Get self-employed ready

IPSE's Guide to Freelancing is aimed at independent professionals, such as freelancers, contractors and consultants who sell services to companies.

If you’re just starting out, it will show you what to do, all the way from launch to running a successful business a few years down the line. And if you’re already established, it’s a great way to check that you’re on top of the latest rules, regulations and ideas for improvement.

Whatever your profession, whether you’re a creative, developer, business consultant or expert in a very specific niche, this guide will help you make a living from your knowledge.

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IPSE provides guides, tips, tools and templates for you to use to help run, manage and protect your business. We add to these daily and update them on a regular basis.

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IPSE runs and supports around 100 events annually, such as our flagship event - National Freelancers Day, regular webinars from a range of specialists, and smaller events around the UK. All of the events are designed with our members in mind, to expand their network and share ideas with other self-employed individuals from all industries.

IPSE's online events and webinars allow members to connect and discuss topics directly with specialists for a range of topics, including finance, social media, wellbeing, winning work and much more.

Have a look at IPSE's upcoming events to see what you could get involved in.

Whether you are starting out or an experienced business owner, new challenges constantly arise when you are trying to grow your self-employed business, but don't worry IPSE is here to navigate you through it.

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Contract templates

The correct contract is an essential part of every freelancer's toolkit.  Not only do they outline the wants, needs and expectations of the parties, but they also provide a legal framework within which these will be achieved; and a back up should legal intervention be required. Contracts provide a formal definition of the business relationship between the freelancer and agency or direct client.

Guides

Our guides cover everything from setting up a company, ways to win work and, importantly, how to ensure you get paid; packed with real-life case studies from those who know what you're going through. We areconstantly creating member-only guides to help you flourish in your self-employed business.

Have a look around our IPSE Library to see our guides, templates and reports.

After you complete your studies and decide that self-employment is right for you, we've designed three membership plans that offer varying levels of business protection, so that you can focus on what you do best. 

Take a look at our three plans or speak with an IPSE rep to discuss your exclusive discount as a former Student member.

It’s essential to you as an independent professional to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.  We understand the importance of flexibility and cost when it comes to training - which is why we have worked with leading training providers to offer a combination of discounted training, in-classroom and online learning.

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