Top resources for charity freelancers

When you work for yourself, you don’t have colleagues like you would if you were employed. There’s no one there to ask a quick question. So having a handy list of resources you can turn to for support and advice is crucial.

 

Freelancers may want some help with setting their rates, preparing an invoice to send to their first client, or somewhere to go for a friendly chat with others in the same position. Whether you’re just starting out or considering yourself an experienced freelancer, everyone needs guidance at some point in their freelance career.

 

In this article, we’ve picked out five helpful resources for charity freelancers to turn to, including some co-working options to help them network and discover new communities to help navigate the charity sector.

 

 

Freelancer magazine

 

This freelance community offers both paid for and free resources. If you join as a paid member, you: 

• Will receive a quarterly magazine which contains advice on topics such as: getting new clients, marketing your business confidently, and growing your network. The magazine is published in both print and digital and you can subscribe to either or both formats
• Will get entry into the ‘Find a Freelancer’ directory which is shared with companies and agencies
• Can join coworking on Zoom three times a week

Separate to the membership, there are courses you can pay for, including: LinkedIn for Humans, starting your own newsletter and growing it, and how to make and sell your first online course.

 

There are also free resources, including a weekly planner template and a checklist for starting a freelance business.

 

 

CharityComms

 

CharityComms is a membership organisation for people working in charity communications. Freelancers can join CharityComms as individual members, accessing a number of resources including events, a freelance directory for potential charity clients to find you, and a mentoring scheme. 

 

There are also articles on the CharityComms website with helpful tips and advice for freelancers. These include: 

• Setting boundaries as a charity freelancer
• Words of wisdom for fledgling freelancers
• How to communicate as a freelancer: effective comms beyond a brief

 

Charity Freelancer Chat

 

When you work for yourself, it’s important to find a supportive group of freelancers to chat with and share ideas. Charity Freelancer Chat brings freelancers working in the charity sector together. Meetings takes place on Zoom every month and are a chance to chat, share ideas, and get support. The monthly chats are free to sign up to and join.

 

As well as Charity Freelancer Chat, you may be interested in co-working opportunities. When you work for yourself, you need to be self-motivated. Co-working is a great way to motivate yourself and get some work done.

 

There are regular virtual co-working options for freelancers, including the Being Freelance community and Freelance magazine (see above). This is a chance to work alongside other freelancers and have a chat on breaks. Being Freelance also has a podcast with freelancers sharing their stories and tips.

 

 

Survival skills for freelancers

 

Written by copywriter and editor Sarah Townsend, the book Survival Skills for Freelancers is for both new freelancers and those who have years of experience. Sarah shares personal anecdotes, practical advice and stories from the freelance community in the book.

 

Sarah has also written helpful blogs for freelancers, including: how to manage when it’s quiet and swapping business software to save money.

 

 

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed

 

The The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) is a not-for-profit organisation set up to support people who are self-employed. It provides resources, protection and a voice for the self-employed.

 

The resources section on the IPSE website has different templates to help people get set up as freelancers. These include an invoice template and a business plan. It also has advice and guidance on financial wellbeing, self-employed parenting and winning work.

 

There are also webinars available on topics such as: 

• How to use storytelling in your CV, LinkedIn, and interviews to land more work opportunities
• Protecting yourself, your family, and your business
• Five ways to build a steady stream of clients

You have to become a member of the IPSE to access these resources.

 

There’s also a podcast with experts talking about different issues that affect freelancers and sharing advice and tips.

 

 

Bonus: Charity Digital

 

You can find more articles and resources about freelancing on the Charity Digital website, including: 

• How to freelance in the charity sector
• How to brief a freelance copywriter
• How to work with freelancers effectively