Freelancer Spotlight: Emma Pegg – Freelance Content Strategist

Emma also offered some great advice to those looking to become freelancers or self-employed:

"Make the leap, it’s always going to feel terrifying! Despite always wanting to go back to freelancing – it’s where I started my career – I’d have waited a few more years had life not unfolded the way it did.

"My employer suddenly went under last summer and I realised that I was holding on to a sense of security that didn’t necessarily exist. Yes, freelancing is a rollercoaster, but it does help you diversify risk when the economy is unstable. Once you have a portfolio and an idea of your differentiation, lean into your network and contacts. Opportunities can come from anywhere, and one or two brilliant people recommending you can make all the difference."

"Someone I deeply admire recommended also giving yourself an ‘x’ amount of financial runway and setting aside enough resources to last for a specific period. Every time you make money with your business, extend the runway. And then if you run out, you can always go back to a salaried job.

"But if you don’t? You never know, you might be in it for the long haul. There’s also nothing like a deadline for motivation. Needing to build a business from the ground up and make a profit was a great way to focus on progress over perfection and work the moonlight hours to find clients, hit deadlines, and quickly refine the product offering. There was no plan B or safety net."