Contractors

Handling customer and client complaints

Toby Buckle | Managing Business,Training

Poor customer service can kill a business and it is absolutely vital to get client and customer service right, particularly when handling complaints. If you don't handle complaints well then not only are you likely to lose the customer who is dissatisfied, but they are more likely to tell others about bad service than they are good service, so you stand to lose many more customers by getting it wrong.

Business Mentor Toby Buckle shares his top ten tips for crushing your customer’s quibbles.

Ten Tips To Improve Your Productivity

Clare Evans | Guides,Managing Business

We all need good time management skills but if you are feeling that there is too much to do and not enough time then it is especially important to take a good look at your time-management and productivity habits.

Most freelancers could do with a little more time in their day, so we’ve asked Clare Evans author of Time Management for Dummies for her top ten tips to help you get back on track and stay in control.

Podcast 26: Credit Control and Debt Collection (part 2)

Andy White | Podcast

Andy continues his talk with credit control experts Rob Warlow and Adam Home and Darren Fell of Crunch about credit control and debt collection. In today’s show we ask: What should we do if it all starts to go wrong?

Listen to the podcast:

Podcast 26: Credit Control and Debt Collection (part 2) [26:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Using Gmail’s new “Priority Inbox” to overcome email overload

Michael Rose | Editor's Blog,Technology

74 unread emails! Since last night? Are you kidding! We all know what email overload feels like, especially if we’ve been away on holiday or if our American cousins don’t realise that Bank Holidays are sacred. It’s hard enough working out what work has priority but even worse when client email are hidden within an inbox cluttered with newsletters, calendar reminders and “special offers”.

If you use Gmail you might be interested to know that Google are working on the problem.

Gmail is great at filtering out spam but today the Google gmail team announced that they will use similar technology to automatically sort your emails by importance.

Making money with screencasting

Ian Ozsvald | Guides,Resources

Monetising your knowledge is a core skill for freelancers – making money whilst you sleep is a necessary step forwards as you build your freelancing career.

Professional Screencaster Ian Ozsvald shows us ways of making money by screencasting. This post follows the earlier tutorials on Communicating more effectively and raising your profile through screencasts.

Rise above the noise: Gaining attention with screencasts

Ian Ozsvald | Resources,Training

Building a visible profile is essential if you want to receive a steady stream of readers and referred clients. Demonstrating your knowledge with screencasts is easy and is a very effective way of showing visitors that you’re on top of your game.

Professional Screencaster Ian Ozsvald shows us how short online tutorial and demonstration videos are a powerful way to raise your profile. This post follows the earlier tutorial on (Communicating more effectively with screencasts)

How to Use Twitter for Marketing and PR

Michael Rose | Editor's Blog,Lifestyle & Time out

At Freelance Advisor we’ve spent a lot of time sharing advice on how you can effectively use Twitter and social. As a tool for finding more friends, colleagues clients and work. We’ve discussed how to use it for Marketing your personal brand and for PR for your own company.

This cheeky little site has a different view…

HowtoUseTwitterforMarketing&PR

Book of the week: Focus – The Power of Targeted Thinking

Michael Rose | Lifestyle & Time out,Managing Business

Freelancers need focus; without a boss to keep you in line and being outside a traditional workflow it can be hard to know where to focus your efforts. Combine this with the pace of modern life and it’s easy to get swamped and to feel that there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Not only is there a lot of work there are constant distractions, tweets, bleeps and pings pulling us away from our true goals and aspirations.

Focus: The Power of Targeted Thinking attempts to give the solution to all these feelings of confusion and distraction.

Freelance Stories: Setting up a limited company, business bank accounts & finding work

Michael Rose | Accountancy & Tax,Starting Out

Continuing our Freelance Stories series we talk to artworker and print production pro Bill Greenwood.

After 20-years working for top design studios Bill has decided to go it alone and tells us what it is like to start your own Limited Company.

The 80/20 rule and freelancing

Jon Aizlewood | Managing Business,Marketing Yourself

The Longtail rule, the Zipf law, the Power law or (easily the most dramatic) ‘The law of the vital few’. It might have many names, but ultimately all forms of the 80/20 rule amount to the same thing – that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes.

The same applies to freelancers: you can gain new business simply by offering great service to your clients.

Communicating more effectively using screencasts

Michael Rose | Resources,Training

Getting your message across to customers and clients is vital and, as a freelancer, communicating clearly and effectively with can make a big difference to the success or failure of a project or product.

Professional Screencaster Ian Ozsvald shows us how short online videos are a powerful way to get communicate clearly.

The rise of home working

Michael Rose | Working From Home

Great to see the Guardian covering the Rise of Homeworking:

The rise of home working | Money | The Guardian

Of course, we’ve know about the steady rise of home-working and the joys of working from home for some time now. For more on home-working don’t forget our Working-From-Home section is where to find all the latest posts.

Review: Portfolio To Go — iPad app for freelance photographers & artists

Michael Rose | Technology

Portfolio To Go is a fantastic iPad app for artists and photographers who use Flickr.com to showcase their photographs online.

Lovingly created by Brighton-based freelance developer Nick Kuh, easily allows freelance photographers, graphic designers and artists to present their portfolio offline to clients — perfect for use with a wifi iPad.

Just sync and go.

