In the 5th century BC, Sun Tzu wrote the Art of War. Those very rules are still used today for a range of purposes. Welcome to the freelance edition. If you’re trying to win in a world where TikTok trends move faster than your deadlines and everyone thinks they’re the next Steve Jobs (but with a ring light), then here’s your cheat sheet. Ten rules. One ruthless vibe. Let’s go.

It’s February, and you know what that means: if you’re anything like me, you’ve already started dropping those New Year’s resolutions. It turns out I’m not the only one. According to research by Dr. Michelle Rozen, 94% of those who made resolutions will have abandoned their goals within two months. Likewise, February is the month British folks would most like to skip as 45% feel unmotivated (that, and the weather is terrible!). I suspect the two are connected.

Christmas is just around the corner and, for freelancers, it tends to be a busy period or deathly quiet. For the former, December can bring with it some financial anxiety as businesses start to slow down and work drys up. To help keep your spirits up and motivation high, here are a few ways you can get productive and continue to progress this December. 

Meet Angelica, a freelance photographer who has turned her passion into a thriving career in a very short space of time. After completing the Rise, Freelancer programme in association with Xero, Angelica’s freelancing journey skyrocketed, proving that with the right support and determination, dreams do come true.

Freelancers and the self-employed are a significant part of the British workforce, accounting for over 13% of total employment. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that as of early 2024, there are approximately 4.3 million self-employed individuals in the UK. This marks a notable increase of 146,000 self-employed workers in the past six months.

Notice the word I use in the title?  I don’t say thrown into the deep end. I say jump. That implies it’s done voluntarily. It’s done with ownership and accountability.  Once you make that leap and enter the water — you have zero excuses. You are either a victim or victor to your own ego.  Nobody threw me in against my will. I threw myself in. I may have well ignored all the advice, all the warning signs…as I know I’m a good swimmer

Hey there gang! Been a while.    But there’s a reason for that…I’m currently following my own advice. Look, freelancing is still my ultimate masterplan, but right now I’m in the hunt for a more stable, full-time stopgap.  And I’m noticing a common reaction from colleagues, friends, and even my own family upon hearing all about this change of pathway I’ve decided to take a stroll down… They all appear to be really excited for me. They all appear to be impressed with my attitude.

In the bustling creative landscape of London, thousands of individuals aspire to turn their passion into a legitimate career. Although the act of registering a business, creating an online presence, and landing a couple of early-stage clients may be relatively achievable, becoming financially sustainable doing something you love is far more challenging. One such individual currently on this journey is Michael Naylor, a talented photographer who has been working in photography for 5 years, assisting and developing his craft, who is now carving a niche for himself in the world of cinematic portrait photography.