keys to get started

Contrary to what many people think, freelancing doesn’t necessarily mean being self-employed, it means working for yourself!

That’s why you can become a sole proprietor or create a sole proprietorship!

Why should you start a self-employed freelance business? Because it’s the fastest status to create and the easiest to manage!

How to create your own business? All you have to do is to declare the start of your activity at the authorized Center for Business Formalities (CFE) by sending the “P0 micro-entrepreneur” form. If you are engaged in a craft or commercial activity, then you will need to register your own business in the Répertoire des Métiers for artisans or in the Trade and Companies Register for traders.

Good to know: How to find an authorized CFE? Depending on the nature of your activity, your CFE:

• Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TSP) for commercial activities;
• Chamber of Commerce and Crafts (CMA) for craft activities;
• URSSAF for liberal professions;
• If you are a commercial agent, the Commercial Court Registry.

What kind of social system does a micro enterprise have? Converting to an independent micro-enterprise means being able to benefit from the micro-fiscal and micro-social regime, which means benefiting from a 22% contribution rate and a tax deduction.

However, remember that as your business grows, so will your needs (especially if you exceed the auto-entrepreneur limits).

Why create a company? Depending on your activity, the creation of the company brings more credibility with investors, customers or the bank if you need to take out a loan. In addition, if you have expenses related to your activity, a company allows you to deduct your expenses. You will only pay tax on your profits (turnover – your expenses).

What kind of company should I start? You can create a SASU (single-person simplified joint-stock company) or EURL (single-person limited liability company).

How to create a company? Setting up a company is more complicated than setting up a micro-enterprise. You need to create a charter, open a professional bank account, publish an advertisement in a legal notice journal and then send the registration file to the Commercial Court registry.

What social system with the company? Depending on the nature of your company, your social system will be different. If you create a SASU you will be treated as an employee and if you create an EURL you will contribute to a self-employed scheme. Attention, contributions in a company are more important than in a micro-enterprise, but they are calculated with your rewards, not with your entire turnover.

What is the salary? Wage portage is a legal mechanism that allows you to obtain an employment contract (and all associated social benefits) while remaining fully independent in your activity.

How does this work? Specifically, you enter into an employment contract with an umbrella company that handles all your administrative procedures (URSSAF, taxes, invoicing, contracts, etc.). It restores your circulation and pays it to you in the form of wages after paying all your contributions and contributions to the state.

What are the advantages of this status? It’s a status that offers you the same social security as an employee: pension, unemployment, sickness, you benefit from the same conditions as a traditional employee…without sacrificing your independence.

How much does this cost? Generally, umbrella companies charge a percentage of your turnover and various expenses.

However, regardless of your turnover, there are more cost-effective next-generation solutions that offer a more convenient experience and the option to step up with a fixed-price subscription.

The operation is very simple. You must open a dedicated bank account for turnover over €10,000, keep a book of receipts, declare your turnover to URSSAF every month or three months (depending on what you choose when registering) and declare your turnover in your own account. annual tax return.

Once you master these few commitments, you have peace of mind and can focus 100% on your work!

Commitments are more important than a micro enterprise. You must maintain business accounts and close accounts once a year. Closing accounts means sending the balance sheet and income statement to the Court registry.

Moreover, if you are not familiar with these terms, you definitely need an accountant for this transaction.

Understanding and mastering your tax, legal and accounting obligations is critical to being able to meet them.

When you start freelancing, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. How do I get my first clients? How do I market myself to my clients? What do my achievements show? All these questions are normal and everyone has been there already, don’t worry. Just be organized and don’t get frustrated.

You should focus on two main things:

It’s important to practice creating your portfolio and introducing yourself so you can talk about your skills or experience (if any). Work on your personal brand, be motivated, energetic and committed to making clients want to work with you!

You can find clients through your professional and personal networks, as well as platforms dedicated to freelancers such as Malt or Crème de la crème. Remember to take good care of your profile and update it often!

Knowing how to set your price is essential to getting your business off the ground. Above all, don’t let your impostor syndrome speak for you right now, because this is a definite point for the future. Why? If you set too low a price on your skills just because you lack experience, it will be difficult for you to raise them later. Remember that word of mouth is one of the ways to get customers, and once your prices are known, it will be harder to convert them.

How to determine your rates? The ADR calculation corresponds to the amount billed to your customers for the “average daily rate” business day (approximately seven hours). Mainly used to calculate long missions. To bill tasks by the hour, you must set your “average hourly rate” (AHR). To determine your TJM, you need to consider your costs, your competitors’ prices, the hours you prepare above, as well as the turnover you want to achieve.

Finally, our last piece of advice: be honest with yourself about how much work you can handle before accepting contracts! You want to say yes to everything at the beginning of your activity! However, if you want to continue this activity for a long time, you must also know how to spare yourself so as not to overexert yourself. Now that you’re self-employed, you have the freedom to choose your clients, the times and places you want to work, and what you want to experience, so take advantage of it!