Starting up as a Freelance Operator
Overview
This course has been developed specifically for individuals who wish to take their skills and expertise and start up their own business as a freelance operator. This is a structured training programme which provides them with the skills, knowledge and information needed to plan, launch and run a freelance business operation. The programme is delivered by persons experienced in starting up their own businesses and supporting start up operations. In the past 5 years the advisors at CIOTEK have assisted more than 300 business start ups in South Wales.
Course Structure
The freelancers training programme is delivered as a series of 5 full day or 10 half day training modules
- 5 day intensive programme over one week (Mon-Friday)
- 5 one day workshops spread over a two/three weeks period
- 2 week programme of 10 half day workshops
- 5 week programme of 5 one day workshops
- 10 week programme of 10 half day seminars
- Developing your freelance business idea
- Establishing objectives and targets
- Defining your services and your pricing strategy
- Practical operational considerations
- How to research and quantify your market
- Source of information and statistics
- How and why to undertake competitor analysis
- Preparing your marketing strategy
- The best ways to promote your freelance service
- Preparation of a tactical marketing plan
- Facing the customers – gaining credibility
- Successful use of proposals as a tool to close sales
- Effective use of the internet to promote your business
- Developing your business action plan
- Keeping it legal - Issues relating to freelance operations
- Contractual issues and use of terms and conditions
- Insurance issues for freelance operatives
- Why freelance services require different strategies
- Understanding management accounts
- Incomes and Expenditures
- Cashflow forecasts – structure and role
- Profit and loss statements
Course Content
The course addresses the following topics:-