Self-employment advice

Invoices, they’re all the same, right? Well, no, they’re not. There are several types of invoice and they each serve a different purpose. Here’s some of the most common types of invoice and why you might send or receive one.

A customer might well ask you to send them a new, updated invoice, which can also steal your time, when your day is busy enough. It’s best to know exactly what you need to include in your customer invoices and use a fool-proof system that prevents any essential information from being left out.

Cash is king. You’ve probably heard that before, but what does it mean? Well, although price and profit are very important, they’re not as vital as cash, the lifeblood of all businesses.

Choosing an accountant is a key decision. Find the right accountant and they’ll make your life easier, while helping you to maximise your income and minimise your tax bills.

When you become a sole trader, you’ll also need to register for Self Assessment and comply with its requirements. Here are the answers to 15 Self Assessment frequently asked questions.

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.

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.

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

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?

"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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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?