Podcast

Marketing your freelance business: The power of doubling up

| Getting a Job,Training

Whatever your freelance business, whether you provide a service or create your own products, marketing will probably take up a good chunk of your time. You might not have thought of your website, social media time, cold calling or networking as ‘marketing’ but any time you are spending telling people about what you offer, however indirectly, can be set down as marketing.

Read more

Podcast 32 – IR35 Update and Budget Roundup

| Podcast

This month Andy and Jon talk to Simon McVicar of the PCG about the latest developments on IR35, and how the PCG are attempting to advise the UK’s Government on future reforms. We also get an accountants perspective on how the changes brought about in the Budget will effect the nation’s freelancers from Steve Crouch of Crunch Accounting. This is a long one, so pour yourself a cup of tea.

Read more

2

How To Podcast Part 2 – Recording

| Guides,Technology

In Part 1 I talked about conceptualising and planning your podcast. In this post we’ll explore how to record, edit and prepare your first episode for public consumption, and what equipment you’ll need to do it.

Read more

Podcast 31: Marketing for Creative Freelancers

| Podcast

In this months podcast, we’re looking at how you can promote your services as a creative in the increasingly-populated freelancing marketplace. Andy talks to Scott Belsky of Behance, an online portfolio platform catering specifically to freelancers working in creative fields, about how they can utilise their service to better market their service.

Read more

1

How To Podcast Part 1 – Plan & Prep

| Guides,Technology

Identify your passion This is the most crucial thing you need if you want to produce a podcast or indeed other forms of online content. Passion. I’m going to make a bold statement, but one that I believe to be true. Podcasting your passion is 10,000 times easier than podcasting anything else. If you truly [...]

Read more

Podcast 29: Mobile computing and productivity

| Podcast

This week in the Freelance Advisor Podcast we’re talking tech – with a man who knows all about tech, Carrypad’s Steve Paine. Steve is a full-time blogger and mobile computing expert – if you need to get stuff done on-the-go, he’s the man to talk to.

Read more

Podcast 28: Ten top tips for great time management (part 2)

| Podcast

In part two of our Time Management special, Andy continues his conversation with business coach and author of Time Management for Dummies, Clare Evans. They cover the following topics -

Setting time-based boundaries…

Read more

1

Podcast 27: Ten top tips for great time management

| Podcast

Andy talks to Clare Evans, personal business coach and author of Time Management for Dummies. In part one we cover:

  1. Planning
  2. Goal setting
  3. Delegation
  4. Prioritising
  5. Taking breaks

Plus a great round-up from Darren Fell of Crunch.co.uk and some inspiring ‘Getting Things Done’ advice.

Read more

3

Plugging the RSS time-sink

| 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.

Read more

2

Winning new business! 6 Simple Rules for Success

| Getting a Job

Winning new business the easy and fun way. By following 6 simple rules you can build the freelance life you always dreamed of. Lucky you! You could be getting yourself shed-loads of new business starting from today.

You may to want to earn good money, have long holidays and be your own boss….but all you have to do is win new business. That’s the bit where most freelancers get the heebie-geebies. But I promise you can do it and you’ll get good at it!

Read more

4

Podcast 21: The Challenges of Working from Home

| Podcast,Working From Home

Andy speaks to Judy Heminsley, author of Work from Home.

  • The challenges of working from home
  • Tackling procrastination and gaining momentum
  • Getting into the right frame of mind
  • Overcoming isolation – getting out of the house
  • Co-working spaces – renting a desk and getting help
  • Starting a Jelly – one day co-working events in Bath and Bristol
Read more

1

Freelance Podcast 20: Making a living without a job – Part 2

| Podcast

Joyfully Jobless! Part 2 of an interview with Barbara Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job.

Read more

Freelance Podcast 19: Making a living without a job

| Podcast

Joyfully Jobless! Part 1 of an interview with Barbara Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job.

Read more

1

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

| Podcast

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

Read more

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

| 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.

Read more

2

Podcast #12: Are you IR35 Compliant?

| 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.

Read more

4

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

| 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 [...]

Read more

4

Compelling Content: Brainstorming your ideal reader or customer

| Getting a Job

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 [...]

Read more

2

Write web copy your customers will love reading

| Getting a Job

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 [...]

Read more

4

Freelance Advisor Reviews: Super Sony Laptop

| 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 [...]

Read more

17

Three reasons why freelancers are safer during a recession

| Money

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.

Read more

14

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

| 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 [...]

Read more

9

Pension plans for freelancers and contractors

| Money

“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 [...]

Read more

Freelance Advisor Recommends: i-design 08 Portfolio Clinic

| Getting a Job

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 [...]

Read more

2

10 things to ask your prospective accountant

| Money

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… [...]

Read more

1

Podcast #9: Finding your perfect pricing point

| 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.

Read more

9

Find an accountant for your freelance or contracting business

| Money

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.

Read more

1

Pitch yourself into the Freelance Market

| 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.

Read more

Marketing yourself as a freelancer or contractor

| Getting a Job

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 [...]

Read more

1

Freelancing – why do I do it?

| Getting a Job

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.

Read more

5

Podcast #8: Thrive as a freelance graphic designer in todays market

| Podcast

Andy talks to Stuart Scott, an successful freelance graphic designer based in Brighton, about what it takes to succeed in the industry. Topics Covered: Getting direct clients Watch the trends Attending industry events Having a team of experts around you The difference between design and artwork Flaunting your published work The role of networking in [...]

Read more

1

Using exercise to unwind

| Lifestyle & Time out

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

Read more

2

Podcast #7: How to take on a Project

| Getting a Job,Podcast

Andy talks to Dave Mellors & Malcolm Cook of First Light Associates about the things that need to be done when taking on a new project. Topics Covered: Getting and capturing the scope How to charge for projects Handling scope changes and change control Project planning Contracts, agreements and legal matters Becoming a partner with [...]

Read more

2

Podcast #6: Five Things you always wanted to ask your accountant – part 2

| Podcast

Part 2 of an interview with Steve Crouch of SRC Chartered Accountants. Here Steve tells us about the types of expenses freelancers can claim such as those associated with working from home and some more general things to look out for. Topics Covered: The expenses a freelancer can claim; Expenses associated with working from home; [...]

Read more

Podcast #5: Five things you always wanted to ask your accountant – part 1

| Lifestyle & Time out,Podcast

Part one of an interview with Steve Crouch of SRC Chartered Accountants. Steve answers questions on such things as salaries, dividends, section 660, IR35 and VAT. Topics covered: Limited company verses sole trader; Taking a small salary with big dividends; Section 660 – profit share between spouses; Consideration to IR35; When to register for VAT; [...]

Read more

4

Podcast #4: Marketing Secrets part 2: Here are 5 things you must do

| Podcast

Andy talks to Paul Silver of The Farm who talks about 5 areas to concentrate on. Get these right, and your freelancing business will get off to a flying start.

Read more

4

Podcast #3: Marketing Secrets part 1: Tips from the coalface

| Podcast

RA: , an experienced IT support contractor speaks to Andy about some of his self-promotion techniques as a contractor. This is part 1 of a 2 part special series on marketing yourself.

Read more

Podcast #2: Things you must do to prepare for freelancing

| Getting a Job,Podcast

Andy talks to Raju Ajiz, an IT support contractor, about some of the first things you should consider before embarking on freelancing or contracting.

Read more

Podcast #1: What you’re going to get in this series

| Podcast

Andy White and Darren Fell set out the aims and upcoming topics in Freelance Advisor podcast series.

Read more

2