Being Freelance
Being Freelance is a podcast hosted by Steve Folland that explores the realities of freelancing and running your own business. Through interviews with creative freelancers, it offers practical tips, advice, and strategies for navigating the challenges and rewards of self-employment. The show has been serving the self-employed community since 2015 and also promotes a supportive community for freelancers. It aims to counter the isolation that can come with working independently.
Episodes
Networking Can Work! How Andre De Almeida built his freelance business on conversations
Moving from Brazil to London to learn English in 2016, Andre De Almeida didn’t just pick up the language - he picked up the Being Freelance podcast and studied a new way to live and work too!After being made redundant from an in-house role, he used what he’d learned from listening to jump headfirst into full-time freelancing. The key to his growth? In-person networking, vulnerability, and a consta
From Burnout to Balance: Pacing Your Business as a Neurodivergent Freelancer with Celie Nigoumi
Photographer and creative facilitator Celie Nigoumi shares her journey from severe burnout and chronic health challenges after university to building a thriving freelance business that works for her in a way normal employment and fluorescent offices never could. Celie talks about navigating neurodivergence, merging multiple niches into a single authentic personal brand, and using boundary-setting
Embracing The Weird: How Quirky Outreach Built a Copywriting Business with Helen Carrie
What happens when the industry you’ve worked in for a decade gets shut down overnight? In this episode, host Steve Folland chats with Helen Carrie to talk through her complete freelance overhaul when COVID hit. Helen worked in UK television production: traveling the world, interviewing celebrities; before the pandemic brought it all to a stop. Forced to evaluate her skills, she decided to try he
5 Ways AI Could Be Tripping Up Your Freelance Business - Bonus - with lawyer Ingrid Fernandez
AI is already in your freelance business, whether you invited it or not. The usual Being Freelance podcast is on its summer break, but here's a bonus treat for you: a replay of a live LinkedIn session Steve did with lawyer Ingrid Fernandez, part of the Being Freelance community, looking at what AI means for freelancers legally - not "will it take my job" but "how does it change
The Blogs Became Books... Became Clients - David Airey
David Airey is a freelance graphic designer based in Northern Ireland, self-employed since 2005. He's the author of several best-selling design books including Logo Design Love and Identity Designed - both of which started life as blogs, before turning into books... before turning into a steady stream of client work.In this episode, David talks with us about:Persuading his former employer to
Freelancer BTS - Not rushing on
New full episode coming soon. But in this super short one - Steve Folland explains why he's not publishing a new interview this week.Too often we rush on from one thing to another.But by doing so we don't do justice to the thing we just finished.With the Being Freelance podcast, that can mean not promoting an episode with clips, socials and emails. That doesn't help the podcast, the
Freelancing Through Every Tech Shift Since the 90s - Lisa Emmington
Lisa Emmington is a freelance instructional designer (or as her newly SEO'd website puts it, a training course designer) based near Milton Keynes. She's been freelance almost her entire career, starting out as an IT trainer back when Apple Macs were a mystery box on people's desks, and has reinvented her business every time the market has shifted underneath her - from face to face t
Chase the Happiness: Meaningful Freelancing - Filmmaker Zoe East
Zoe East has never had a proper job. A work experience placement at a big TV channel that felt old-fashioned and sexist put her off the traditional route before she'd even graduated, so she went freelance instead and never really looked back. That was over ten years ago.She started with whatever work came along. The niche found her gradually: charities doing meaningful work, heritage and cult
The Recipe Is Always the Same: Reach Out, Follow Up - Émilie Chen
French creative Émilie Chen had what she calls her dream job: senior designer at The National Theatre in London, working on posters she'd dreamed about since university. Years later though, it had turned sour in the studio, her mental health took a hit, and she gave herself 8 months to start saving money and figure out her next Act. What got her there wasn't a clever strategy. It was peo
Freelancing as an Unpaid Carer - Adrian Ashton
Adrian’s been a successful freelancer for 21 years. But in the past 7, his definition of framing success has changed.For the last seven years, Adrian has also been an unpaid carer for three immediate family members. He talks honestly about what that's meant for his business - the travel he's had to give up, the networking events he can't get to, the inquiries he's had to turn a
Her Niche Is Fishe - Becoming The Ocean Writer - Melissa Hobson
Melissa spent over a decade in PR & Comms. She was good at it but she was drawn to the ocean.So she started pitching dive magazines on the side, moved to Mozambique to volunteer with a marine conservation charity, and when the pandemic sent her home, decided to go all-in as a freelancer rather than look for another job.Still it was PR work she was picking up but frustrated by. “I just want to
Becoming a Freelance Illustrator for Marvel, Disney and DC: Doaly
How does a creative side project turn into a decade long freelancing business working with the biggest names in pop culture, like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, DC Comics, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures?All good super-heroes have an origin story. And this interview tells the series of events that took Doaly from working for a company in Birmingham, England, to the front page of comic covers seen
Business Name vs Your Own Name: Which is Better for Freelancers?
