Freelance Like a Pro: Hard Truths That Will Make or Break Your Career
- David Salariya
- Mar 15
- 11 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Freelancing: The Dream, the Hustle, the Reality Check
The term "freelancing" originates from Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1820), where it refers to medieval mercenary knights or soldiers who offered their services to the highest bidder, their lances being "free" from any allegiance to a specific lord.
Over time, the term has evolved to describe professionals who sell their services on an individual basis rather than being tied to an employer...it does not mean that "freelancers" services are FREE!
Ah, freelancing, intoxicating freedom. The land of pyjamas as workwear, setting your own hours, meaning "all hours", and answering to no one but yourself - until you realise your boss is a tyrant who never lets you take a day off (yes it’s you). The pandemic gave employees the taste of life as a freelancer but without the need to worry about pay at the end of the month...yes working at home could be like being freelance - but take away the security of monthly pay and you have a different picture. No wonder staff did not want to return to working in an office - they had all the joys but none of the insecurities....
Read on...
Brutal Truths Every Freelancer Needs to Hear (and How to Use Them to Succeed)
For every vision of leisurely laptop sessions in sun-drenched beaches or artisan cafés, there’s the stark reality of chasing unpaid invoices (I would just go and sit in client’s office when payments were long overdue... to be met with the words of ...'take your begging bowl somewhere else...!), refreshing your inbox like a lab rat waiting for a pellet, and having an existential crisis over whether you should raise your rates or just move to Slough*.
Freelance Freedom: The Uncomfortable Truths No One Tells You (But Should)
Yes, freelancing offers freedom, flexibility, and the joy of dodging office small talk, but it also comes with its own special set of pitfalls. The most successful freelancers aren’t just skilled at their craft - they’ve mastered the art of survival in an industry where stability is a myth and ghosting is practically a client sport.
This no-nonsense guide isn’t here to sell you a dream. It’s here to help you navigate the reality of freelancing - from managing flaky clients to pricing your work like you’re running a business (because you are). Buckle up,the self-employed life is a rollercoaster - but at least you get to build the track...sort off.
The Freelancer’s Guide to Reality:
Hard Lessons, Smart Strategies, and Long-Term Success
Freelancing offers freedom, flexibility, and the ability to be your own boss, but it also comes with unique challenges. The most successful freelancers understand the hard truths about their business and use these facts to their advantage. This no-nonsense guide will help you navigate the reality of freelancing and build a sustainable, fulfilling career.
Professional relationships, like friendships, are often transactional and temporary. Clients come and go, and collaborators move on. Don’t rely on one client or network for stability -always be building new connections. Value professional relationships, but don’t take them personally - people move on for business reasons, not emotional ones. Develop a strong professional identity so that your work speaks for itself beyond any one connection.
"Old age treats freelance writers pretty gently." – John Updike
Freelancing is often lonely, with no boss or team to guide you. Your self-discipline and mindset dictate success. Know your strengths and weaknesses - freelancers thrive by leveraging what they do best. Develop self-motivation techniques - productivity tools, routines, and goal-setting. Manage self-doubt - you must be your own biggest cheerleader.
Clients only care about what you deliver, not how many hours you put in. Focus on high-impact work - optimise processes so you’re efficient without overworking. Charge based on value, not time - hourly rates limit earnings, but results-based pricing allows for growth. Communicate results, not effort - showcase finished work and client successes, not the struggle behind it.
Clients will ghost you, projects will flop, and pitches will be rejected. Detach from rejection - it's not personal. Expect inconsistency - some months will be great, others slow. Plan accordingly. Use failure as feedback - analyse what went wrong and adjust your approach.
Many freelancers work from home, making it both their workspace and sanctuary. Create a workspace that fosters productivity - separate it from relaxation zones.
Maintain work-life balance - set boundaries so home doesn’t feel like a 24/7 office. If home gets uninspiring, change your environment - cafés, co-working spaces, or travel.
Stability is harder to maintain as a freelancer - your income fluctuates, and personal relationships require attention. Have a financial safety net - set aside savings to manage slow periods. Prioritize long-term security - health insurance, retirement savings, and passive income. Don’t let work consume personal relationships - schedule time for family.
Continuous learning is essential - staying relevant means constantly upgrading skills. Read books, blogs, and case studies related to your industry. Invest in self-education - online courses, industry webinars, and networking events. Write and share knowledge - blogging builds credibility and attracts clients.
Sitting at a desk all day can lead to burnout, physical strain, and stress. Build movement into your routine - short walks, stretching, or standing desks. Exercise to boost mental clarity - a fit body supports a sharp mind. Avoid overworking - burnout kills creativity and productivity.
Dwelling on lost clients, ghastly clients, bad projects, or pricing mistakes doesn’t change anything. Move on quickly - if something goes wrong, fix what you can and keep going. Remember you will pay for your mistakes - so learn from mistakes but don’t obsess over them - every freelancer messes up sometimes. Focus on solutions, not setbacks.
