How to be a successful freelancer

How to be a successful freelancer

From Start Your Own Business by Start Up Donut

November 11, 2025 · 54 min · Episode 63

About this episode

In this episode, Sophie Cross shares insights and tips on how to successfully navigate the freelance business landscape.

The UK's freelance population stands at slightly more than 2m, according to self-employed membership association IPSE. That’s a slight increase, “indicating a period of relative stability following more significant decreases to the overall [freelance] population in previous years,” according to IPSE. Freelancers make up almost half (49%) of the UK’s entire solo self-employed population (4.12m) and they make an important contribution to the UK economy. Many people operate lucrative freelance “side-hustles” (ie part-time businesses that generate income that supplements their full-time earnings), while others ditch their jobs altogether and go all-in on a new life as a freelancer. As with everything, there are pros, cons and unique challenges to overcome, with people going freelance for a variety of reasons. In this episode we speak to Sophie Cross, self-employed founder of Freelancer Magazine . For more than a decade, Sophie was a freelance content creator and marketeer. In this episode, she provides tips on how to start and run a successful freelance business. Thanks to Sage for sponsoring this episode. Sage is currently offering listeners 90% off Sage Accounting for six months…

People in this episode

Guest: Sophie Cross

Topics covered

  • freelancing
  • business tips
  • self-employment
  • entrepreneurship
  • UK economy

Keywords

  • freelancer
  • self-employed
  • side-hustle
  • freelance business
  • UK freelance population

Sponsors

Sage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Freelancer Magazine, IPSE

Places: UK

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