An 8 point plan to get you started on the right track.
by Dee Cowburn
Freelancing. A terrifying prospect when you have been in the same job for a long time. Knowing things have to change but not sure where to start. An ongoing process of speaking to people and understanding what freelancing looks like.
Darren Caveney kindly gave up his time to speak to me about it all. A hugely positive experience. And actually really kind because Darren, if you follow him on LinkedIn, is massively busy.
He showed me an 8 point plan he had put together.
I thought I would share that because for anyone thinking of starting out. It can be a really slow evolving process. As a starting point, the 8 point plan can focus the thinking and gives you the structure and foundation behind which a successful freelance career can be built.
As another incredible human being Amanda Coleman told me. It doesn’t have to be perfect, relax and enjoy it. Which is why I posted my update on Linked In before I had the shiny website, the business cards and the business email. Might not work for everyone, but I would have procrastinated forever otherwise.
There is never a perfect time, yet there is a perfect time for you. Now to Darren’s plan.
And remember sometimes life will turn in one day and a decision will be made that means you look forward and don’t stand still. And as I have just said to someone else, fortune favours the brave, so if you know deep down this is the path for you, do your research, and make your move.
There are people that will support you. And now you have an 8 point plan. Thanks Darren!
1. Get a good accountant
One of these is very helpful and one preferably recommended. They will be able to advise you on what you should be doing and how you should be doing it. No one wants to be hit with a complicated tax bill at the end of the year, so this was number 1 on the plan. I would advise getting one (if going Limited) before you try and register your company yourself which I did. Registered my company myself, not recommended, accountants know exactly what to do and when to do it.
2. Registrations and admin
A limited company is probably sensible as it gives you options and has more gravitas than being a sole trader. Saying that it is personal choice and up to you. Having a company number, VAT registered, building a website address, an email account, social accounts. If you work in communications already alot of this will be bread and butter to you and not the least bit intimidating. I would like to say I didn’t find it slightly scary but I did and I do. But to quote Susan Jeffers, feel the fear and do it anyway! You can and will handle it.
3. Choose an invoicing platform
A way of invoicing your clients rather than you having to do it, is to register with an invoicing platform. One of these is called Xero, look around do some research and see what works best. I’ll take recommendations every day of the week. And you can link it to your business bank account if its a relatively new one like QuickBooks or Xero.
4. What is your unique offer?
What can you offer to clients that sets you apart? what have you got that could be your USP - Unique Selling Point? (I’m getting the lingo already :-)). What is that? establish it, and how is that different to your special projects.
Work out what your main offering will be. Don’t try and be all things to all people. I am still wrestling with this one. Working in policing and crime communications in a political office I want to offer crisis communications to all organisations and reputational management support.
However, I have a child with a rare life limiting condition and also feel passionately about advocating for our most vulnerable who do not have a voice, so I want to do some charity work that really matters and will help effect change. Such as helping the Disabled Children’s Partnership, a consortium of 70plus charities working to effect change at national level. Any other ideas on this one or the crisis communications work, please give me a call.
5. Where will work come from?
Now this one can cause anxiety. Try not to let that take hold. Think strategically about where it can come from. Who are your contacts? What can you offer them? Refer to question 4. Make a list of everyone you know, personally and professionally and see how you can help them.
I have had work come in the most mysterious ways from blogs I have written to contacts I have made fleetingly. Really drill down and remain open and accessible and you will be surprised. It will work out. Make yourself visible on Linked In and other platforms relevant to you. Contact professional bodies see what you can do to add value to their offering. Be confident and own your talent rather than shying away from it. Very easy for me to say, it is difficult in practice, but do it anyway. At risk of sounding like a self help guide again, although it is a classic, feel the fear and do it anyway!
6. Deciding your day rate
Again this one. It can be really tricky trying to put a value on your work. Something I do struggle with and will do again I am sure.
But you have all this experience and knowledge and judgement so own it because it is through your hard work and you deserve to be financially rewarded for that. And you are now responsible for your own sick pay, holiday pay, pension and National Insurance so be mindful of that.
Think about what you want to earn yearly and divide that by 100 and that will be your day rate. None of this is prescriptive so do some research but own your talent and don’t undervalue yourself. I know this is very uncomfortable but pricing yourself and backing yourself is vital, no matter how much discomfort arises. I say this as much for myself as for anyone reading.
Understand the market you are operating it, what the work is, is there wriggle room, if there is ongoing work, these will all be considerations, but know your value and be clear on that when negotiating for business.
7. Promotion
What and where? Establish where you will promote yourself and why. What are you hoping to achieve and what business do you want to win? This is why (as I am understanding for myself) it is important to be really clear with question 4 around what your unique offer is and what your market is for that specific offering you have. And only you. Own what you can do and why you are exceptional at it. That will shine through in whatever you do. Linked In is great, networking, strategically contacting people who you know work in the arena you want to be in. Take time to think about this one.
8. Consultants groups and networks
There are many freelancers and very supportive people round who want to help. There is enough work for everyone and it is important to have a mindset of supportiveness (is that a word?), understanding and kindness. I could not have gotten this far without kindness shown to me by people like Amanda Coleman, Darren, Emma Dukes, Nigel Sarbutts from PR Calvary, Simon from Westco, they all spared their time to chat to me and gave me sterling advice and wise words. I appreciated that then and do now and will pay that forward once I have established myself. Ask for support, find out what networks there are in your area and any WhatsApp groups you can join.
You can do this. I’ll say it again, fortune favours the brave! And this is my favourite, nothing changes if nothing changes.
Dee Cowburn is owner of newly created Dee Cowburn Communications Ltd, a media and crisis communications consultancy. You can say hello on LinkedIn here.
