Get freelancing
Thinking of becoming a freelancer now or in the future? We can help with events, resources and support.
Learn the basics of how to become a freelancer or sole trader and discover the wider support available with our service and beyond. We run specific workshops aimed at those interested in freelancing. These workshops will give you an insight into what it takes to become a successful freelancer including how to operate lawfully, marketing yourself and ensuring you get paid.
You don’t need any experience, everyone is welcome, no matter what you’re studying. Whether you don’t have a clue where to start or you already sell your own products/service. Give freelancing a go.
While you can dive in at any point below are some suggestions for the best starting point.
Moving Mountains Award
Deadline 10am on 27th March
Enter our Moving Mountains Award to win a share of £500! With two categories:
- Creative Enterprise of the Year
- Best Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Initiative
Are you a freelance, a creative small business, an Etsy seller or maybe you just have a stall at a market? If so, we want to hear about you and how your creativity helped you. How does your startup create an inclusive, fulfulling work environment? Share your inspiring story!
- Video: Izzy Vogel case study
- Student Izzy Vogel discusses freelance support at the University.
I found a solution for my business model in the programme that helped focus on my direction and purpose. It was inspiring to hear the story of other entrepreneurs who have succeeded in their endeavours
The workshop was incredibly useful in helping me understand the steps to take to start out as a freelancer. The workshop put me at ease and allowed me to get my questions answered about my freelancing worries. In addition to this, receiving the Illustrated Freelancers Guide to take away with me has allowed me to learn further about freelancing after the workshop.
Did you know you can book the Student Enterprise Hub (in Appleton Tower, Central Campus) for your own events, society meetings, etc. Why not book the space to sell your items or hold a workshop? Limited availability. Find out more and get in touch with Jaime Prada (Jaime.Prada@ei.ed.ac.uk) for more information or make your booking on our Startup Community Platform.
The UK Government provides useful information about Working for Yourself.
Creative Enterprise Toolkit includes useful handbooks, worksheets and case studies to help you shape your idea into a successful business.
Cultural Enterprise Office – read an inspiring story of a Glasgow-based artist who re-established her creative career and became a freelancer.
Freelancer Club is a website that allows freelancers to showcase their work, connect with others and access a wide range of benefits.
A guide on how to price your work from the Artists Information company. Particularly useful for visual artists.
If you are looking for some books and publications with helpful tips and facts about the world of work, The Bloomsbury creative careers section is for you.
Jess Kelly teaches the 'Business of Craft' course at Edinburgh College of Art and runs a Pinterest page for the course. On the page, you will find information about identifying craft value and skills, building brand awareness and positioning, Gallery/Commission/Agent relationships, business planning, marketing, entrepreneurship, accountancy and the use of online promotional & e-commerce tools.
From this Pinterest page, we identified some books and resources that can be of interest to freelancers in certain industries and at certain stages:
- The Freelance Illustration Contract
- The Illustrator's Guide to Law and Business Practice
- Becoming a Successful Illustrator
- The Interior Design Business Handbook
- Architect + Entrepreneur
- Contracts for Creative Freelancers: What to Include + Why
- How to Create the Perfect Pricing Strategy for your Freelance Services
- The illustrated freelancer's guide by Creative Scotland
Check out this map of maker spaces by the Edinburgh College of Art:
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