Freelancing in the Creative Industries
Freelancing means working for yourself and offering your skills or services to different clients, often on a project-by-project basis. In the creative industries, this could include writing, music, photography, design, film, audio, theatre, events, illustration, social media or content creation roles.
Freelancing is common because many creative roles are project-based. A festival, podcast, theatre production, short film, campaign or music event may only need someone for a specific task or period. If you are not finding many advertised roles in the creative area you are interested in, freelancing can be one way to start building your own route in. Small projects can help you gain experience, develop contacts and a bank of examples of your work to show to prospective employers (also known as a portfolio).
Freelancing can offer flexibility, variety and creative control, but it also means managing practical things like finding clients, agreeing payment, keeping records for tax and accounting purposes and planning for quieter periods.
Many creative freelancers build a portfolio career, combining several income streams rather than relying on one role. For example, someone working freelance in music might perform gigs in small venues, teach or tutor, produce music for other artists and write about music for websites or magazines.
It is also important to think about whether freelance work is financially sustainable for you, including how you will manage quieter periods, late payments, expenses and multiple income streams.
What areas can I freelance in?
Here are a few examples but you are not limited to these:
- Writing, editing, proofreading or copywriting
- Photography, videography or video editing
- Graphic design, illustration or animation
- Social media management or content creation
- Events support or arts project coordination
- Music performance, teaching, production or composition
- Audio production, podcast editing or sound design
- PR, marketing or communications support
Getting started
Start small and build gradually. You could create work for a student society, charity, local business, friend, community group or creative project. The aim is to build evidence of what you can do, practise working with others and create examples for a portfolio. Check out the Creative Lives in Progress’ Setting up as a Freelancer guide for a step by step process to getting started.
Useful first steps:
- Work out your offer
Think about what you enjoy, what skills you already have and what kind of work people might pay you to do. What is your niche? This article can help you to understand what you want to do - Build a simple portfolio
Create a website, PDF, online folder or social media page showing examples of your work. These can come from student projects, volunteering, societies, personal projects or paid work. Check these guides on how to put together a PDF portfolio and personal website. - Practise explaining what you do
Prepare a short introduction to who you are, what you offer and the kind of projects you are interested in. This will help when networking, contacting clients or introducing yourself at events. An elevator pitch is a useful structure for this. - Start building your network
Use LinkedIn, creative events, careers events and alumni contacts to connect with people working in areas that interest you. Ask thoughtful questions and keep in touch. Check out Creative Lives in Progress’ guide to networking and the UoM Careers Services LinkedIn academy. - Learn the practical basics
Before taking on paid work, make sure you understand how to calculate your rates, invoices, tax, and contracts, expenses, deadlines and how to agree the scope of a project. Try to clarify what you will deliver, when you will be paid and what happens if the work changes. - Use University support
Explore the University’s Get Freelancing programme for structured support, workshops and guidance on turning your ideas into paid work.
Where to find freelance work
Further support and resources
- Get Freelancing – Masood Entrepreneurship CentreUniversity of Manchester support for students and recent graduates who want to explore freelancing, including workshops, practical guidance and help turning ideas into paid work.
- Creative Access – How to go freelancePractical advice on getting started, setting rates, building your portfolio, networking, managing your wellbeing and understanding the realities of freelance work.
- Prospects – FreelancingA useful overview of what freelancing is, the types of roles you could do, how to find opportunities, how to think about pricing and the pros and cons of working for yourself.
- Creative Lives in Progress – careers adviceUseful articles on creative portfolios, networking, getting paid, finding clients and building confidence as an early-career creative.
- OpenLearn – A freelance career in the creative artsA free online course exploring the practical, personal and legal sides of freelancing in the creative arts, including business planning and finding support.
- IPSEThe Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed - Information and guidance for freelancers and self-employed professionals, including topics such as contracts, tax, getting paid and managing freelance work.
- Creative Access Thrive Report Useful for understanding current issues affecting creative freelancers and early-career creatives, including financial pressure, networks, inclusion, AI and career sustainability.
Next steps
- Equality, diversity and your future careerExplore diversity in the workplace and the support available to you.
- Careers AppointmentsBook a careers meeting to discuss whether freelancing could fit your goals, how to build a portfolio or how to find your first opportunities.
