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 your A-game and make your life a whole lot easier, faster, smarter and sometimes, even cheaper.

The apps every freelancer needs in 2025 (and beyond)

The world of apps is fast-paced and quick-changing with a seemingly endless list of options. So, figure out where you would most benefit from some app-based support and focus your efforts there.

We share 10 of the best apps for freelancers in 2025, broken down into five key categories:

• Finding freelance work
• Project management
• Design and creation tools
• Social media
• Bookkeeping and accounting

So, let’s get stuck in!

Finding freelance work

Finding freelance work is no mean feat, especially when you’re also trying to focus on the active briefs and clients you already have. Apps can make sourcing and securing work far less daunting and time-consuming.

Two of the most popular apps to help find freelance work are Upwork and Fiverr.

Upwork

One of the most professional and reputable platforms for finding freelance work, the Upwork app is a must. You can search for jobs, send files and communicate with clients on the go, whenever, wherever.

Fiverr

Promote your services, set your prices, and compete against other freelancers. Build up positive reviews and remember to price yourself competitively but not too cheaply. Great for quick turnaround tasks – but watch out for spammy listings.

Project management apps for freelancers

As a freelancer, you’re almost always juggling a number of different projects, clients and deadlines at a time. Centralising it all into one place using a project management tool is a brilliant way to keep on top of everything, plan your capacity, manage expectations and avoid burnout.

Two go-to project management apps (for good reason) are Trello and Monday.com. As a freelancer or ‘solopreneur’, you might prefer the simplicity of Trello. If you’re interested in built-in budgeting, invoicing and marketing tools too, monday.com should tick all your boxes.

Other great options include Asana and ClickUp (which can even be added to Chrome, Alexa and Google Home).

Trello

Organise all your tasks visually into different boards and use the customisable Kanban workflow to easily manage multiple projects and deadlines.

If you’re working in a team, invite others to your Trello boards and assign tasks with the click of a button. View tasks and projects by calendar or category, depending on how you’re working.

Monday.com

This comprehensive project management platform and productivity app makes managing tasks and organising collaboration at scale a total breeze. Integrate your widgets and other favourite tools to streamline your entire workflow.

Design and creation tools

If you require creative design tools, but you don’t need the full-on power of Adobe, then Canva and Figma might be a useful starting point.

Canva

This app gives you access to millions of high-quality photos, icons, illustrations and templates so you can create things like social media images, business cards, decks, portfolios and advertising assets from your mobile.

Canva is a beginner-friendly alternative to more specialist (and costly) tools like Adobe Illustrator.

Figma

This is a fantastic collaborative tool that enables designers to co-work with clients and peers (such as copywriters and developers) to create, collect feedback and test designs in one platform. It’s a super-efficient way to share work, gather feedback and implement changes.

When it comes to copy and content, check out Grammarly to save valuable time and keep your spelling and grammar in check.

Social media

Social media can be an invaluable tool for getting your name out there, building your audience and sharing your content far and wide.

However, to get the most out of your social media channels, they require investment of time and effort, which can be significantly optimised with a scheduling and management app. Two of the most popular right now are Hootsuite and Loomly.

Hootsuite

Download the Hootsuite app to draft, schedule, and publish social media content across all of your platforms from one dashboard. You can also engage with your audience and access performance analytics directly from the app, without having to log in to separate social media accounts.

Loomly

This other popular social media management platform has recently launched a brand-new mobile app. Once all your social media accounts are connected, you can then create, optimise, schedule and analyse performance of your social media content all in one place.

The main difference between Hootsuite and Loomly is that Hootsuite has great social listening capabilities. This means you can monitor when people are talking about your chosen keywords online and what they’re saying. Loomly doesn’t yet offer this functionality.

Bookkeeping, accounting and invoicing

Keeping your accounts up to date and staying on top of invoices is critical for success as a freelancer. Doing so will help you run as tax-efficiently as possible and reduce instances of late payments to protect your cash flow.

That said, recording things like transactions and invoices and uploading expenses can feel daunting and downright painful at times. Choosing good bookkeeping software that suits your needs will make the whole thing feel easier and more efficient.

Quickbooks

The Quickbooks accounting app is one of the most popular of its kind, especially as it has a plan exclusively for self-employed freelancers. Having an app like this on your mobile, while you’re out and about, makes it quicker and easier to track miles and record transactions as and when they happen.

Pandle

This is a free accounting app that is also a bookkeeping software and invoicing platform. Manage customer and supplier invoicing, upload receipts, view reports and complete banking straight from your mobile.

The best thing about Pandle is that all the cloud-based tools are all designed “with real people in mind”, making it perfect for small business owners and freelancers just like you.

