Freelance jobs in the UK are on the rise, as modern technology has made connecting with clients easier than ever. Furthermore, the flexibility and independence that come with freelancing have become increasingly attractive, especially among younger people who dislike the traditional 9-to-5 format.
In this article, we will look into the most popular freelance jobs in the UK, the best platforms to find a gig, and the challenges freelancers face.
Key Takeaways
Freelancers are individuals who offer their services to multiple clients instead of working for a single employer and determine their own workload and hours.
The benefits of freelancing include flexibility, high earning potential, and significant demand.
High-paying freelance jobs in the UK can be found in software development, business consulting, cybersecurity, IT, marketing, and design.
Freelancers face several challenges, such as fluctuating income, isolation, difficulty finding clients, and struggles with managing their workload.
What Are Freelance Jobs?
Freelance jobs entail work that individuals do on an as-needed basis for various clients; in other words, unlike traditional employees, they choose when and who to work for.
As a result, freelancers manage their own schedules, decide on their workloads, and set their hourly rates. However, they must also deal with fluctuating income and tough competition, especially in highly saturated fields.
Still, an increasing number of working-age individuals are drawn to freelancing because of the independence and flexibility it offers. In the UK alone, approximately 7.4 million people freelance, either full- or part-time.
To help you understand freelancing better, let’s highlight how it differs from self-employment and contract work in the UK:
| Freelancing | Self-employment | Contract work |
Focus | Short-term projects for various clients | Owning a business, potentially with employees | Longer-term contractual work for a single client |
Flexibility | High flexibility | Dictated by the demands of the business | Flexible, but dictated by the client’s demands |
Example | A content writer taking copywriting assignments for different clients | A small shop owner who may employ a cashier | A designer hired to work on a company’s visual identity for 6 months |
Why Choose Freelancing in the UK?
Freelancing is an attractive option in the UK because of its numerous benefits, such as:
Flexibility. Freelancing gives you complete control over your work hours and workload, meaning that you can organise yourself any way you like. Furthermore, flexibility also applies to your location; you can travel as much as you want, rather than being bound to a single place.
Earning potential. As a freelancer, you set your own rates, which gives you an opportunity to earn far more than when you are employed. Of course, your actual income depends on the number of clients and several other factors, but the potential is there.
High demand. Gig work in the UK is on the rise, and this trend is unlikely to end anytime soon. In other words, now is the perfect time to transition into freelancing if you’ve ever thought about it.
5+ Most In-Demand Freelance Jobs in the UK (By Industry)
Freelancing in the UK is booming, with freelancers constituting almost half (49%) of the UK’s entire solo self-employed population. However, not in all industries.
Let’s examine which industries experience the highest demand:
#1. Writing & Content Creation
Writing and content creation lend themselves well to remote work and freelancing, because all that’s needed is a laptop with an internet connection and some creativity. Plus, since most companies focus on advertising digitally, they need content writers and creators to engage their audiences and boost their search engine visibility.
Content writing and creation encompass the following professions:
Copywriting, which involves writing persuasive text to convince the reader to take a specific action, like buying a product or signing up for a newsletter
Blogging, which entails writing long-form articles about a specific topic, meant to provide value to the readers and drive engagement
Technical writing, which refers to creating manuals, guidelines, and other types of content where complex concepts need to be simplified
#2. Graphic & Web Design
Graphic and web design are among the most popular freelance jobs done from home in the UK. They both involve creating visual content that can be used on websites or for marketing, but they differ in several key aspects.
Here is what graphic designers typically focus on:
Creating content for print or digital media (logos, ads, newsletters, brochures)
Aligning the content with the brand’s image
Conveying ideas and stories using visuals
On the other hand, web designers do the following:
Designing the website’s visual aspects (layout, navigation)
Considering how users interact with the website and whether it is easy to navigate
Using HTML, CSS, and other tools to create user-friendly web designs
Still, these two groups often collaborate and depend on each other.
#3. IT & Software Development
IT jobs are generally in high demand, partly because they are often performed remotely. In most cases, IT professionals can complete their tasks even if they’re not present on-site, unless they must handle hardware-related issues.