It's a question Steve Folland gets asked a lot: as a freelancer, is it better to have a company name or use your own?
In this compilation episode, Steve digs deep into 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive - pulling together voices from guests including brand copywriter Mark Grainger, branding expert Bhavini Lakhani, copywriter Graeme Piper, illustrator Dan Bailey, social media cons
Becoming the go-to freelancer in your niche - Jessi Illustrates
Jessica Hartshorn was trained as an illustrator, but unable to get work as one she went in another direction. Jessica spent the next 16 years working in museums and galleries. But the itch to illustrate never went away.
So she set up a secret Instagram account and started painting again without telling a soul.
Seven years on, she's a successful illustrator, freelancing with museums, galleries
Freelancer BTS - Some things are more important
New episodes with fresh freelancing stories coming very soon.
But as Jess Bruno said on her episode of Being Freelance: "Content can always blood wait".
JOIN THE COMMUNITYYou're not alone being freelance. Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).beingfreelance.com/community NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!The Being Freelance course is made for you
Stop Waiting for Clients. Start Making - Charles Commins
Charles Commins handed his notice in at his pub management job with no plan and no business.
His partner gave him one month to figure it out. All he knew was that he wanted to love his job.
Seven and a half years later, he's an award-winning freelance podcast producer whose almost entire client chain traces back to one decision: making a football podcast about Northampton Town.
That podcast
Field Trip Fridays and Four Bank Accounts - Illustrator Perryn Ryan
Perryn Ryan didn't set out to become a freelance illustrator.
After a degree in computer information systems (to keep her parents happy), years in tech,, and a long stint in the fashion industry, she eventually gave herself permission to just... draw stuff she liked. Nothing serious.
Then a stranger with a million followers re-shared her work, the enquiries started flooding in, and a freelan
Chase Those Late Payments - Graphic Designer Laura Whitehouse
Laura Whitehouse didn’t follow the usual path into graphic design.
While studying archaeology and anthropology (told you) at university, she started designing posters for student theatre shows. At first for free, then for £20 here and there (or sometimes just a pint). What began as a creative outlet quickly became the foundation of a freelance career.
Thanks to word of mouth clients and the help o
How to Find Your Freelancing Niche
In this short compilation episode, Steve revisits conversations from across 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive to explore what actually happens when freelancers specialise in a niche. Full of stories of how these freelance creatives found their niche and the impact it had.
You’ll hear:
THE IMPACT OF NICHING
How specialising can make marketing simpler and sales conversations easier
Wh
When Freelancing Goes Quiet: Getting Proactive with Mark Grainger
For years, Mark Grainger’s freelance business ticked along nicely.
Referrals. Word of mouth. Repeat clients.
And then… things went quiet.
In this episode, we explore what happens when the reliable stream of freelance work slows down. And what it really takes to respond proactively rather than panic.
Durham-based freelance brand copywriter Mark shares how he:
- Repositioned himself from a company n
Freelancer BTS - What happens when they click?
