Fear not, though, as business management platform Tide has published its latest Global Freelancer Report, revealing the freelance roles that are most in demand in the UK and around the world.

We’ll look at some of the top ones to give you an idea of which areas to focus on going into 2026, and we’ll also touch on the issue of freelancing abroad, which can have major implications for how you pay tax.

Let’s jump in.

Most in-demand freelance roles in the UK

According to the report, the top freelance role in the UK is that of SEO (search engine optimisation) specialist, which is all about leveraging digital analytics to boost a company’s online presence. It also helps to have a bit of marketing know-how.

Other roles on the list include graphic/web designer, copywriter, and accountant, with there being a clear emphasis on web-based skills.

Most in-demand freelance roles globally

While there is some overlap between the two lists, SEO specialist doesn’t take the top spot globally.

Rather, the report indicates that self-employed filmmakers are actually the most sought-after freelancers around the globe, and this is really no surprise when you consider just how ubiquitous video content is in today’s digital world.

Also on the global list are SEO specialist, graphic designer, copywriter, and photographer.

Can I freelance abroad?

This is a good question, and one you’ve no doubt asked yourself if you’re a freelance professional. After all, one of the big attractions of freelancing is the freedom to decide your own schedule, as well as where and when you work.

George Schmidt, UK/Europe CEO at Tide, describes freelancing as the “natural next step for many people that have worked in an industry for an extended period of time,” noting “the flexibility to fit it in around your life”.

When it comes to freelancing abroad, however, the reality isn’t quite as simple as you might think, or hope! For example, if you’re considered a UK tax resident, you most likely need to pay tax on all your income – even if some of it comes from a foreign client.

Living and working in a different country

What if you’re also based overseas, living and working in a different country? Well, this is where things get really complicated, as things like tax residency and double taxation agreements come into play.

These sort of arrangements basically ensure you don’t pay tax on the same income twice, but you’ll normally need to check for any agreements in place between the countries in question.

The good thing is you don’t have to go it alone. A qualified accountant can walk you through the whole process and make sure you’re operating in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Recording international income

Good record keeping will help you stay on track of what income was earned where. It can make a huge difference to your tax bill. The best way to keep good records is by using online bookkeeping software.

What freelance roles are on the up?

Currently, the fastest growing freelance profession is web analytics specialist, followed closely by content marketer.

As is evident from Tide’s findings, the fact that AI is being relied upon more and more doesn’t mean there aren’t still jobs available for freelancers in certain areas.

It’s simply about knowing where to look (and what to focus on). While there are many good arguments for specialising as a freelancer, meaning you home in on one specific niche, it also pays to stay more generalised, as this gives you access to a greater number of opportunities.

A more general freelancer is able to stay nimble and adapt to their changing environment, and right now there appears to be a growing demand in the digital space, with web analytics, SEO and the like all becoming increasingly important to different kinds of companies. It all depends on your needs and skills!

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 Freelance Roles Are in Highest Demand? appeared first on Freelancer News.

However, because of the casual nature of the work, some freelancers are in danger of ignoring the legal implications of working on the side. You might not think your side venture counts as a business but it does, and you have certain responsibilities as a result.

Whether you’re planning on setting up a full blown business or are just thinking of an occasional casual thing alongside your job, the rules are the same and you still need to register as self-employed with HMRC if you plan to make any money from your ventures.

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to do.

What does being a sole trader actually mean?

As a freelancer, you’re going to have to register as self-employed and more specifically as a sole trader.

Despite how it sounds, it doesn’t actually apply to people who just work alone. So you can take on staff if you want. It just means that you’re solely responsible for the business.

How to register

You should register as soon as you can after starting your business and can through the government’s website here.

You have until 5^th October in your business’s second tax year in order to do so. If you don’t register in time you won’t face a penalty as long as you send your tax return and pay your bill on time.

How you register will depend on whether you’ve ever sent tax returns before.

Never sent one?

If you’re a sole trader who has never sent a tax return, you need to tell HMRC you want to be a sole trader by registering as a new business.

You will then register for Self-Assessment tax returns which you’ll use to report your income at the end of every tax year, and National Insurance at the same time. For more information about the different types of National Insurance you need to know about, click here.

Sent a tax return in the past?

If you’re a new sole trader who has sent a tax return before as an individual for things like investment or rental income, you will need to register as self-employed.

You will also need to register for Class 2 National Insurance using a CWF1 form. This will allow you to continue using your Self-Assessment account.

In order to do this, you will need your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) so that HMRC can link your accounts. You can find this on your previous tax returns, online account or from documents from HMRC. Contact HMRC is you can’t find your UTR.

Starting up again?

If you’ve ever registered or done business as a sole trader, then you will need to reregister in order to set up trading again. You will need to reregister using the CWF1 form and your UTR so that you can use your existing account.

The process of registering as a sole trader will take around 10 working days, or up to 21 if you’re registering from abroad. This is because HMRC will post you an activation code which you will need when you sign into your online account for the first time.

Once you’ve registered and set up a system for managing your finances you can then go about growing your business. You may even want to hire an accountant who can take care of your bookkeeping and taxes so that you’re free of the stress and the time that you could be spending elsewhere on working on your business.

