Start as a Freelancer in Belgium Day 2023: Business and networking advice on 14 December

Self-employed professionals are invited to sharpen their business and networking skills at the Start as a Freelancer in Belgium Day 2023 in Brussels on 14 December.

The one-day conference in English advises freelancers on growing their business while providing an opportunity to broaden their network with like-minded entrepreneurs.

It’s aimed at corporate employees who aspire to potential new freelance career paths, internationals who have relocated to Belgium and creative professionals who want to turn their passion into a sustainable freelance career.

On the even’s programme are topics such as registering as a freelancer, accounting, finding clients, setting prices and dealing with fears and uncertainty.

Freelancers in Belgium is an English-speaking community of over 10,000 members. More people are taking the plunge and diving into the gig economy, according to founder Jenny Bjorklof.

Originally from Finland, Ghent-based Bjorklof was spurred to launch the support group after her own experience of going it alone.

And her motivation in organising the Freelancer Day stems from her desire to fill a void she experienced when first going it alone.

"There are so many questions when you want to start a business. I tend to do a lot of Googling when I look for answers. But I never know what is the best and most accurate information. So by speaking with peers and experts, it’s easier to make the right choices. With the conference, I want to make it easy for freelancers to get access to this information," she says.

The conference aims to provide comprehensive support, not only for the legal and administrative aspects of setting up a freelance business, but also for the psychological aspects that many independent professionals face.

These challenges include dealing with uncertainty, setting prices, negotiating, managing time, and finding clients.

While these are best learned in practice, according to Bjorklof, “by sharing experiences with fellow freelancers, newbies can gain invaluable insights and a sense of relief”.

Start as a Freelancer in Belgium Day 2023
14 December, 9.00-17.00
BluePoint, Boulevard Auguste Reyers 80 (Schaerbeek)
Tickets: Standard rate €79 (exc VAT)