The importance of a good business plan

Mel Dixon | Managing Business,Starting Out

For some people forming a business plan may seem a rather intimidating prospect because ultimately it will reveal whether your business idea is a realistic proposition. And if it turns out it’s not? Well, you’ve just wasted your time haven’t you? Err… not really.

Based on what you’ve discovered you can then either alter your plan or come away from the experience wiser for it. It’s a ‘win-win thing!’

Home Office Review: Weak wireless signals solved by ethernet over the mains

Jon Aizlewood | Technology

If you’re like me – a freelancer who occasionally works from home and who happens to live in an old, listed or converted flat – you’re no stranger to fluctuating wireless signals, and the headache they can cause when you’re trying to work.

Thick concrete walls, organic (horsehair) insulation and poor telephone infrastructure make working from home in these types of flats something of a struggle. It makes matters worse when the one room in your flat where you get the most work done just happens to be out of range from your wireless router. So, when you run a business that relies heavily on a stable internet connection, what’s a freelancer to do?

Freelance Stories – Basecamp’s Jason Fried

Michael Rose | Lifestyle & Time out

We’re big fans of Jason Fried, creator of Basecamp and co-author of Rework. His Get Real column for Inc.com is a must-read for freelancers interested in freelancing, small business advice, for stories of struggle and success.

His first column for Inc.com, Driven to Distraction, is Fried’s fascinating tale of how he built 37Signals from his solo freelancing business.

The importance of getting client sign-off — and how insurance can protect you

Michael Rose | Financial & Insurance

Getting sign-off, in writing, is a vital part of best practice when sending designs, copy or code to clients. If changes need to be made later then, with sign-off completed, it is the client’s responsibility — not yours. If, for example, there is a typo in a design for a flyer (perhaps the date is wrong!) and the client spots the mistake after printing 1000s of copies the responsibility for the cost of re-printing is the clients… not yours.

Find out how Professional Indemnity Insurance will defend you in cases where clients refuse to pay, or make a claim against you.

Five tips on how to make the most of a business break

Emma Jones | Managing Business

When you start and grow a business, you’re involved each day in the detail of running the business; perfecting customer service, ensuring positive cashflow, making new products, and so on.

This is all good and right but to plan for business growth, it’s important to step away from day-to-day affairs and take a good look at the business from a distance.

Save on calls with Skype over iPhone

Michael Rose | Technology

If you use Skype and have an iPhone then this week’s announcement via the Skype blog will come as very welcome news.

Thanks to the new update, available on iTunes, calls now go over 3G so you no longer need to be at home on a wireless network to make and receive calls.

Five Tips to Help You Get Started with Twitter

Sandy Dempsey | Marketing Yourself,Training

If you’ve not yet joined the 75 million strong Twitterati, Sandy Dempsey founder of The Dreaming Cafe gives us five great tips on how to get started, why you should use Twitter and other social networking tools, and how to make it work for you and your business.

60-second review: Teux Deux – simple task manager

Michael Rose | Lifestyle & Time out,Technology

Teux Deux is a super-simple, sleek and stylish to-do list manager. If you like great design with a tiny pinch of minimalism then this might be for you.

Built entirely for the web you just sign up for a free account and start typing in your to-dos. To add a task you just type and hit return. That’s it.

Book of the week: Working 5-to-9

Ed Hopson | Managing Business,Starting Out

I have always been interested in running a project/small business outside of my 9 to 5 full-time job. Something that I can grow in my spare time and that has the potential to grow and then become my main source of income! Talking with friends, I was given a copy of Emma Jone‘s Working 5 to 9 – How to start a successful business in your spare time — Great timing!

Create a quick website mockup with the best wireframing tools

Michael Rose | Technology

Earlier this week we featured online presentation tool Spiceynodes as a great way to present information to clients or customers, in person, on a screen or directly embedded on your website. Today we look at a few tools for making quick website wireframes, prototypes and mockups.

From simple, free rapid drafting and prototyping tools to more complex and outright technical offerings we give you a quick overview of the options for freelancers needing to quickly create a mockup for a website or landing page.

5 tips for graduates going self-employed

Emma Jones | Starting Out,Working From Home

A recent feature in The Guardian ran with the headline: ‘Graduates warned of record 70 applicants for every job’ The next line went: ‘Class of 2010 told to consider flipping burgers or shelf stacking to build skills’.

Was I the only one thinking flipping burgers and shelf stacking is a flippin’ great way to earn part-time income whilst building a business? For all graduates considering self-employment, here are five tips along with stories of those who’ve been there and done it.

“Home business of the year” award added to Startups Awards 2010

Michael Rose | News,Starting Out

Despite cuts across the board, overall, UK business is seeing a positive change thanks to the new Government. Tax breaks, including extended relief on the increase in Capital Gains Tax and National Insurance have been introduced and support for SMEs has been very positive.

To mark the importance of SMEs, The Startups Awards 2010 have added a Home Business of the Year category to their annual awards.

PeoplePerHour.com – a success story

Michael Rose | Employment,Starting Out

An inspiring case study in the Guardian this week telling how Chris Clarke, a former financial controller, used Freelance jobs site PeoplePerHour.com to get back into business as a book-keeper.

Chris, a victim of the recession, was made redundant when his employer had to cut-costs so he went it alone and setup his own business. To find more clients, he has been attending events at his local chamber of commerce and using websites like PeoplePerHour.com where he can advertise his services.

