Freelancing: Starting and taking it to the next level

Freelancing can be challenging when we don’t know where to start or how to approach the different aspects of running a business. Fortunately, Rise and the Enterprise Team at Man Met are continuously working together to provide you with new resources and opportunities that’ll help you start or develop your ideas.

This time, the Enterprise Team are running a range of workshops covering topics on self-employment/freelancing/side hustles, all delivered to you by actual freelancers and entrepreneurs! We’ll be looking at relevant areas to consider, from planning, building relationships and marketing to legal and financial bases.

Planning

How to manage multiple freelance projects and clients? How to work with others and manage time efficiently? All while avoiding burnout and looking after your well-being? Planning. In our workshop, How to manage freelance projects like a pro, Kei will be taking you through how to juggle different bits of work without burning out. Also, if you’re working on or want to develop your business plan, you may be interested in our Enterprise: Planning self study pack. You’ll look at project and time management techniques to make a workable action plan.

Relationships

Relationships are crucial for success in all sectors, particularly when you’re freelancing. In our Freelance Work – Finding it, keeping it, increasing it workshop, Greg Thorpe, Manchester-based freelancer, will share tips on finding and expanding your client base. You’ll even learn some tricks on freelance working life. You can also explore how other relationships, such as mentoring and networking, can help you excel in your ambitions with our Enterprise: Relationships self study pack.

The Enterprise Team have also collaborated with Fuse to bring you Fuse presents: Speak-up! With Manchester Metropolitan University, a brilliant event where you’ll get the chance to meet fellow creatives, network, and listen to inspirational guests (who are all Man Met grads!).

Marketing

As a freelancer or starting your own business, being able to communicate your product/idea/service is crucial. In Pitch Perfect, Janna Kennedy will be teaching you how to confidently pitch your idea, all in a safe and constructive environment.

Clear branding and story also allow you to get the work you really want. Join Halah and Heidi to learn how to focus on your branding and aesthetic to connect with the right clients on our Who Even Are You? Branding yourself to get the freelance work you want workshop.

If you’re starting and would like to review the basics of marketing, you should take a look at our Enterprise: Marketing self study pack. It’ll prompt you to reflect on your values, ambitions, and motivations to develop a brand narrative.

Finance and Legal

The legal and financial aspects of freelancing may seem challenging, but in our How to set up a freelance gig workshop, Jamie-Lee Wainman will be covering the basics of how to get set up, talking you through things like expenses, invoicing, profits, a quick intro to taxes and how to set up on the gov website. Jamie is neurodiverse, so this entire workshop will be really inclusive and accessible to anyone who identifies as neurodiverse. If you want to dive deeper into both topics, we also have Enterprise: The Financial Stuff and Enterprise: The Legal Stuff self study packs.

In collaboration with Freelancer Magazine, all Man Met workshop attendees during March will receive a FREE COPY of their latest issue! Freelancer Magazine is a 100-page resource of the world’s best freelancers generously sharing their stories, strategies for marketing yourself, getting new clients and mindset advice for your well-being and confidence.

By attending any workshop, you’ll also be getting Rise points that’ll count for a Silver Enterprise Badge, which recognises the effort you have invested in developing a wide range of enterprise fluencies.

Ok, that’s it for this week. All you freelancers have lots to get involved with, so go ahead, upskill, and learn new techniques to take your freelancing to the next level!