Both accounting apps have a long list of features designed to support the financial growth and stability of your freelance business.

Done here? Find more expert advice and resources in our freelancer information hub.

The post Best Apps for Freelancers 2026 appeared first on Freelancer News.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help every once in a while? That’s where freelance job sites come in. But how do they work exactly?

And, perhaps most importantly, do they take a cut of your earnings? Let’s take a closer look.

What is a freelance job site?

Quite simply, it’s a platform that helps you find freelance projects and jobs, and connect with clients.

There are a couple of different types, and which you go with is really a matter of personal preference. Like all decisions, it’s usually best to consider your specific needs against what’s available.

For example, there are freelance bidding platforms where clients list jobs and freelancers submit their quotes for the work. There are also sites like Lemon.io which completely flip the script by listing freelancers and encouraging potential clients to enlist their services.

How can freelance job sites help me find work?

There are some freelance job sites that target specific industries, while others take a more general approach and cast the net wide.

Either way, the good ones streamline the usually painstaking process of sourcing and securing work by getting freelancers in front of people looking to outsource work. The client will normally need to provide some sort of brief for the work they have in mind. Lots of freelancing platforms will have mandatory fields for things like whether this is an ad-hoc project or an ongoing contract, for example.

Once you find the right one for your needs, a freelance job site can be an invaluable resource, enabling you to expand your network and build your reputation in whatever industry you’re a part of. Especially if you’re just starting out!

Freelance job site fees

Let’s examine a few real-world examples of common freelancing platforms and typical fees they charge.

Upwork

• Freelancer Service Fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract
• Set based on factors that help support a balanced and competitive environment across different types of work
• A fixed fee, meaning it won’t change once your contract begins

Fiverr

• No subscription required
• Charges a 20% service fee on everything you earn through their online marketplace
• Automatically assessed at the time a client’s payment is paid out to you

Guru

• Signing up for an account is free for both freelancers and clients
• Charges a service fee based on a freelancer’s earnings from each project completed, typically between 5% to 9%
• Freelancers can choose from different membership plans, offering various benefits like reduced fees per project, or increased visibility on the platform

Are freelance job site fees tax deductible?

If you’re subscribed to any of these sites and pay a membership fee or have fees deducted from your earnings, you can usually deduct this as an allowable expense.

An allowable expense is something which relates wholly and exclusively to your business, and a platform fee for finding work would absolutely fall into this category.

Am I still self-employed if I use freelance job sites?

Yes! Using a platform to find work doesn’t change your employment status unless you start working as someone’s employee. This means you need to register for Self Assessment if you haven’t already, and submit tax returns so you pay the right amount of Income Tax and National Insurance.

If you’re not totally clear on how to go about this (or just feel unsure about it), a qualified accountant can break everything down and walk you through the process.

What if a client doesn’t pay?

The response to this can vary from platform to platform, but most freelance job sites have at least some kind of protocol in place for when a client stops paying (or even replying).

With Upwork, for example, logged hours that meet the requirements for Hourly Payment Protection will still be invoiced and paid to you by the platform through the usual weekly cycle – even if your client doesn’t respond or fails to pay.

Fixed-price projects are a little different, with you needing to complete your current ‘milestone’ before ending the contract. If you don’t, you risk losing access to any project funds that might be set aside.

Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

The post Do Freelance Job Sites Charge a Fee? appeared first on Freelancer News.

That’s a nice (and perfectly sensible) idea in theory, but what if it means branching out into areas so varied you end up running multiple freelance businesses, rather than extending your existing service? In which case, how on earth are you supposed to promote all of them at the same time?

It’s a question we regularly encounter, so in this article we share our favourite tips for promoting multiple freelance businesses at once.

Can I have more than one business?

Absolutely. Whether you operate multiple limited companies or as a sole trader, there aren’t any restrictions on the number of businesses you can set up or be involved in.

Just bear in mind that being a sole trader means you operate as an individual, so there’s no legal distinction between you and your sole trader business(es). You’ll still submit one single Self Assessment tax return, but you’ll need to include separate sections for your various businesses.

If you need to use MTD Income Tax then you’ll still only submit one single tax return, but each business will need its own quarterly update. For instance, if you have two sole trader businesses, you’ll submit eight quarterly updates!

How do I separate my businesses for marketing?

When it comes to actually promoting your different businesses, you’ll want to have an overall plan of some kind. Things can get very confusing for both you and your clients otherwise.

Branding

Your branding is the way you create an obvious consistent identity for your business. If you run multiple businesses then you could try to make each as different and unique as possible. Or, in other words, find a way to distinguish them from one another.