10 reasons why you should work from home

Joycellyn Akuffo | Working From Home

Do you like bashing the snooze button as many times as you like? Do you hate those gossipy water cooler conversations? While there are lots of side-benefits from working from home there are some real benefits too. Joycellyn Akuffo editor of MothersWhoWork.co.uk lists her Top Ten reasons why working from home is so appealing to so many.

Compare broadband options for working at home

Michael Rose | Technology,Working From Home

If you occasionally work from home then getting a decent broadband connection can really help you get your work done effectively.

Thanks to modern-day technology, working from home is no longer a second-rate way of staying in touch with clients and colleagues and broadband has become a vital lifeline for many home workers, allowing them to email or browse the web in comfort while also being able to send and receive large files with ease.

If you’re not up to speed with Broadband at home Chris Marling of Broadband Genie gives you a a few things to consider.

Extend your products, not your niche

Emma Jones | Managing Business,Starting Out

Emma Jones believes in starting a business and then finding and focusing on your niche.

But what happens when you feel the niche audience you’ve chosen could be restricting in view of its size? Then it’s time to expand your product range, as opposed to extending your niche.

Emma explains how…

Taking the time to manage, prioritise & plan what’s truly important

Toby Buckle | Managing Business,Training

Prioritising and planning how you use your time is a key skill for every great freelancer. Freelancing gives you the freedom to choose what you do and when you do it.

This freedom can have shortcomings however as it’s very easy to be distracted by emails, twitter and other interruptions — and it’s tempting to focus on doing those tasks you like instead of those which may be most useful.

Book of the week: Screw Work Let’s Play

Leif Kendall | Starting Out,Training

How to do what you love and get paid for it.

John Williams believes that work doesn’t have be a chore. After itching for something more than the corporate 9 to 5, John went independent and discovered the joys of being paid for things he would happily do for free. John’s interests and work eventually led him to coach other aspiring players.

Freelance copywriter Leif Kendall takes a look at the advice on offer.

Charge for your time by adding appointments to your website

Michael Rose | Technology

PROBLEM: You have limited, often fragmented time to meet clients and contacts. You might have a free spot for two hours this afternoon, time between finishing one project and starting the next, and it’d be great to generate some new business in that slot — if only people knew you were free to talk.

Setster solves this problem beautifully — perfect for consultants or small businesses.

Plugging the RSS time-sink

Mark Kirby | Lifestyle & Time out

Information overload is not a problem — we’ve been surrounded by too much information for centuries.

The real problem is ‘filter failure’.

Here Wordpress & Mobile Developer Mark Kirby outlines a very simple method for filtering website feeds and making the most of your time online.

Computer Science graduates ‘least employable’

Michael Rose | News

Depressing news from the BBC today shows that graduate unemployment is up 2% on last year with the worst news for Computer Science graduates — with unemployment rates at 17%.

While we’d hope that Computer Science students are going for Freelance or Contracting jobs the data shows a worrying trend in ex-students signing on and remaining unemployed for six months or more.

Tax planning for freelancers and contractors

Mel Dixon | Events

A genuinely enlightening tax planning seminar for freelancers and contractors will be taking place on July 20 at the Cumberland Hotel in London.

An impressive roster of guest speakers will break down the recent Budget and offer expert insight into how it affects you, as well as looking in detail at the day-to-day financial trials and tribulations of being a flexi-worker.

Dropbox have done it again!

Michael Rose | Technology

I’ve long advocated Dropbox as the absolute best file-sharing tool for Freelancers, Contractors and just about anyone who needs to backup their important work files and share content across multiple machines or locations.

But the best of the best has just added a killer new feature.

Budget Update: Is this really the end of IR35?

Michael Rose | Accountancy & Tax

Freelancers and Contractors unhappy with the Labour government’s IR35 leglislation may now be able to see light at the end of the taxation tunnel.

Before the election the Tory team were hinting that they’d “review” IR35 if they got into power, but yesterday saw the first strong commitment from small business minister Mark Prisk.

“We want to make sure that we could undertake a comprehensive review of small business taxation in a way that makes the need for the current IR35 legislation redundant” said Prisk in an interview with The Telegraph.

The only way to stay on top of Twitter

Michael Rose | Editor's Blog,Technology

A few years ago getting heard on Twitter was easy. When I first joined there were less than a million users and it was easy to find friends with common interests and it was even possible for a couple of friend to create a trending topic.

Now with 70m+ users (sending 50m tweets a day) the story is a little different…

Flexible freelancing – Have you bean to a Jelly yet?

Judy Heminsley | Lifestyle & Time out

Co-working offers freelancers both flexibility of where to work and also the chance to meet with like-minded co-workers and collaborators. Working from home expert Judy Heminsley recommends the Jelly approach.

Free Tax Planning seminar for freelancers

Michael Rose | Events

July 20, 2010

A free event is being held at the Cumberland Hotel in London to help freelancers and contractors get informed about the financial issues that affect them. This will include a discussion of pensions, tax-planning, mortgages and investment among other things

Ten applications to connect your home office with the world

Emma Jones | Working From Home

Working from Home. If you need to work from home unexpectedly then these online tools and services will help you get the job done. Freelance Advisor Emma Jones shares her tips for staying connected with co-workers and clients.

Executive Income Protection for Freelancers and Contractors

Paul Cleworth | Financial & Insurance

As a contractor you may review your finances fairly often and look at your current and projected earnings to enable you to set effective budgets, for you personally and for your business moving forwards. This allows you to set future personal and financial goals, which could centre on retiring early to planning that big holiday away with your family.

