Freelancers have been an afterthought for far too long. The government continually undermines the value of the 5 million self-employed individuals in the UK with harmful policy changes, token gestures and empty promises. A risky strategy when one considers that freelancers make up around 15% of the UK workforce. Amide the current coronavirus crisis, the government have provided support to the self-employed but, in our opinion, not enough so we've decided to take action and we're asking our members to join us.

How to hire a freelance writer... Where to begin? So, you’ve got a piece of content that needs writing for your business, website or charity. Rather than seeking out a writer internally, you’ve decided to embark on a mission to find the perfect freelance content writer for your project. Hiring a writer externally outside of your own employee pool can appear daunting, and the questions and doubts you have may cloud your perceptions of the benefits of using a freelance writer. Where do you even find a freelance content writer? What's the difference between a scientific freelance blogger and technical medical writer? How can you ensure that the experience is both mutually beneficial and efficient, saving your business time and money? Questions... so many questions!

The impact remote work has on my mental health is a complicated and nuanced issue. I currently work as a freelance artist (amongst other services). I use the dining room table to make my art, the garage for printmaking and a shared desk in the home office for my writing. Outside of my home, I occasionally facilitate workshops for a London charity where I work on site as part of a larger team. It’s a balancing act between flying solo, working with others and collaborating digitally.

As any freelancer would know, when it comes to finding new work, there’s nothing more valuable than a word of mouth referral or recommendation. Beyond that, there’s more to self-employment than who you know, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to cut through the noise and stand out against competitors—especially when applying for a gig via an automated recruitment system.

How to get paid on time is a question we get asked on a daily basis. It seems that every freelancer has a story or two about a late payment, battling with a client for payment or not getting paid at all. Getting paid on time for the work you do as a freelancer is essential to keep money flowing into your business but more importantly, to turn your passion into a long term successful freelance career. So, why is it so hard to get paid on time? 

Starting up or changing up – we’ve talked about the importance of teams before. It’s a truism that much of our success, enjoyment and satisfaction at work comes from those we work with.  Sharing the adventure of something that matters with engaged teammates is the holy grail for many businesses, especially startups. But holier yet? The flexible team. Building that dynamic group of individuals to join you on the journey in today’s shifting workplace isn’t so straightforward. 

Managing a team of freelancers is very different prospect to managing full-time employees but fast becoming an essential skill in a manager’s toolkit. According to Forbes Magazine, around 50% of Google and ASOS’s workforce is made up of freelancers and IPSE’s data shows the freelance economy in the UK has grown by 25% since 2009, generating an estimated £109 billion a year. A figure that takes on even more significance in Brexit Britain. 

Working from home is one of the great joys of being self-employed. Gone are the days of rush-hour traffic and races against the clock - now you can just roll out of bed, brush your teeth, and welcome the day at your own pace.