Ok, so you need more money – living on Supernoodles and plain pasta is not conducive to good studying. But neither is getting a job (for many). So, you twiddle your thumbs wondering what to do. You think, ‘Shall I get a part-time job? Hmmm, but how can I find a job that fits around my studies?’ Then bang it hits you, ‘I can freelance!’ To steal a phrase from Barack Obama, at FreelanceStudents.co.uk we say, ‘Yes You Can!’

Being a student freelancer, you can even do the work in your pyjamas (or less… if thats your “thing”) – no greasy fast food uniforms for you! But, you exclaim, ‘How on earth do I get started?’ Well we can tell you now, it’s not easy, but with a ton dedication and a sprinkle of talent , you can do it. Here’s our part one of our rough guide to becoming a freelance student, helping you to get started in the world of freelancing.

1) Sort Out The Practicalities

• What is your business? What it is you are good at? What your happy spending time on doing. Don’t pick a role only because “Your friend down the road does it and brags about how much he gets paid. Crab Fishermen are paid very well too! Nothing beats getting paid to do something you love.
• How much to charge? What are your rates? Power of negotiation is key. Never be afraid to ask for a higher price if you truly think the work deserves it. When I started out I joined groups on Linkedin and asked other professionals what I should charge. Another way, of course, is by checking out freelance and crowdsource websites to find out how much your competitors are charging.
• Decide upon your hours. Set yourself a working pattern – you only have a certain amount of spare time to work as you need to study alongside. Don’t allow work to take over or your degree will suffer.

2) Sort Out Your Invoicing

When I first started freelancing as a student, I sent out paper invoices. But the problem was I’d lose track. Then I discovered Freshbooks. It’s free to use (limited by the number of clients) and is so simple.

3) Sort Out Your Taxes

Register with your local tax office (it’s unlikely you’ll be liable but best to keep the tax man happy). Here’s some useful advice from HM Customs & Revenue

4) Get Work

Work isn’t going to land in your lap – you’ve got to get out there and find it. Well, you’re in the right place to find work: Here on FreelanceStudents we’ve got an ever growing base of companies who want to offer you work.

One of the best resources for freelancers would be that of agencies. There are thousands of agencies out there which provide services to clients. They are always looking for freelancers to facilitate their clients’ needs. My advice is to find the most relevant agencies for your skills and give them a call or drop them an email.

Below you can find a lists of agencies:

Digital Agencies

Marketing Agencies

Advertising Agencies

Also, you can use Gumtree, Craigslist, People per Hour, Skills Pages, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to tout for work

Also Check Out These FreelanceStudents Guides

How To Use Delicious To Find Jobs
How To Use Google To Find Jobs
How To Use Facebook To Find Jobs
How To Use Twitter To Find Jobs: Part 1
How To Use Twitter To Find Jobs: Part 2

5) Get Unionised

No, we don’t mean head on down to ‘the Union’ for a cheeky beer. When you work for a company you are covered by their insurance so, if the unthinkable happens and you accidentally break the law, or get sued, you’ll be covered. As a freelancer you are on your own. Membership of a union relating to your field will give you access to legal cover and support. You’ll also get certain benefits depending on your field and the union. Plus, as a student, you’ll get discounted membership. Do some research!

Right that’s it, go get started and look out for Part 2.

If your already doing this and more let us know in the comments!

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