That said, here are some of the most popular freelance careers in the UK in this sector:
Software developer, whose job is to create, test, and maintain computer programmes and apps
Front-end developer, who builds the user interface on websites and creates visual components in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript
Back-end developer, who focuses on the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of the website, ensuring that it functions correctly
Cybersecurity analyst, who monitors for breaches, analyses vulnerabilities, and responds to potential cyber incidents
#4. Marketing & Social Media
Digital marketing that uses social media as its main avenue has largely overtaken traditional advertising methods, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most popular freelance careers.
Here are some of the jobs that belong to this category:
Social media manager, whose job is to implement a company’s social media strategy by writing posts, interacting with the audience, and analysing campaign performance
Content creator, who writes or films content for websites, social media, and different digital platforms
Email marketing manager, whose specialty is email campaigns
SEO specialist, who focuses on increasing website traffic by implementing various strategies
#5. Virtual Assistance & Admin Support
As their name implies, virtual assistants do everything virtually, so they don’t need to go to an office at all. What matters is that they have access to the internet; their location is less important.
As a virtual assistant, you have the following responsibilities:
Virtual Assistant Responsibilities
Preparing reports
Managing calendars
Scheduling appointments
Handling correspondence
Conducting online research
#6. Photography & Video Editing
Finally, photographers and video editors often freelance, as their jobs are particularly well-suited to this type of work. After all, it’s more difficult to find one employer that consistently requires their services than to create a network of clients that hire them on an as-needed basis.
Best Platforms to Find Freelance Jobs in the UK
The best platforms to find freelance jobs in the UK are also those commonly used across the globe, such as:
Commonly Used Platforms
Upwork, which is among the most popular platforms for connecting freelancers and clients, but the competition makes it challenging for newcomers
Fiverr, a freelance work website that allows users to list almost any gig imaginable, though high fees on income may be frustrating
PeoplePerHour, which encourages rate negotiation between freelancers and clients, but is also highly competitive
Toptal, which is designed to introduce top-tier professionals to well-known businesses; however, the screening process is extremely rigorous
Aside from these well-known international platforms, you can opt for a UK-focused one, such as:
UK-focused Platforms
Malt, which boasts a community of 850,000 freelancers and 90,000 companies, some of which are well-known and respected
Bark, which was founded in the UK but is expanding its influence into other countries, such as the US
YunoJuno, which offers the best platform for freelancers and companies, by adding features like quick payment and workforce insights
Freelancer Club, which helps you build a community and improve your skills through various courses
Finally, there’s always the option to reach out to clients directly using LinkedIn. However, in such a case, you need to tailor your profile to perfection and use a strong opener.
How to Get Started as a Freelancer in the UK
Here are some tips to help you get started as a freelancer in the UK:
#1. Choose Your Niche and Services
Choosing your niche comes first; you can’t advertise yourself to clients if you don’t know what you’re advertising. Try to be as specific as possible when deciding, as you’ll have less competition to contend with if you work in a highly specialised niche.
For example, if you’re a writer, think of a specific field you could write about, such as nutrition, finance, or technology. Narrow it down even further if you can, and advertise yourself as a professional in this niche.
#2. Build Your Online Portfolio and Personal Brand
Next comes your online portfolio and branding that show your potential clients exactly who you are and what you’re capable of. This part is particularly tough for new freelancers, who may not have much to showcase yet.
Still, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, your freelancer portfolio should include samples that relate to your niche. In other words, you don’t need to add everything you’ve ever done, but focus on relevance instead.
#3. Create a Competitive Pricing Strategy
Setting your price can be challenging, as you want to make sure to stay competitive, yet also avoid undervaluing your efforts. So, start by doing some market research to figure out how much your fellow freelancers in the same niche are charging.
Once you know that, consider your own situation. How many years of experience do you have, and how much value can you bring to the clients? Are there any specific tools or software that you need to pay for to complete your tasks? How much time and effort do you expect to invest?
Answering these questions will help you calculate your desired price, which you can then adjust according to the market standards. However, never sell yourself short; it may backfire if clients start thinking that you’re not skilled enough to charge a higher rate.
