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Flightplan

The step by step guide to
getting started as a freelancer.

Follow our comprehensive set of stages and tasks,
to get you from A to Freelancing.

Checklist Task Status

What is Flightplan?

Learn how the checklist, action plan and community work together to help you get started as a freelancer.

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Considering Freelancing

Some key things to consider before you make the decision to start freelancing.

3 critical actions 5 recommended actions

Before you take-off

Essential steps before you're ready to start your business

5 critical actions 4 recommended actions

Launching your freelancing business

Mandatory and recommended tasks to officially launch your freelance business

3 mandatory actions 4 critical actions 2 recommended actions

Finding work

Finding work is a big part of freelancing - and something you'll need to develop skills and invest time in.

0 mandatory actions 3 critical actions 5 recommended actions

Before you start the project

Before you start work on a client project, here are the things you'll need to have in place to prepare and protect yourself

2 mandatory actions 3 critical actions 6 recommended actions

During your first project

Ensure you establish your ways of working and get ready for invoicing early on.

After the first project

Get your invoice in, seek feedback and learn from your early experiences.

Three months in

Time to mind the gap, review your first quarter, keep on top of paperwork, and manage your workload.

Preparing for downtime

Get ahead of quiet periods, whether its taking time off, or when you're not finding work.

Quarterly review

Every three months, get into the habit of some regular tasks you'll need to complete and keep on top of.

Dealing with turbulence

Explore some of the more common situations which might happen

Nine months in

We're coming to the end of the first year, time to prepare for year end, and consider your financial future.

End of your Tax Year / April

Depending on when you've started, you'll need to understand what to do at the end of the financial / tax year.

End of your first year of freelancing

Congrats! You've completed 12 months of self-employment - there are things you need to do to wrap up the year.

Planning ahead for year two

What's coming ahead for the next year, and what do you need to think about for the future?

Graduating Flightplan

You might no longer be on your flightplan, but there's plenty more to think about - graduate to the Fellows programme for ongoing support.

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Freelancing Support is the impartial and independent guide to independent work. We help freelancers find support, navigate self-employment and work well.

Popular Resources
+ Dealing with Late Payments
+ Dealing with Quiet Periods
+ Freelance day-rate and pricing benchmarks
+ Dealing with Bereavement
+ Freelancer Communities
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