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How to set your freelance rates

How to set your freelance rates

Are you wondering how to set your freelance rates? Struggling to navigate the world of hourly rates, day rates, retainer packages and the rest? I hear ya. Figuring out how much to charge for your services is a complicated topic and everyone has an opinion.

Hourly rates

When I first started charging an hourly rate, I didn’t think very much of myself. I’d been making sandwiches for a living for a few years and scraping by on £7 per hour and free food and coffees to make the day feel a little less dreary. So when I had to come up with a figure to charge for my services, I didn’t feel worthy of asking for very much at all. I charged £10 per hour.

Several years later I upped that to £20 per hour, and I’ve increased it yet again since then. I did some research into what other people were charging and also thought about how much I would realistically like to earn every month.

Watch this Instagram video to learn more tips on how to set your freelance rates.

Say for example you want to earn £3,000 per month. Great, now how many hours would you like to work in that month? If the answer is 120 hours (thirty hours per week), then you would need to charge £25 per hour. (Bear in mind that this is all before tax, so you would lose a certain percentage of this to the government.)

Consider your capacity

Instead of working backward thinking about hours worked, maybe consider how many days you would like to work, or how many clients you can comfortably work with, or how many products you would need to sell to make up that income.

Remember that just because the typical working week consists of five days this doesn’t necessarily mean you can dedicate five days to doing paid work. You’ll need time to do the work that doesn’t pay (in a direct sense anyway) such as sending invoices, implementing marketing campaigns, meeting with potential clients, etc.

best freelance books

As a rule of thumb, I would assume that at least one day a week will be required for various freelancer-related tasks and then take it from there.

Do your research

TIP: Talk to other freelancers and ask if they would give you a ballpark figure about what they charge. Do this with lots of people, not just one or two, because the chances are that they could be under or over-charging for their services! When I increased my rates recently, I asked for input in a freelancer Facebook group and people were more than happy to tell me their hourly rate.

Learn more from my book Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss.

How to get started pitching to publications

How to get started pitching to publications

‘How to pitch to publications’ is a juicy topic. It can also feel overwhelming to even begin typing out the first pitch email to an editor when you’re just starting out. But – great news: you don’t have to have done a degree in journalism or have even gone to university to become a published writer.

I would know.My degree was in music, I worked for years in hospitality, and now I’m a freelance writer. I’ve been published for national publications such as Grazia, Metro, Reader’s Digest and The iPaper hundreds of times. And all it took was passion and practice.

For years, writing was my hobby. One day, I responded to a call-out on Twitter from an editor looking for pitches. I just decided to bloody well go for it, and my pitch got accepted. So, I kind of got published by accident.From then, I honed my skill as a writer and pitcher – and today, I’m typing away to answer your frequent FAQs on exactly how to pitch to publications, drawing on my now extensive experience over the many years I’ve been doing this.

Before we crack on with your questions, you should head over to my resources page and download the pitching checklist. It’s great to have on hand when you’re crafting every single pitch. Also, I offer 1-1 mentoring calls as well, where I can run over pitches with you, answer your specific questions in detail and have a good old chinwag about the freelance writer life.

pitching to magazines

Where do you even start with pitching?!

 

Well, this is a biggie. From my experience, the best place to start is as simple as this: the writing. Don’t start by thinking about making money; don’t start by thinking of that byline. Start by practising to become a better writer. If you haven’t got a blog, start one. Start writing articles you’d like to see published; write about the topics you’re interested in as if you’ve already been commissioned by your favourite editor.

Next, read – LOTS. Look at magazines, digital articles, newspapers. Analyse journalists’ intros, where they decide to put in quotes, what the word count of pieces typically are, how they’ve crafted the headline and narrowed down that razor-sharp angle. Another great thing to do is look at what’s trending, or analyse current headlines, and then decide what your stance would be on the subject. How would you write about that? Then write about it for your blog.