Conversely, you can focus on developing a cohesive brand identity that encompasses everything, with this making it a lot easier to promote yourself and your services. In a sense, you’ll just be promoting one business which offers different services.

This might not be useful if they’re in wildly different industries, but if they’re related then it might even allow you to use the brand loyalty from an existing business to attract customers to a new one.

Finding a way to organically link different businesses is no mean feat, which is why it’s imperative that you focus on what you’re passionate about. This way, you become the brand.

Platform strategy

If you do decide to keep your businesses as separate entities, one strategy is to make use of different social media platforms or networks.

For example, you could keep LinkedIn reserved for your primary business and promote your other endeavours on Instagram or TikTok.

Alternatively, it is possible to create two or more company pages on LinkedIn if that’s your preferred networking site (you just can’t create more than one personal profile). The only real downside is that company pages aren’t the best in terms of engagement, likely because they tend to lack personality.

The important thing is to target the right customer base for your business, and if that means having a presence on TikTok, then so be it. You don’t have to dance.

Content strategy

Let’s have a think about the actual content you’ll post – and where.

Now, if you like the idea of being the brand yourself, you could simply post different types of content on your own personal profile, whether that’s on LinkedIn, Instagram, or some other site.

An argument can be made, however, that this isn’t the most effective strategy, as people tend to follow others for very specific reasons (unless there’s an existing relationship, of course).

You may find that you start to lose followers if your content isn’t consistent. It’s why picking a lane and committing to it could actually be the best strategy in the long run.

A more subtle approach would be to prioritise content related to your main business, and then drop the odd hint about the other services you offer.

This strategy allows you to plug your side hustle(s) without compromising your own unique brand, meaning you shouldn’t lose followers as a result.

You could also look out for online groups or forums to join. These can offer a less public way to network with potential clients if you’re particularly concerned about muddying the waters.

Set clear guidelines for yourself

As we mentioned earlier, running multiple businesses can get rather confusing, but there are things you can do to make it at least a little easier for yourself.

For example, make it a rule that each of your businesses will be distinct in terms of pricing. While seemingly simple, this could be the difference between staying on track and not.

Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

The post How Can I Advertise Multiple Businesses as a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

Thankfully, seasonal work can be a great option, affording you the opportunity to earn additional income and gain experience during this dreaded ‘summer slowdown.’

What is seasonal work?

Before we get into it, what even is seasonal work? I’m glad you asked. Seasonal employees are basically short-term workers who come in and fulfil additional staffing needs during an organisation’s busiest months.

The main selling point is that the work is on a temporary basis, meaning there’s no long-term commitment and you can try new jobs to see if you enjoy them without having to dive in headfirst.

In terms of exactly when you can take up a seasonal role, this varies by both industry and individual operation.

What should I consider before taking on seasonal work as a freelancer?

The first thing to consider is how long the contract is, as having a seasonal job could eventually get in the way of your freelance obligations, which you may want to prioritise.

You should also take into account the type of work it is. This is because seasonal employment is a chance to upskill in something different and gain valuable experience which can be referenced on your CV in the future.

When it comes to the work itself, there’s likely to be a general lack of freedom or flexibility relative to freelance work (where you get to set your own schedule, for example). There also tends to be less pay than with a full-time job – close to minimum wage in some industries – and also fewer benefits, so you’ll want to consider whether or not it’s worth it to you.

Types of seasonal jobs for freelancers

• Events/festivals – on an ad hoc basis – enables you to fill gaps in your income
• Bartender/hospitality – may require more of a time commitment than events, but still not full-time
• Retail – flexible hours, e.g. weekends only or 2/3 days per week
• Barista – flexible working hours
• Hotel staff – on an ad hoc basis or a few days per week, depending on contract
• Dog walker – nice change from freelancing (not client-facing) and flexible hours

Should I look for employed or self-employed seasonal jobs?

The truth is it doesn’t really matter either way, so long as you’re comfortable doing your Self Assessment tax return (which you likely already are as a freelancer ).

That said, if you opt to take up a self-employed seasonal role, be sure to keep separate records and add a separate section to your Self Assessment. Also make sure you understand how this affects the way you pay tax.

As well as taking on seasonal work, you could also expand the freelance work you do to open up a wider client base. In today’s increasingly complex world, it’s good to have multiple strings to your bow.

Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

The post What Seasonal Work Can Freelancers Pick Up During the Summer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

These dry spells can be frustrating – but there is a possible solution you might want to consider if you haven’t already: seasonal employment. As with anything in life, it’s not perfect, but it might just be the answer to your prayers. Let’s break down the pros and cons.

What is seasonal work?

