Self-employed as a side job or as your main occupation? The right choice for digital creators.

March 5, 2024

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min read

Are you a vlogger, blogger, podcaster, illustrator, influencer, streamer, photographer, video maker and is your business as a digital creator slowly starting to take off? Then it is time for the next step: applying for a VAT number so you can invoice as a self employed professional. But which status is most interesting for digital creators: self employed as a side job or as a main occupation? We are happy to explain the advantages of both statuses.

Self-employed as a side job, what are the advantages?

Best of both worlds

The name “side job” says it all: in this status, you combine your activities as a digital creator with another, permanent job. You also keep the benefits of your salaried job, such as paid vacation days or pension accrual.

Springboard + safety net

By starting as a self employed person in a side job, you can carefully test and grow your online projects without major financial risks. It is therefore ideal as a springboard to build your career, because you keep the safety net of your permanent job.

Flexibility to grow

As you get more work as a creator, you can eventually scale back your main job. If your employer agrees, you could for example work part time so you have more room for your self employed activities. To remain self-employed as a side job, you must still be employed at least half time (so 50%) as an employee.

Lower social contributions

As a self employed person with a side job, you do pay social contributions, but they are lower than for self-employed people whose main occupation is self employment. If your income from your side job is really low, you may not have to pay anything at all.

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Self-employed as a main occupation, what are the advantages

Focus on growth

If you choose a main occupation, you give yourself the space to fully focus on your digital creations. With that focus, you can respond more quickly and grow your activities faster.

Full dedication

As a full-time creator, you can invest more time and energy in perfecting your skills and building your online community. A must for anyone who really wants to shine.

Business opportunities

A main occupation opens the door to business opportunities and partnerships that may not be available to those with a side job. This can take your creative career to new heights.

Want to grow even faster?

TIP: join our Chase Community, the hub for Flemish and Brussels creators. You can also always go there for free workshops or advice about digital creativity.

Disadvantages and obligations as a self employed person in a main occupation or side job

Both a status as self employed in a side job and as self employed in a main occupation have their own advantages and sometimes also disadvantages. As a self-employed person in a main occupation, you are completely dependent on yourself for your income. And as a self employed person in a side job, you normally do not build up additional social rights, even though you do pay social contributions.

For both statuses, you must in any case arrange a number of things when starting your activities:

Company or sole proprietorship: first of all, you need to choose whether you will place your activities under a sole proprietorship or under a company. In most cases, you will choose a sole proprietorship. You can also switch to a company later. Make sure to get advice about this.
Apply for a VAT number or company number: to be able to issue invoices, you need a VAT number. This comes with obligations such as VAT returns, but also advantages because you can reclaim the VAT on your professional purchases.
Register with a social secretariat: this is mandatory. The social secretariat can help you and give advice during your start up and afterwards as well. You pay your social contributions to them.
Make sure to keep your administration well organized and, for example, set aside part of your income for taxes. If you would like help or financial advice, an accountant is definitely recommended. Ask around among fellow creators. It is always useful to choose an accountant who is familiar with your field.

Side job or main occupation which status suits you best?