It’s a whole lot of preparation before you get to the pitching stage – but that’s good. The last thing you want is to send a great idea, get commissioned and then panic because you haven’t had enough time to hone your own writing. And learning how to press ‘publish’ on your own work eliminates that imposter-fuelled fear of seeing your work out there in the world. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to pitch.

LISTEN TO MY PODCAST EPISODE ALL ABOUT PITCHING TO PUBLICATIONS

pitching to publications

What do you include in that first email to an editor?

 

If you’re cold pitching, you do need to introduce who you are – but it’s not as important as you might think it is. Editors get pitches from writers they’ve never worked with all the time, so that’s okay.

Make sure your email exudes quiet confidence: you need to show them you deserve to be in their inbox. Never send an email just introducing yourself and asking if they’re looking for stories: that’s a big no no. Editors are very, very busy people and they won’t have time to deal with that kind of request. You’ve got to give them something they wantWhich is a great story idea.

The first time you pitch, you’ve got to make sure you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about your idea. Do some research; find some case studies. When you pitch to an editor, they’ve got the choice of choosing you (who they don’t know from Adam), a staffer that already works at the publication, or another freelancer they’ve worked with before. The others have an advantage over you, and they’re definitely looking like the most risk-free options for the editor, so you’ve got to make sure you can prove why you’re the person to write the piece.

If you have lived experience of the topic you’re pitching, show that. If you don’t have personal experience, do thorough research and make it clear you already have some killer stats or case studies the editor might not have easy, instant access to.

 

How do you choose which publications to pitch to?

 

If you pitch to publications you already read, you’re in a great position because you know the kinds of articles they want. However, the disadvantage is you might be a little too close to the subject matter. If you’re, say, the target reader of Cosmopolitan Magazine, chances are the kind of articles you’ll want to pitch have already been covered by the popular title lots and lots of times before. There aren’t really any new stories, always just new angles. And often, with massive titles, every angle has already been covered.

If you decide to cast your net wider and pitch to niche publications, this can be great, because you have a chance to really get deep into your subject matter. I regularly write for Happiful Magazine, the mental health publication, and whilst I adore writing for them, you have to think long and hard about your angle, because every single article in the 12 issues a year is about mental health. A lot of ground has been covered. You basically have to find a niche way to write about a niche subject. Makes sense. But once you get in the groove, this can be the most fun and rewarding work.

If you want to write an article for a publication you don’t personally read, you often find you can tweak the kind of topics you’re interested in to work them for a new audience. For example, I wrote a piece on death positivity, a topic regularly covered by publications with younger audiences such as Refinery29, but for Reader’s Digest, whose target audience is over 50s. Whilst this conversation was being somewhat normalised amongst younger generations, the over 50s were new to it. Rethink your angles and you’ll be surprised with the material you can get.

What are some great pitch email tips?

  • Estimate the word count of your piece, and let an editor know in your pitch email. Literally go onto the publication’s website, copy and paste an article into Word, and see how many words it is. Then ensure you stick to the same format yourself – it’ll make you look like you know exactly what you’re doing (even if you don’t feel that way at the time!)
  • Make sure the publication hasn’t already covered the angle you want to write. There’s no bigger faux pas than pitching something that’s already been covered.
  • Follow your go-to editors on Twitter. Get a feel for their personality; for the kinds of articles they like to commission.
  • Why not try pegging your articles to a certain awareness day or holiday? If it’s trending, editors want to get it out there, quick. Whether that be Mental Health Awareness Week, or Valentine’s Day, or a news story everyone’s talking about, ensuring your pitch is timely makes it irresistible for the commissioning editor.

Well, I told you it was going to be juicy! If you want to find out more about how to pitch to publications book a 1-1 mentoring session with me and we can have a good old chat.

5 of the best podcasts for freelancers

5 of the best podcasts for freelancers

There are some cracking podcasts for freelancers available online nowadays, but there are sooooo many! How do you know which ones to listen to first? Some are just sales tools and boring self-promotion for marketers or coaches, and others are genuinely helpful with golden tips and amazing advice.

So which are the best podcasts for freelancers? If you’re new to freelancing it’s always super helpful to hear how other people started out, and if you’ve been a freelancer for years it’s nice to know you’re not alone!