Well, as the name suggests, seasonal employees are basically short-term workers who come in and fulfil additional staffing needs during an organisation’s busiest months. The specific season varies by both industry and individual operation, but that’s the general gist.

What’s the difference between full-time employment and seasonal work?

The key difference is that seasonal jobs are finite, or temporary, typically lasting for 6 months or less and have a start and end date. This is in contrast to full-time jobs, which tend to be infinite or unending (at least on paper).

Seasonal employees may work part-time or full-time hours, so this isn’t a determining factor, but most countries have specific labour laws around seasonal work to govern things like taxes, insurance, contract terms, and the deductions an employer is allowed to make.

In the UK, for example, seasonal employees are paid a National Minimum Wage according to how old they are.

Should I include my seasonal employment in my Self Assessment?

In short, yes. This is because the tax rate which applies to your earnings depends on how much you earn during a tax year, so you’re required to report all of your income.

Even if you’re primarily self-employed (e.g. a freelancer), you still need to include any PAYE (Pay As You Earn) income in your Self Assessment in addition to your freelance earnings. This doesn’t mean you’ll need to pay tax on your wages again, though.

Pros

The most obvious benefit of seasonal employment is the opportunity to earn additional income to make up for times your freelance work tends to be quiet. There are other potential plus points too:

• Seasonal work is offered on a temporary basis, meaning there’s no long-term commitment on your part, so you can try new jobs to see if you like them without diving in headfirst
• It’s an opportunity to upskill in something different, which will stand you in good stead moving forwards, depending on what sort of seasonal work you find!
• It’s an opportunity to gain experience (for you personally, but also for your CV)
• You can forge connections within a new company – or even a new industry – and these can lead to future recommendations or job tips
• In certain situations, seasonal employees may be offered full-time positions after their seasonal contracts end (for example, if they impress or perform particularly well)
• Seasonal employment also allows you to fill in any unemployment or missing income gaps you might have. This might be particularly useful if you’re worried about gaps in your National Insurance record affecting your entitlement to the State Pension in the future

If you’re asked to do freelance work for an employer, just make sure you don’t fall inside IR35. This is legislation introduced to close a loophole allowing ‘disguised employees’ to avoid paying tax on a self-employed basis, when the nature of the relationship is actually closer to permanent employment.

Cons

• Having a seasonal job could eventually get in the way of your freelance obligations, which you may want to prioritise
• In terms of the work itself, there’s likely to be a general lack of freedom or flexibility relative to freelance work (where you get to set your own schedule, for example)
• Due to the temporary nature of seasonal work, training can often be quite limited, with employees having to adopt a ‘learn-as-you-go’ mentality
• There tends to be less pay than with a full-time job – close to minimum wage in some industries – and also fewer benefits
• Under a seasonal contract, employers have very few restrictions on letting people go, so there isn’t a great deal of stability
• While it does happen, there’s no guarantee of you being offered a full-time position after your seasonal contract ends

Is seasonal work for me?

There are clear advantages to taking up a seasonal role if you’re a freelancer – most notably the fact that you might be able to keep earning at those times of year your freelance work tends to go quiet. Ultimately, like every business decision, it’ll be for you to decide for yourself, based on your own unique situation and preferences.

Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

The post The Pros and Cons of Seasonal Work as a Freelancer appeared first on Freelancer News.

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 strategy and save you money on rejection therapy bills.

What is an outreach strategy?

Essentially, an outreach strategy is a dedicated plan of action designed to find, engage and hopefully onboard new customers. It’s all about devising a way to reach new prospects and generate leads so you can, in an ideal world, nurture them into becoming a client of yours.

How you approach and build your outreach plan will depend on things like:

• How much time you have to dedicate to it
• The type of industry you’re in
• Your budget
• The capacity you have to take on new clients
• Where your target audience is in terms of the platforms and communication methods they use

There’s no one-size-fits-all template and of course, big companies have dedicated sales or marketing teams to take on the task. However, the principles of outreach strategy remain the same for a freelancer flying solo.

What different methods of outreach can you use?

Below are some tried-and-tested outreach methods you could try out. It’s worth exploring which one is worth the investment in terms of time, effort, and money. For example, if your customers don’t really use a certain social media platform, skip that one!

Email outreach

Email is a great platform for connecting with prospects, whether it’s part of an email marketing flow to your current customers or a cold email campaign to people who aren’t your customers (yet).

When sending your emails, be as personal as you possibly can and tailor your communications as much as you have time for. Recipients are far more likely to take notice if they feel like they’re receiving a message written just for them as opposed to a blanket email, especially in the subject line.

