It's National Freelancer Week (8 to 12 June), a moment to recognise the people behind the businesses, the side hustles turned full-time, and the freelancers making things happen every single day.
Whether you’re a consultant, coach, creative, tradesperson, service provider, or wearing a few of those hats at once, freelancing takes a mix of skill, resilience, and a lot of self-belief. Every day, we hear from freelancers across Greater Manchester about what it really takes to make it work.
This week is dedicated to you.
Why this week matters
Freelancing gives you freedom, but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy.
You’re the one finding the work, delivering it, chasing invoices, marketing yourself… all while trying to grow something sustainable.
That’s why National Freelancer Week is important. It’s not just about celebrating success; it’s about recognising the reality and supporting freelancers to keep moving forward.
To mark National Freelancer Week, we’ll be sharing a series of insights from freelancers and self-employed businesses we support, including:
- Top tips on running and growing a self-employed business
- Real experiences from people building their own ventures
- Practical advice picked up along the way
We’ll also be featuring a guest blog from our partners at Cowgills, focusing on the rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA). This includes what qualifies as income, who the changes apply to, when they come into effect, and how freelancers will need to report their earnings going forward. It’s an important update that freelancers and self-employed individuals should start getting familiar with ahead of the changes.
It’s a chance to hear directly from people doing it day in and day out, and to get a clearer picture of what that journey really looks like.
5 simple ways to level up your freelance business
If you’re using this week as a bit of a reset or a check-in point, here are a few things worth thinking about:
1. Can people clearly understand what you do?
- If someone lands on your profile or website, is it obvious who you help and how?
- Clarity brings in better-fit clients.
2. Are you charging what you need to grow?
- If your pricing only just covers your time, it’s hard to build anything long-term.
- Sustainable pricing leads to a sustainable business.
3. Are you visible enough?
- You don’t need to be everywhere, but you do need to show up consistently.
- Opportunities often come from simply being seen regularly.
4. Are you making time to work on your business?
- Client work comes first, but growth needs space too.
- Even a small amount of regular planning can make a big difference.
5. Do you have support around you?
- Freelancing can feel isolating at times.
- The right advice or coaching can give you clarity, direction, and confidence.
That's where EnterprisingYou comes in.
EnterprisingYou offers fully funded support for freelancers in Greater Manchester, whether you’re finding your feet or ready to grow.
You can get:
- Support from a business advisor
- Practical workshops on marketing, finance, and growth
- Tools to help you plan your next steps
- A network of people who get what you’re building
- No jargon, no pressure, just support that helps move your business forward.
Take a look here: https://www.enterprising-you.co.uk/about-enterprisingyou/grow-your-existing-business/
A quick freelancer check-in (FAQ)
As part of National Freelancer Week, it’s a good time to pause and ask yourself a few honest questions:
Am I working with the right clients?
Or just the ones that came along first?
Do I have a clear plan for the next 3–6 months?
Or am I just getting through each week?
Is my income consistent enough?
If not, what needs to change?
Do I feel confident in how I price myself?
Or am I still guessing?
Do I know where my next opportunity is coming from?
Or am I relying on luck or referrals?
If a few of those made you stop and think, you’re not alone. And it might just be the right time to get some support around you.
Celebrating freelancers (including you)
Freelancing takes guts. It takes persistence. And it takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work that most people never see.
So, this week, take a moment to recognise what you’ve built so far, and think about where you want to take it next.
And if you want a bit of support getting there, EnterprisingYou is here when you’re ready.