Your responsibilities

The work’s not over once you’ve registered. As a business owner, you have certain legal responsibilities in order to comply with HMRC’s rules to avoid getting penalised.

It’s important to make sure you’re always running your business by the books and aware of how much tax you’re going to owe so you don’t get hit either with a nasty surprise or even a fine if you don’t pay your taxes on time.

In order to keep your business above board, you will need to do the following:

• Keep records of sales and expenses, including bills for expenses
• Send a Self-Assessment tax return each year
• Pay income tax on your profits and Class 2 or 4 National Insurance
• Settle debts
• Register for VAT if your turnover reaches the threshold of £83,000

Hiring an accountant will make this process easier as they will be able to give you the best advice regarding things like expenses and tax efficiency as well as making sure that your business is doing everything the right way.

Hiring an online accountant and using a free accounting software like Pandle will help you save money.

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 to Register as Self-Employed as a Freelancer appeared first on Freelancer News.

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 MATB1 form you can get from a doctor or midwife)

How much is Statutory Maternity Pay?

SMP is given at 90% of your average weekly earnings (pre-tax) for the first 6 weeks of maternity leave and £172.48 per week for the remaining 33 weeks (or still at 90% of your average weekly earnings if it’s less than £172.48).

For some new parents, freelancing while on maternity leave is a way to earn more money to top up SMP payments. Especially given that employees can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave but SMP will only be paid for the first 39 weeks.

Self-employment allows for more financial freedom and flexibility if you do want to take the full maternity leave period of 52 weeks but can’t afford the additional 13 weeks with no SMP.
 

Can I freelance while on maternity if I’m employed?

If you’re on maternity leave from your job and considering freelancing at the same time, there are some important things to know.

• The first key thing to be aware of is compulsory maternity leave.

This legally prohibits anyone from doing any kind of work for two weeks after they give birth. You’ll probably want to spend those two weeks cuddling and adjusting anyway but this legal requirement is worth noting.

After that two-week compulsory maternity leave period, you can start freelancing if you like. You should consult your employment contract first to make sure your employer doesn’t prohibit freelancing while working for them (and then decide what you want to do with that knowledge).

Even when you’re on maternity leave, you’re still legally bound by all the rules and regulations in your employment contract, so you will need to continue complying with them.
 

Will freelancing affect maternity benefits?

If there’s no clause in your employment contract and you’re permitted to freelance while on maternity leave from your job, your Statutory Maternity Pay shouldn’t be affected.

In this case, self-employment won’t stand in the way of your SMP and you will still receive these payments along with any earnings you make through freelance work.

For the sake of clarity, it’s important to note that if you carry out any work for your employer while you’re on official maternity leave, this will stop your Statutory Maternity Pay. This includes working for your employer on a ‘freelance’ basis for the period of time you’re on maternity leave.

Some new parents think this is a crafty loophole to earn more without having to find or service new clients but this is extremely risky. If you were to be found out, you could lose your maternity benefits, have to pay extra tax to HMRC, and end up out of pocket.
 

Maternity Allowance and KIT days

Unlike employed people, self-employed freelancers are not entitled to the regular SMP but they can apply for a Maternity Allowance (MA) instead although you can’t have both at the same time.

Even if you start freelancing while on maternity leave, if you’re already getting Statutory Maternity Pay through your employer, you can’t also have the Maternity Allowance.

With the Maternity Allowance, it’s also important to be aware of ‘Keeping in Touch’ (KIT) days. These days allow you to work for a maximum period of 10 days within the time you’re receiving MA and no more. If you work beyond the 10-day threshold, you will lose your entitlement to MA.
 

Do I have to pay tax on my freelance earnings?

When you’re juggling a new baby and freelance work, you’re certainly going to have a lot on your plate. It’s essential that you still make time to track your income and register for Self Assessment once you go over the tax-free trading allowance.

The trading allowance is the amount of income you can make in a tax year from casual and/or miscellaneous means before starting to pay tax on those earnings. The current threshold is set at a maximum of £1,000 per tax year, and doesn’t apply to the wages you get from your employer.

So, if you make more than £1,000 through your freelance work in a tax year, you’ll need to submit a Self Assessment tax return and pay tax on the earnings over the trading allowance threshold.

You will still be taxed as normal for your employment earnings through your employer’s payroll system. Registering for Self Assessment just means you can pay tax on the extra you make through self-employment.

And no, your employer won’t know unless you tell them, or unless you ask HMRC to collect any tax you owe through your tax code.
 

Track earnings and expenses with good bookkeeping software

The best way to keep track of your freelance earnings and expenses is by using bookkeeping software. This means you can access your accounts from anywhere with an internet connection and track things like spending and invoices on the go.

If you do start earning more than the trading allowance, bookkeeping software makes it far simpler to figure out how much of your income will then be taxable.

If you hire an accountant to do your Self Assessment tax return for you, bookkeeping software also makes providing them with all the information they need much easier.

Plus, with good bookkeeping practices, an accountant will also be able to help you freelance as tax-efficiently as possible and claim as much tax relief as you can.
 
Find even more advice and guidance for freelancers in our info hub!

The post Can I Freelance While on Maternity Leave? appeared first on Freelancer News.