Pro tip: Check out Mailshake and Woodpecker, which are both brilliant tools to help automate your email outreach to make your strategy more streamlined, efficient and trackable.

Social media outreach

Social media is an effective way to engage in digital outreach. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and TikTok are great places to engage with prospects directly with targeted ads, organic content and even cold communications (direct messages).

Expert tip: Before you press go on any LinkedIn outreach, give your own freelancer LinkedIn profile a refresh. First impressions are powerful and you want to make sure that you’re having the right impact on anybody who clicks on your page.

Blog outreach

Blog outreach is in the same family as content marketing and involves reaching out to other business owners with a blog, website owners and/or influencers for mutual gain.

For example, you could swap guest posts on each other’s blogs or give each other backlinks to expand your reach and drive more traffic to your site. Aim to get your content on websites with high domain authority to put you in Google’s good books and help you climb the search results pages.

Top tip: Check out Pitchbox, a great tool for supporting your outreach efforts, especially if you’re looking into link-building or working with influencers.

Cold outreach

Yes, the dreaded cold outreach methods do still have a time and place in modern-day growth marketing – sometimes. If you feel up to the challenge, cold calls, emails, social media messages and even visits to customers you’d like to work with could be fruitful.

Done right, good old-fashioned cold outreach could set you apart from your competitors who shy away from it. Plus, you never know, customers might even enjoy the more direct approach and remember you for it.

Customer outreach

This involves connecting with your existing customer base in strategic ways to:

• Prevent them from churning
• Increase the chances of word-of-mouth recommendations
• Boost loyalty to your business. This could be a giveaway or a special promotion, for instance.

Outreach is also a great way to upsell to existing customers, i.e., get them to spend more money on your products/services.

Don’t forget, you don’t just have to pour all of your efforts into one outreach tactic. In fact, the strongest outreach strategies combine the potential of multiple methods.

Tips for creating a strong outreach strategy

Ready and raring to outreach? Before you get started on your strategy, here are a few pointers to set you up for success.

Set clear goals

Whatever outreach methods you choose, you’re going to need to know if it works. That way, you know which avenues to continue down and which ones aren’t delivering the ROI you really want. The way to do this is by setting yourself clear goals – preferably measurable objectives that you can track.

Great examples of goals or objectives to set for your outreach plan include:

• Lead generation: More interest in what you have to offer
• Boost brand awareness: Make more people aware of your product/service
• Increase sales: More billable work
• Expand reach: Such as tapping into new demographics or locations

Meet your customers where they are

It’s a simple tip, but only deploy your outreach tactics where you know there is potential. It’s a waste of resources if you outreach in places where your customers won’t be found.

Do some research to figure out where your customers are hanging out online and what types of offline communication they’re most responsive to, as well.

It’s also worth building some target audience personas and researching their preferred communication methods. Create a profile of your ideal customer(s), research them extensively and then let that guide your choice of outreach methods.

Always stay on brand

Keep your outreach communications in line with your brand in terms of tone, visual identity and values. If you’re going to pique the interest of a lead and spark trust in your business, they’ll want to see that your brand is strong and consistent.

Customers (new and existing) feel far more at ease with a brand they recognise as familiar wherever they see you, whether that’s on their social media platforms or in their email inbox.

Plus, a solid brand identity will boost brand retention and support your own personal brand as a freelancer.

Have a strong CTA

Make sure you have a strong call-to-action (CTA), i.e. make sure the person reading or listening to the outreach communications knows exactly what you want them to do next.

Whether it’s signing up to your newsletter (to get them on your email list), getting in touch for a free consultation or following your business on social media, the best way to get the outcome you want is to guide clearly.

You can get creative with this too and lead with the benefit to them and not just the hard-sell instruction. For example, you could use ‘Unlock the latest insights’ as your newsletter signup CTA instead of the bog standard ‘Sign up’ copy.

 
Head over to our freelancer information hub for more guides, tips, and advice.

The post What Should My Outreach Strategy Be Like as a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

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 festive period, here are some cool ways you could go about it.

Sell seasonal products on Etsy

If you got a penchant for arts and crafts or a creative skill left untapped, now is the perfect time to let it shine by making seasonal products to sell online, such as:

• Greetings cards
• Thank you cards
• Scented candles and wax melters
• Hand-decorated baubles
• Handmade wreathes and garlands
• Personalised decorations
• Personalised Christmas Eve boxes for children
• Plates to leave snacks for Santa and Rudolph on
• Knitted hats, scarves, and gloves
• Handmade crockery
• Balloon arrangements

These are just some common examples of what people create and sell around Christmas time to make some extra money. However, get your creative juices flowing because the more unique your seasonal product, the more likely you are to stand out in the market and sell.

