from sitting and working too much, but I am working on it!
This article has tips from a workplace health advisor, but please feel free to post here about your own tips and insights.
Does anyone here rent workspace rather than working from home? Or have you tried hot-desking? Would be interested to hear people's thoughts on whether they feel they benefit or why they choose to keep working at home.
I definitely can't give you any advice on shopping carts(!) but just wanted to say good luck.
The only advice I would give you is to make sure you don't rely on your old employer too heavily and look around for some more work to spread the risk. Even though they have guaranteed you work, you never know.
It would be great to pool resources on positive steps we can all take. I’d also be interested to know – are you considering lower paid work? Have you freelanced during a recession before? How are you diversifying?
Really sorry to hear about your payment problem web-design UK. You're right about the effect on small businesses. That's a big chunk for a small trader to lose.
It's scary to hear that if they've gone into administration that is effectively that for the freelancer.
Are you more worried about not getting paid recently or have you had more problems with it?
Do you have any more tips for handling it? Personally, I find it very very awkward so I do worry about if I come up against a situation where I am owed money I'll be reluctant to be forceful enough about getting it back. Still, I suppose having bills to pay will soon knock that out of me!
Many of these are making me laugh. I can still never find a pen but the one about hiding what you're up to on the computer screen is a good one. At one time I was probably the fastest internet window minimiser in the West. I bet my skills have faded a bit now!
What fringe benefits do you enjoy as a freelancer? Everyone knows about flexible hours and being your own boss, but what small but significant things make you glad you're a freelancer?
I did wonder about that...However, I really wouldn't panic about it. I am sure there is a way around it and that it happens a lot. I don't know the answer but there are quite a lot of people on here who know more about this type of thing so one of them might be able to help.
I am pretty sure that you won't pay more tax on your full-time job. But again, there are some experts on here so hopefully someone will be able to give you some better advice.
You need to register as self-employed with HMRC. Just google 'register self-employed' and you can sign up online. Then, you will pay taxes on your work wage as you do now but you will pay taxes on your self-employed earnings separately at the end of the tax year - so you need to keep some money back for that (about 25% of your freelance earnings).
I freelanced while working for a while and the money side of things isn't complicated, especially when you're not earning much freelance.
You are supposed to register as self-employed within two months of starting self-employed work I think.
I wouldn't bother looking for a sample email online. I send out a lot of speculative emails for writing work as well, so for what it's worth here's how I approach it.
I try to think about what kind of email/letter I would like to receive. Just be to the point stating why you are contacting them (I usually say to offer my freelance services). Also cover why you think you could be of benefit to them specifically - you may be specialised in their field for example. If you tailor your emails it will show that you know a little bit about the company etc.
Then, cover your experience and skills in brief and include contact details and your portfolio link.
I think the more concise you are the better. I hope that helps a bit and sorry if that's not really what you were asking for!
I will begin by saying I don't know a lot about web design! However, have you tried speculative applications rather than waiting for things to be advertised on forums or jobs boards? The competition for advertised freelance work is pretty fierce.
I have got most of my (non web design) work from speculative applications. You could try writing to some local web services companies, or do some marketing to target local businesses that might be thinking of revamping their site.
You don't have to stay local of course but may be a good place to start.
Sorry I don't know many web design specific websites but hope that helps a bit and good luck!
I agree it can be lonely sometimes, even though working from home is my dream and I do prefer it so much to working in an office.
Joining a forum could definitely help. So often in offices people seem to just email anyway, it hardly seems to be much different!
I try to get out and about most days for a cup of tea with a local friend or just to do errands and shopping and I find it really helps.
Also, I usually have the radio on and I find it cheers me up loads more than sitting in silence. I guess it depends on whether you can concentrate though.
I think signing up to a good forum will be a good first step though.
Hope it goes well.
Sarah
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