Introducing an effortless pathway into your contracting career

Are you getting bored of the 9-5 day in, day out? Why not kick-start your 2019 by taking control of your schedule? Do you work best during the night? Contracting is a pathway you should consider. As a contractor, you will be able to work flexibly in a location of your choice.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve created a helpful countdown calendar to give you a daily prompt to point you in the right direction of making this change. Utilising the shortest month of the year so not to overwhelm, our affectionately named ‘Freelance February’ calendar is here to help set you up as a contractor.

How could Freelance February help you to achieve your goals?

Achieving your goals may be easier than you first thought. We understand that list-making can be dull, so our countdown calendar gives you the prompts you need without becoming tedious. The content changes daily, keeping your mind refreshed and ready to take on each prompt. It handles topics such as branding, finance management, networking, and plenty more. You may even enjoy this method of planning and put it into use when working as a contractor, as it’s a great way of splitting a big target into smaller, achievable goals.

Freelance February prompts and tips

1^st: Brainstorm some ideas for your company name. Stand out from the crowd!

2^nd: Tidy up your desk so you have space to organise your new venture

3^rd: Update your LinkedIn profile

4^th: “Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you!”

5^th: Ask for advice

6^th: Buy folders, they will be your new best friend!

7^th: Start using a diary or planner

8^th: Find a relevant networking event to attend

9^th: Fresh air can work wonders, why not go for a walk?

10^th: Connect with five new people on LinkedIn

11^th: “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground”

12^th: Research Companies House

13^th: Which hours will you choose to work? The choice is yours!

14^th: What will set you apart from your competitors?

15^th: Follow a key influencer in your industry on social media

16^th: Create your new company logo. Be creative!

17^th: Take a look at business bank accounts and their benefits

18^th: “If you dream it, you can do it!”

19^th: How much will you be charging for your services? Start thinking about your day rate now.

20^th: Why not create a tagline for your new company?

21^st: Start thinking about how you’d like to structure your business; limited or umbrella? The choice is yours!

22^nd: Order business cards for your new venture

23^rd: Write your contractor CV, make it stand out from the rest

24^th: Make your home office a great place to work

25^th: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today”

26^th: Create a budget plan template

27^th: Read up on the new IR35 legislation

28^th: You are now well on your way to becoming a contractor. Congratulations!

Looking to become a contractor? Not sure where to start?

Is your New Year’s resolution to begin your journey as a contractor? Well look no further! Taking small steps is perfectly acceptable, especially if you’re thinking about self-employment where your time is extremely valuable.

Follow our social media channels to access exclusive content and advice relating to each daily prompt, preparing you well for your contracting journey.

How can Nixon Williams help?

Here at Nixon Williams, we are here to make things easier. We pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to our contractors. If you would like to find out more, call us on 01253 843184 or send us an email.