This is the first time I've done this as an episode.A quick behind the scenes of what I'm up to with my own freelancer business - as a freelance video and podcast editor. If you'd like to go even more behind the scenes, check out my freelancing life vlog on YouTube.If I'm going to pay for an advert for my services, there's something I need to do first...And you can do this
From Freelancer To Studio - The Power Of Positioning
Laura has been a professional graphic designer for over 20 years, but her freelance journey began in 2008 after the birth of her first child. With daycare in Manhattan costing more than rent, Laura started piecing together freelance work from home; juggling projects from a tiny dining table in a fourth-floor walk-up.Freelancing wasn’t always smooth. But eventually, after settling in Massachusetts,
Cold Outreach: What Actually Works for Freelancers
Cold outreach can often get a freelance business started. But in this episode I propose even those of us years down the line don't give it the cold shoulder.When you need to bring in clients, maybe a period of cold outreach, or even a consistent long term pattern of it, could be exactly what warms our business back up again.Cold emails. Cold calls. Reaching out to people who didn’t ask to hea
How Katie Chappell Built (and Unbuilt) a Scalable Freelance Illustration Business
Katie Chappell is a freelance live illustrator based in the UK - and her story takes some unexpected turns.After being sacked from a graphic design job, Katie slowly built a freelance illustration career through side jobs, teaching guitar, working in retail, and even becoming a nanny abroad. A 100-day drawing project helped her find confidence, momentum, and visibility - and eventually led her int
How These Freelancers Work ON Their Business All Year
As freelancers, it’s easy to spend most of our time in the business - delivering client work, meeting deadlines, keeping things ticking over. But if we never step back, time has a habit of running away from us. We can be swept along on a current of what people ask us to do, not thinking about if it's where we want to be heading.This episode is a little different from the usual Being Freelance
Graphic Designer & Illustrator Itzel Islas
From an overworked designer posting “a visual diary” on Instagram to running a multi-stream creative business, Itzel Islas has built a freelance life entirely on her own terms.After almost a decade in apparel design, she started illustrating for fun - and quickly realised people loved her colourful, playful style. “Little by little I started creating art… and then I started getting clients through
I’m Not a Machine - Freelancing Balance & Bandwidth with Katie Tucker
Freelance market research consultant Katie Tucker shares how being intentional - with her time, energy, and choices - helped her build a freelance life that truly fits. From walking away from a corporate job for a family adventure to launching her freelance business Product Jungle and writing excellent business book Do Penguins Eat Peaches?, Katie opens up about patience, priorities, and the reali
Slow Down - Lineo's Intentional Freelancing
From choreographing dance routines and directing a TV show at a South African megachurch… to running her own freelance business - Lineo Kakole’s journey into branding was anything but traditional.When no one would hire her after she quit her job, Lineo started sharing passion projects on Instagram. From there, she built her creative identity design studio, Get Ready With Me, around beauty, strateg
Surgeries, Grief, & a Six-Figure Business - Jess Bruno
When Jess Bruno left her corporate job in marketing, to help with managing her chronic illness - she had no idea freelancing was even an option. It was her mum that made her realise all the free marketing advice she was giving to her friends should be worth paying for.The next time they called asking for help, it would cost £25.Since then, Jess has built a six-figure freelancer business.And what&a
No Suit, No Broccoli: Escaping Corporate Life with André Spiteri
From finance lawyer in Malta to FinTech copywriter in Edinburgh — André Spiteri’s freelancing story is full of risk, reinvention, and real talk.In this episode, André shares how he went from a corporate job he hated to building a sustainable freelance writing business. He talks honestly about the pressures of starting out, the mindset shift that came with success, and why the freedom of freelancin
20 years freelancing as Ben The Illustrator
PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riversideIt’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan ABOUT THIS EPISODEBen O’Brien, known to many as Ben The Illustrator, returns to share how his freelance journey has evolved since his first Being Freelance appearance back in 2018.From losing all his travel industry c
Your Handy Dandy Brandy Gal: Hollie Arnett
PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riversideIt’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan ABOUT THIS EPISODEFrom a young age, Hollie Arnett was inspired to pursue a creative path. Fast forward to today, and she’s running not one but two brands from Wellington, New Zealand: Maker & Moxie, where she coac
Collaborating, Not Competing - Jerel Ramsey’s Freelancer Story
PODCAST SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE:High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riversideIt’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan ABOUT THIS EPISODEFrom a young age, Jerel Ramsey was inspired by his father to work for himself. And here we are. In this episode, Jerel shares how he turned his passion for design into a full-time business, Sola, whi
