Go Freelance! Learn how to be become a successful freelancer

This CIM Accredited online training course will help you become a successful freelancer and equip you with key knowledge in order to take that important step forward. We adopt a business-like perspective on freelancing and teach you how to attract and retain profitable clients to make freelancing sustainable and ultimately profitable.

The 15 exciting learning modules in this course include tips, anecdotes and recommendations from highly successful freelances from all over the world in order to help you successfully make money from freelancing.

This course includes mini-quizzes and self exercises to reinforce key learning points, a set of downloadable course notes and a final knowledge test. A Certificate of Completion is automatically generated when you complete the course.

Module1 - Freelancer DNA - Video Module + DNA evaluation exercise

• Introduction
• Essential check list
• The freelance market
• Anecdote: Kirsten Seymour, Professional freelancer based in London UK
• Freelance DNA exercise. Have you got what it takes?

Module 2 - Do you really want to freelance? Part 1

• You're not alone
• a quick look at industry figures
• Pros and cons of freelancing

Module 3 - Do you really want to freelance? Part 2

• More pros and cons of freelancing
• Real world example – Fraser Black, ex MD, Firedog Design, London
• Getting set up
• Anecdote: Ala Pytlewska - professional freelancer based in London UK

Module 4 - Marketing yourself - Part 1 - Video Module

• Self promotion 101
• Segmentation
• Targeting & Positioning (STP)
• The elevator pitch
• Anecdotes / Q&A's: Gareth Clements - professional freelancer from Barcelona
• Mini quiz 1

Module 5 - Marketing yourself - Part 2 - Video Module

• Old-fashioned networking
• Tips on how to 'work' the room
• Social networking
• Marketing yourself on the internet
• Case study – istockphoto
• Case study – ideabounty

Module 6 - Marketing yourself - Part 3 - Video Module

• Search engine marketing (SEM)
• Organic SEO
• Pay-Per Click or 'paid-for' search
• Trade organizations
• Clubs & bodies
• Do-it-yourself
• Testimonials
• Referrals
• Mini quiz 2

Module 7 - Getting down to business - Part 1 - Video Module

• Managing your finances
• Company structures
• Sole trader
• Partnerships
• Limited Company

Module 8 - Getting down to business- Part 2 - Video Module

• ll systems go!
• The financial system
• Financial system check list
• Job numbers
• Invoicing / billing
• Job expenses / out-of-pocket expenses
• Fixed & variable costs
• Purchase orders
• Purchase order check list
• Mini quiz 3

Module 9 - Getting down to business - Part 3

• Financial system checklist continued
• Expenses payments
• Reconciliations
• Forecasting
• Tax doesn't have to be taxing…
• Developing good habits
• Tips to keep in shape

Module 10 - Getting down to business - Part 4

• Keeping track of it all
• Setting hourly / daily rates
• Charge bands
• Charging project management fees
• Time management

Module 11 - Getting down to business - Part 5

• Quotes vs. Cost Estimates
• Mark-ups on external costs
• Fixed fees vs. hourly / daily rate
• Working on a retainer
• Charging for additional revisions, weekend working, quick turn-around etc.
• Anecdotes: Richard Becker - professional freelance illustrator
• Mini quiz 4

Module 12 - Getting down to business - Part 6

• Understanding Cost of Sales vs. overheads
• Getting paid (and getting paid on time...)

Module 13 - Legal matters - Part 1

• Introduction to business law
• Formal business documentation
• General Terms & Conditions for Clients / Suppliers
• Understanding Contracts

Module 14 - Legal matters - Part 2

• Intellectual Property (IP)
• Copyright
• Trademarks
• Mini quiz 5

Module 15 - Legal matters - Part 3

• Transferring, assigning or licensing your IP rights
• The rights transfer process
• Rights transfer check list
• Retention of title / licensing
• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements
• Simple steps to protect your IP
• Useful links
• Final Knowledge Test