Top tip: don’t forget to factor seller fees into your budget and expenses if you are going to use ecommerce marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.

Sell edible festive treats

Two hot commodities you know are sure to sell, especially during the festive season when people are drinking and being merry, are food and drink. People are more liberal around Christmas time with their calories and their cash, which is a lucrative opportunity for you.

Examples of edible treats you could make and sell include:

• Christmas cookies or cupcakes
• Festive flavoured fudge
• Homemade Panettone
• DIY cookie or cupcake jars
• DIY hot chocolate sets with all the trimmings
• Gingerbread
• Edible wreaths made from sweets
• Food and drink hampers

Get creative with it – just make sure you comply with all the necessary health and safety regulations if you are going to go down the food or drink route.

Be sure to check out the legalities before you stock your pantry, so you don’t end up in a sticky spot of trouble with lots of costly ingredients left on your hands.

Turn the jobs nobody wants into extra cash

Christmas is a time when many people want to kick back, relax, and forgot about their to-do lists until the new year. This is the perfect opportunity for somebody looking to earn extra money to strike by offering to do the tasks nobody wants to do in exchange for payment.

This includes things like:

• Picking up and dropping off Christmas trees
• Putting decorations up and taking them down
• Present wrapping
• Trips to the tip to get rid of cardboard boxes and other junk
• Housesitting while people are visiting family and friends elsewhere
• Dog-sitting while people head off on last-minute holidays

It goes without saying that, in order to offer any ad hoc services like these, you need to make sure you’re able to do so safely and legally.

Do some research to make sure there aren’t any qualifications or safety checks you need to have passed before starting anything as a freelance side hustle.

Turn your skill into seasonal spends

The world of business doesn’t stop just because Santa is coming to town, which means your Christmas side hustle doesn’t necessarily have to be Christmas-related at all.

If you have a skill that you could be putting to use to generate an additional income stream in time for the festive period, there’s no time like the present. If it goes well and you see success, you could even continue your side hustle once Christmas has passed.

That said, even if you have a non-festive skill up your sleeve, there are ways you can capitalise on the season to upsell or attract new customers.

If you’re a freelance photographer, for example, you could pull together a limited-time service where you offer families Christmas-themed photoshoots for things like greetings cards and calendars.

It doesn’t have to be creative either. If you’re a plumber, for instance, you could offer a discounted service to check pipes and plumbing during the cold season when people often experience issues with freezing and water pressure.

Or maybe you’re a freelance wedding planner wondering how to make some money during the quieter wedding season. You could transfer your organisational skills and contacts list to Christmas or New Year party planning instead temporarily.

Don’t let taxes tarnish your festive spirit

No matter what your side hustle is, you’ll need to let HMRC know about it if your total self-employed income is more than £1,000 in a tax year. Anything below that threshold is covered by the trading allowance, which enables you to earn up to £1,000 through miscellaneous means (e.g., Christmas side hustles) without having to declare it or pay tax on it.

If your earnings go above the threshold, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment and submit a tax return. Fortunately, you can still offset the allowance against your earnings and only pay tax on anything above the threshold, or you can claim tax relief on your expenses instead.

How much tax you pay will depend on your overall income for the tax year, including what you earn from your main income source (i.e., employment), although you won’t need to pay tax on the same income twice. And no, your employer won’t find out unless you tell them!

Find more of the latest news and guidance for freelancers in our info hub.

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Ensuring that your pitch is strong means you stand a better chance of beating your competition to the work. It’s also helps you kickstart better client relationships. In this article, we share our top tips for building the perfect freelance email pitch.

1. Make your message concise and succinct

The chances are the person(s) you’re emailing is super busy with their own day. The last thing they want to see landing in their inbox is a lengthy email full of links and attachments. And that’s if all those links even make it past their spam filter.

To capture your recipient’s attention and engage them with your pitch, keep your email concise and succinct. The information you share should be easy to digest in a way which helps keep their focus all the way through.

That way, you’re more likely to get a response from them, and hopefully the opportunity for a conversation where you can then go into more detail. Even if their answer is no, that’s a step above being ignored!

2. Stay away from blanket messages but avoid overfamiliarity

Sending generalised blanket messages won’t get you anywhere when it comes to pitching for work.

An obvious and simple way to personalise your message is to address the person(s) directly with their name, rather than using general greetings such as ‘Hi there’. Other ways you can make a freelance email pitch more bespoke include:

• Referencing something the business has done that you’ve enjoyed or admired recently.
• Referring to the business’s brand identity, mission and/or values.
• Creating an executive summary at the beginning of your portfolio summarising why you’re pitching for the project and why you believe you’re a good fit for the company.

