Going solo

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in management consultancy and training

with arts housing and voluntary organisations in the UK

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Going solo

Jackie Elliman explores 10 myths and realities of freelance work.

1:You'll never work alone

True, there are always people who you report to, work with and (if you're really lucky) have working for you.

2: You can pick and choose your hours

If you're doing something self sufficient or creative you probably can. If your work is communication based it does make sense to work the hours most other people do.

3. You never get used to the insecurity

Too damn right. After a while you do realise that the bad times will be followed by good. By then, however, you know that when things are going really well a duff patch is sure to follow.

4. Home working is the way of the future

I do hope not...I know there are people who just love padding around in their jim jams conducting high powered deals by phone. If you are not one of them . . .sort out work space straight away. If you don't start taking rent money out of your earnings when you begin it will hurt too much later. There are lots of buildings which are full of freelances and small businesses (not just in London - Birmingham's Custard Factory is a fine example). Contacts you make there may bring in work you would never have heard about at home. It's also good to be around others for sympathy, mutual support and advice based on similar experience.

5. A freelance's best friend is ...

probably a computer, invest in the best you can afford, it will be a while before you can face forking out for an updated model. If you are working mainly with creatives it's probably best to get a Mac; with office types a PC is more likely to interface happily with clients' machines.

6. You'll never get holidays

It's not as bad as that. I know freelances who are very disciplined and take real holidays. I thought I never took any - never seem to have time and money together - but a quick tot up revealed I have been away rather more than I thought I had.

7. VAT registration isn't for me

Even if your turnover is below the required registration threshold if you do get a workspace, get VAT registered. Then when you're VAT registered, ring fence VAT on your income. It makes filling out the VAT returns feel like making money, not wasting time.

8. You need an accountant

Unless you are doing lots of buying and selling, book keeping is pretty straightforward. If you are not confident about your ability to do this check out basic book keeping courses (e.g. local TECs). But you probably still need an accountant to deal with your tax returns. If your books are in order this should mean less work for your accountant and lower charges for you (reckon on around £300 p.a.). Spreadsheets should be enough for your records unless you are buying and selling, in which case go for an accounting package.

9. Pensions are an expensive luxury

They aren't, they're essential. Start one, straight away (same rule as office space - if you leave it for a while you'll miss the money you used to have).

10. Clients don't pay on time:

True. Cash flow crises happen - but you do get to the other side. County courts offer a cost effective route to retrieve small debts and just a threat of court action can be enough to extract payment.

Jackie Elliman is a freelance specialising in marketing, events organisation and general administrative work.

tel: 0411 952864 email: jackie-artsorg@cwcom.net

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Updated 23 October 1999