Starting out .. Free work/ Training/ Tax/ Website - Help!

[Eiman]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and was hoping I could get some help with a few things since I'm starting up ...

1. Training: I'm thinking of doing the gpuss Proofreading course and also the Basic Proofreading course at PTC. I currently work full time as a Research Officer so have the skills but need to learn the symbols and put it into practice really. I have mostly worked helping students or friends and family with proofreading. I'm hoping the training will improve the quality of my own published work as well. Is there anything else I could/ should be doing to learn all I can?

2. Tax - I work full time and my taxes are paid through the PAYE system. I am not thinking of leaving my current job to pursue this but want to know how the tax system works for someone working full time but also on freelance basis. Do I need to register myself as self-employed with the HMRC and pay more into NI contributions?

3. I will be setting up a website soon and was wondering if any of you have any do's and dont's you'd be happy to share? Anything I should be wary of including on the site, anything I should definitely have on there, those kinds of things ...

4. Free work - Since I'm just starting out, do you think it would be good to offer some free work to get some experience and also perhaps testimonials that I could possibly use?

Any help/ advice you can offer is appreciated.

Thanks!
Eiman

[Kateproof]

Hi Eiman,

there are so many threads on this forum about training that I suggest you look at some of those to save repetition... Personally, I did the PTC course and thought it was great, but it is time-consuming and will take at least 6 months to complete due to tutors' marking time etc. One word of note - who will you be targeting? If it's not the publishing industry, will you need to know the proofreading symbols that well? I haven't used mine since I did my course (!) as all work has been on-screen or for clients who don't know the symbols so I have just had to do red pen marks and 'plain English comments' in the margins. The extra content in the course was brilliant though and therefore not 'pointless' but it is something for you to consider. It's also not cheap, but it gives you the most points towards membership of the SfEP - have you had a look at their website? A good resource in general and may help with some other queries you're having at this stage of your venture.

Also, although it's a bit of a comic way of looking at it, there's a post from March 1st titled 'should I work for free?' from Gpuss that is worth looking at. Different people will have different opinions but I would generally say don't do it. Value your time, especially if you have a FT job anyway.

With tax/NI, yes, you need to register otherwise you'll get done and fined. If you have any element of web presence, you won't be able to hide from HMRC. Register as soon as you start 'trading' and if you continue to do your full time job and think you'll earn less than about 7k from the self-employment, you can get an exemption form for NI contributions. It will possibly work in your favour when starting out anyway as if you don't earn a lot but can off-set things, you may even get a rebate on the tax you pay through PAYE. My suggestion is to sign up to go on the free HMRC tax/self employment workshops - they were invaluable to me for information, not to mention I got a client at one!

Websites are very personal and what you include/exclude will depend on your specialisms/web skills/personal preferences etc. I did a lot of research of other proofreaders' and copy editors' websites first, then made mine, then sent it to friends/family/editors/people in the industry I know for feedback but whether it's 'good' is subjective and only a client can answer that. Yes I have had work through it, but nowhere near the amount of clicks I have had. But who looks at it?! Think about what you want the site for and work from there...

I hope some of that helps, but I really would recommend you take time to look through some of the older posts on the forum as there are some real nuggets of information and help in there.

Kate

[gpuss]

Hi again,

1. I don't think you can ever be undereducated, so just keep on learning new things. Doing a few different courses is a good idea as you'll get several approaches. But just chatting to other readers is a good start.

2. All the money you earn in a year will be added up, no matter where it comes from, and you'll pay tax on that amount. If you're already on PAYE then a lot of your tax will already have been passively paid, so you'll only have to actively pay tax on your freelance work. It will probably seem quite a "high" rate as you'll have passed the threshold with your full-time work. Quite what status you should declare for tax purposes you'll have to talk to HMRC about. In my experience they are the most helpful and professional people in the public sector - they're really good. If you're starting out you might qualify for certain tax exemptions, but I'm not sure where you'd stand if you're already employed, although I'd guess that's how most businesses start out.

3. I can't think of any specifics. If you're building it yourself, just make sure it's W3C standard at the minimum. Otherwise it's all down to your imagination.

4. Free work is an issue that crops up here from time to time. If you do a quick search you'll find a few conversations about it, but feel free to ask specific questions. I think the consensus is that it's OK as a means of getting your foot in the door, but there comes a point when you have to start charging. It's tricky!

[gpuss]

2. RaRaRosie knows much more about tax than me. Listen to her

(We were posting simultaneously, by the way. I'm not disagreeing with her.)

[Kateproof]

For those interested, the page to go to for information about free HMRC courses is:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/bst/index.htm

I have been on two - one about how to register (it's very simple and straight forward but gives some good advice) and one about what I can and can't claim back on tax - very useful!
I am also booked on one for this summer about how to fill in the tax return as I know they have simplified it a lot and I think I can do it without using an accountant (though I hasten to add I worked in finance (though not as an accountant) and am a spreadsheet nerd who also scarily loves admin so this may not be for everyone.)

As Gpuss/Charlie says, we were replying at the same time but I thoroughly agree on what he says, especially about never being undereducated. If resources and time can permit, more training will always pay off in one way or another.

[Eiman]

Thanks gpuss and RaRaRosie - this has been really helpful and has given me a lot to think about.

I hope you both have a wonderful weekend! Happy Easter to those celebrating!

