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ANDREW VORSTER, 53 Innovation catalyst What is your goal for 2019? To increase the number of clients I have on a monthly retainer basis to smooth out my cash flow a bit more. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? Bill for outputs, not for hours - and get a 50 per cent deposit up front! How do you manage your finances? Carefully. As a sole trader not (yet) VAT registered, my business is still so uncomplicated that I use a spreadsheet to track all income, invoices, payments, expenses and receipts. What are your top networking tips? Always carry business cards: you never know where your next lead will come from. Who do you think will be Britain’s Prime Minister in January 2020? Sajid Javid
KULJEET CHHABRA Website engineer What is your goal for 2019*? Provide better customer care experience and increase my number of clients. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? The best advice given by my professor in university was if you want to succeed you have to change yourself with the changing world. What are your top networking tips? Use social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Meet people through other people such as your old clients. Before you start networking, it’s important to have a clear agenda so you won’t waste your time. Who do you think will be Britain’s Prime Minister in January 2020? Micheal Gove.
YASSMIN ABDEL-MAGIED, 27 Writer/ broadcaster What is your goal for 2019? I’m hoping to get a book deal for my third book, which is very different from my first two. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? There are peaks and troughs - everyone has them - so always keep some money aside for the tough times. How have you dealt with late payment from clients? God, this is my bugbear. I just continue harassing them until they pay up! How do you manage your finances? It’s all about cash flow. I’m still learning to be honest. What are your top networking tips? Treat folk as people, not as tools for your end game. Be generous without expectation. Have fun!
LUKE NICHOLSON, 31 Accent Coach What is your goal for 2019? To launch my new online pronunciation course by the end of the year. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? Focus on getting money in (rather than spending too much time on passion projects). How have you dealt with late payment from clients? I always take payment in advance. How do you manage your finances? Excel spreadsheets. You can use them to record finances, budget and visualise data. What are your top networking tips? Smile, don’t get too close to the person you’re speaking to, exchange business cards. Who do you think will be Britain’s Prime Minister in January 2020? Will Britain survive 2019?
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DARYL KING Managing director of A New Narrative Limited, coach and consultant What is your goal for 2019? To continue doing good work with good people, and being able to take care of those I need to. What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out? To accept that I couldn’t be an expert in everything myself, and to buy in services as needed. In my case, employing a good accountant was the first thing I did. Will Brexit affect your freelancing business? If so, how? I’ve a number of European clients, so I’m keeping a close eye on what this might mean for things like the existing VAT arrangements. What are your top networking tips? Be curious, listen more than you speak, don’t try and sell before you’ve built relationships.
CAITLIN MCEVOY, 27 Graphic designer and blogger What is your goal for 2019? To make the switch to being a full-time freelancer. Failing this, a steady stream of client work and funds to make the switch possible next year. How have you dealt with late payment from clients? Money is such an awkward topic but you’ve got to keep on-top of those late payments. I’ve recently added a deadline on invoices to which a late fee will be added. What are your top networking tips? Networking isn’t always about business – its useful just to meet similar, like-minded people. Be yourself, show interest and, most importantly, have fun. Who do you think will be Britain’s Prime Minister in January 2020? Barack Obama – wishful thinking.
RUBY BEATTIE, 51 IT project / service manager What is your goal for 2019? My personal goal is to develop skills in agile project management methods, putting the theory into practice. Will Brexit affect your freelancing business? If so, how? Yes. I think there will be a movement of companies out of the UK, and demand for IT freelancers will decrease. How do you manage your finances? Badly! I’m always ‘running at the coo’s tail’, and use excel spreadsheets. My accountant is a patient man. What are your top networking tips? Mutual respect, a positive outlook and reliability go a long way. Who do you think will be Britain’s Prime Minister in January 2020? Theresa May, but I’d prefer to have an ex PM in charge: John Major.
KERRY NEEDS, 34 Freelance copywriter What is your goal for 2019? To create another revenue stream, preferably passive like an online course. Will Brexit affect your freelancing business? If so, how? No thankfully, as I am based 100% remotely and work with clients all over the world via online platforms. How have you dealt with late payment from clients? I usually send an extremely polite ‘if you would be so kind’ notice and that generally gets payment. If not, I inform them that unfortunately the next step would be a statutory demand. I haven’t had to go there, yet. How do you manage your finances? I keep a weekly tracker, and I have a target for each month so I know where I’m up to with my goal.
January/February 2019
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