These plans and your current lifestyle are supported by you continuing to work and generating a regular income. But what happens if you are unable to work due to illness? Your level of income may well fall and your financial plans for the future may be compromised.

Tories will review IR35 if they win election

Michael Rose | News

The PCG’s continued lobbying of Tory top-brass has finally paid off in a firm commitment to a review of IR35 legislation by a future Conservative government.

The Conservative Party made the landmark announcement today that IR35 will be reviewed as part of an overall review of small business taxation should they win the General Election in May.

In a letter today to Chris Bryce, PCG Chairman, the Shadow Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP said that due to PCG’s strong representations to him and to Shadow Treasury Ministers “a Conservative Government would undertake a fundamental review of small business taxation matters, including IR35.”

How does the budget affect freelancers and contractors?

Michael Rose | News

The PCG’s John Brazier and Brookson’s Martin Hesketh respond to Alistair Darling’s budget.

How will the changes affect you and your business?

‘Start Up Diaries’ HMRC video series, one year on

Michael Rose | Resources

HMRC Start Up Diaries

The latest installment of HMRC’s [Start Up Diaries][] is now available to view online, offering freelancers, contractors and small business owners a unique insider’s view into setting up and running a new business.

Create a publishing empire from your home

Emma Jones | Managing Business

Do you have content you would like to share with an interested audience of existing and potential customers? It’s never been so easy to package your content in a stylish way, and distribute it in a cost-effective way.

Enter the age of home publishing with Emma Jones.

Freelance News: Time for Britain to put its ‘brain’ in gear

Michael Rose | News

A national advertising campaign highlighting Britain’s Brain Gain has been launched, spotlighting the rich talent pool amongst the UK’s 1.4 million freelance workers and highlighting their £82 billion contribution to our economic output.

The newspaper campaign and the Britain’s Brain Gain website reflects on the ability, imagination and effectiveness of freelance workers throughout the UK.

Freelance Manifesto: “Flexibility is the key to Britain’s economic success”

Michael Rose | News

As electioneering and policy pledges seem to have started in earnest the PCG, the representative body for freelancers, contractors and consultants in the UK, is marking the New Year by calling on Government and policy framers to take a fresh approach to freelancing at the start of a new decade.

Download the Freelancers Manifesto

How does the Pre-Budget report affect Freelancers & Contractors?

Paul Cleworth | Financial & Insurance

Freelance Advisor and financial planning expert Paul Cleworth has been analyzing this month’s Pre-Budget report to see if there are any gems for us freelancers and contractors.

We focus on how it affects contractors, the good and bad news as well as what opportunities there are for freelancers and contractors.

Long term investing for Freelancers

Paul Cleworth | Financial & Insurance

Successful long term investment is not just about buying low and selling high. Stock markets rise and fall, and share prices are vulnerable to everything from political news to the weather. Trying to find your way around – particularly during times of high volatility and uncertainty – can feel like negotiating a minefield.

So how can we make sense of such a confusing world? It is probably time to go back to basics – stock markets may rise and fall, but the rules of sensible investment remain constant. Wealth Matters’ Paul Cleworth gives us the low down.

Freelance Stories – Web Designer, Rowan Richardson

Leif Kendall | Lifestyle & Time out

In the first of Freelance Advisor’s freelancer interviews we speak to web designer Rowan Richardson, and discover how she succeeds as a freelancer.

Tax efficient Death-In-Service benefits for Contractors with a Limited Company

Paul Cleworth | Financial & Insurance

Permanent employees often have death-in-service cover as part of their contract of employment with typically ‘3-4 times your salary’ as the benefit, but for contractors who are often the only person who works in their company, there has been little scope to provide similar benefits, until now.

Freelance Financials: A taxing future for contractors?

Paul Cleworth | Financial & Insurance

In conjunction with PCG, Wealth Matters have been running a number of Contractor Seminars this year. When it comes to investing they’ve found quite a few questions keep repeating themselves among the 250-strong contractors in the audience. Today Wealth Matters’ Director Paul Cleworth answers these questions for a wider contractor audience.

Freelance News: National Freelancers Day

Michael Rose | News

November 23rd, a date for your diary. Why? Because it is a day of recognition for the contribution that freelancers and contractors make to UK economy, a day to be proud of who you are and what you do. To help mark the day the PCG have launched a dedicated National Freelancers Day website.

Getting Things Done: How NOT to Multitask

Leo Babauta | Lifestyle & Time out

Single-tasking: getting more done by doing less.

Developing good, simple habits and maintaining a focused mind can not only help you stay sane but is way more efficient than multitasking.

Guest blogger and productivity-pro Leo Babauta tells why multitasking is bad and how we can avoid doing it.

Recommended read: The Contractors’ Handbook

Darren Fell | Guides,Resources

A must read for Freelancers and Contractors. Rarely do you pick up a book that answers all the questions. Not only does the new Contractors’ Handbook answer them in detail, it goes into areas I hadn’t even thought about – despite creating and running several successful businesses.

Podcast #14: Why we get Employed – the Company Perspective

Andy White | Podcast

Andy White talks to Drew Griffiths of Mosaic about why companies hire freelancers and what they look for.