What seems urgent now (a difficult client, a missed deadline) is often insignificant in the long run. Prioritise long-term growth over daily stressors. Don’t obsess over small problems - most things resolve themselves. Be adaptable - interests change, industries evolve, and clients shift...retire...die. Keep an open mind.
Success isn’t luck - it’s a result of consistent effort and smart decisions. Be intentional with your career choices - choose clients and projects that align with your goals. Proactively seek opportunities - network, market yourself, and pitch new ideas. Take ownership - don’t blame external factors for stagnation; adjust your strategy instead.
"The life of the professional writer - like that of any freelance, whether she be a plumber or a podiatrist – is predicated on willpower. Without it there simply wouldn’t be any remuneration, period." – Will Self
Final Takeaways for Freelancers:
Build a sustainable freelance career - don’t rely on one income stream or network.
Prioritize your mental and physical health - burnout kills creativity. Keep learning and adapting - stagnation leads to irrelevance. Detach from rejection and failures - they are just stepping stones. Take full responsibility for your career - clients, income, and growth depend on you.
How to Apply This Advice Right Now
If you’re a freelancer looking to move forward successfully:
Audit your business model - where are your biggest strengths, gaps, and inefficiencies?
Diversify your income streams - consider retainer clients, passive income, or side projects.
Refine your personal brand - how can you market yourself better?
Set clear work-life boundaries - when do you work, and when do you stop?
Plan for long-term security - do you have savings, insurance, and retirement plans...yes one day you will be out old and out of print!
Invest in self-education - what new skill or industry knowledge could boost your value?
Embrace change - stay adaptable and willing to shift direction when needed.
This mindset shift can transform freelancing from a stressful hustle into a sustainable, fulfilling career.
As a freelancer or as self-employed in the UK, understanding your tax obligations is crucial.
Freelancing is Tough: Here’s How to Survive (and Thrive) in the Gig Economy
Mastering resilience, financial security, and self-discipline as a freelancer.
Income Tax
Freelancers in the UK pay income tax on their profits, which is calculated as total earnings minus allowable business expenses. The tax rates for the 2025/26 tax year are as follows:
Personal Allowance: The first £12,570 of your income is tax-free.
Basic Rate: 20% on earnings from £12,571 to £50,270.
Higher Rate: 40% on earnings from £50,271 to £125,140.
Additional Rate: 45% on earnings over £125,141.
It's important to note that these tax bands apply to your total taxable income, including both employment and freelance earnings.
National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
Self-employed individuals are required to pay NICs, which are mandatory social security payments for pensions and benefits. There are two types of NICs for freelancers:
Class 2 NICs: A flat rate contribution
Class 4 NICs: An additional percentage-based contribution for those earning over a certain threshold
Value Added Tax (VAT)
If your annual turnover exceeds £90,000 for the 2024-25 tax year, you must register for VAT.The standard VAT rate is 20%, which you'll need to charge on your goods and services.
Tax Returns and Deadlines
As a freelancer, you must file an annual Self Assessment tax return if your earnings exceed £1,000 per year. Key dates to remember:
Tax year: 6 April to 5 April of the following year
Online tax return deadline: 31 January following the end of the tax year
Paper tax return deadline: 31 October following the end of the tax year
Allowances and Deductions
Trading Allowance: The first £1,000 of your freelance income is tax-free under the Trading Allowance.
Business Expenses: You can deduct allowable business expenses from your taxable income, which may include office costs, travel expenses, and equipment.
Record Keeping
Maintain accurate records of your income and expenses throughout the year. This will make filing your tax return easier and ensure you claim all eligible deductions.
By understanding these key aspects of the UK tax system for freelancers, you can better manage your finances and comply with HMRC regulations. Remember to stay informed about any changes to tax laws and consider seeking professional advice if you're unsure about your tax obligations.
Setting up a limited company in the UK comes with several tax implications that you need to be aware of:
Corporation Tax
Limited companies must pay Corporation Tax on their profits. As of April 2023, the rates are:
19% for profits up to £50,000 (small profits rate)
25% for profits over £250,000 (main rate)
Marginal relief applies for profits between £50,000 and £250,000
You must register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting business and pay the tax due within 9 months and 1 day after your company's accounting period ends.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
If your company's annual taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 (for the 2024-25 tax year), you must register for VAT. The standard VAT rate is 20%, which you'll need to charge on your goods and services.
National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
As an employer, you'll need to pay Employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on employees' wages and benefits. The threshold at which employers start paying Class 1 Secondary NICs is £9,100 from April 2023.
Income Tax and Personal NICs
Directors taking income from the company may be liable for Income Tax and personal NICs. This applies to both salaries and dividends, although dividends are taxed at lower rates.
Self Assessment
Directors may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return to report their personal income from the company, including dividends and expenses.
Other Considerations
You must register as an employer and set up PAYE if you're paying yourself or any employees a salary.
There are costs associated with setting up and running a limited company, including accountancy fees and Companies House fees.
Closing down a limited company can be complex and potentially costly if you decide to stop trading and trying to stop trading is complicated futher if you have staff and your company owns property.
