The search is on to sign up the first cohort of USW graduate freelancers.
The Stiwdio Agency goes live this summer. By completing the Registration of Interest form below, you will add your name to early sign ups; so that when we receive a job brief that matches your skill set, we forward it on to you. From here you can submit a proposal and secure paid freelance work in your degree field. With that in mind- what is the Stiwdio Agency, and how can it help you?
How much will it cost?
Straight to the point, ay? Can’t blame you. Fact is: accounts are free for early sign up. £0. Zilch. After your first paid contract, agency fees will be taken from the client, not from you- you will receive all of your promised pay; after all- you earned it.
There will be a paid subscription version of the Stiwdio Agency later on the year- this includes professional indemnity and product liability insurance ( so you don’t have to worry about the fees below)
In order to accept a job brief, you will be asked to prove that you are insured. Professional indemnity insurance+product liability can cost as little as £45 a year, and we can provide support and advice on where best to get it.
Where do I start?
We need a few details including name, address, student ID and the course(s) you studied. Sign up also includes a list of keywords and services which will match you to the best briefs. Once your student ID has been verified, you will be sent an IR 35 questionnaire. (More on that here: Understanding off-payroll working (IR35) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) It is mainly to prove that you are a freelancer and not employee of USW) Once that has been approved, you will be added to the system , and will receive notifications of each job we get that fits your skills.
On top of that, freelancers will be invited to attend the freelance boot camp- where we cover essentials like invoicing etc.
Once notified of a job brief, you can submit your proposal to us; explaining why you are suited with links to previous work or your website.
Of course, you can also update your Stiwdio Agency profile at any time- this is a digital shop window, and important to include your best work here to draw the clients in.
At the given deadline, all proposals will be submitted to the client who can
review them. If chosen, you will be notified, and a contract sent out
to sign.
I don’t have to draw up my own contracts with each client?
Absolutely not. We send them for you.
So I have a contract. What now?
Now you complete it.
We recommend a lot of communication with the client as you go, to make sure you are on the right track and have visualized what they had in mind. Once the project has been delivered and the client is satisfied, we will forward their payment into you.
Can I take on multiple contracts at the same time?
That’s up to you ( unless your client specifically states otherwise.) We will have features on this in the future, as it is important to pace yourself and not take on too much work- especially when just starting out and building a schedule.
When can I start?
At the moment, you are invited to register interest here and make sure that your name is on the list for early sign up. You will be contacted as soon as soon as registration goes live.
In the mean time, any details you give here of course subjects and skill sets will help build the database and refine our match-making criteria.
English language student sign up form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe87Qft88O5h4QXm0q0TrVxhCExBJsyzQ7BLuTvu8CG8cganA/viewform?usp=sf_link
