Programme

9:00 – 9:30

Breakfast & networking

9:30 – 9:45

Welcome & Present the day

09:45 – 10:25

Panel discussion: Transition from Employee to Freelancer (tips, strategies, pitfalls and resources)

Are you ready to step out of the structured world of being an employee and venture into the dynamic realm of freelancing? Join us for an engaging session where seasoned freelancers will be your guides, sharing their personal experiences and invaluable insights on navigating this significant career shift.

Whether your motivation is to reclaim control over your working hours, infuse more variety into your career, reduce stress, or explore the exciting possibilities of a side gig, this session is tailor-made for you.

Gain the confidence you need to take that leap into the unknown. Discover what the first year as a freelancer might hold in store for you. Have all your burning questions answered by experts who’ve been through the transition themselves.

10:25 – 10:40

Presentation: Starting as a Freelancer: The Crucial First Steps You Need to Take

From considering to become a freelancer to sending your first invoice. What are the steps you need to take? Which things are required? Who can help? Which tools are useful? In this quick presentation Jean-Francois will clarify the process and share dos and don’ts about starting out.

10:40 – 11:00 Pitches

Two-Minute Introductions to Essential Freelance Services

Find out about freelance products and services that help you kickstart your freelance career in 2 minute long energetic pitches.

11:00 – 11:30 Info session by Securex 

Things to consider when registering your freelance business

Dennis D’haenens, Client Relations Manager from Securex will share the requirements to be able to start part or full-time, choosing between self-proprietorship or a limited company, how to register your business, arrange social security and legal aspects such as terms and conditions and GDPR.

11:30 – 12:00 Info session by Accountable

Freelance Finance Fundamentals: Navigating Accounting, Taxes, and Pensions for Starters

Nicolas Quarré, co-founder Accountable will answer these questions and more: How to find an accountant? How to select the right accounting tool? What are your accounting obligations? Where can you optimise for taxes as a starter? What is VAT? What are my pension options? What if I have pensions from previous employment(s)/other countries? What will my pension be? Which professional costs can I deduct? What do you need to put on an invoice?

As a participant in the conference, you will receive 3 months of Accountable PRO for free.

12:00 – 12:30 Info session by Creative Shelter

Tax optimisation with copyright invoicing

Have you heard about copyrights and how those might help you lower your taxes? Creative Shelter’s CEO Stan De Vocht will share about copyright invoicing. Find out if you are eligible, how much you can earn, and how to arrange the invoicing and make sure the taxation is correct in an easy way.

Please note:

We are adding speakers, activities, event partners, offers, deals, and prizes to the agenda. The full programme will be launched closer to the event.

11:00 – 12:30 Networking

Speed-networking loop:

For the ones who don’t want to follow an info session, you can hop in our speed-networking loop in the lobby area.

12:30 – 14:30 Lunch & activities

Extra long 2 hr lunch including:

• Complimentary food and drinks: Sandwich lunch, drinks, mini-desserts, tea & coffee.
• Expo: Ask questions based on your specific situation about registering your business, getting clients, accounting, professional cards and copyright invoicing to our partners Securex, Accountable, Creative Shelter, Taxpatria and Ariad.
• Mentoring: Meet friendly experienced freelancers and mentors very willing to help out and share their dos and don’ts.
• Profile picture photoshoot with Headshot Photographer Alex Harris (at extra cost – booking info available here: https://freelancersinbelgium.be/need-a-professional-picture-to-boost-your-online-profile/need-a-professional-picture-to-boost-your-online-profile)
• Introvert room: A separate space where people can recharge in a quiet area
• Service Swap Board: Get startup services for free by swapping your expertise with something you need with our Service Swap Board.

Getting clients

• Pitching and positioning advice with Communication Specialist Juliet Burns
• Social media and content marketing tips with Content Marketer Eveline Hagenbeek
• Sales and negotiation with Jean-Francois Bodart

Networking

Start building your network, even if you are shy or don’t like it. We’ll organise speed networking, have ice-breakers, and make introductions. You will also get a list of the other participants.

13:30 – 14:00 Workshop

The Art of Networking
Get tips and tricks for networking effectively by Freelance Facilitator Sarah Martens

Mentors

You can ask our mentors any questions about starting as a freelancer.
– Getting clients, price setting, dealing with red flags, time management, tools…

They have all gone through it. On top of that, they can provide specific knowledge based on their experience.

14:30 – 14:50 Presentation

10 Sales Tips for Freelancers

Sell successfully even if you don’t have time, like or know how to sell. Training yourself in finding, getting and keeping clients is key to a successful freelance career.

In this session you get tips on where to find clients in Belgium, guidance on how to use LinkedIn for prospecting and discover ways to to sell in a way that feels good for you.

14:50 – 15:15 Presentation

Pricing Strategies for Starting Freelancers

Are you a new freelancer looking to navigate the often complex world of pricing your services? Join our informative session on “Pricing Strategies for Starting Freelancers.” This session is your key to understanding the fundamentals of pricing and developing strategies that will help you launch your freelance career with confidence and success.

In this session, Denys will cover various pricing models, including pricing per hour or day, and explore the pros and cons of different pricing approaches such as cost-up, market-based, value-based pricing and outcome-based pricing.

Denys will also present the concept of productized services, a powerful new approach that allows freelancers to offer clearly defined service packages at transparent prices. You’ll learn how to leverage this concept to simplify your offerings, attract more clients, and streamline your pricing process.

15:15 – 15:40 Presentation

Nobody Knows You

The biggest obstacle to growth is so obvious that we ignore it: no one knows you. This counts for freelancers, clerks, executives and business leaders. You do all your sales and marketing around your firm but you forgot the most important one: your own brand. The first thing that needs to grow your business is yourself. It’s time for your future prospects to get to know you. With the insights in this keynote, you’ll learn the strategy, pragmatic steps and hazards to build a personal brand that will generate the right leads for your business. In addition, you will learn how to become a market leader through various thought leadership techniques.

15:40 – 16:00 Closing

Last tips & prizes

At the end of the conference, you get some last tips for your first year as a freelancer. And we give you a chance to win prizes to help you kickstart your freelance career!

• 1 year of Accountable PRO for free, worth 360€, normal price 30€ per month
• Strengthsfinder Test and individual coaching session with Strengthsfinder trainer, Karolien Westerink worth 150€ – by Ariad
• 2 x Nobody Knows You – books by Michael Humblet worth 28,99€ per book
• Duo Ticket to Work Smarter by project management tool Teamleader
• De Meeste Mensen Deugen – book by Rutger Bregman from Tentoo. Worth 25€

16:00 – 17:00 Networking Apero

Drinks & networking

Enjoy a complimentary drink and snacks together with your new connections and share about the day you experienced.

Please note:

We are adding speakers, activities, event partners, offers, deals, and prizes to the agenda. The full programme will be launched closer to the event.