Author: Stephanie Whalley

One of the big attractions of freelancing is the freedom to choose your own schedule, and when and where you work. Sometimes, however, you might find yourself being treated like a regular employee rather than a self-employed contractor. Not only is this not what you signed up for, but it can actually get you in trouble with HMRC! This is because of legislation called IR35, which was introduced by the government to help tackle the issue of tax avoidance. What actually is it, though? And how does it affect you if you’re a freelancer? Let’s take a look. What…

One of the most empowering things about being a freelancer is being able to set your own rates and decide when and how you want to be paid. Setting clear and realistic payment terms and conditions minimises the risk of delayed payments and helps build stronger client relationships. Delayed payments are a real issue, as recent research published by IPSE shows that almost a third (32%) of UK freelancers experienced payment delays from clients in the 12 months leading up to the survey. Separate GOV.UK research also explored the ever-present late payment problem and found that businesses attributed paying invoices…

Once upon a time, our devices and phones served just a handful of purposes. These days, they’re more like an extension of ourselves. Our smartphones (and other devices) are now our calendars, online banks, health trackers, nutrition guides, maps, the key to instant communication with contacts all around the world, and so much more. Professionally, apps can drive productivity, boost organisation, automate some of your most arduous tasks and help you set up and maintain robust processes and systems. That’s why, as a freelancer, staying up to date with the latest apps is such an effective way to stay on…

When you’ve poured your time, skills and funds into creating something as a freelancer, releasing it into the world can be a bit scary. Especially if you’re worried other people might claim it as their own. This is where Intellectual Property (IP) protection comes in. The first thing you need to do if you want to protect your IP, is get to grips with what Intellectual Property is. When you know what you’re dealing with, you’re in a better position to make the right moves for your business. What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual Property is something that has been…

Earning a living comes in all shapes and sizes these days, with a massive array of options for generating income, such as creating content for OnlyFans.

Being a self-employed freelancer usually means you’re wearing so many hats that it can be easy to skip something. Forgetting to share a social media post or pushing back a self-imposed deadline might seem harmless, but there are other more critical things that shouldn’t be overlooked. For some freelancers, creating contracts of work can be one of those things you keep high on your priority list and share with every client you have. After all, a well-drafted freelance contract can often support smooth working relationships, align expectations and protect your business in case any issues arise. We share our tips…

As a freelancer, your time is your own. This is great when it comes to setting your own schedule and managing your own time. You don’t need to worry about things like core working hours or set office hours, but it also means you don’t get paid for a contracted number of hours like an employee does.

Outreach sounds scary, we get it. Especially when outreach is so often associated with old-fashioned methods like cold calling or door-knocking that make you wonder if you’ll need a rejection therapist on speed dial to execute. However, lots of freelancers – your competitors included – are using outreach strategies to engage and win new clients and keep their calendars full of projects. Plus, while cold methods still have their place, the world has evolved and outreach has become far more diverse and versatile. So, fear not, we’re here to steer you in the right direction, help you nail your outreach…

VAT stands for Value Added Tax. It’s a type of UK consumption tax applied to the value added at each part of the production and sale of goods and services. In simple terms, it’s extra money added on top of the making and selling of things, which the government then collects and reinvests. The standard VAT rate is 20% and this applies to most qualifying goods and services, although some things like sanitary products, financial services and children’s clothing have reduced (5%) or no (0%) VAT applied. The end customer is the one that ultimately pays VAT but as you…

Whether you’re expecting the pitter-patter of tiny feet or you’ve just brought your new bundle of joy into the world, congratulations! If you’re in employment and on maternity leave, you will likely be receiving Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) if you are a qualifying employee. To qualify, you must: Have been working for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week prior to your baby’s due date Earn a minimum of £123 per week (pre-tax) Have given notice to your employer at least 28 days before stopping work Have provided proof of the pregnancy (typically this is a…