Podcast #14: Why we get Employed - the Company Perspective [12:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Podcast #13: Why we get Employed – the Recruitment Consultancy Perspective

Andy White | Podcast

Andy White talks to Emma Brierley, Director of Xchange Team, about her book, Talent on Tap: Getting the best from Freelancers, Interims and Consultants, and gain some interesting insights into why freelancers get employed from the agency perspective.

Podcast #13: Why we get Employed - the Recruitment Consultancy Perspective [28:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Freelance Reviews: Fujitsu Siemens S6420 Laptop

Jim Hatley | Technology

Getting the job done in a timely and professional manner is a combination of both knowing how to do the job, and having the right tools with which to get the job done. If you are carrying around a battered old consumer notebook and struggling with a shortage of processing power or connectivity, then it [...]

Legal advice: dealing with bad debts

David Gordon | Legal

In this economic climate there are few letters which are worse to receive than a letter saying that your client has gone into administration or bankruptcy owing you money. But the number of these letters being sent out is on the increase. As a freelancer or contractor you will rank behind the banks, the Revenue and employees for payment and the prospect of getting money out of a company at this stage is remote at best. How then to stop your debts going bad?

TGIF: Thank God I’m Freelance!

Leif Kendall | Lifestyle & Time out

Have you ever sat in a meeting about meetings, or a meeting to discuss an agenda, or a meeting to discuss the formation of a committee, or a meeting to discuss how the sales department should complete the new business acquisition form before giving it to the marketing department, and asked your aching brain: is [...]

Freelance Coach: Workforce trends and what this means for the future of freelancing

Daryl Close | Resources

The number of freelancers is steadily increasing across the UK and I have no doubt that freelancing is going to continue growing at a strong rate. If you work as a freelancer or are considering going freelance then you need to know where freelancing is heading. Unless you live on another planet it is impossible [...]

Freelance News: Small businesses not happy with Government support

Kasey Brunt | News

Small businesses in the UK are unhappy with the support they are receiving from the government, a poll has revealed.

The poll of 4,000 small traders and freelancers by the Federation of Small Businesses revealed the traders believe the Government’s efforts to stimulate the economy had so far made no impact.

Freelance Advice: Commercial coach, professional nagger, mentor

Emma Jones | Resources

Whatever you decide to call them, having someone to act as a commercial reality check in your business is invaluable. Finding someone with business experience who is prepared to meet and make you accountable could make the difference between meeting or missing your targets. Benefits So how can a commercial coach/Non-Exec type person help your [...]

Freelance Advisor reviews: Bluetooth headsets

Jim Hatley | Technology

If you wanna get ahead, get a headset Bluetooth headsets get a lot of stick from a lot of people, largely because the general public seems to have taken issue with the idea of somebody going about their business with a hi-tech gadget so visibly attached to the side of their head. I wonder if [...]

Freelance Event: Have a chat and join the debate…

Michael Rose | Events

If you want to find out more about Freelance and Contracting then the Freelance Advisor team will be at the Digital Media Job’s Fair in Brighton today. We’ll be there From 12am – 8pm if you want to pop in for a chat and from 2-4pm we’ll be hosting a session especially dedicated to current [...]

Starting out in freelancing: Legal considerations for online businesses

Michael Rose | Legal

Regulations and legislation are part and parcel of any business and trading online is no exception. Healys solicitors have extensive experience in IT, e-commerce law and software development agreement. Here they sketch out some of the key factors you need to consider when trading online. Legal considerations when setting up an online business The remote [...]

Podcast #12: Are you IR35 Compliant?

Andy White | Podcast

I talk to Steve Crouch about the latest IR35 case, Dragonfly Consultancy. This case highlights some very interesting points that contractors and freelancers need to consider when embarking on client projects. If you want to remain IR35 compliant, this is a must listen.

#12: Are you IR35 Compliant? [19:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Freeleancer News: Green is good for business

Kasey Brunt | News

Small businesses go green Small businesses are ‘going green’ in a bid to save costs, an expert says. Erica Russell, a sustainable business advisor from Business Link, said many small companies were adopting recycling methods and using low-energy applications in an effort to cut down on costs. “When switching off your lights could save you [...]

Marketing yourself: 7 steps to creating the right impression

Emma Jones | Managing Business

Whether it is networking, meetings, clients or conferences, marketing yourself is an essential skill for any freelancer or contractor. Freelance Advisor and author Emma Jones offers seven quick tips to help you shine Starting on the right foot: 7 steps to creating the right impression You only get one chance to create a first impression. [...]

Home office: One size doesn’t fit all

Jo Blood | Lifestyle & Time out,Working From Home

It’s no fun being average… but at least your desk and workstation have been designed with you in mind. If you’re above-average height you will know that it’s not quite so easy. Posture professional Jo Blood gives tall guys and gals a few hints on how to make their working environment work for them. Tall [...]

Freelancer News: Government cash flow help for small business

Kasey Brunt | News

Government unveils plan to help small business’ cash flow problems THE British Government will guarantee up to £20bn in loans to UK small businesses to help them manage cash flow problems in the current economic downturn. Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson unveiled his “real help for small to medium businesses” plan this week, saying its [...]

Going freelance: Four ways to get your family to support your freelancing career

Dianne Bown-Wilson | Starting Out

Choosing to switch from full-time to freelancing can be a tough decision and the change will go a lot smoother if you have the help and support of those closest to you. Freelance Advisor, Coach and Consultant Dianne Bown-Wilson continues her series of articles on freelance career development issues for freelancers and contractors. Nearest and [...]

