Author: Stephanie Whalley

You don’t need us to tell you that in order to succeed as a business owner, you can’t stand still for too long. Evaluation and evolution are critical, so there may come a time when the best way forward involves offering a wider range of freelance services. Expanding your offering can be a smart way to encourage business growth, get ahead of the competition, and stay relevant in your market. That said, it’s vital to be strategic about it. We look at times when adding to your services could be a great idea, versus when you should probably hold off…

According to data collected by The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), there are now almost 2 million freelancers in the UK alone. In fact, the Self-Employed Landscape Report revealed that freelancers make up nearly half (46%) of the country’s overall solo self-employed population. The same research found that: A significant proportion of freelancers live in London (24%) and the Southeast (22%) Northern Ireland and Wales experienced the most notable decline in freelancers last year London, Scotland and the Northwest saw the largest increase in freelancer numbers during the same time period The West Midlands now comprises 7%…

Yes – if you’re a UK resident studying at a UK university, you can freelance part-time alongside your degree. It’s a popular way to earn extra income, build practical experience, and get a head start in your chosen field, all while your studies are still ongoing. This article covers the benefits, what to be mindful of, and how tax works for student freelancers. Benefits of freelancing while studying for a degree The obvious advantage of freelancing while studying for a degree is that you can make some extra money to supplement your student loan. The benefits of running a…

Goals are a crucial part of any project, including running a freelance business. Without aims, objectives, or a clear purpose, running and growing your business can become a real challenge. No matter what you set out to do with your business, setting realistic goals will help you steer the way when it comes to strategy, planning, and decision-making.

Going through the process of securing a mortgage and buying a home is hard enough when you have a regular salary from permanent employment. For freelancers it can be even trickier thanks to fluctuating income and having to provide evidence of your earnings.

Yes – there’s nothing stopping you from freelancing after you retire, whether that’s continuing an existing side hustle or starting something new. You’ll stop paying Class 1 and Class 2 National Insurance once you reach State Pension age, although you may still need to pay Income Tax on your freelance earnings depending on your total income. Here’s a look at the benefits of freelancing in retirement, what it means for your tax bill, and how to start marketing your services. Should I start freelancing once I retire? OK, so you can freelance, but should you? There are plenty of benefits…

With some freelancers looking to sustain their self-employment venture, (or even for a side hustle to their original side hustle), online selling is becoming ever more popular.

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the most expensive. There are extra costs coming at you left, right and centre, not helped, of course, by the increased cost of living. If you’re looking for extra funds to support your seasonal spending this year, you might consider setting up a freelance side hustle to help you generate some additional income. Ways to make cash for Christmas as a freelancer If you have some spare time outside of paid employment and would like to make some extra spends in time for the…

The nature of being a freelancer means that you’re self-employed, and therefore not paid by an employer who will make tax deductions on your behalf through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. Generating your own income from self-employment means you’re also responsible for paying your own tax and keeping HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) up to date with your financial situation. How you pay the tax you owe on your freelance earnings depends on how you are set up as a business. For most freelancers this usually means operating as either a sole trader or as a limited company.…

As a self-employed freelancer you’ll need to report your earnings to HMRC and pay tax on them. To make sure that HMRC identify your tax records correctly, they’ll assign a Unique Taxpayer Reference number (UTR for short) once you register the business.