Communications Specialist Dee Primett
PODCAST SPONSORED BY: RIVERSIDE: High quality audio/video recorded online www.beingfreelance.com/riverside It’s free to get started - use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan PODCAST SPONSORED BY: PORKBUN: Get a domain name for your website. www.beingfreelance.com/porkbun ABOUT THIS EPISODEThis time around Dee Primett shares her 10 year journey from a side hustle grinding with content m
Using Creative Skills For Good - Conservation Illustrator Styngvi
Icelandic artist Stefán Yngvi Pétursson, also known as Styngvi, shares his journey from working in an ad agency to becoming a freelance conservation illustrator. Inspired by shocking pollution during a trip to Indonesia, Stefán decided to use his creative skills for environmental activism, or 'artivism'. He established a successful freelancing career through Instagram, but more recently
Freelance Freedom: How Rebecca Rosenberg Balances Work and Wanderlust
This time, we explore both a metaphorical freelance journey and physical one.In 2015 Rebecca decided she wanted to travel whilst freelancing.After building up savings and clients for a couple of years, she headed off to Europe as a digital nomad. Travelling whilst working as a content writer and strategist.At first she did more sight seeing that client work, but as time went on she was ready to sw
Animation Director Dave Anderson
EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside-----ABOUT THIS EPISODEHow does a Welsh schoolboy r
Antisocial Socialite Yolanda Sissing
How does a Welsh schoolboy recommended by a career advisor to become a tree surgeon end up illustrating and animating for some of the biggest media outlets across the globe?Becoming a location independent freelancer, working from London, Lima in Peru, and Barcelona in Spain.Getting known for creating funny content. With a range of satirical dog toys and creating animated videos for some of the wor
Illustrator Helen Ridley
In this episode , Steve Folland interviews Helen Ridley, a freelance illustrator who has carved a unique niche in live event illustration.Helen shares her inspiring journey from studying fashion design to working in retail for over a decade and finally making the leap to full-time freelance illustration during the 2020 lockdown. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building her business, th
Photographer Xavier Buendia
In this episode, Xavier Buendia shares his journey from Mexico City to Brighton, and more importantly from the world of hospitality as a sommelier to a career as a successful freelance photographer.Xavi discusses the importance of people skills, marketing consistency, self-confidence, and believing in yourself. He highlights both the financial benefits and creative downsides of having routine reta
Podcast Producer Kate Taylor
In this episode of the Being Freelance podcast, host Steve Folland interviews Kate Taylor, a seasoned podcast producer and founder of the Feast Collective.Kate discusses the highs and lows of her 20-year freelance career, emphasising the importance of personal relationships and trust in bringing word of mouth work.She shares the journey of starting the Feast Collective to combat the isolation and
Laughs for Leads on LinkedIn - Freelancer Dave Officer
Hear how Dave Officer, a freelance graphic designer got started and finds clients in this episode of the Being Freelance podcast hosted by Steve Folland. Dave shares his late leap into freelancing, discussing the challenge of overcoming the urge to procrastinate by consuming endless information. Discover how Dave transitioned from a steady job to pursuing his passion later in life, using creative
Graphic Designer Angela Lyons
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEAngela shares he
Copywriter & Creative Director Thomas Kemeny
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEThomas Kemeny sh
Purpose Driven Illustrator Hazel Mead
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEDespite initiall
Sustainability Copywriter Raymond Manzor
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEIrish freelancer
Illustrator Mariery Young
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEMariery Young, a
Voiceover Emma Clarke
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEEmma Clarke is a
Web Designer Phil Matthews
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEMeet Phil Matthe
Passion over Profit: Desire Lacap's Freelancing Philosophy
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn this episode,
Purpose Driven Freelancer Ettie Bailey-King
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEEttie struggled
Subscription freelancing - Brand Designer Brennan Gilbert
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEMeet Brennan Gil
Start Local - Freelance Marketer Hannah Isted
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEHear Hannah&apos
Finding your Freelancing Niche - Video Production Specialist Kirth Noel
EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelance business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan.Use this link to help support the podcast or go to beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------ABOUT THIS EPISODEThis time we&apo
Niche Resistant - Freelance Writer Shea Karssing
This time we're off to South Africa to hear the freelancing story of writer Shea Karssing.Shea was changing jobs every couple of years. Boredom setting in again.Taking freelance projects on the side to keep things interesting, she eventually realised she didn’t need a ‘job’ after all.In this episode we chat about- setting boundaries- building a business without relying on social media- workin