Freelancer News: This week in Freelancing

Kasey Brunt | News

Freelancer News: by freelance news journalist Kasey Brunt Help needed for small software contractors, says report A GOVERNMENT system should be simplified to help out smaller businesses, a report has found. The joint Intellect and the British Computer Society report has recommended the government procurement system allowing software firms to apply for public-sector contracts be [...]

Freelancing on the move: 3 essential tools for roaming freelancers

Jim Hatley | Technology

Off on his travels again… tech-loving freelancer and electronic evangelist Jim Hatley grabs some essential items for work on the move (and gives us some novel uses for a digital camera). Essential items for your briefcase Continuing on from my briefcase fillers piece of last month, Id like to run through a few of the [...]

Go Freelance guide - New & Updated for 2010

Leif Kendall | Guides,Starting Out

Updated for 2010 our free ebook guide to getting started in freelance is essential reading for newbies and experts alike.

‘Go Freelance’ is a complete 32 page guide, covering everything from starting out to running your business and staying motivated.

Download your copy today.

Freelance Advice: Marketing yourself for free

Darren Fell | Managing Business

Freelance Advisor founder Darren Fell is a successful entrepreneur and all over the first page of results when you Google his name. We asked him to share the secrets of his success and he responded with this guide to marketing yourself. Marketing yourself for free, a guide. The big question running through everybody’s mind when [...]

Freelance Designer’s Guide: Choosing the right printing method for your clients

Andrew Walker | Managing Business

Whether it is business cards, promotional posters or flyers for a club night there are many printing options and quality and colours will vary greatly. Print adviser and consultant Andrew Walker guides can help you decide where to get your printing done. Choosing the right printing method for your client Digital vs Litho Printing The [...]

Freelance Advice: Portfolio Working and how to go about it

Dianne Bown-Wilson | Lifestyle & Time out

In part one of this series consultant, coach and trainer Dianne Bown-Wilson explored the advantages of portfolio working. Today she helps us identify the tools we’ll need to put it into practice. Portfolio career: How to Designing a Portfolio Career comes down to achieving an appropriate and desirable balance in your life between need and [...]

Freelance Advice: is Portfolio Working the right choice for you?

Dianne Bown-Wilson | Managing Business

If you’ve recently retired or are thinking ahead to your remaining working years now could be a good time to consider developing a portfolio career. In this two part series consultant, coach, trainer and writer Dianne Bown-Wilson tells us why it is a good idea and how to go about it… Portfolio careers: the perfect [...]

Freelance Advice: Make the most of your office chair

Jo Blood | Lifestyle & Time out

When working in a client’s office why is it the freelancers and contractors who always get the bum deal? Are you fed up with always being allocated the worst chair in the office? Our ergonomic expert Jo Blood gives us a practical guide to promoting good posture and making the most of your office chair. [...]

Freelancing on the move: 3 essential briefcase fillers you can’t afford to be without

Jim Hatley | Technology

Off on his travels again… our tech-loving freelancer and electronic evangelist Jim Hatley grabs some essential items for work on the move. Essential items for your mobile office Today I am going to look at a few more items that are essential for life on the road. Working from home is fantastic, and is certainly [...]

Working from home: 17 secrets for success

Leif Kendall | Lifestyle & Time out

Ah… the life of a freelancer… feet up, TV on, sitting around in your dressing gown and your clients are none the wiser. But is this really the best way to approach your freelance and contracting work? Freelance Advisor and Web Marketing Consultant Leif Kendall asked the freelancers on the Brighton New Media list what [...]

3 tips for disaster recovery: Backup, backup, backup

Jim Hatley | Technology

Resident gadget guru and reviewer for The Times Jim Hatley shares some invaluable advice on disaster recovery for freelancers. If you have a home office and don’t have an IT helpdesk… Who you gonna call? If your entire operating system went belly-up on the first day of an important contract, how would you deal with [...]

Freelance Advisor Reviews: Two great new mobile phones for freelancers on the move

Jim Hatley | Technology

Free-roaming freelancer and technology evangelist Jim Hatley has been out and about putting a few mobiles phones through their paces finding out which work best for freelancers and contractors who need to stay connected on the road. Time to upgrade? Two great mobile phones for freelancers Mobile phones are big business, both for those who [...]

Farm Freelancer Award 2008 – Nominees

Michael Rose | Events

Congratualtions to the Farm Freelancer Award nominess Shortlisting has now been completed and Freelance Advisor, proud sponsors of this year’s Farm Freelance Award, would like to applaud these three fine freelancing nominees. This year’s shortlist is: Jonathan Aizlewood of Carbon Graffiti for his email design, marketing and web design services Sarah Bird of AnimNation for [...]

Podcast #11: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace – Fact or Fiction (Part 2)

Andy White | Podcast

In the wake of the results of the Kingston University survey on freelancers, we get reactions and opinions from John Kell of the Professional Contractors Group and Nathan Pope of Latitude Hosting and the Brighton Farm. Topics Covered: Growth in the freelance market Freelancer figures, statistics and research Male and Female freelancing split in IT [...]

