Moving away from agencies

[quackhandle]

So, I'm a technical author with over 20 years in the trade and 10 years as a contractor. I have a master plan to build up a portfolio of clients and provide fixed-price work on a proper freelance basis, with a view to moving away from the traditional agency-led contracting process (and associated IR35 b0ll0x).

I've already managed to land a couple of small jobs - from Linkedin and from a direct approach to a small local company - that I can fit in around my primary contract (I work away 4 days a week and so have spare time in the evenings and weekends) and would like to see if I can build on this and get more clients this way.

As a technical author, I'm thinking that potential clients would be small to medium-sized engineering / consultancy companies who build widgets etc but might not have the funds to employ a F/T author.

I realise that this isn't going to happen overnight and that for the forseeable future I'm going to be relying on agents, but I reckon if I can get enough clients who like my work then I can commence plate-spinning :-)

It's going to take patience and leg work, I know that - but my question for this forum is: Has anyone else done this and do you have any tips / advice / suggestions?

Many thanks

This x10. Also lots of luck, right place, right time.

Good luck.

qh

[MojoDog]

You might find this an interesting insight...

One point: not having an agent doesn't free you from IR35, YourCo is still an intermediary and therefore the regulations still apply. Obviously its a lot easier to demonstrate you're in business on your own account, but you still need to follow the usual guidance.

Good point. My reference was a throwaway statement - good job I don't write for a living...

Thanks for the link, too.

[malvolio]

You might find this an interesting insight...

One point: not having an agent doesn't free you from IR35, YourCo is still an intermediary and therefore the regulations still apply. Obviously its a lot easier to demonstrate you're in business on your own account, but you still need to follow the usual guidance.

[MojoDog]

So, I'm a technical author with over 20 years in the trade and 10 years as a contractor. I have a master plan to build up a portfolio of clients and provide fixed-price work on a proper freelance basis, with a view to moving away from the traditional agency-led contracting process (and associated IR35 b0ll0x).

I've already managed to land a couple of small jobs - from Linkedin and from a direct approach to a small local company - that I can fit in around my primary contract (I work away 4 days a week and so have spare time in the evenings and weekends) and would like to see if I can build on this and get more clients this way.

As a technical author, I'm thinking that potential clients would be small to medium-sized engineering / consultancy companies who build widgets etc but might not have the funds to employ a F/T author.

I realise that this isn't going to happen overnight and that for the forseeable future I'm going to be relying on agents, but I reckon if I can get enough clients who like my work then I can commence plate-spinning :-)

It's going to take patience and leg work, I know that - but my question for this forum is: Has anyone else done this and do you have any tips / advice / suggestions?

Many thanks