Remember to keep accurate records of your company's income and expenses, as this will be crucial for tax reporting and compliance.
Always, always employ an accountant and a lawyer.
Figures correct as of March 2025. Always seek independent advice.
IPSE (The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) is a UK-based non-profit supporting self-employed professionals.
Who They Are: The UK’s largest self-employed community, providing support, advocacy, and resources.
What They Do: Offer advice, protection, networking, and tools to help freelancers and contractors succeed.
Mission: To champion self-employment, ensuring fair treatment and essential support.
Vision: A future where self-employment is valued as a key part of the economy.
History: Founded in 1999 as PCG
Freelancing: The Wild West of Work - A Reality Check
Before you gallop off into the sunset with dreams of endless coffee shop work sessions and passive income, let’s talk more about the reality of freelancing. Because for every blissful afternoon spent avoiding office small talk, there’s a late-night existential crisis over invoices, clients who think “freelancer” means “free labour,” and enough red flags to host a dictator’s parade.
Red Flags That Spell Disaster for Freelancers and Clients
1. "Can I Have a (Free) Sample?"
Why not look at a freelancer’s portfolio and case studies - you know, like a normal person hiring a professional?
2. "I Need This Done Yesterday"
Ah yes, the classic panic request..”Emergencies happen, but if last-minute fire-fighting is your company’s standard practice, your lack of planning is the freelancers problem.
3. "Can We Just Jump on a Quick Zoom Call?"
Translation: I have no respect for your time, and this could have been an email. Unpaid meetings? Surprise calls? Weekend emails followed by, “Just checking if you got my email?” - All red flags. Respect freelancers boundaries, and freelancers will respect your project.
4. "I Just Need a Quote - Can You Provide It?"
A freelancer has absolutely no idea what you need. You wouldn’t ask a builder for a price before describing the house you want. Give details first, then expect an accurate quote.
5. "Can You Give Us a Discount? There’s Loads More Work in the Pipeline!"
Oh yes, the mythical "exposure ££££" and "future opportunities". now you wouldn’t ask your dentist for a discount on a filling because you might need a bridgework later.
6. "We Don’t Do Contracts or Upfront Payments"
Contracts exist because ghosting is real, and freelancers can’t afford to work for free while you disappear into the abyss.
7. "It’s Not That Much Work - Just a Quick Edit"
Ah, the old “it’ll only take you five minutes”. A web developer doesn’t charge less because they fixed your site in ten minutes. You’re paying for the years of coding that made that fix effortless The price is for the expertise, not the minutes.
8. "I’ll Need You to Be Available Whenever I Call"
Freelancers are not employees. They are not on standby 24/7, they don’t do "quick favours", and they certainly don’t take unscheduled calls as if in a customer service centre.
9. The “Below the Radar” Assignment
“Could you just take a quick look?”...“Would you mind giving us some feedback?”Translation: I want free advice and might ghost you after stealing it.
10. "Every Freelancer I’ve Hired Has Been Terrible!"
Oh dear,...so many bad freelancers? Time for a reality check: maybe the problem isn’t them - it’s the client.
11. "Please Send Your CV and Fill Out This Application Form"
Freelancers are not applying for a job, the portfolio, website, instagram, case studies, and testimonials are a freelancer's CV. If not enough, we’re probably not a good fit.
12. "I Know Exactly How It Should Look!"
Then… why are you hiring a freelancer but insisting on micromanaging every detail is a one-way ticket to a disaster project. If you don’t trust a freelancer's expertise, save us both the headache.
13. "Radio Silence After Delivery"
You paid, you disappeared, and then—poof!—you’re back with another project.Ghosting isn’t professional. Neither is butchering our work and then expecting us to fix it for free.
14. "I Could Do It Myself, I Just Don’t Have the Time"
If that were true, you’d appreciate why this is worth paying for. Expertise isn’t just about knowing how to do something - it’s about knowing how to do it really well.
15. "Oh, Can You Just Add This One Thing…?"
Extra work = extra cost. If you as a client keep tacking things on “real quick,” expect an updated invoice.
General Freelancing Hashtags:
#Freelancing#FreelancerLife#SelfEmployed#WorkFromHome#RemoteWork#GigEconomy#FreelanceWork#FreelancersOfInstagram#FreelancersOfTheWorld
Reality Check & Challenges:
#FreelanceHustle#FreelanceStruggles#FreelanceLifeBalance#FreelancerProblems#ClientFromHell#ChasingInvoices#NoDaysOff
Financial & Business Growth:
#FreelanceFinance#FreelanceSuccess#FreelanceMoney#RaiseYourRates#KnowYourWorth#FreelanceTaxTips
Productivity & Mindset:
#FreelanceMotivation#BeYourOwnBoss#SelfDiscipline#TimeManagement#FreelanceMindset#HustleSmart
UK-Specific Hashtags:
#UKFreelancers#FreelanceUK#HMRCtax#SelfAssessment#UKBusiness#TaxTipsUK
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