I currently work for an agency, who are actually very good, but I want more control of my schedule and want more bookings. The agency charges £350 per hour of which I get £250. I make approx £10,000 per month.

 Has anyone on here went from agency to indie? Is it worth it taking the leap? Where is the best place to get clients? And will there be enough clients etc... I'm not sure if independent sew workers are absolutely inundated or if they struggle with getting work! How hard is it to get up and going? Any advice at all is appreciated! I have so many questions...

Agencies are generally used for convenience and immediacy - the client to just rings up and books someone without any real checks or screening. Additionally, you are expected to be available to work to suit the agency's needs, hence your current income.

As an indie, you might not guarantee as much work at £350 p/h, but at £250 that's certainly possible given it works out at 40 clients per month, less if they're longer bookings. However, remember, your agency are paying for advertising and other marketing, and already have a well-established client base. It will take time to build up a regular clientele, and once you do, you can always raise your prices.

Where will you work from? If you're planning on doing incalls and don't want to work from home, will you rent a flat or work from hotels/serviced apartments? This can be expensive. What is certain is that you need to work out your costs/overheads which will significantly effect your gross profit.

If you're going to offer outcalls only in a bid to save on outlay, then this will not bring in as many bookings as you're used to.

Maybe ask the agency if you can go part-time. I have noticed that quite a few independents are also on agency books (same price on both). This suggests that these indies are struggling to get as much work as they would like. As you are making a lot of money for your agency, ask if they will consider letting you branch out as an indie while remaining on their books; they might actually be supportive of this. Alternatively, why don't you raise your price at the agency? This might bring in less work but for the same money.

I'd be impressed/flabberghasted if you could make 10,000K a month as an indie unless you put a huge amount of effort into marketing.

I think it's possible. I've not been far off that target before.


OP is there a way you are able to trial it for a month or so and see how you get on? In my experience going indie was well worth it.

You can definitely make 10k a month as an indie, when it's consistent I can make 12k. £250 is a good price, get a website and put yourself out there- everywhere you can. Location is so so important, it will make or break a lot of bookings. It is a lot of effort and work but it will pay off x

True. I earn 10k but work 6 days a week :/

It's possible if you are really busy 1 month and do a lot of days and hours but it's never consistent enough to achieve that all the time. I don't know anyone that earns that all the time.

Also, a good way to start is to read Saafe's main site as there is a lot of information there, and to also use the search function on this part of the site as there are many threads about how to set up as an independent.

Once you've done some research, you'll be bettered placed not only to set up as an indie, but to ask more specific questions (if needed).

Good luck!

Thanks will do.

The thing is, you don't need to leave agency. You can create indie  persona & start working.
Also tell your agency you will work now 4 days a week or so. To have more free time. You can be independent and in agencies at the same time. After 6 months or 1 year you can leave agencies when you feel comfortable to do so.

 How do you usually screen? And do you have a camera at your doorbell?

I'm outcall only so no, no camera at my doorbell.

My website (and ads) do the bulk of my screening for me as I pitch myself for a particular kind of man/experience.

Once someone contacts me regarding meeting, I screen using a variety of means ranging from companion references, employment credentials and Government-issued ID. However, some don't even make it this far if they haven't followed instructions re. contacting me, I don't like their use of language/their opening gambit and a myriad of other little things. However, to be fair, all in all, I mostly rely on instinct. It's well-tuned and can usually tell just by glancing at the email title whether it's a yes or a no.

Be advised that many don't want to provide ID, references etc etc so you will be cutting out a large part of your potential clients, so it is best you screen using a variety of other means if you want a larger share of the market.