Here are my top 5 podcasts for freelancers:

Out of Office

I know, I know! I’m a tad biased, but I think my own podcast about freelance life is pretty bloody awesome. So I’m putting it on this list in case you’ve not had a chance to listen yet! I started the Out of Office Podcast as an accompaniment to my book. You’ll find that I share a lot of my own freelance journey which resonates with lots of freelancers.  And I know the podcast and the book have helped a large number of people make the leap from employed to fulltime freelancing!

Since I started recording, I’ve had tonnes of DMs from total strangers telling me how it’s inspired break free from the corporate shackles or to set up as a freelancer on the side. I don’t shy away from difficult topics, like depression and anxiety, and I think you’ll find the tips I share helpful.

podcasts-for-writers

Ctrl Alt Delete

Obviously I had to include this as the ultimate of freelancer podcasts, by the multi-hyphenate queen herself, Emma Gannon. This podcast is so good! Emma covers so many topics and speaks to some truly phenomenal humans on Ctrl Alt Delete, from Elizabeth Day and Dawn O’Porter to Joe Lycett and Gillian Anderson.

I love the breadth of her chats with brilliant people covering work, wellbeing & creativity, starting with some questions about work or whatever they might be promoting and then meandering into a whole other – often unexpected – world!

ctrl alt delete podcast for freelancers yellow image with cartoon of emma gannon

Creatively Human

This one is an essential listen for business owners and creatives, with gorgeous deep dive conversations going into the realms of why we do what we do, and the highs and lows on the journey! Ruth Poundwhite interviews the likes of Ravideep Kaur, me, Rabya Lomas and Ray Dodd about our creative lives, and the philosophies and inspiration behind our businesses.

I love hearing how other freelancers fit everything in and use their freedom to create the kind of lives they want. It’s inspiring to know that there IS another way! The way that she focuses on how we’re all connected with each other as humans living life and doing business in a creative way is life-affirming. One to listen to when you’re craving deeper conversations.

creatively human podcast for freelancers

Starting the Conversation

Marketing pro Alice Benham hosts this podcast for freelancers and I love it! She speaks with such honesty and openness about her own journey, the highs and lows of running a business, as well as interviewing a variety of freelancers from different industries.

It shines a light on the unspoken parts of being a business owner. Be a fly on the wall for her chats with fellow entrepreneurs and go behind the scenes where they confess their mishaps (I know it’s always reassuring to hear these!). It’s fun, easy to listen to and will give you hope for your business or freelancing life!

starting-the-conversation-alice-benham-podcasts-for-freelancers

Coworking Club – Jess Berry

This is one I love to listen to when I’m out and about or feeling like I need a sense of community! It’s a podcast for female business owners who want “to work FOR themselves not BY themselves”!

She speaks with lots of women about all things entrepreneurship. The shenanigans that come with running your own business are covered in her chats and of course the trials and tribulations of working from home! It’s given me some great tips about how to stay motivated and on task!

coworking club podcast for freelancers

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my 5 best podcasts for freelancers and that they give you some listening inspiration!

If you have any podcasts you love that I’ve missed leave a comment below. I’m always on the lookout for new listens! And if you get a chance to have a listen to these, let me know and don’t forget to leave these awesome podcasters reviews! Every little helps and all that, eh?!

You can find me hanging out on Instagram here. Come and say hello! And don’t forget to take a peek at my FREE resources for freelancers.

And if you haven’t nabbed a copy of my book, Out of Office, yet it’s an absolute must for freelancers – especially if you’re new to it all!

How to live your best freelance life

How to live your best freelance life

April’s a big old month for the Out of Office podcast. My airwaves-generated baby, my child, turned one on 16th April. It’s been an entire year since I started the podcast. And we’re still in a pandemic. But let’s focus on the former, more celebratory news, shall we?

