Self-employment advice

Being self-employed comes with its own unique set of challenges and responsibilities. We’re here to give you the information and support you need to excel when you’re working for yourself.


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How much should you put away to cover your tax bill?
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How much should you put away to cover your tax bill?

Finding out that you haven’t got enough money to pay your tax bill is the stuff of nightmares for sole traders and freelancers. Even if you can borrow from others to pay your tax bill, you’re reluctant to, because paying it back can be a real struggle. But there again, going forward, how do you earn enough to cover your living costs and pay the tax you owe? Technology can also really help to ensure that you gain peace of mind from knowing you’ve put enough away to pay your tax bill.

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How Redundancy Gave John the Push He Needed to Go Freelance
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How Redundancy Gave John the Push He Needed to Go Freelance

Redundancy leaves many people feeling stuck and unsure what to do next. Instead of waiting for a new opportunity, why not create one? That's what John did.

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Five ways to make your life easier and save time if you’re self-employed
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Five ways to make your life easier and save time if you’re self-employed

It’s important to try to find ways to make your life easier and save time during your working day so that you can enjoy a healthier work-life balance and spend more time with your loved ones. So, what could make your life easier and save you time?

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5 Top Tips on Setting Your Freelance Rates
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5 Top Tips on Setting Your Freelance Rates

"What’s your rate?" It's a question freelancers get asked every day, but a surprisingly hard one to answer; there are many factors to consider when deciding how much to charge for your services, and many different ways to do so. Whether you're new to freelancing or have been in the game for a while, here are some of the top tips we've learned.

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Panicking because your Self Assessment tax return isn’t filed yet? Here’s what to do…
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Panicking because your Self Assessment tax return isn’t filed yet? Here’s what to do…

Despite your best intentions, you may not have completed your Self Assessment tax return yet. That’s fine… Kind of... Until you realise that the online-filing deadline is midnight on the 31 of January. Gulp. Not long now. Double gulp. You begin to sweat and feel a bit sick as a horrible sense of panic sets in. So, what should you do about it?

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Christmas shutdown checklist for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers
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Christmas shutdown checklist for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers

The weeks leading up to Christmas is a hectic period for many small businesses, sole traders and freelancers. Not only are there the usual jobs to complete, but Christmas also means there are many other things to take care of before you can shut down, have some well-earned time off and munch away on far too many festive mince pies.

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Five things to consider when choosing a business bank account
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Five things to consider when choosing a business bank account

Whether you’re just starting out or your business is more established and you’re considering switching banks, here are five key things to consider when weighing up which business bank account is right for you.

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Seven important things you should know if you’re thinking about freelancing
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Seven important things you should know if you’re thinking about freelancing

If you’re thinking of going freelance, whether full time or part time, here are seven important things that you should know…

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7 ways to make your life less stressful if you’re a busy sole trader or freelancer
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7 ways to make your life less stressful if you’re a busy sole trader or freelancer

Work can be stressful. And the added responsibility and pressure that comes from working for yourself often generates additional stress. Find out how to minimise stress.

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How to Register as Self-Employed with HMRC
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How to Register as Self-Employed with HMRC

So you've decided to become self-employed—great news! Here's what you need to know about registering as a sole trader with HMRC.

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How Nancy Used Her Professional Skills to Launch Her Alterations Business
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How Nancy Used Her Professional Skills to Launch Her Alterations Business

Up until March 2020, Nancy was Deputy Head of Wardrobe for the Book of Mormon. But then her hard-earned career came to a halt when Covid-19 hit. In this edition of Community Spotlight, we spoke to Nancy about how she adapted to a tough situation, and used her skill, initiative, and courage to start her own business.

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Squarespace, Surfing & Swimming: How Going Freelance Allows Katy to Live Her Dream Life
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Squarespace, Surfing & Swimming: How Going Freelance Allows Katy to Live Her Dream Life

In this edition of Community Spotlight, we spoke to SQSP Queen, Katy. As is so often the case, going freelance has allowed Katy to live the life that she has always wanted: by the sea, doing a job she loves, on her terms.

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How This Self-Taught Jeweller Is Shaping Her Future Through Self-Employment
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How This Self-Taught Jeweller Is Shaping Her Future Through Self-Employment

In this edition of Community Spotlight, we spoke to self-taught jeweller, Esh: a self-taught, freelance jeweller building a more fulfilling career for herself; one that can fit around her life and potential health concerns in the long-term.