They all exist in the same professional realm, so the terms do overlap but there are nuances between them which are important to note for legal and financial reasons.

Some of the terms we use to describe self-employment actually describe the legal structure of your business, and these have an impact on how you register your business as well as for tax compliance.

It can be quite confusing, so we explain what it means to be self-employed, freelance, or a sole trader, and give guidance on the various tax implications to help steer you in your desired direction.

What does it mean to be self-employed?

As the name implies, being self-employed is where you work for yourself rather than as an employee of someone else. Self-employment means you own your own business and are responsible for your own income.

Self-employed business owners may also employ staff and be responsible for paying their wages (and relevant employee contributions like National Insurance and pension) too.

This can apply to businesses of all shapes and sizes (sectors and scales). Whether you own a boutique marketing agency or you’re a solo plumber, if you own the business and generate income from it, you’re self-employed.

Responsibilities

As a self-employed worker you’re in control of things like the scope of work, setting your pricing and rates, and which clients you want to work with. This level of autonomy is one of the most appealing things about being self-employed versus working for somebody else who calls those kinds of shots.

That said, with freedom comes great responsibility and being self-employed also means the onus is on you to deal with things like invoicing, chasing payments, financial accounts, and taxes. (Unless, of course, you get an accountant to help you out, which we’d always recommend doing if you can afford it!)

Self-employed vs. Freelancer vs. Sole trader

It’s important to note, before we go any further, that sole traders and freelancers are self-employed.

Freelancer and sole trader status are not separate or different from self-employment. The crucial difference is that the term ‘sole trader’ describes a legal structure that you can register the business as. Another type of legal structure is a limited company.

So, someone who is self-employed might be a sole trader or they might have a limited company. In summary:

• Sole trader: A type of legal structure that you use to register the business
• Self-employed: You work for yourself, and you can do this as a sole trader, a limited company, or in a partnership
• Freelancer: Someone who is self-employed (and that can be under any business structure you like). The thing that’s different about freelancers is the way they work.

Who qualifies as a freelancer?

A freelancer is somebody who works for themselves, so in that respect you’re self-employed. Freelancers tend to work remotely, and usually work by themselves although they might also collaborate with others as part of a larger project. Freelancing tends to involve:

• Working for multiple clients or on a variety of projects at once
• Being hired on a retainer basis or for adhoc work and projects, rather than on a set contract length
• Controlling the scope of work and rate of pay, including the payment basis (such as with a day rate or project cost, and how often payments are made, such as with milestone payments or on completion)
• Invoicing clients for payment
• Reporting profits and expenses, and paying Income Tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions

Somebody who is a freelancer might operate as a sole trader or as a limited company. They might also work for an employer at the same time as running their own freelance side hustle.

What is a sole trader?

A sole trader is a self-employed person who works for themselves and owns their own business—and is therefore responsible for earning their own income and reporting it for tax purposes.

The main difference between a sole trader and a limited company is that sole traders have unlimited liability. This means that the business owner’s personal finances aren’t considered to be separate from those of the business itself.

Limited companies, on the other hand, keep the business owner’s personal finances and assets separate. This means they will be protected if the company finds itself facing debt or any other financial problems.

Can you be employed and self-employed at the same time?

Yes, you can be employed and self-employed at the same time. Some people choose to run a business outside of their employment to supplement their salary or invest in another skill or passion.

This is what is often referred to as a ‘side hustle’. According to recent research published by finder.com, 43% of Brits have a side hustle as an additional source of income.

This self-employment side hustle falls under the umbrella of self-employment but could be under the remit of freelancing, sole trader or owner of a limited company, etc.

How do self-employed people pay tax?

How self-employed people report and pay tax depends on how their business is set up, which is why the point about business structure is important. For instance, being a freelancer doesn’t actually tell you what type of tax you need to pay. The way you set up your freelance business does.

• Sole traders submit Self Assessment tax returns and pay Income Tax on all of the profits they make
• In a limited company the business owner submits a Company Tax Return to report the company’s profits and pay Corporation Tax on them. They’ll also need to report their own individual income that they take from the business.

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

The post Am I a Freelancer, Sole Trader or Self Employed? appeared first on Freelancer News.

What is more profitable for you?

Analyse your offering and dig into the details of what clients are buying and what they aren’t. If a particular service simply isn’t in demand or costs too much to provide, then maybe it’s time to move on from it – at least in its current form.

If two services generate the same level of income, but one of them costs more to provide, then you might decide to focus on the most profitable of the two. On the other hand, the freelancing services you offer might be complementary, so consider whether removing one would also damage the other.
 

Choosing a pricing structure

How you price your offering and what you charge for each product or service is another element you should be reviewing on a regular basis.

One of the most obvious indicators that you might need to increase your prices is if you aren’t making enough money. Some other signals that it could be time to reassess your pricing structure include:

• When your outgoings increase: Things like inflation and market demand mean that sometimes, you end up spending more to produce your offering. This is an example of when a price increase is perfectly justified.
• If you hire staff: Again, this will increase your overheads, which might mean you need to bump up how much you charge for what you offer.
• Client feedback: If you notice clients are consistently surprised with how affordable your offering is, this could be a sign that you’re undercharging. You might also decide to charge more for particularly time-consuming clients!
• Competitors charging a lot more: if your competitors’ prices are way higher than yours, it could be a good idea to test an increased pricing structure of your own.