#11: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace - Fact or Fiction (Part 2): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Five sites for monitoring your brand online

Rosie Sherry | Managing Business

Look who’s talking: Monitoring buzz on the web As a freelance community builder and co-director of TheWerks web-socialite Rosie Sherry offers advice on monitoring your brand and filtering out the noise. Five sites for monitoring your brand online There’s no denying that the web holds huge amount of information. Most of it irrelevant to you [...]

Freelancing the easy way… and the successful way

Leif Kendall | Starting Out

Freelancing: The Choice of Champions If you’re thinking of starting contracting or going freelance then you need to take a serious look at the opportunites and options available to you. Freelance Advisor and Web Marketing Consultant Leif Kendall tells us that freelancing is not the easy option… but it is the most rewarding option. Want [...]

Freelance Advisor Reviews: Beautiful Bose SoundDock

Jim Hatley | Technology

Freelance Advisor and Gadget Guru Jim Hatley loves his home hi-fi, but when freelancing work takes him out on the road he needs a powerful portable musical system to keep his music playing at the quality and volumes to which he’s become accustomed. Today Jim looks at how the Bose SoundDock provides a good-looking, great [...]

Compelling Content: Brainstorming your ideal reader or customer

Kath Burke | Managing Business

Compelling Content – Part 2 Brainstorming: Your ideal reader or customer A two-part series from freelance copywriter Kath Burke. In part one, Kath explained how you can understand why people buy you. Part two explores how to use brainstorming as an exercise in focusing on the content that really matters before you put pen to [...]

Write web copy your customers will love reading

Kath Burke | Managing Business

Create compelling content your clients will crave In this 2-part series freelance copywriter and content consultant Kath Burke says the secret of writing great web marketing copy is in the preparation. Before you put pen to paper, you need to explore your clients’ deeper concerns and needs. Ah. If only you could magic up the [...]

Freelance Advisor Reviews: Super Sony Laptop

Jim Hatley | Technology

Gorgeous gadget: the Sony VAIO AW11XU/Q Life on the road can be tough. The contents of a suitcase are certainly no match for the comforts of home, but if you pick and choose your gear with a little care it doesn’t have to be all bad. We all need cutting-edge technology for the work that [...]

Tools for Time boxing

Michael Rose | Lifestyle & Time out

Mark Kirby’s piece on Time-Boxing for Freelancers this week got me thinking about all the time I could waste trying to find the perfect tools for the job. The irony of this is not lost on anyone I’m sure so, rather than waste unnecessary time on “productivity p0rn”, I thought I’d take Mark’s advice to [...]

Three reasons why freelancers are safer during a recession

Leif Kendall | Accountancy & Tax

With gloomy forecasts and images of screens full of flashing red numbers dominating the newspages we’ve been keeping a eye on what the state of the economy means to freelancers and contractors. And it’s not all bad news! Today Freelance Advisor and Web Marketing Consultant Leif Kendal gives us three reasons why freelancing might actually be a very good option during a recession.

Thinking inside the box: A method for focusing on freelance tasks

Mark Kirby | Lifestyle & Time out

Getting things done throughout the day is what keeps the contracts and cash coming in. But how do we know which tasks we should be working on? And for how long? Freelance Advisor’s life-hacks guru Mark Kirby offers a smart solution to planning freelance work. In this post I’m going to focus on a simple [...]

Find us on Facebook – for freelance advice and networking

Michael Rose | Managing Business

Find freelancing advice and support by joining our community of freelancers and contractors on Facebook. By becoming a fan of Freelance Advisor you’ll get all the latest articles and advice, alerts when new content is added to the site, and you can help build the community by connecting with other freelancers and contractors in your [...]

Podcast #10: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace – Fact or Fiction

Andy White | Podcast

Andy talks to John Brazier of the Professional Contractors Group, Nathan Pope of the Brighton Farm and Darren Fell of Freelance Advisor, about their views of how the freelancing and contracting market is evolving over the next few years. Whether you are a consultant or contractor, contracting or freelancing, the future could look bright for [...]

#10: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace - Fact or Fiction [26:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Loss of tax relief on freelance expenses?

Michael Rose | Accountancy & Tax

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG), which represents UK freelancers and contractors, has warned the Government against “heavy-handed action” which would remove tax relief on expenses. The warning particularly concerns freelancers who work through ‘umbrella companies’ which oversee the offering of a number of freelancers’ services on large or long-term contracts. “PCG supports the presence of [...]

Freelance Advisor sponsors Farm Freelancer Award at DiMAS 2008

Michael Rose | Managing Business

If you are a freelancer or contractor living and working in the South then you could get your work in front of a top panel of judges from the BBC, Channel 4, Endemol and New Media Age. The Awards are also an excellent place to publicise you and your work – especially if it is [...]

Pension plans for freelancers and contractors

Phil Illingworth | Accountancy & Tax

“I’m busy earning as a freelancer, but what about all those Pension plans?” It’s a common freelance problem. You’re hard at work earning money from contracts, but you also know you need to keep an eye out for when you’ll be less busy earning. In this new Financial Management series, Senior Pensions & Retirement Consultant [...]

Legal cover and contracts for freelancers and contractors

Darren Fell | Accountancy & Tax

The importance of a strong legal framework can never be under estimated when establishing a relationship with a customer. What are we talking about? The key fundamental within business, a contract of course! If you’re mad enough to be working for any customers under a loose agreement or worse still a verbal agreement, stop and [...]

