FabSwingers.com forum: Self employment...

By *issHottieBottie OP Woman
over a year ago

Kent

I'm trying to find a job but it's proving tricky finding anything accessible with hours that I can work around my son and nursery.

Does anyone know anything about becoming self employed? I learnt to crochet at the beginning of the year and have been making blankets/hats etc for friends they've been buying me wine/choc etc as a thank you for doing it (and obviously paying for the materials) but from looking online and talking to others there's a good business in doing baby blankets to order etc.

Can't imagine i would make a fortune but at least I'd be earning something but don't know how it works with tax credits etc??

Anyone got any ideas?

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By *oody39Man
over a year ago

tunbridge wells

"I'm trying to find a job but it's proving tricky finding anything accessible with hours that I can work around my son and nursery.

Can't imagine i would make a fortune but at least I'd be earning something but don't know how it works with tax credits etc??

Anyone got any ideas? "

Not sure how it affects benefits etc. But she yourself up a Facebook page, pictures of your work etc, invite all your friends to like the page.

A good way to get a lot of likes is to do a giveaway competition.

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By *issHottieBottie OP Woman
over a year ago

Kent

"I'm trying to find a job but it's proving tricky finding anything accessible with hours that I can work around my son and nursery.

Can't imagine i would make a fortune but at least I'd be earning something but don't know how it works with tax credits etc??

Anyone got any ideas?

Not sure how it affects benefits etc. But she yourself up a Facebook page, pictures of your work etc, invite all your friends to like the page.

A good way to get a lot of likes is to do a giveaway competition."

I will if I get started, want to do it all above board as I don't wanna end up getting reported for earning money I shouldn't x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You can be part time self employed and still claim your tax credits.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not sure how self employment works when your claiming benefits, maybe chat to your local benefit office or have a look on the internet.

It used to be that you could work do many hours without it affecting your money I think..

Good luck in your new venture

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'm trying to find a job but it's proving tricky finding anything accessible with hours that I can work around my son and nursery.

Can't imagine i would make a fortune but at least I'd be earning something but don't know how it works with tax credits etc??

Anyone got any ideas? "

stalls at Craft fairs etc for sales (and ebay?) and extra cash can be made by exhibition/demonstration/teaching.

Facebook twitter and the social media in general are the way forward.

I have a relative who has built a very successful brand on a very similar platform.

Good luck.

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

Go along to the Jobcentre, there are various schemes and some useful free courses they can send you on too, I went on one with the last business I set up to see what their tips were. I've been self-employed forever.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Registering as self employed is easy. You just need to go to the HMRC website, click on self-assessment & give them the information that they ask for.

It might be worth looking up Nwes, they run some really good business management courses for people looking to start their own business. I know they have branches all over the country but don't know if there's one near you.

Hope that helps

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By *issHottieBottie OP Woman
over a year ago

Kent

Thanks so much everyone. Think I'll spend the next few months getting some stuff made so I can get started but will mostly be taking bespoke orders as people will want certain colours etc x

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By *anatee175Couple
over a year ago

Sunderland

On ebay you can set up a shop and sell and take orders that way too. Good luck.

Claire

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By *opinovMan
over a year ago

Point Nemo, Cumbria

Good idea to use social media to get the word out, but you can't beat a decent wibsite if you're hoping to tap into the premium market - and that's the market you need to aim at if you're going to make a decent living... after all, it's only the wealthy who have disposable cash these days.

First thing to do is think up a catchy and original trading name for yourself and, once you're happy it's right for the market you're aiming at, buy it as a domain name (eg "hottiebottiecroche.com"). Make sure you get the .com, .co.uk, and .eu tdls at the outset - if you don't, there's a good chance a domain shark will snap them up and try to sell you the for silly money. I know this because I have five websites, two of which are very successful - however, I neglected to buy all the variations of one of the domains and it took quite a few years of uneccessary hassle to secure the full set... lesson learned!

You should be able to find a deal for, say, half a dozen domains and enough hosted server space for about £50 per year.

As for the website itself, I found it helpful to start off with a drawing on a bit of paper of how I wanted it to look and the used a WYSIWYG editor to build it, though I found it fairly simple to learn html and css - so now I just write them in raw code.

The wording on your web pages is important too - make sure you use plenty of "keywords" in you text, but be careful not to stuff it too full of them. If you get it right, it can make a huge difference to your visibility in google/bing/etc search results... and that's what counts if you're going to bring in enquiries.

Anyway, I've gone into a bit of a geekish ramble so I'll shut up now. I really hope it goes well for you... good luck.

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By *omMLMan
over a year ago

The Centre of the Universe

Speak to your benefits advisor they can set you up with your own business advisor who will help you get into suitable courses, help you with your business plan. Networking, IT and loads of other stuff and it's all free. They'll also tell you how much you can earn and about claiming.

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

Just remember if you do become self employed and have a fall out with your boss, you only have yourself to blame

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By *issHottieBottie OP Woman
over a year ago

Kent

"Just remember if you do become self employed and have a fall out with your boss, you only have yourself to blame

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By *omMLMan
over a year ago

The Centre of the Universe

"Just remember if you do become self employed and have a fall out with your boss, you only have yourself to blame

I'm self employed and I'm always arguing with my boss. He won't give me a day off when I want a duvet day. Lol. ??

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm self employed.

I hire an accountant to do all my stuff for me. I've never filled a form in for the tax or national insurance people ever. I just hand over my books once a year to the accountant, tell them of any changes to my circumstances and they do the rest for me.

A good accountant is worth his weight in gold.

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