Work

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.

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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.

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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.

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13 small things to simplify your workday

Leo Babauta | Lifestyle & Time out

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~Lao Tzu

One of the best things I did when I decided to simplify my life was to simplify my workday — first at my day job and later, by quitting my day job, in the work I do now as a writer and entrepreneur.

I’ve eliminated most of the routine, boring, administrative tasks with a few simple principles.

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Why a freelancer should embrace fear

Anthony Hewson | Lifestyle & Time out

Freelancing takes courage. No guaranteed pay cheque, no back-up team, no boss to give you guidance, no boss to take the fall.

No excuses – the buck stops with you. It took courage to take that first step into the freelance world, whether it was a bold and brazen stride with an armful of clients ready to commit, or a stomach-knotted plunge born of necessity.

Anthony Hewson gives us some inspiring advice on how to feel the fear and to use it to put some fire in your freelancing belly.

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7 steps for troubleshooting troublesome clients

Joanna Ptolomey | Managing Business

Are some clients more trouble than they’re worth? Freelance information consultant Joanna Ptolomey reminds us that, when time and attention are your most precious asset, and time is money, not all clients are the same.

Her simple steps can help bring some balance back into your books and your business.

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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 [...]

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Starting out: 10 things no one told me about freelancing

Michael Rose | Starting Out

Martyn Reding, Creative Director at Preview, examines the realities of working as a professional designer. Working as a freelance designer: the things I never knew I didn’t know If you’ve been through the rigours of your design course and your now out in the world learning your craft then the last thing you need is [...]

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Working from home: top five freelance home-business opportunities in 2009

Emma Jones | Starting Out

The top 5 home-business occupations in 2009 Whether it is a second income to make ends meet, a result of reduncancy or a decision to make a fresh start as a freelancer, the home business and startup sector looks like it will continue to grow in 2009. Freelance Advisor and home business startup supremo Emma [...]

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Freelance Advisor Reviews: Top 5 technology applications of 2008

Emma Jones | Technology

Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones gives us her review of the best applications for freelancers. Top 5 technology apps of 2008 As we enter the month of December, I can’t help but look back at the year that was. The thousands of new businesses started, the people we’ve profiled, [...]

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Tis the week before Christmas…

Emma Jones | Managing Business

Freelance Advisor and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’ Emma Jones give us a timely reminder of the things we could be doing in the run up to Christmas. What can freelancers do when things get quiet over the holiday season and what plans can we make for 2009. When the phones hush and emails [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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.

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Life / Work Balance? The new lifestyle section launches…

Darren Fell | Lifestyle & Time out

Ok, so you’ve got your freedom and work for yourself but are you starting to find it’s all work and no play? Increasingly and particularly for freelancers and contractors projects often exceed initial expectations, or the drought of the early years has instilled a ‘grab it while you can’ mentality and there is simply too [...]

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