Why #freelancersrock – and how we’re celebrating them this month

For too long freelancers have been the unsung heroes of the professional world. Find out why we believe that freelancers rock, and how we’re celebrating them this month.

It’s not easy being a freelancer. You don’t have an employer paying your salary every month, nor a paid-for office to work from. No one organises your laptop and phone for you, or fixes them when they’re broken.

You don’t get holiday or sick pay, and have no one to ask for help or to set you goals to work towards.

Instead, you need to find your own clients, organise (and pay) your own taxes, find a workspace and pay for your own laptop and software.

You need to invoice and chase clients for payments, organise yourself so you’re motivated and keep your skills current. And often you only hear back from clients when they’re not happy with something – so you need a robust sense of professional self-worth too.

Given all of this, who on earth would actually choose to be a freelancer?

New mothers are the biggest growing group of freelancers

Actually, quite a few people – and women in particular. According to IPSE, the number of female freelancers has increased by 55% since 2008. And the number of new mothers choosing to go freelance work rather than return to full-time work has risen by 79%.

In the same period of time, the number of men freelancing has grown by just 36%.

Despite all the drawbacks we listed above, it’s easy to see why freelancing is such an attractive option for mothers in particular. Here are just a few reasons why freelancing works so well for mums:

  • You choose when and where you work, and the projects you work on.
  • You charge more for the work you do – meaning you can work less and earn the same money.
  • You choose when you take holidays, and can plan work around school holidays and inset days.
  • You pay less in tax if you’re a limited company, and can set many of your expenses against tax.

Why we’re celebrating and supporting freelancers this month

No surprise then that we have an army of women who, sick of the discrimination against mothers in the workplace, are taking their careers into their own hands.

They’re taking their highly valuable skills and putting them to work for their own benefit as freelancers. They’re fully autonomous, fully in control and are reaping the financial rewards of the career they’ve worked hard to build.

This army of female freelancers are doing fantastic work, and deserve celebrating. But they also need help. So, this month, we’re doing both!

Over the next five weeks we’re sharing brilliant, honest stories of female freelancers – the struggles they’ve had building their freelance businesses, and the successes they’re celebrating.

We’re also going to be sharing advice and resources to help you.

So if you’re a freelancer looking for inspiration and advice, or are thinking about making the leap and need guidance and support, then check out our articles this month.

Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

  • 47 ideas to help you find freelance clients.
  • What Talented Ladies Club founder Hannah Martin learned in 12 years of successful freelancing.
  • What freelancers struggle with most – and what you can do about similar struggles.
  • The advice 99 freelancers wish they’d been given when they started out.
  • How to motivate yourself when you’re working from home.
  • Exactly why women rule the freelancing and contracting world.
  • How avoid the biggest social media mistake made by freelancers (and find out what you should be doing instead to win new clients).
  • How to handle negative feedback without taking it personally.
  • Plus read stories and tips from 15 freelancers.

We’ll also share details of an exciting new kit we’ve put together to help you build a successful, professional freelance career, with templates, masterclasses and legal advice.

We hope you enjoy the content we have planned for you this month. And if you haven’t done so already, please come and join us inside our free Facebook group for freelancers and small businesses.