Freelancer's guide

Becoming a freelancer takes time…

… so take some to read these tips. Whether you’ve dreamed of working independently, or you decide to become self-employed because of the current economic crisis, you must consider this option very carefully.

With this guide, our aim is to help you take the first steps to make you a successful and happy freelancer.

Are you ready to freelance?

Before you dive in, ask yourself several questions that will help you decide whether or not freelancing is for you :

• have you always been a wage and salary earner ?
• do you think of yourself as an autonomous person ? can you take responsibility on a project on your own ?
• are you ready to work on short-time jobs with sharp deadlines ?
• do you feel ready to actively seek customers ?
• what are your financial needs ?

Freelance and temporary work. What is the difference?

Temporary work or interim is a type a paid working status in which an employee is hired by a temporary work agency. This temporary employee is hired to replace a wage and salary earner and expected to leave within a certain period of time. Temporary work contracts involve three parties that comply with precise legal conditions.

Freelancing is a commercial contract –not an employment contract- between two or more independent companies.

The essentials of freelancing

Administration and taxation : choose a working status. Certain statuses are imposed because they’re linked to your profession or industry and to your country of residence. So consider carefully : should you be a self-employed consultant ? Start a limited company ? A PLC under sole ownership ? Should you work through an umbrella company ? Think long and hard about this and even then, don’t hesitate to go and meet with the professionals to ask them questions (Job Centres, Employment Agencies, Recruitment Firms, etc…).

Accounting :  make sure that your project will allow you to generate a turnover that will meet your needs. You need to force yourself to stay on top of the paperwork; draw up a standard contract, sort yourself out with billing software, and send your invoices as soon as you’ve completed it…

Insurances: public liability insurance will not be sufficient – think about taking out professional cover.