I started Out of Office with the aim of supporting not just people already on their freelance journeys, but particularly the freelance life contemplators, or the ‘I’m-pretty-sure-freelance-is-a-pipe-dream’ dreamers. I want to demystify the freelance life, offer no-BS advice and share both the highs – and lows – that come with hitting out of office for good, so you’re prepared to make your business a success.

So, in keeping with that purpose, here’s the no-BS advice on how to live your best freelance life:

Episode 21: Strategies for coping with stress, depression and anxiety

Has the pandemic impacted your mental health? Is that a silly question?

Pandemic life has well and truly impacted my mental health over the last 12 months, so I’ve shared what I’ve been doing to manage the symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety recently.

If you need urgent support call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 24 anytime or for less urgent support email jo@samaritains.org and they will respond within 24 hours.

LISTEN HERE

Episode 22: Falling in love with freelancing again

What do you do as a freelancer when you fall out of love with the freelance life? When it feels like s*** is hitting the fan, it can be, honestly, terrifying. But I’m here to show you it’s possible to get back on track and fall back in love with the freelance life again.

I’ve had periods in my life as a freelancer where I’ve felt a bit stuck and I’ve questioned if I was really on the right path. Last year, when I lost my biggest client, I was forced to reevaluate what I wanted out of my business and it changed my entire approach.

Over on the podcast, I share five things that helped me fall back in love with my business again.

LISTEN HERE

Episode 23: Using your blog to get more clients 

Blogging is what started my freelance career so I felt it only made sense to share my thoughts on how it can help you in your business journey.

You can use your blog as a place to talk about subjects that you’re scared to post about on social media as well as a tool to demonstrate your abilities as a freelancer.

Catch the attention of a prospective client on your irresistible blog and they’re sold.

LISTEN HERE

Episode 24: Growing your online platform

On the most recent episode of the Out of Office podcast, I share tried and tested ways to grow your platform online to boost your freelance business. Get ready to create content that attracts more clients!

Here’s to another 12 months of Out of Office being in our lives!

LISTEN HERE

Pick up my book – Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss

4 freelance myths debunked

4 freelance myths debunked

Thinking about going freelance but sick of people spreading myths to try and put you off? You’ve come to the right place.

Not only did I write the book on how to get started, but I believe that being self-employed can transform your life for the better. But not everyone you speak to about setting up a business will share your (and my) enthusiasm.

So I beg you, please be careful who you confide in before making the leap and consider these freelance myths below. People will generally speak from their own experience and as a result, will have a positive or negative bias towards self-employment as a whole.

If you seek advice from your uncle who set up his own business and went bankrupt, he’ll probably tell you to steer clear. Your friend who’s had a stable council job for fifteen years with regular promotions and a generous benefits package probably thinks you’re mad for even considering giving up your salary.

Similarly, though, if you live in a social media bubble and surround yourself with entrepreneurs who say they make a six-figure income and work a mere two hours per day (ha!) you might get the wrong idea.

Everyone has an opinion on freelancing and it’s up to you to figure out if it’s right for you. You should definitely discuss the decision with friends and family, but be prepared for them to say one or all of the following:

Freelance myth #1: It’s too risky

In the beginning, yes, it’s pretty risky to go freelance, and so you probably shouldn’t make the leap until you’ve got some savings in the bank and a few regular clients on your books. If you went freelance without any skills, experience or means of income, then, yep, that’s pretty fucking risky.

But an established freelancer? Well, they’ve got several clients, and are potentially working on multiple projects at once. Because they work on an hourly or day rate, they are more affordable for businesses that only need workers for a short period of time. They aren’t pigeon-holed by job title and can normally accept a range of jobs that match up with their wide range of skills.

For example, I could help you plan your social media content, edit your podcast and write blog posts. I can also pitch stories to magazines, run writing courses and give motivational mental health talks. So if suddenly no one is making podcasts or using social media anymore, I can turn to copywriting to make up for the lack of income. I have my fingers in many, many pies and there will always be scope to pivot as and when required.