Of course, it is also important to assess whether or not you might need to lower your prices.

If clients aren’t buying what you’re selling or if you’re charging significantly more than your competitors, a price decrease could be what you need to see more sales coming in and boost your competitive advantage.
 

Client relationships

Contrary to traditional belief, the customer isn’t always right – or, at least, the customer isn’t always right for you. Assess your current client relationships and be honest about which ones are working and which ones aren’t.

If you feel a client relationship no longer serves you or your career positively, it’s probably time to part ways. This could be because it’s too tricky to manage expectations for the customer, for example, or perhaps they’re serial late payers and consistently behind on settling invoices.

Whatever the stumbling block may be, moving away from problematic client relationships will give you more time and energy to invest in flourishing and fruitful ones, both new and existing.

For the client relationships that are going well, you should think about how you can bolster these connections in order to retain the customer for as long as possible.

This is also a good opportunity to put your own contribution to client relationships under the spotlight. Are you doing enough to service your clients? Where could you improve? Putting an action plan in place can help you review and adapt the customer experience, and avoid the risk of complacency.
 

Payment processes

Look at your invoicing and transaction data to identify any clients that are regular culprits of making late payments, and consider how valuable this relationship is to you and your business.

Late payments can be extremely damaging for your freelance career, hindering your cash flow. Focus your energy on clients that don’t need chasing for payment and regularly fulfil their invoices on time.

Secondly, review your own outgoings and how you pay for business-related costs. Are there any payment processes in place that you could change or optimise to support things like cash flow and budgeting? Could you spread the cost, for example, or pay something upfront to save some money in the long run?

These are the types of questions you should ask yourself when it comes to analysing what works and doesn’t work financially for your freelance business.
 

Where you work

Another key thing to consider when you’re reviewing what works for your freelance career is where, when, and how you work.

As your own boss, you can structure your working life however you like – this includes the hours you work and where you work from. This has many brilliant benefits, but it also means self-employed people are often more at risk of burnout and a poor work-life balance.

For example, if you spend most of your time working from home, you might notice this impacting your physical and mental health as it reduces social connections and daily movement. As a result, you might choose to invest in a co-working space for part of the week to boost wellbeing, productivity, and networking opportunities.

This might also encourage you to work more structured, sociable hours, which will have a positive impact on your motivation and productivity too. The other side to this is the added cost though, so consider what this means for your profits.
 

How to measure the growth of your freelance business

Consistent growth and stable profits are usually a sure sign that something is working for your freelance career. Below are some of the most effective ways to measure and monitor this success.

• Review your client base: A growing list of regular clients is a really positive sign that freelancing is going well
• Assess your earnings: If your business is becoming more and more profitable, this shows your career is moving in the right direction.
• Use financial reports: Accounts and financial reports showing more money coming in than going out are a great indication of growth.

 
Looking for more advice on all things freelance? Head over to our hub where we have a whole host of handy guides and interesting resources for you to get stuck into.

The post Reviewing What Works Best for Your Freelancing Career appeared first on Freelancer News.

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% of the UK’s freelance population whilst the Southwest represents 10%.

So, that’s what the UK freelance landscape is looking like right now – but where is the best place to be a freelancer? Let’s explore.

The world is your workplace

One of the most exciting things about building a freelance career is the freedom it affords you in terms of where you can work. You won’t be required to attend the same office in the same place each week, like you normally would if you were employed.

Important things to consider when plotting out your freelance life on a map include:

• Cost of living and travelling in your chosen area(s)
• Tax implications in those specific places
• Your industry/field of work and the demand for what you offer there
• Time zones – will these impact your ability to maintain client relationships?
• Impact on your personal life and relationships

Of course, if you do fancy living the ‘digital nomad’ life and exploring the world while you work, you’ll also need to think about visas. Popular destinations that offer freelance visas are:

• Germany
• Belgium
• Portugal
• Spain
• Cyprus
• Brazil

All these locations welcome freelance workers, offering specific visas with time-based parameters or income-related requirements.

With the internet and modern technology, it’s possible to run a successful freelance business from almost anywhere in the world – it’s all about finding the place(s) that support your goals.

Freelancing online

Working remotely means you can connect with clients all over the world regardless of your own location – all thanks to the internet removing many geographical limitations.

So, if you’re a UK-based freelancer hoping for international work without needing to travel regularly or stray too far from home, the online world might prove to be your best bet.

Remote work

As a freelancer working remotely, the best place for you to be is wherever you feel most productive or wherever suits your schedule. This might be from a home office or a local cafe, the airport, or some far-flung exotic country.

That’s the beauty of remote self-employment and being your own boss – you get to choose where and when you work. You can even claim tax relief on your allowable home office running costs and travel expenses.

When it comes to finding work and reaching clients in the online world, freelance websites and social media platforms are going to be your best friends.

Freelance websites

There are lots of freelance websites and platforms which are designed to match gig workers with clients. On these types of websites, you will find digital ads calling for freelancers to fulfil jobs, which could be anything from a 30-second video voice-over to a three-month contract for a graphic designer.