Build A Freelancing Life - Architect Turned Designer Andy Hau
Meet multifaceted designer and illustrator and one-person agency, Andy Hau. Andy shatters the typical freelance mold by sharing his unique journey from architecture to the wide world of design, revealing how a chance encounter with musician Imogen Heap kickstarted his career in a new direction. Andy discusses the challenges of marketing yourself, the evolution of social media in bringing him oppor
Owning your age as a freelancer: The Wrinkly Writer - Mary Cameron
Age doesn't matter.Until it does.Until you get the feeling people won't hire you anymore because you're too old.For Mary, she was 58. From New Zealand, but having spent 30 years in Australia in 'normal' full time jobs.Faced with ageism, she realised maybe it wasn't just that the interview panels didn't want her. Maybe she didn't want them anymore either. May
Winning freelance clients from Instagram & TikTok with logo designer James Barnard
James Barnard shares his journey of becoming a freelancer and the strategies he uses to find clients and grow his business. He emphasises the importance of niche specialisation. When James focussed on logo design it made it much easier to attract clients. Steve and James discuss pricing strategies in attracting the right clients. When to first discuss budget. And how James uses forms and a CRM to
Art Beyond the Arches: From McDonald's to a varied diet of design & illustration for freelancer Dan Bailey
Dan went freelance twice. First for creative freedom. Secondly to free him up for his family.Starting out as a designer for McDonald's but wanted a more varied diet of projects. With a lot of time freelancing in agencies, Dan learnt to stand out, be indispensable and build relationships to expand his chance of finding work. He also flexed himself creatively with illustration side projects (af
Copywriter Adri Kopp
From big cat zookeeper to taming words as a freelance copywriter, Adri's freelancing story starts a little differently. Burnout led to her quitting the zoo before even securing a paying client. A persistence in cold emailing, dealing with rejections that would have made many give up has led to warm relationships and a niche in emails themselves.Adri shares her approach to cold and warm emaili
Logo Designer Blesson Varghese
This time we're off to India to chat to self taught Logo & Brand Identity Designer Blesson Varghese.We cover the importance of networking, 'silent' mentors, balancing work and life, and the challenges faced by freelancers in a society that doesn't yet fully value creative professions. Additionally, Blesson shares insights on his approach to handling clients and projects, an
Virtual Assistant Erin Buck
Meet VA & Social Media Assistant Erin Buck. Not that she knew what that was 5 years ago.But then, she was happy working in a school. She didn't need to know.But then a twinge in Erin's back turned her world upside down.Nerve damage could left her housebound, watching daytime TV. Instead she propelled herself into an online business world she hadn’t known existed.Erin’s optimism, hard
Social Media Strategist Andréa Jones
Early success on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork led to Andréa expanding her services and horizons. Using video and podcasts she built trust. She also built an agency.Dealing with the challenges of managing a team, working around family, and staying focussed in a world of shiny objects.With the 'Savvy Social' Podcasts, YouTube, Membership, courses, retreat… as Andréa points out: it can
Exhibition Designer Rebecca Shipham - Revisited
In this episode, Steve catches up with previous guest Rebecca Shipham, a freelance exhibition designer with 13 years of experience. They first spoke for the Being Freelance podcast in October 2015 - you can hear how Rebecca got started by listening to that.Here we are, eight years on - time to hear what happened next, through the challenges and rewards of working directly with clients, her strateg
Copywriter Eddie Shleyner
In 2014 Eddie started the Very Good Copy blog. Using it to educate himself, to explore copywriting techniques whilst working in-house. But he wasn’t the only one reading it. As it grew in popularlity, people started reaching out, offering him work.He turned them down. Until eventually in 2020, an opportunity came along that was too good to refuse. So he quit his job and went full-time-freelance.In
PR Lucy Werner
From starting as a PR freelancer to accidentally heading a small agency, working with her husband and then transitioning back into solo freelancing, Lucy shares the challenges she's faced along the way - both professional and personal.As the creator of ‘Hype Yourself’, we hear how showing up daily even in her darkest days has built Lucy’s reputation. But maybe she wouldn’t quite do it all the
Webflow Expert Robert Smart
Study, determination, and a knack for design were going to take Robert out of his poor upbringing in South Africa. But the death of his brother, drew him back again. To help young people see a brighter future for themselves, he needed time. To have time, he needed to go freelance.Faced with the daunting reality of having to survive without savings or a backup plan just one month before COVID kicke
Web Designer Hannah Dossary
Hannah wondered how the people she met whilst travelling could afford to travel non-stop. It turned out, they were freelancers.And so began a journey into figuring out how she could make that happen, whether she’d like it when she did - and finding her niche along the way. Now back in the UK, she is ‘Hannah from Shiny Happy Digital Design’.Happy when working. Happy when on holiday. Happy to put he
