Wanted: Freelance Graphic Design advice UK only?

I'm a graphic designer here in London and have 12 years experience since graduating. My current employer is relocating out of London soon and my travel costs to the new location will be too expensive for me to continue working for the company (拢75 per week).





I've always thought about going freelance but the lure of job security in a normal job has always been too great.


I think this is probably the right time for me to take the plunge as I'm single and don't have a family to support.





I need some advice from people that have done this so I can be prepared for may be ahead. Should I register a company for tax purposes. Can I claim costs for a new computer equipment, mobile phone etc back from the tax man? I am totally clueless and would appreciate any help. Thanks.Wanted: Freelance Graphic Design advice UK only?
Contact Business Link for London and ask about their free seminars on starting in business. They go through everything that's involved in starting up, including what kind of company to set up - sole trader, partnership, limited company. They give advice on tax, national insurance and VAT.





Registering companies is only necessary if you're setting up a limited company. There's a bit more paperwork required to do that and you've more work to do at the end of the financial year. It's not huge amounts - I run two limited companies and don't feel it's a great burden.





Keep receipts for everything you buy for the business so that you can claim capital allowances against the bigger items and, if you opt to be VAT registered (which you can do even if you're turnover is under 拢68K) you can claim back the VAT on them.





Very importantly, keep all your business finance separate from your personal finance. You have to have a separate bank account for a limited company but it's also wise to do so even as a freelance/sole trader.





Think carefully about what you'll lose without the security that you talk about of a regular job. Do you have enough money to cushion yourself while you get the business up and running?





Who are your target customers and how will you reach them? Marketing can be hard for new businesses but once you've worked out who your markets are and how to target them, you're on your way.





Don't price your services too cheaply. You might pick up some work but you won't get regular solid contracts. Do you know how much your employer charges for services to clients? That's where you should be pitching your prices. It ensures you have enough to pay yourself plus cover all your business expenses.





Good luck! I'd never go back to being an employee.Wanted: Freelance Graphic Design advice UK only?
Going freelance means you really have to do three jobs: sales, the actual 'work' and admin. So for every paid hour you may well have to spend an hour getting the work in and an hour on business admin (or variations on that). So its not easy -all the other things are secondary issues...talk to a good accountant (ask friends/contacts for a recommended person) and they will help set you up.
Ok if you are starting a business you will need to think of a name and tie it in with a web address.





Other wise if its completely a freelancing excercise check;





i.e. lukedonaldgraphics.com/.co.uk





buy them both.In this time in history you simply can't not have an online portfolio.





The best thing with tax is to ring them, they are very helpful and will answer any questions you have in such areas.





0845 60 55 999 for self emplyment and self assessment tax issues.





Sorry if thats wrong, its the number I used last time I called.





You really don't need to worry to much about tax for atleast the first year, just register for NI 2 and let them know you are now self employed, and they will send you the form as and when.





You don't need to be VAT registered immediately, and you only have to become VAT reg. if you turn over more then 拢68,000 ish in a tax year.





If you need help with a website portfolio please let me know, I'd be happy to help. Depending on the type of stuff you do we may be of mutual benefit.





The very best of luck.





Ashley





ashley.smith@


acknowledgedsolutions.co.uk