These online spaces provide amazing opportunities to reach clients all around the world and the chance to work on projects you wouldn’t be able to access locally. Some popular freelance websites to check out are:

• • Fiverr: Easy to use with no joining or subscription fees. Advertise your service and wait for somebody to request a ‘gig’. You get 80% of the fee and Fiverr gets 20%.

• • Upwork: Sign up, create a profile and then actively bid on jobs posted by clients. Upwork is free to join and the platform takes a flat fee of what you earn.

• • PeoplePerHour: Clients can post jobs for freelancers to bid for, or freelancers can pitch packages for clients to consider. You apply for an account and once accepted, you get a set number of bids and quotes per month. You can buy credits to increase this allowance.

• Freelancer.com: On this platform, clients list projects that freelancers bid for. The client then selects a freelancer to ‘award’ the job to. Freelancer.com has a selection of subscription bands that give you access to a range of bids and rewards. The platform takes 10% or $5 of the winning bid for fixed-price projects, and 10% for hourly charges, whichever is highest.

However, it is also worth looking in less densely populated online spaces to boost your chances of standing out. Some other great examples of freelance websites where competition might be a little less intensive include Flexjobs, Bark, Toptal, and Guru (which is specifically for voice over gigs).

Their global nature means competition for jobs can be pretty intense on these freelancing platforms, often leading to lower fees and tighter deadlines. Be aware, and ensure you aren’t overcommitting or underpricing your services when negotiating.

Social media

When running a freelance business online, using social media to build a client base can be an invaluable tool.

Social media might not be relevant for some freelance services, but it can have benefits for those that it suits. Professional channels like LinkedIn can be particularly fruitful when it comes to connecting with paying clients who need your services.

Here are some top tips to make your social media accounts work harder for you:

• • Pick your platforms wisely: Only use the social media channels that are relevant to your industry. For instance, a freelance finance consultant might have more difficulty finding leads on TikTok or Snapchat, so a different platform could be more efficient.

• • Search strategically: Use the search feature on social media platforms to find posts and conversations related to freelance opportunities. Target phrases like ‘hiring freelance [insert specialism]’ or ‘freelance job’ and set up alerts for these keywords too.

• • Make a good digital impression: Ensure your chosen social media profiles are complete, professional-looking and free of any grammatical errors or typos.

• • Be active: Share regular content that is original, engaging and shareable to expand your reach and get your name out there. Posting examples of your work allows your online audience to get a taste of what you have to offer.

• Interact in the right places: Join and follow freelance job boards and groups on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Clients will often post on job boards and social media groups so it’s a good opportunity to snap them up.

Consider your clients’ needs

Another important thing to remember when working as a freelancer is that some clients might require you to work from their base or office from time to time. This could be for ad hoc meetings or on a more structured, regular basis if you’re working under a contract.

Make sure you clearly establish if this is going to be the case from the very beginning so you can manage expectations about how much you can realistically commit to working on-site.

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

The post Where’s The Best Place to be a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

If you’re thinking of starting up your own side gig, you’ll be joining one in five Brits that have done the same since March 2020. But where exactly do you start? We’ll give you some tips and tricks on how you can start a freelance side hustle.

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is basically a hobby or side job you do part-time in addition to any other employment you may have. Lots of people start side hustles from their personal hobbies, for example, creating bespoke cakes or paintings, and they’re likely to have a small (but loyal) clientele.

The best thing about side hustles is the flexibility and freedom to earn your own income. As your own boss, you can choose how often you work, and the clients you want to work for. There are many stories of side hustles snowballing from a hobby to a full-time business – but again, it’s up to you if that’s what you want to strive for, you can go at your own pace.

How do I start a freelance side hustle?

If you have decided you want to start a side hustle, congrats! It’s an exciting prospect, but it can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. We have some tips to help you on your way.

1. Think about your passions and skills

Working full-time can really burn up all your energy, so you need something that can ignite your creative flame, even after working 40+ hours per week in employment.

Doing what you love will really reflect in your work, and it’ll feel less like a second job and more like a hobby.

2. Create a plan and set realistic goals

Setting huge targets, such as making several million pounds with just seven hours a week set aside for your new side hustle, while not impossible (we want to be positive here), is unrealistic.

Think about how much time you have, and how much money you can invest in your side hustle – and always give yourself time to find clients and grow. It doesn’t happen overnight.

3. Start networking

Networking is a powerful marketing tool. For example, if you’re a copywriter and you attend regular networking events or even get to know people on professional platforms such as LinkedIn, there’s always somebody who knows someone else that may need a copywriter for their business.

It’s the same with people who create incredible cakes – someone will always need one for a special occasion, and sending out email pitches to people who run corporate events or meeting up with other freelancers can really help you connect with others and reach the right audience.

4. Build your brand

Once you’ve decided on a business name, and what it is you offer, it’s time to think about how you raise your profile, such as by building a presence on social media. It can help to create a logo, and be consistent with your brand colours and fonts so customers recognise it’s you who is posting. Building a brand your clients trust and enjoy is crucial!

5. Look at your competitors

What are your competitors doing that you do better? Is there anything you can offer, that maybe they don’t? Sometimes finding a competitive edge or niche can really help you stand out amongst the crowd.