Just be careful to avoid any over-familiarity! It can come across as being rather aggressive.

3. Demonstrate how you share the company’s values

As well as looking for somebody with the right skillset, any client you work with will naturally gravitate to the freelancer who shares their values and ethos. If you get on and have some common ground, it will help foster a successful working relationship.

Do plenty of research about the business and its brand identity so that you can refer to it in your pitch (as well as any subsequent exchanges). Rather than simply acknowledging it, earn bonus points by going on to explain how and why you believe you’re a great match for the business or specific project.

4. Don’t let your subject line take second place

In the same way you wouldn’t go into a business meeting or a networking event with an unkempt appearance, it’s important that your subject line isn’t just an afterthought.

When you meet new or prospective clients in real life, you want to make a strong first impression and your physical appearance plays a huge part. A well-thought-out email subject line is the digital equivalent of this.

Compose a subject line that doesn’t scream ‘spam’, whilst still standing out in an email inbox with high traffic so that your message turns the right heads. The best ones in this scenario get right to the point by summarizing what the email is actually about. For instance: ‘Conscientious freelance copywriter for financial services content’.

Avoid truncating the subject line by keeping it short, sweet and to the point, as well as ensuring that it’s clear what your email is regarding.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that some email platforms preview a few lines of the email message itself, as well as the subject line.

5. Ask a peer to proofread and sense check your pitch

Ensure that your spelling and grammar are tip-top when sending emails to prospective clients. Typos and poor grammar send out negative signals, and will most likely result in your email being sent straight to the bin, rather than inspiring a response.

Get someone to sense check your email pitch from the perspective of your desired recipient. Not only will it help flag up any spelling or grammatical errors, but it will also help make sure that the way you’ve formatted and delivered your information makes sense. Test a few different subject lines on them too!

6. Make sure your portfolio and online profiles are up to date

When you pitch to a potential client, they’re very like to hunt you down on social media to get a feel for what you’re all about. Make sure your social media profiles are up-to-date and work-friendly so that you can start making a great impression even prior to meeting.

Similarly, if you share links or attachments to your portfolio along with your email pitch, make sure you’ve given them a refresh so that you’re circulating the most current (and impressive) version.

7. Be confident but not arrogant

It goes without saying that confidence is key, and that confidence is an appealing attribute in anybody you’re going to work with. However, there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance.

Stay on the right side of it by communicating your experience and achievements in a matter of fact and authentic way. You don’t need to overdo the humility either (which can seem just as false).

Another important thing to remember here is honesty. Exaggerating or embellishing your experience might win you the work to begin with, but doing so is more likely to start your working relationship off on the wrong foot. Particularly if you badly underdeliver on your claims!

8. Don’t forget to follow up – but be patient

Last but certainly not least, make sure to send a follow-up email to demonstrate your eagerness and help push your pitch to the top of the pile.

Choosing when to send this follow-up message can be tricky and it largely depends on the individual circumstances. For example, if you’re responding to a call-out for pitches, the client might have stipulated a date by which they intend to respond. However, if you’re reaching out with a pitch of your own, you can approach your follow-up tactics differently.

Whatever the scenario you’re in, just be sure not to send your chaser too early or this might come across as impatient and annoying.

Check out our freelancer resources and guides for more support and guidance.

The post How Do I Write a Freelance Email Pitch? appeared first on Freelancer News.

Connect with an agency that understands freelancers

Agency work hasn’t always been freelance-friendly in the past but happily, lots of agencies are starting to switch on to the fact that freelancers are the perfect temporary resource for businesses with ongoing projects.

There are countless jobs agencies out there, so it’s worth reaching out to those that particularly understand what motivates you as a freelancer. 

If you’re planning to freelance long-term but your agent is determinedly pushing you towards clients who want an employee, the relationship is likely to get tense pretty quickly. Don’t be afraid to make it clear what your plans are!

This works the other way, too. So, if you’re freelancing with a view to using it as a route into employment, sharing this with the agency helps them match you with more appropriate clients.

Top tip for freelancing with multiple agencies

A common mistake is to respond to every agency, spreading your details around as many agents as possible. Less is more when dealing with agencies, so be selective. Reducing the amount of agencies you deal with cuts down the wasted phone calls that don’t match your skills or project preferences.

It also reduces the chance of multiple agents sending your CV to the same client. It can go against you!

What is the agent getting?

Negotiation starts the minute an agent asks you “what rate are you looking for.” Be firm and decisive with your rate, and don’t go with your bottom line. Set a freelance rate that you’re happy with, and that you feel your skills deserve.

