Advice on freelancing required
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I need some advice on freelancing, especially for someone (like myself) based in the UK. I have just been made redundant by my firm and am tired of being messed around like I have for some time. I have a number of skills and feel that freelancing is the way to go, so that I put them to better use and learn a lot more along the way. If anybody can give me a few pointers, I would be grateful. I am pretty much aware of the main pros and cons. It would be handy to talk to someone, who has "been there before" and can help me on my way. ;) Thanks in advance.
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I need some advice on freelancing, especially for someone (like myself) based in the UK. I have just been made redundant by my firm and am tired of being messed around like I have for some time. I have a number of skills and feel that freelancing is the way to go, so that I put them to better use and learn a lot more along the way. If anybody can give me a few pointers, I would be grateful. I am pretty much aware of the main pros and cons. It would be handy to talk to someone, who has "been there before" and can help me on my way. ;) Thanks in advance.
I have done a little bit of freelancing ( compared to others I might add). I actually got started in it by accident, About 3.6 years ago as a newbie porgrammer, I had the arrogance to answer questions at CodeGuru and in a couple of NGs. ( Note I never answer Qu's here at CP ) :-) ( I probably made a fool of myself several times ) The questiions I answered there were of my topics of interest. It didn't take long for some coders to start writing to me asking questions etc, many of which I happily researched through MS.com and mags, to discover the answers in bold print etc. Anyhow one day I wrote back to someone and said "I can do that for you but my fee is xx$ per hour". I was startled when a contract landed in my inbox 20 minutes later. :-) Anyhow the main point of this longishly winded post is to tell you. 1. Keep on specializing. 2. Let people thnk you know more than you actually do. (sometimes keeping quiet is the best way of doing this) 3. Try and get work on your "name." Note: I have done almost ZERO work in my own country, its all been on the web etc. And since Sept 11 work has dried up for me. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
I live in Bob's HungOut now
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I need some advice on freelancing, especially for someone (like myself) based in the UK. I have just been made redundant by my firm and am tired of being messed around like I have for some time. I have a number of skills and feel that freelancing is the way to go, so that I put them to better use and learn a lot more along the way. If anybody can give me a few pointers, I would be grateful. I am pretty much aware of the main pros and cons. It would be handy to talk to someone, who has "been there before" and can help me on my way. ;) Thanks in advance.
First, get a good accountant - one who is familiar with IR35. Find out the best way to set yourself in business. I set up a one man limited company for my contract work, it pretty much resolves most of the IR35 problems apart from the fact I have to pay both employees and employers National Insurance. Currently most of my work comes through word of mouth and a few contacts I have in businesses around here. Agencies are always asking me if I'm available for contract work - so I guess there is still work about. I'll be happy to share the benefit of my experience if you have any particular questions. Michael :-)
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First, get a good accountant - one who is familiar with IR35. Find out the best way to set yourself in business. I set up a one man limited company for my contract work, it pretty much resolves most of the IR35 problems apart from the fact I have to pay both employees and employers National Insurance. Currently most of my work comes through word of mouth and a few contacts I have in businesses around here. Agencies are always asking me if I'm available for contract work - so I guess there is still work about. I'll be happy to share the benefit of my experience if you have any particular questions. Michael :-)
Michael P Butler wrote: First, get a good accountant - one who is familiar with IR35 I'd say get a good *lawyer* who is familiar with IR35, then get a good accountant who is IR35 savvy. I found the second is much more difficult. I'm finding the same as you: I last sent a CV out about a year or so ago and still get regular calls, that aren't "we're updating our database.." or disguised versions of same. There is plenty of work about, it seems, which will probably disappear just when I need it!! I'd also try to find out about the payment lag for the agency you work through, if you do. Some can be pretty long. There use to be a site for agency comparison but their page at http://it.uk.freelancehq.com/gen/badcomments.shtml says it all. Michael, have you been through many IR35 status sign-offs by the IR? This is my first and I wondered if you'd share any tips on- or off-line.