6. Set your prices

This can be difficult, especially if this is your first experience of working out how much to charge. Our advice would be don’t undersell yourself. It can be easy to sell your products or services for super low prices to compete with others, but the joy may quickly drain out of your new side-job if you take on a heap of work with next to no reward.

Look at what other people in your field are charging, and keep in mind your costs for the materials you need, and of course, your time.

Where can I advertise my side hustle business?

This depends on what your side hustle is. If you’re looking for a low-cost option to advertise your business, then most of the time social media is your friend.

If you run – let’s say – a kids’ teepee business, advertising your services in local Facebook groups, Instagram, and even Tik Tok while using the correct hashtags and keywords could attract parents looking for party ideas.

Paying for advertisements is always an option too, but if you do this make sure you budget yourself properly. Throwing all your savings on Instagram ads won’t work if they’re targeting the wrong audience. It can sometimes take a while to get it right.

If you’re getting crafty and selling personalised items, websites such as Etsy can highlight your brand and give you a platform that already has substantial traffic going to it. Though you’ll have platform fees to think about, they’re usually much cheaper than the cost of setting up your own website (and it’s usually much easier to create listings).

If you have a service to offer, then building a network on LinkedIn can be useful. You could also attend networking events to meet potential clients and get your name out there. Just keep in mind that information might make its way back to your employer though – which for freelancers with a service-based side hustle can sometimes be a consideration!

There are also lots of freelancing sites where you might be able to pick up work.

How do I create an invoice for my side hustle business?

It’s so exciting once you get your first client, but what happens when it’s time to collect your payment? Creating invoices is super simple, so the first rule is not to overthink it!

If you don’t use invoicing software to do the job for you, all it needs is the following:

• Your business name, address, and phone number
• Your client’s name, address, and phone number
• A list of products sold, or services completed
• The date the invoice was issued
• A unique invoice number
• The total amount
• Instructions on how to pay

Your payment instructions can be as simple as, ‘Please make payment via bank transfer to [insert company name or your name], [sort code], [account number].

To personalise it, use your logo and brand colours! Read our article about successful invoicing to learn more.

Do I need a business account for my side hustle?

Nope! You’re under no legal obligation to open a business bank account for your side hustle, but if you ever need to register for Self Assessment, it may be better to keep your personal and business payments separate – especially when it comes to bookkeeping!

Do I have to pay taxes on my side hustle?

If you earn more than the £1,000 Trading Allowance in a tax year, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC. How much tax you pay will depend on your overall income for the year.

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

The post How Do I Start a Freelance Side Hustle? appeared first on Freelancer News.

This demonstrates the growing popularity of freelancing as a full-time career or side hustle, with more and more people exploring this flexible way of working.

But how many people actually understand what a freelancer is? And to what extent does this differ from the role of a contractor? The two are often confused and the titles are used interchangeably, but there are some notable differences you need to know.

What does a freelancer do?

A freelancer is somebody who works independently, for themselves, as opposed to working for an employer. This means that freelancing is classified as a form of self-employment, even if the person only freelances part-time to supplement their main full-time job (also known as a ‘side hustle’).

The term ‘freelancer’ isn’t actually a business structure in its own right, so a freelancer might run their business as a sole trader or as a limited company.

A freelancer will often work for multiple clients at once, juggling various projects simultaneously. As a result, freelancers will charge for their services on a task-by-task basis or by the day, hour, or something even more granular – a freelance copywriter could charge per word, for example.

Sometimes, if a freelancer works with the same client on a regular, consistent basis, they’ll set a monthly retainer fee.
 

Are freelancers the same as ‘gig workers’?

Due to the non-permanent and fluid nature of how a freelancer works, they fall neatly under the umbrella of ‘gig work’ or the ‘gig economy’.

This encompasses all those working on projects or with clients on a temporary, flexible basis and therefore not contracted to a full-time role as a permanent employee.
 
Common types of freelance jobs include:

• Videographer/video editor
• Photographer
• Web developer
• Journalist
• Copywriter/content writer
• Social media manager
• Public relations
• Data
• Software
• Influencer
• Graphic designer
• Marketing
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Editing and proofreading

What is the difference between a freelancer and a contractor?

Freelancers and contractors are both self-employed professionals that offer independent services in exchange for a fee, but there are a few nuances that separate them.

While freelancers are generally nomadic and work remotely on an ad-hoc basis, contractors tend to provide a service for a designated length of time.

Another point of difference is that contractors can sometimes be tasked with managing subcontractors or employees of the business they’re working for – something freelancers are rarely asked to do.
 

The benefits of being a freelancer

There are a number of reasons why freelancing is an appealing option for more and more professionals around the world, but certainly in the UK, including:

• Freedom to ‘be your own boss’ and the associated advantages of working so autonomously.
• Flexibility around where, when, and how you work, so you aren’t tied to the traditional 9-to-5 life.
• Being able to work remotely means you can travel and see the world while you earn.
• Flexibility around working hours and location is also beneficial if you have pets or a young family.
• You can scale your workload up and down according to what’s happening in your life, which means you can scale your earnings too.
• In some instances, freelancers get paid significantly more than employees. In a recent survey, nearly 60% of freelancers said they make more money than their counterpart working in a full-time job.

