Gone are the days when scaling the corporate ladder was a fresh graduate’s grandest ambition: a new poll has revealed that three quarters of Generation Z have no plans of going full-time for their whole lives – a stark contrast to 57 per cent of millennials and 36 per cent of Gen X.

Honestly, it’s hardly surprising. In an era characterised by heightened and prolonged levels of malaise, young professionals are eschewing age-old aspirations of hustle culture (anyone remember TikTok’s “I do not dream of labour” phase?). Going freelance is a great option for the generation that wants to be executors of their creative vision, unburdened by office politics and hierarchical restrictions. Plus, who wouldn’t prefer to work from a swish café, rather than a cramped little cubicle?

But working on your own terms is not for the faint of heart. Without the convenience of a preordained structure and guaranteed monthly salary coming in, freelancing is by no means an easy option. Not to mention that dry spells extending into off seasons are a very real, very scary possibility. But at the risk of sounding like a textbook tech bro crafting his first LinkedIn post, it must be said that with the right skills and sense of foresight, anyone can be their own boss.

DON’T RUSH

If you still have a day job, take on some small projects – assuming there are no stipulations in your contract against it (and make sure you register as self-employed if you earn over £1,000). As you begin to build a client base and portfolio, you’ll be able to gauge just how much time and energy full-time self-employment could demand of you.

Then, if it’s an option for you, consider easing yourself into freelance life by going part-time and using the newly freed-up time to take on bigger projects. In the UK, all employees also have the legal right to request flexible working, and employers are mandated to respond to these reasonably. When submitting your request, be sure to explain your reasons for requesting the change; while no longer required by law, it helps your case to lay out the benefits of such a working arrangement to your boss, such as offering more work to under-utilised members of the team.

FIND YOUR USP

Data from January of this year shows that 69 per cent of 16- to 26-year-olds based in the UK are considering or already have careers in freelancing – each with their distinct experience and value. But don’t let this scare you off. Take some time to think about what makes you special; why should a potential client choose you, specifically? Do you have a particular skill, access to industry knowledge, or approach to problem-solving that makes you stand out from your competition?

For Adela, a digital strategist and sustainability coach, freelancing was her chance to bring together her ecology degree and background in comms and PR. “At first, I thought I would just be working with other like-minded environmentalists but it turns out there is a much wider psychographic of entrepreneurs that want to approach business organically and sustainably,” she tells Dazed. Adela also believes in communicating her USP through a structured portfolio and streamlined social media accounts. “When potential clients read my content and resonate with my messaging, that’s how they know we’re a good fit.”

Play big and aim high because there are people out there half as talented as you often charging double your rates

HAVE A ROUTINE

Although the appeal of freelancing lies in its flexibility, that doesn’t mean you should completely relinquish routine. Allot certain days of the week and times of the month for specific aspects of the job, such as answering queries every Tuesday or listing expenses and sending out invoices by the end of the month. In case the work itself gets too much to manage, use technology to your advantage and find productivity tools or templates to expedite the process.

But with all the existing applications that claim to help workers cut their time and costs in half, Adela finds it important to ask which problem areas require technical intervention. “If you’re tired of miscommunication or time-consuming meetings, try WhatsApp instead. Use otter.ai for transcription. My top tip is to automate repetitive tasks when you can, connect apps and devices, and make sure all your documents can be accessed easily.”

KNOW YOUR WORTH

Whether it’s due to a lack of confidence or knowledge of industry norms, freelancing newbies are susceptible to underpricing their services. “This is especially true for women,” freelance PR professional Faye tells Dazed. “Play big and aim high because there are people out there half as talented as you often charging double your rates.” You can verify this by researching industry benchmarks, either through platforms like Fiverr or Glassdoor or asking people you already know.

Considering the unique value you provide or the complexity of the projects you’ve already accomplished, do you notice a gap? If so, discuss it with your client, laying down both the facts while also co-creating the potential future of your partnership. “When quoting for work, I use the term ‘investment’ rather than ‘cost’. Then I point out how they can get extra value for what they invest in me,” Faye explains. “For example, if I write a press release for a client, I charge for that. However, in my quote, I explain that they can use the press release as a blog and take excerpts for social media.” 

Pay yourself the same every month, and if there’s enough profit at the end of the year, give yourself a little treat

BE SAVVY WITH YOUR MONEY

First and foremost, it’s vital to keep track of your income. Not only so you’re abreast of how much you’re earning, but also so it’s not a total nightmare when the time comes to file your tax return.

Keep in mind too that if you’re self-employed, you have to cover your own holiday pay and sick pay, as well as manually pay your share of tax. It’s essential to save enough money to cover these costs; the only sustainable way side hustles can transform into a full-time career is to have a buffer for when times are tough (either personally or professionally). While budgeting will differ depending on individual expenses, it’s a good idea to allocate a portion of each paycheck into separate ‘buckets’ or for various purposes. “For every invoice paid, I allot money for tax payments, my emergency fund in case my children and I fall ill, and then my buffer,” Faye shares. 

Though it is tempting to spend more during months when business seems to be doing well, Faye advocates for delayed gratification. “Freelancing life is unpredictable: think feast or famine! Pay yourself the same every month, and if there’s enough profit at the end of the year, give yourself a little treat.”

NETWORK

This doesn’t always have to mean showing up at the latest event, business card and billion-dollar smile at the ready (although this can actually be fun!). Never underestimate the reach, resources, and wisdom of existing connections, even if it’s a great aunt who might want a website for her small business or a high school classmate whose only work experience is designing an invitation for the company Christmas party. Freelance graphic designer Emma, for example, went out one night for drinks when a friend introduced her to the owners of the bar. “By the end of the night, I had given out some of the merchandise I designed and sold a few of my products,” she recalls.

Networking to find new clients or collaborators has earned a bad rep, though, due to its somewhat superficial and transactional nature. But in this day and age, Emma says that there truly is no other way around it. As a solo flyer, people are all you have. “Instead of looking at your network as a growing list of people you can use for your benefit, I choose to see them as interesting people that I can learn from. If there’s no way for me to work with them in the future, at least, at the end of the day, I made new friends.”