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Covid-19 Scams to Watch Out For – And How to Protect Yourself
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Covid-19 Scams to Watch Out For – And How to Protect Yourself

We want to help you protect yourself against Covid-19 fraud. Here’s what you need to be aware of and what to watch out for.

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Setting Up Your Business So You Can Save Too
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Setting Up Your Business So You Can Save Too

Saving can often be an afterthought when you're freelancing and have a fluctuating income. But it doesn't have to be—discover some money saving habits in this article.

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A Change of Focus for a Photography Business Facing Challenging Times
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A Change of Focus for a Photography Business Facing Challenging Times

For Paul, Covid-19 has brought many collaborations that will help his business to boom once the pandemic is over. Find out how he's adapted in this interview.

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How Will Brexit Impact Freelancers?
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How Will Brexit Impact Freelancers?

With January around the corner, here are some tips for everyone in the self-employed and freelance community to prepare for a deal or no deal brexit.

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How Ben Got His Zest for His Career by Going Freelance When He Was 19
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How Ben Got His Zest for His Career by Going Freelance When He Was 19

Freelancing can be really liberating and often helps people to take control of their careers. But how does that work if you start freelancing at the very beginning of your career? Find out by taking a look at Ben's story.

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3 Challenges That Self-Employed People Face & How to Overcome Them
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3 Challenges That Self-Employed People Face & How to Overcome Them

Self employed people come across plenty of challenges when they're building a business from the ground up. Find out how to overcome them in our latest blog.

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Digital Adoption: How Fitness Instructor Elle Linton Adapted During the Pandemic
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Digital Adoption: How Fitness Instructor Elle Linton Adapted During the Pandemic

Find out how fitness instructor Elle Linton adapted her business when covid-19 hit the UK this year and the role that digital played in making it happen.

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Should You Be a Sole Trader or a Limited Company?
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Should You Be a Sole Trader or a Limited Company?

It’s often the first question people have when starting their self-employment journey. Should I become a limited company or a sole trader? Read our guide to find out the pros and cons of each, and decide which is the best setup for you and your freelance career.

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The Pain of Dealing With Late Payments
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The Pain of Dealing With Late Payments

The self-employed population contributes £271 billion to the UK economy - so why are so many still getting messed about when it comes to getting paid?

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Is a Rentable Workspace Right for You & Your Business?
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Is a Rentable Workspace Right for You & Your Business?

Rentable workspaces are making more appearances in some of the larger UK towns and cities. We speak to some industry players, as well as some people who have used this style of working.

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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome When You’re Self-Employed
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome When You’re Self-Employed

Katy Carlisle from Freelance Folk looks at how 'imposter syndrome' can affect people who are self-employed, and discovers what other freelancers and small business owners do when they’re doubting themselves.

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What Is It Really Like to Be a Digital Nomad?
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What Is It Really Like to Be a Digital Nomad?

What is living life as a 'digital nomad' really like? And why is this work revolution on the rise? Coconut speaks to three freelancers who have lived and breathed the lifestyle, and give their advice to those considering the leap.

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How to Beat Procrastination – and the Science Behind It
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How to Beat Procrastination – and the Science Behind It

Can you ever avoid procrastination? We find out how to beat procrastination and why our mind constantly tries to distract us.

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Sole Trader Pensions: Will You Be Ready for a Life Free of Work?
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Sole Trader Pensions: Will You Be Ready for a Life Free of Work?

Freelancers lack the support structure to guide us through the complexity of retirement saving. This article takes the mystery out of sole-trader pensions.

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25 Mistakes That New Freelancers Always Make
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25 Mistakes That New Freelancers Always Make

Freelancing can seem daunting, especially if you are going it alone for the first time. Making mistakes is part of any job, and freelancing is no different.

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How to Deal With a Client Who Doesn’t Pay on Time
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How to Deal With a Client Who Doesn’t Pay on Time

Most freelancers experience a client who doesn’t pay on time, especially those just starting out. So how do you deal with these clients?

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Banishing My Freelance Loneliness
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Banishing My Freelance Loneliness

Flying solo is pretty great. But how do freelancers look after their own mental health when it’d be all too easy to let the loneliness rule our lives?

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