There are some potential downsides to consider too though

• Freelancing (and self-employment in general) doesn’t offer the same job security as full-time, contracted employment.
• Freelance wages aren’t always as consistent or predictable as a monthly employment salary.
• When you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for your own taxes as your income isn’t taxed at the source as it would be through Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
• You don’t get access to employment benefits such as employer pension contributions, private healthcare, or annual bonuses – something to consider when you’re working out what to charge!
• Working for yourself can get a little lonely at times.

It’s crucial to consider the cons of freelancing before embarking on a full-time freelance career so you can make more informed decisions.
 

How does a freelancer pay tax?

As we mentioned earlier, a freelancer’s earnings aren’t typically taxed at source as they aren’t paid through the PAYE system like the employee of a business is.

This means a freelancer is required to submit tax returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to report all income, gains, and expenses so they can pay the necessary tax.

What type of tax return a freelancer needs to submit is dictated by how their freelance business is structured:

• Sole trader
• Limited company

Below, we summarise each so you can decide which one might be right for you.
 

The benefits of freelancing as a sole trader

• As the only person attached to the business, you get to keep all the post-tax profits for yourself.
• Sole traders don’t have to register with Companies House, only HMRC, which also makes the process quicker and easier.
• No shareholders, partners or directors means you will always have total control over the business, including all financial decisions.
• You’ll need to submit Self Assessment tax returns to report your income and pay any tax. If you were to operate a limited company, you’d need to submit a Company Tax Return, and then a Self Assessment return to report your personal income.

The benefits of freelancing as a limited company

• As a limited company, the business’s finances and liabilities are viewed as separate from your own, which means your personal cash and assets won’t ever be involved.
• Operating a limited company might be more tax efficient, depending on your earnings and how much you take out of the business.

 
Note: You need to register your business with Companies House and HMRC if you want to set up as a limited company.
 
Head over to our Freelancer Hub where we have a whole host of guides and resources.

The post What is a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

For those who still aren’t entirely familiar, an influencer is somebody with a large (and loyal) online following who has the power to influence sales of products and services—hence the name.

You’ll typically find influencers on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok but ‘influencing’ also extends beyond the most popular platforms into more niche parts of the digital world too.

Is being an influencer a ‘real’ job?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, according to a recent study by Adobe, UK social media content creators are now earning an average of £137,000 a year.

This is significantly more than other average salaries shared by the UK Government’s National Careers Service:

• Solicitor – £100,000
• Software developer – £70,000
• Accountant – £65,000
• Train driver – £65,000
• School teacher – £42,000
• Firefighter – £32,000
• Nurse – £32,000

Although some traditionalists might snub the idea of ‘influencing’ being a real career, the potential earnings mean it’s fair to say that it’s an extremely valid and lucrative way of earning a living.

Plus, while it might look easy and glamorous at times, producing the kind of digital content that engages an online audience so effectively that you can turn it into an income stream takes a great deal of time and skill.

The growing appetite for influencer marketing

Not only does influencing have the potential to be an extremely profitable income stream for the content creators themselves, but it can also have a powerful impact on the success of the brands and businesses they’re affiliated with.

According to research published by The Social Shepherd, 93% of marketers said they had incorporated influencer marketing as part of their overall strategy. This means almost all of those surveyed had worked with influencers and content creators to:

• Raise brand awareness (86%)
• Reach new or targeted audiences (74%)
• Improve brand advocacy (69%)
• Increase sales conversions (46%)

The same study found that 61% of consumers say they trust influencers’ recommendations. With a statistic like that, it’s clear to see why so many brands and businesses rely on influencers to help grow their digital presence and boost the bottom line.

What do you need to be an influencer?

Technically, anybody can become an influencer. Due to the fact influencers can run their business anywhere in the world with an internet connection, it’s actually a super inclusive and accessible way to make money.

Plus, with free access to social media platforms and advanced smartphone technology, great potential really is at our fingertips these days.

This applies whether somebody is a full-time influencer or if they influence on the side to supplement an employment salary. It also applies whether somebody is an influencer with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of followers, or if they are what is known as a ‘micro-influencer’, somebody with 1,000-10,000 followers.

Unlike many jobs, you don’t need any specific qualifications to be an influencer and the nature of the role is extremely diverse and expansive. Age, experience, and location are some major factors that often determine access to ‘regular jobs’, whereas influencing is open to anybody who wants to give it a go.

That said, there are some areas which might be worthy of consideration becoming an influencer as a way to generate income, including:

• Have a niche area that you specialise in and build your content around that
• As well as having a niche, have a target audience that you want to reach and engage
• Stay on top of your social media skills and the latest trends so that your content stays current
• Make sure you have time to post regularly and interact with your audience, as well as liaise with the brands you work with
• Be consistent—sporadic posts aren’t the way forward if you’re going to make a successful business from your online content
• Analyse how your content performs closely so that you can do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. This requires some knowledge of analytics platforms, most of which are now integrated into the digital platforms themselves.

The pros and cons of being an influencer

Below are some of the advantages of the role, as well as some things to consider. It’s important to remember that influencing isn’t just about getting nice things for free and editing Instagram reels in your PJs.