If you work in a company role and all of a sudden everything goes tits up (in the way that the wedding industry or hospitality has been impacted due to the pandemic), then you might be in trouble. Having different strands of income that you can pull on as circumstances change makes freelancing a dream for stability. You just have to work hard in the beginning to build up your skills and your client base to see the long-term benefits.

Freelance myth #2: You need to hire a team

The beauty of being freelance is that you can dictate how your business is run. If you don’t want the stress of managing employees and having enough money to pay their wages, then you don’t need to. You can outsource work to other freelancers on a project-by-project basis and then go back to being a company of one as soon as the work is done or things quieten down.

Success doesn’t depend on expansion. You can create a manageable, steady flow of work (and income) based on your own abilities if you find the right clients and price yourself appropriately. A team of one is arguably more sustainable as there are fewer overheads involved. If you thrive as an independent worker, then lean into that. I personally love nothing more than sitting at home in my pants while having a personal development meeting with, well, myself. I always get good feedback in those meetings.

Freelance myth #3: You need a business plan

Err, no. If you’re going to the bank for a loan then sure, they’ll probably want to see a business plan, but lots of online lenders don’t ask for one. I wouldn’t even recommend thinking about taking out a loan to start a business unless it’s absolutely necessary (say you literally need a particular piece of kit or software to do the job), and even then I think it’s more sensible to be patient and save up a pot of cash while working a regular job.

A business plan is a nice idea, but I think too many people think that it guarantees the success of your business. It doesn’t. If I had written a business plan when I first went freelance I would never have planned to do much of the work that pays my bills nowadays. I had a plan of sorts, but not an official strategy document based on market research and financial forecasts.

Being reactive is just as important as being proactive because it means when opportunities pop up you’re flexible and open to changing your trajectory. I started off trying to make money through sponsored content on my blog, but after a few months, I was encouraged to pitch feature ideas to an online newspaper. Getting into journalism wasn’t part of my ‘plan’, but when it cropped up as a potential earner, I gave it a bash. I wasn’t restricted by a framework that I’d created to make me feel like I had my shit together. In fact, my shit was all over the shop, and as a result, I ended up fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine by writing for major publications and getting two book deals.

Freelance myth #4: You’ll never make it

This freelance myth really hurts. If you have an inkling of a feeling about setting up your own business, it can take years to simply convince yourself that you’ve got what it takes. Or, more accurately, that you’ve even got the right to dream big. Because many of us take such a beating from life in the form of abusive partners, pessimistic frenemies and over-protective parents, we think we are rubbish humans who must settle for Just A Job. There is nothing wrong with having Just A Job if that’s what really makes you happy.

I had Just A Job back in 2013 when I was recovering from a mental breakdown. There are times to be passionate about your career goals and there are times to simply bring home the bacon. I had been off sick with depression for almost a year, regularly unable to face daily tasks such as showering or popping to the corner shop. So the thought of going back to the job I’d had previously – running a business, managing a team, dealing with budgets and staff training – was too much to handle.

I had to go back to basics if I wanted to return to the world of work, so that’s what I did. I worked a part-time job as a waitress in a family-run café and it had no prospects. No likelihood of a pay rise or promotion. Was I hopping out of bed every morning, excited to serve lattes and toasted teacakes to local OAPs? No, but it was what I needed at the time: a simple vocation to build my confidence up.

Listen to my podcast episode about side hustling below

 

Lots of other people have Just A Job because it funds other passions in life, like paddleboarding, knitting pyjamas for goats or bowling three times a week. That’s fine. It’s more than fine – it’s excellent. But if you’re working Just A Job and it’s sucking your soul and you’re wondering if there’s a chance that you could be happy at work, don’t let the negative voices (internal or external) tell you that work is supposed to make you miserable. We all have bad days. But I refuse to believe that anyone should accept unhappiness at work as the norm. It sounds really dramatic to say this, but you only have one life.

Do you want to spend it doing something that you’ve settled for? Or do you want to look back and know that at the very least you gave this freelancing thing a bash?

Did I miss out any freelance myths? Share yours in the comments below.

Find out more about my book ‘Out of Office: Ditch the 9-5 and Be Your Own Boss’