Working with Freelancers

I have recently started delegating some of my work to freelancers. I take on a lot of projects, which previously I had managed myself. But now that I have developed a reputation and skill range that allows me to command a higher hourly rate, I can afford to pay other people to help me out and therefore take on more work.

I deal with all my freelancers by email only, and the occasional coffee meeting if there's anything to run through. I pay them all weekly through my business bank account by BACs payment. I've made a standard contract that I send to all the freelancers. It makes the operation look more professional and sets expectations from the very beginning. I feel like one of the most exciting milestones in starting a new business for me was being able to take on other people and offer them work.

It's lonely in business

Yes it's still glum Saturday (just) can you tell?! Just a quick thing that has come up tonight at the pub and reminded me of the past few months - friends and acquaintances don't seem to ask about what they don't understand. I am so excited about the way my business is developing, and would love to talk about it, but when I mention things it's almost a conversation stopper. My friends don't really get my job, or where I'm going with it - as they are so far detached from the idea of setting up a business that I guess they just aren't really interested. Another reason I should get to a business networking event, and battle my nerves.

Glum Saturday

It's Saturday, I'm working, again, in between doing the laundry. This is not a fun combination. Although I genuinely enjoy my work, which is why I'm turning it in to a business, I do feel a bit glum sometimes when I realise I haven't allowed myself a day off. I'm thinking about tomorrow and the propspect of sitting at the same desk doing the same thing again on what is supposed to be my weekend. I can't wait to get some proper office space and plan my schedule so this doesn't happen so much any more. Thank goodness for coffee and chocolate.

Getting the business plan finished

I've finally clicked the send button on my email to The Prince's Trust. This email contains my business plan, a grant application (£195) and my financial forecasts. I couldn't have put this together without the help of the template from The Prince's Trust website. They pretty much do it all for you, you just have to tailor it to your business. It took me about 4 hours to put my plan together. But in reality I've been thinking about it for the past 6 months.

The financial forecast tables are genius. If you're just toying with an idea, I suggest having a look at the site and the tools to see if you can put something down on paper. For me, seeing a year's worth of earnings helped me to realise that my hard work would (in theory) all pay off in the end, and I feel very motivated now.

An introduction to my new business journal

I'm currently in the process of starting a business, my first business. I've realised that I'm moving through some massive milestone achievements quite quickly, and soon I'll forget about all the little steps I've made along the way. So I've decided to document them for my own memories and maybe for the help of others, to read about my experiences.

Enjoy!