The benefits of being an influencer

• You have complete flexibility and autonomy over your own time
• As with all self-employment income streams, any post-tax profit you make is all yours to keep
• For people who are passionate about this line of work, it can be a whole lot of fun
• You have the chance to positively influence a large audience and make a real difference
• You get to try products, visit places, attend events, meet new people, and have experiences that you might not otherwise be exposed to
• Start-up and overhead costs can be super minimal. All you really need to get started is the smartphone that’s probably already in your hand right now.

Some things to consider

• Just like with any form of self-employment, you are responsible for generating your own income
• Similarly, you are also responsible for reporting and paying your own tax
• As influencing is so inclusive, this means that the competition is high too
• There isn’t necessarily as much job security as with salaried employment
• Even though it’s a lucrative industry right now, nobody knows the future of influencer marketing
• You may well need to share a part of your life with the world online, and sacrifice some of the privacy and anonymity regular employees or self-employed people have

Think a career as an influencer might be for you? There’s only one way to find out! Head over to our hub to find more information and support for freelancers.

The post Can I Be An Influencer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

So, if you’re wondering whether making the switch to self-employment from employment would be a good move for your bank balance, keep reading.

We’ll take you through some of the different scenarios and highlight some recent facts and figures to help you build a better picture of the current freelance vs full-time income landscape.

The growing freelance population

There are now currently more than 2 million freelancers in the UK alone – a statistic that has been climbing consistently over recent years.

Not only does this demonstrate that more and more professionals are turning to self-employment, but it also shows that, for the freelance population to carry on growing in such a way, there is clearly significant demand for this ‘gig’-style work.

Surely this suggests, then, that freelancing is a lucrative and financially appealing way to earn a living… but do freelancers make more money than employees on the payroll?

The answer to this is in a constant state of change. What could be the case now might not be the same in 10, 5, or even just one year’s time.

Let’s take a look at the financial benefits of being a freelancer right now before we compare this to the financial advantages of being an employee.

What the average UK freelancer is earning right now

It seems that the current stats are in the freelance population’s favour and not just financially. There are plenty of reasons why self-employment might be the best way for you to make an income.

The facts and figures

In a recent survey comparing freelance and employee earnings, 59% of freelancers said they make more money than their counterpart working a full-time job.

Employment platform Indeed says that the current average salary for a freelancer is £18.16 per hour in the United Kingdom. The highest earnings are in East London, where the average hourly rate is £22.30.

Meanwhile, numbers from digital salary benchmarking tool, Figures show that the average hourly wage for UK employees is £16.60, based on a 41.8-hour working week.

The financial benefits of being a freelancer

So, right now it seems that many UK freelancers are in fact earning more than employees on the payroll. Other advantages of being self-employed include:

• The money you earn is yours to keep – Any profit you make is yours for the taking, rather than going straight to your employer.
• More control over your own time – Your working hours are normally dictated by your employer, making it difficult to work more (and therefore earn more), or to choose your own working pattern. Freelancing gives you more autonomy, putting you in charge of when and how you work.
• You’re in charge of what you get paid – As an employee, what you earn is entirely controlled by someone else (your employer). As a freelancer, you can decide what you charge and when you want to increase these prices without having to jump through HR hoops for a pay rise.

Some advice on how to price your freelance services

Setting your prices can be one of the trickiest parts of being self-employed. Here are some quick tips to steer you in the right direction:

• Do some digging to see what the current industry standards and averages are, then decide where you want to position yourself
• Make sure you consider all of your expenses to cover things like insurance, accounting fees and home office running costs
• Don’t undercharge as this runs the risk of damaging your reputation
• Don’t overcharge as this will only send potential clients to cheaper competitors instead
• Review your prices regularly with all of the above in mind
• And remember that you don’t get paid holiday leave or sick pay!

The benefits of being an employee

As we mentioned earlier, although the current financial landscape generally shows that freelancers are earning more than employees, this isn’t necessarily permanent and could change over time.

Plus, it’s important to remember that these averages can vary depending on things like experience and location. The £22.30 per hour that freelancers in East London are earning, according to Indeed, drops to £12.17 per hour for freelancers in Glasgow, for example.

It’s also worth keeping in mind the following pros that employees benefit from that freelancers don’t:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid maternity leave
• Employer pension contributions
• Regular, stable income
• Dependable work with no gaps in earnings
• No need to spend valuable time chasing things like new work and late payments

Our advice? Start small with a side hustle

These days, employment and freelancing doesn’t have to be a choice. You can do both by setting up a freelance side hustle to supplement your PAYE salary. This means you can generate a secondary income stream to earn more money and protect yourself with a financial security net.

Starting out with a side hustle, rather than taking the leap and cutting ties with employment, means you can do all of the following with the stability of your regular salary to support you:

• Establish the scale of demand for your skill or offering
• Scope out the competition
• Start building client relationships and a network of contacts
• Grow your portfolio so that you can eventually charge more for what you do

If full-time freelancing is still something you want to do further down the line, you’ve then stood yourself in great stead for success.

Done here? Head over to our Freelancer Hub where we have a whole host of handy guides and resources to dive into.

The post Do Freelancers Get Paid More than Employees? appeared first on Freelancer News.