Eiman

[curdles]

"If you have any element of web presence, you won't be able to hide from HMRC." Rosie, how does this work?

[curdles]

Hi Eiman

Just a few words about your website. Keep it clear and fairly concise so people can see what you're offering without them having to wade through loads of text. Nice clear pages are also easier on the eye and, therefore, more pleasing.

Best,
curdles

[Kateproof]

Hi Curdles - I don't know the exact details but officially once you start to advertise your business, in the eyes of HMRC, you are officially 'open' and should therefore be registered. To my knowledge, there are people whose sole job within HMRC is to find unregistered businesses and fine them but I don't know the details.

Having a website would constitute being up and running and therefore even if you're not earning anything, you should be officially registered.
If you make a website but aren't going live with your business for a while, then you need to not upload it to the web/link it to the domain. This doesn't mean you can't make the site in advance of starting your business, but it shouldn't be possible for anyone to see your site if you aren't officially registered.

As mentioned in a previous comment, you can register and also get a NI excemption form if you think you will earn less than £7,225 (this tax year) so being registered doesn't necessarily cost you anything, HMRC just want to know about it.

[Kateproof]

ps - I am not trying to scare people, just passing on information I have been given at HMRC advice days and by tax accountants.

The web link I gave in a previous post is to give you access to free advice courses, and you'll also find the general number to call if you have any queries about registering and what it entails. I really can't recommend the free advice days enough.

[JTM]

I second how good those HMRC courses are. I went on the record-keeping course and the self-assessment course several years ago, and they really helped to clear up the confusion I felt when it came to all things tax and record keeping. Plus they made me realise how simple it could all be, which was a nice surprise.

Thanks for posting the link, rararosie - I was looking for these courses a while ago for a friend and couldn't find them: now added to favourites.

Re your question about being employed as well as self-employed: you need to register at some point within the three months after starting your freelance work. Also, check the HMRC website for the earnings threshold you have before you need to pay NI: if you believe it will be below the threshold you can apply for an exemption certificate.

And with training - I didn't do any formal courses as I learnt my skills in-house, but when I started out as freelance I read a lot of books, and I particularly recommend the Oxford Style Manual and Butcher's copy-editing for good sources of information on book publishing and style.

[Eiman]

Thanks RaRaRosie - I've signed up to an HMRC course and I'm looking forward to it!

JTM - Thanks for the information on the books - I'll get the Oxford Style Manual but was looking for the Butcher's Copy-Editing book and the most recent version is one published in 2006 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Butchers-Copy-e ... 316&sr=8-1 - is this the correct one to buy or is there a more up to date one?

Thanks for all your help! I so appreciate it!

[JTM]

Yes, I think that's the latest edition. Flipping expensive book, but it is very good so is worth getting hold of if you can. I found a copy on ebay once that was pretty cheap, so it might be worth trying there too.

Enjoy the HMRC course. I got free tea and biscuits on my course which I found very exciting (I'm easily pleased though).

[curdles]

Eiman

I thoroughly recommend 'The Pocket Book of Proofreading - A guide to freelance proofreading & copy-editing' by William Critchley.

The book contains everything you need to know plus "a series of mind-stretching exercises". This is an instant pdf download of a proofreading & copy-editing course with exercises using the most recent revisions to the BSI symbols.

It's the best fifteen quid I ever spent!

[Kateproof]

JTM, thanks for backing up the HMRC recommendation.

The rules have become more vague on how long you have to register once you start your business and they're not fixed at 3 months anymore. You have to give the correct date that you started self-employment but you don't have to phone the exact same day, just as soon as possible thereafter.

Sorry, my error though in the previous post about exemption from NI contributions.
As per HMRC's website itself:
"if you expect your earnings to be below £5,315 for the 2011-12 tax year, you may not have to pay Class 2 contributions."
My confusion stemmed from the fact that now you pay class II and then only pay the 9% Class IV on earnings over £7,225.

May I just say all of this on the assumption you'll be a sole trader - I have no idea about limited companies though you can go on HMRC courses about those too.

[Kateproof]

And I really don't want to scare people with the following link but think it may be of interest.
http://www.startups.co.uk/new-hmrc-soft ... Etelligent

[gpuss]

Haha! It's like that Orwell novel, Coming Up for Air.

Actually, revisiting this today has made me realise why I got sidetracked from the forum yesterday ... I need to make links open in a new window somehow. Will research ...

[laure]

I thoroughly recommend 'The Pocket Book of Proofreading - A guide to freelance proofreading & copy-editing' by William Critchley.

The book contains everything you need to know plus "a series of mind-stretching exercises". This is an instant pdf download of a proofreading & copy-editing course with exercises using the most recent revisions to the BSI symbols.

It's the best fifteen quid I ever spent!

Curdles, do you know if this book is still available for £15? It seems to be £56 on Amazon! Also, now that I've got the GPuss course, do you think there's any need for this as well?

Thanks

[curdles]

Hi Laure,

Yes, I believe Waterstones and WHSmith are selling it for £15 or less, also ebay. I would highly recommend it as a book to dip into when you're not sure about a detail. There are plenty of others of course but I like the way this one's laid out - it's really easy to find stuff.

[laure]

Thanks Curdles! I'm now thinking of getting Hart's Rules instead or as well. If you have any thoughts, do shout!