#4. Learn to Pitch and Write Strong Proposals
Most freelance websites work as follows: the client posts a task, and freelancers submit their proposals until one is selected for the job. In other words, you need to write a persuasive pitch to convince the client you are the one, and that takes some practice.
Usually, the best way to go about it is to propose a strategy right off the bat and demonstrate your proactivity.
UK Legal, Tax, and Administrative Requirements for Freelancers
If you want to legally work as a freelancer in the UK, you need to complete the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) self-employed registration and become a sole trader. This applies to all individuals earning more than £1,000 per tax year; if you make less, you don’t have to register.
Once you become a sole trader, it’s your responsibility to submit a Self Assessment tax return at the end of each tax year. Then, the HMRC will calculate whether you need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.
Also, make sure to follow the UK’s invoice requirements to accurately bill your clients and fill out your tax returns later. An invoice should include the following:
Invoice Checklist
Unique identification number
Your name, address, and contact information
Customer’s company name and address
A description of service
The supply date
The date of the invoice
The amount owed
VAT amount
How Much Can You Earn From Freelance Jobs in the UK
Your earnings from freelance work in the UK depend on your industry, experience level, and client demand. Other factors can also come into play; for instance, how well you can negotiate your rate when discussing it with the client.
That said, let’s examine how much you can expect to earn in various niches as a freelancer in the UK:
Graphic design | Writing | Virtual assistance | IT support | Video editing | UX design | SEO specialist |
£25–75/hour | £50–100/per article | £15–30/hour | £40–100/hour | £30–80/hour | £40–100/hour | £30–80/hour |
To improve your rates, focus on enhancing your skills or obtaining relevant certifications. For example, master the commonly used tools for graphic or UX designers to expand your outreach and attract high-paying clients.
Challenges of Freelancing in the UK (+How to Overcome Them)
Challenges of freelancing in the UK include income instability, isolation, difficulty finding clients, and managing workload. Luckily, all these can be solved, and we will show you how below:
Income instability. Freelancers’ income can vary significantly from month to month, which most people find stressful. However, there is a way to achieve some consistency; if you expand your client base, you’re less likely to experience dry months.
Difficulty finding clients. Finding clients in saturated markets isn’t easy, so freelancers have to devote much of their time and energy to marketing and networking. Sign up for multiple platforms if necessary, and reach out to potential clients on LinkedIn; eventually, your efforts should pay off.
Managing workload. Juggling tasks from various clients can quickly result in burnout, especially if you don’t know how to pace yourself and balance professional and private lives. So, most freelancers can benefit from time management tools to help them better organise themselves.
Create a Compelling Freelancer CV With Our Help
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Final Thoughts
Hopefully, our article will help you secure a freelance job in the UK now that the gig economy is booming. Above all, remember to be persistent and patient; your client base may take some time to grow, but it’s bound to happen eventually.
And if you need some help writing your freelancer application, browse through our CV examples; we have an extensive selection to help you inspire your own.
Freelance Job UK FAQ
#1. Do I need to register as self-employed to freelance in the UK?
You need to register as self-employed to freelance in the UK if you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year. Otherwise, you might be fined for operating illegally and forced to pay interest on the taxes you neglected to pay.
#2. What are the best-paying freelance jobs in the UK?
The best-paying freelance jobs in the UK are software developer, market researcher, machine learning engineer, business consultant, and cybersecurity expert. Additionally, content creators and designers are in high demand and can earn well.
#3. Can I freelance while employed full-time in the UK?
You can freelance while employed full-time in the UK, as there is no legislation that prevents that. However, review your contract with your employer before you do to ensure there is no conflict of interest.
#4. How do I find my first freelance client?
You can find your first freelance client by sending proposals on various freelancing platforms or connecting on LinkedIn. Remember to keep your portfolio up to date and work on promoting yourself as much as possible.
#5. Are there freelance jobs in the UK with no experience required?
There are freelance jobs in the UK with no experience required; for instance, virtual assistants and data entry clerks are often hired as complete beginners.