Case Study Buddy Joel Klettke
Joel was originally on the Being Freelance podcast in November 2015.Now it’s time to catch up on the intervening 8 years. As he’s gone from a single solo copywriter to being a married father and founder of a company.We hear how Case Study Buddy grew out of a freelancing side project into a company with major clients and seven figure revenue. But is the grass greener? From freelance to founder - Di
Graphic Designer & Illustrator Sam Minton
Sam was drawn to freelancing when the bar he pulled pints for, asked him to design a poster.The writing was on the wall. Well, it wouldn’t have been a great poster otherwise. Sam became known as a designer/illustrator for bars, pubs and clubs.And then covid hit. Overnight all those places shut. But Sam’s happiest when he’s working…You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at
Brand & Web Designer Kayleigh Hall
For a long time Kayleigh didn’t even see what she had as a 'business'. She was trading time and skills for money.But a few years ago she embraced outside help. Coaches. Group coaching. Working with a strategist, a photographer and copywriter. She polished her brand and found her niche. With this new confidence and focus, her rate quadrupled. As did her satisfaction. Working with clients
Copywriter Franky Shanahan - Revisited
8 years after Franky first appeared on the podcast, it’s time to catch up.Still a freelance copywriter. Still in Bristol. But so much has changed. Not just her kids getting taller.In this episode, Franky shares how she had to reshape her business around a chronic illness, diagnosed less than a year after we last spoke.And how she found a co-mentor in the back in the taxi. It’s been one heck of a j
BONUS - LIVE Q&As with Prerna Malik, Beth Gladstone and Tom Garfield
In this special bonus episode of the Being Freelance podcast we take a selection of the regular Live Q&As that we host in the Being Freelance Community and let you soak up the wisdom once more.You can catch full video replays of all of our Live Q&As in the Being Freelance Community.In this episode, we've got:- Freelance content marketing and SEO strategist Beth Gladstone- Tom Garfield
Graphic Designer Liz Mosley
When Liz left uni, she was adamant she didn’t want to be a freelancer. And yet here we are, via starting a stationery business and a family. A 9 year gradual process which has resulted in her switching from treating her freelancing like a hobby, to firmly treating it like a business.Starting a podcast. Working with Adobe. Diversifying her income and having fun along the way.This is Episode 300 of
Lettering Artist Jackson Alves
This is actually the fourth time Jackson’s been freelance. He’s not just quit jobs, he even once quit his own company.But whereas the other times he was a ‘regular’ graphic designer, this time he’s spent a decade as a specialist: a lettering artist and calligrapher.Regularly posting to Instagram and Behance got him noticed and grew an audience as commissions from around the world reached him at hi
Copywriter Anna Rogan
Anna had built a career across corporate and government comms in Melbourne. But if she wanted to move her family out of the city and that meant first meant transforming the way she worked.Anna set out to prove she could match her past income, now as a freelance copywriter. The seeds she planted in the city are now bearing fruit. From a farm in rural Victoria she’s reaping the rewards - a business
Motion Designer Alex Liou
Alex trained as a musician. He followed a drumming dream to Nashville along with an internship at a 'mom & pop' business.There, they had him creating graphics and videos - those two things came together when Alex discovered motion graphics. He took to studying and developing as a motion designer. Self taught, he’s always been constantly trying to learn and improve.He didn't want
Marketing Consultant Ayo Abbas
Spring 2020. A pandemic lockdown. Doesn’t sound like the ideal time to build a business, but Ayo had 20 years of marketing experience as her foundations. And a love of marketing that she’d put to good use on herself.Specialising in the ‘built environment’ - think construction, engineers, architects - Ayo launched a podcast that raised her profile and brought her clients. Repurposing content across
Graphic Designer Victoria O'May
Brazilian creative Victoria was working in advertising in London when in 2013 she fancied a change.A change of pace, country and language, and to help her do that she figured she’d go freelance in Spain.After 3 years she took a job in an agency. Four years on she felt ready to freelance again. A pandemic and motherhood making the flexibility of working from home even more appealing.Second time aro
Fashion Photographer Marcelle Adrianna
It’s quite a winding route that’s taken Marcelle to be known as a fashion photographer. But from working in shops on London’s Oxford Street as a teenager, now her photos can be seen in those windows instead.Marcelle did lots of work for free early on but it built a network, a portfolio and a reputation that has since served her well. Whilst her training as a graphic designer has kept her working a
Recommended
Who We Are Now with Izzy & Richard Hammond
True Crime Investigators UK
Uk Mix RadioShow
CAA on General Aviation
Pod Save The King
Pride and Prejudice (version 6, dramatic reading)
InsideAIR
English Made Simple
Golden's Oldies
The CTO Lens
RHISE: Real History in Simple English (B2-C1, British)
Outsiding