Freelance Advisor Recommends: i-design 08 Portfolio Clinic

Michael Rose | Managing Business

If you’re a freelance designer or programmer then attending the i-design 08 Portfolio Clinic Wednesday 17 September in London is a no brainer. First it’s FREE and secondly if you’re currently looking for work or to expand your future client base then you’ll be able to meet 15 of the capital’s most respected and successful [...]

Speak easy – improve your public speaking skills

Michael Rose | Managing Business

Talking Shop – overcoming the fear of public speaking A new event aims to give confidence, talking techniques and a chance to practise communication skills for freelancers who need to get up and talk in front of an audience. Freelancers and contractors can live rather solitary lives, working from home or, head-down, coding away until [...]

10 things to ask your prospective accountant

Michael Riazi | Accountancy & Tax

Accounts and Audit Manager Michael Riazi helps freelancers and contractors find the advice they need. Last month Michael gave some great advice on how to find an accountant that is right for our freelance business – this month he gives us ten things we should ask on our first meeting. Before you choose an accountant… [...]

Adding exercise to your daily routine

Helen Wilkinson | Lifestyle & Time out

Professional Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist Helen Wilkinson is on a mission to get us work-from-home types up off our butts and out there exercising. If the thought of getting out of your comfy swivel chair fills you with dread then read on… she’s got a few ides that might inspire you. Kick start your [...]

Freelancing USA

Darren Fell | Managing Business

Are the streets of San Francisco paved with exciting projects, paying excellent rates? Is it full of perfect customers with realistic expectations? Freelance Advisor founder and serial entrepreneur Darren Fell took a trip to the epicentre of Internet start-ups in the hope of finding out what we can learn from our colleagues on the west [...]

Podcast #9: Finding your perfect pricing point

Andy White | Podcast

Andy talks to Darren Fell of Freelance Advisor, about some techniques for working out what you should be charging. Topics Covered: The role of networking; Online resources; Finding the perfect price point according to your skill; Selecting the rate you can afford; Strategies for getting started in pricing; Pricing for big clients; Price negotiating tips.

#9: Finding your perfect pricing point [21:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Casual Networking for freelancers and contractors

Paul Silver | Managing Business

Freelance Adviser, Paul Silver, on casual networking events for freelancers and contractors. Making contacts, finding work, pitching, passing business cards, sharing skills and advice… and having a drink, or four.

Pitch Yourself into the Freelance Market – Part 3

Bill Faust | Resources

In part one and part two we looked at the marketing process and what you are actually employed for, e.g. the way you think respectively. Today we look at how to identify the unique features of product, you. Understanding the product – You, Your Abilities, Competencies & Transferable Assets Many of us realise that every [...]

Pitch Yourself into the Freelance Market – Part 2

Bill Faust | Resources

In Part One of this series, Bill Faust talks about how important it is to understand basic marketing principles in learning how to Pitch Yourself. The question he asks now is do we know why we are employed? Deciphering the needs of the buyer Most of us think it is because of our experience, this [...]

The ADVANTAGES of being a self-employed contractor or freelancer

Michael Rose | Starting Out

In the last post we looked at the disadvantages of going solo. Now we turns to the ADVANTAGES of being freelance or self-employed… which is MUCH more fun! You are the boss You say what goes. If you want a lie-in or a day off, it’s up to you (but make sure you make the [...]

The disadvantages of being a self-employed contractor or freelancer

Michael Rose | Starting Out

In the spirit of getting stuck into the difficult jobs that you hate, but which still need doing, Ground Zero‘s Jack Forester talks about some of the disadvantages of being self employed. First, it can be very lonely starting out in business, especially if you are doing it alone. You tend to spend the majority [...]

Find an accountant for your freelance or contracting business

Michael Riazi | Accountancy & Tax

today’s current climate it is essential to choose every aspect of your freelance business dealings carefully. This applies not just to your clients and suppliers but also to your professional advisors – especially a good accountant.

The right accountant will meet all your business accountancy needs, from the preparation of accounts and dealing with tax matters, but also helping your company or business grow in the future.

Pitch yourself into the Freelance Market

Bill Faust | Resources

In this series, Bill Faust, author of Pitch Yourself, shares insights gained from over 30-years of industry experience. He discusses key factors for effective self-marketing, understanding what self-marketing means, reading your future employers’ desires and defining clearly what you, the product, have to offer.

Marketing yourself as a freelancer or contractor

Leif Kendall | Managing Business

One of the joys of freelancing is that you get to do everything. But this omnipotence means you can’t hate the sales team for not bringing in new clients, because you are the sales team. Become CEO of YouCorp You can’t have a spat with Maureen in accounts because she hasn’t sorted your expenses, because [...]

Freelancing – why do I do it?

Leif Kendall | Starting Out

What motivates someone to choose freelancing? I think the potential reasons are many and varied, but I’d like to discuss my reasons for choosing this way of working. You may find they resonate with your own motivations, or they may remind you of a benefit you had forgotten – they may even convince you that freelancing is right for you.

Using exercise to unwind

Helen Wilkinson | Health

Freelance Health: Using exercise to unwind. Taking time out from a busy work schedule to relax and unwind.

Personal Branding for freelancers

Andy White | Managing Business

What’s personal branding all about? Is it important? What does it mean? Where do I start? Do I really need a strong identity or even a logo for my freelancing business? Is it really necessary to make ME stand out from the competition? Expert, Al Welsh, has had years of experience within some of London’s [...]

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