Your agent is essential the window between what rate you’re willing to work at, and the rate a client is looking to pay. It can be a useful resource to have, but do keep in mind that agencies also have their own profit margin to think about. With big clients, most agents work on a PSL (preferred supplier list) and have set margins with the client, so there’s less room for negotiation.

Keep your skills updated with your agency

Once you find an agency that suits your skills, keep the lines of communication open. You don’t want to be just another name on their database. Even when you have a contract or plenty of freelance work on the go, drop them a line each month to update your availability, add any new skills you have picked up, or just to chat.

A good recruiter will always have a list of active freelancers who they will contact before they hit their internal database or spend money on advertising.

Stay fresh in the thoughts of recruiters and you’re more likely to find that agency calls will be better qualified in terms of what work you’re looking for, and also more frequent.

Always keep your CV updated with your agency

Once you finish a contract, update your CV and send it in to the agency so they can refresh your database CV. This is important, because you don’t want to be overlooked for any work that suits your skills or new experience.

Often a recruiter will pass over a freelance requirement to a resourcer, who will work on the internal database to find candidates. The search will be mainly driven by skill keywords, so if your new skills are not on your CV, you could miss out on new freelance projects.

Visit our freelancer information hub to find more advice and resources.

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PAYE employees can be guilty of believing that their freelance counterparts are all about sleeping in late, jetting off on holiday at the drop of a hat, and spending the afternoons bingeing daytime TV.

However, when it comes to the rat race, freelancers and full-time employees have more in common than they might realise.

In this article, we throw the spotlight on how pitching for freelance jobs isn’t all that different from the stresses and strains of the standard job hunt. We share our top tips to ensure that you’re fulfilling your potential but staying happy and healthy while you’re doing it.  So, what are the secrets to success?

Keep your CV and portfolio up-to-date 

When you’re buried under your workload and constantly in pursuit of demanding deadlines, updating your CV or your portfolio tends to always fall to the bottom of the priority list.

But, refreshing your CV, your website, or your showreel as you go along will save you a huge amount of time and stress in the long run.

Doing so means you’ll be able to readily produce an up-to-date portfolio to strengthen your pitch and showcase your talent, without having to fumble around the archives for past examples of work.

Top tip: Ask clients for testimonials so you can include them in your portfolio.

Don’t get complacent with longstanding clients 

It’s important to remember that a client staying loyal to you for several years doesn’t mean they’re immune to having their heads turned by a better offer.

It might be a lower cost, an updated process, or a new piece of kit that your competition can come along with, and swipe them from right under your nose. To stay ahead in the game, endeavour to impress your clients as much today as you did when you pitched to win them over, way back when.

Never take longstanding clients for granted. Remind them that they’re important to you and that you’re grateful for their custom on a regular basis. Make them feel special and appreciated.

Keep a close eye on the competition 

This one’s a no-brainer but we thought we’d point out the obvious anyway to really hammer the message home: keep your colleagues close but your competition closer. 

Pitching for freelance jobs is like survival of the fittest in the animal kingdom. If you want to rule the pack, you need to ensure that you’re always ready to pivot and evolve in order to outshine your competition.

Regularly review your pricing structure 

Chasing invoices and battling late-paying clients is one of the downsides of being a freelancer, and can cause a level of financial insecurity that salaried staff don’t have to deal with.

Make sure your pricing aligns with your expenditure by regularly reviewing your rate card. If you can afford to, seek out the expertise of a reputable accountant who will be able to help you keep your cash flow on the straight and narrow.

Try to see the positive side if you’re turned down 

This is much easier said than done – we get that – but when you’re putting yourself out there and pitching for jobs, you can’t possibly win them all. Try not to take it personally.

When this does happen, you’ve got two choices ahead of you: wallow in disappointment and fuel self-doubt, or take it on the chin, learn from the experience and use it to better yourself moving forward. We always recommend going for the latter. (Maybe a quick wallow with a cup of tea and a biscuit – we’re only human).

Give yourself a well-earned break every once in a while

The trials and tribulations of hunting for opportunities and pitching for jobs is exhausting. In fact, sometimes, it can feel like a full-time job in itself. Even when you win the work, when you’ve got the celebrations out the way, you’ve then got to knuckle down and get on with it.

In order to be the best version of you that you can possibly be – both professionally and personally – it’s vital that you take your foot off the gas from time to time. Stick your out-of-office on, clear your calendar, and take a break away from the daily grind to reset, recharge and refresh.

Nobody performs well when they’re on the brink of burnout – but hey, you don’t need us to tell you that.

Got any of your own advice to add? Speaking from many years of experience as pro-pitcher? Share your thoughts with us on social media using the links below! 

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