How to Find Freelance Work
How you start looking for business on Day One will depend very much on your background and what contacts, if any, you already have who may be potential clients. Remember that possible clients could be people that you meet in a social capacity as well as a business one. Never be afraid to drop your services into the conversation at an appropriate moment, whatever the circumstance. Generally, as a freelancer, people are always more sympathetic to your ‘pitch’ than they would be if you were mentioning a company you were employed by. People love entrepreneurs!
Think about anyone you have ever worked with in the past, or met through someone else, who may be a possible client. Track these people down via phone or Internet and get in touch. Start with an email explaining that you have set up as a freelancer and ask them to bear you in mind if they have a requirement. Or pick up the phone if you’re brave enough! Not all people like to be called out of the blue, so an email can often be a softer approach, but sometimes a call really does do the trick. It depend on your past relationship with that person and which you think will be most effective.
To get your first job on board there is also the option of contacting someone you know well and offering them a free or heavily discounted service - in return for allowing you to mention them as a
client, use them to write a case study about what you did or show examples of the work you produce for them when pitching for other new business. Prospective clients will always feel more comfortable about using you if you they do not appear to be your first one!
From here on in it’s about Networking with a capital N. The more people who know that you are out there, the more chance you have of generating business. Investigate local networking groups, breakfast clubs and the like, or industry-specific events if you are aiming your services at one particular market sector. A trade event is a perfect opportunity, where many prospective clients are all gathered in one place on their exhibition stands with nowhere to escape to when you approach them, business card in hand.
Another great way to generate business is through your suppliers. That might sound odd but it isn’t. Build up your network of suppliers from existing contacts and new research, they will all be very happy to talk to you as you are, in effect, a route to market for them. If you develop a good working relationship you will become a virtual part of their sales team, bringing in new business with no cost of sale for them. But the flip-side of this is that they will also uncover business opportunities for you.
If you have any questions about freelancing or would like any further advice please either contact your SJD Accountant or call our New Client Services helpdesk on 0500 152 500 or e-mail jaime.thorpe@sjdaccountancy.com.
The following links are all to pages dedicated to freelancers and will provide you with a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision:
Accountants for Freelancers
Sole trader to Limited - Freelancer case study
The opportunity for Freelancers
Structuring your business
The tools for the job
SJD Accountancy
SJD Accountancy are the UK's largest specialist provider of fixed fee, limited company accountancy services to freelancers; we've been acting for freelancers across the UK since 1992 and have more than 10,000 clients.
We are the only National specialist firm of accountants with offices in all major UK cities so you’ll never be far from your accountant. SJD also have more qualified staff than any other firm in our market with qualifications from the following major tax and accountancy bodies - ATII, ATT, ACCA, CA, ACA, FCCA, ACMA. You’ll also be pleased to know that we are one of the lowest priced as well.
Free face-to-face meetings. This is another unique service, only SJD offers free face to face meetings - tax is complicated and sometimes only a meeting will do.
Unlimited access to your own dedicated accountant. No call centres, no outsourcing, no automated call handling. Simply telephone, e-mail or meet your own dedicated accountant face to face.
Money backed service guarantee. All your telephone calls and e-mails will be answered the same day or we will refund your monthly fee's.
Outstanding reputation. We have won more awards for customer service and accountancy excellence than any other firm in our market.
All inclusive low cost monthly package which includes completion of accounts, payroll bureau, dividends and corporation tax computations, personal taxation, free bookkeeping software, unlimited access to your accountant and all company returns. All this for a fixed monthly fee of £95 plus VAT, which is one of the lowest prices in the market.
Appoint SJD Accountancy and never worry about your tax or accountancy affairs again!
You may also find the following pages, guides and case studies useful:
Take home pay calculator - How much could you be taking home
Contractor FAQ - All your frequently asked questions and their answers
First time Contracting or Freelancing? - A summary of the alternatives along with pros and cons
Step-by-step Guide to Contracting - Download a FREE copy of our guide
Limited or Umbrella? Can't decide? - We help you decide which is best for you
Take home pay case studies - Examples of contractors using limited and umbrella companies
Expenses Guide - Know exactly what you can claim
Umbrella company guide - Everything you ever wanted to know about umbrella company services
IR35 Guide - A great plain English guide to IR35
