Being Freelance

From an officer to a gentleman's go-to-freelance photographer. Andy left the army and soon found he had enough orders for capturing images of bespoke, tailor-made products, lifestyle and more. He shares his story on making a name for himself, making face-to-face connections and even making his own magazine to create his dream work. Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the...

"You have the chance to carve the career of your dreams, so dream!" Amy didn't just settle for regular copywriting gigs. She didn't just settle for speaking/training around the world. She kept 'checking in on herself' and tweaking her career path. Today she regularly hits publish on blogs, videos, podcasts and her own 'scalable' income (rather than passive)...

Rachel's found inspiration, support, friendship and even clients in the communities she's joined online. Be it through courses she's paid for, Twitter or private Facebook groups she's joined (or started!), she's realised you don't have to freelance alone. She shares her story: from finding her niche - the wake up call to her business, to finding herself in hospital -...

After struggling to find work after uni, with a year of bits, bobs and benefits, Kristian finally found the real benefits of a mentor, working for an established freelancer. Now, he balances 2 jobs. One with a full time employer, the other: his freelance career. Kristian's experience of breaking out in to his freelance dream is full of ups and downs. Lots to learn. Oh. And a daredevil cat. He...

Jamie went from gigging musician to composer for TV, film, games and stage. Here he shares how it's all played out so far: heading back to uni, collaborating over Skype, mangaging his own band, the passive income of library music and how getting his own studio scaled up his work load and kept his home in harmony. Love a music pun. You keeping score? Check out our site for more great guests an...

Hear how Natalie went from the RAF to flying solo as a freelance illustrator. Along the way she's found her niche, an agent and a dog... but it feels like almost not enough hours. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Natalie found her niche of Children's iullstration naturally, it was just what she found herself alway drawn (pardon the pun) to As an illustrator, getting an agent has m...

Col quit agency life to be his own boss. As you'd expect, he's very deliberate about selling himself; he shares his experiences of SEO, content marketing, pay-per-click and even finding media opportunities to get yourself known. Col's also made it a lifestyle business. Rather than taking on every piece of work he can, he restricts his hours, keeps work and home very separate, steeri...

After a career freelancing behind the scenes in TV, Olly Mann has found himself in the media limelight. Found? Or put himself there? Olly's a writer for major publications, a national radio presenter, TV panelist and part of the podcasting elite. But how did all of these doors open for him? Not without knocking. And then pushing all of Olly Mann through. One half of 'Helen & Olly&apo...

After a year of the podcast Being Freelance... what's that 12 months actually been like being freelance for our very first guests? In this, the second of two special end of year episodes, Steve Folland chats to CSS consultant Harry Roberts and illustrator Jessica Morgan. Their challenges, their changes, their epiphanies, their year being freelance. Take a listen and also check out their origi...

After a year of the podcast Being Freelance... what's that 12 months actually been like being freelance for our very first guests? In this, the first of two special end of year episodes, Steve Folland chats to photographer Tom Miles, designer Liz Elcoate and audio producer Chris Hollis. Their challenges, their changes, their epiphanies, their year being freelance. Take a listen and also check...

Without Instagram would Jordan be shooting for some of the coolest fashion brands and bands around? A great mix of passion, talent and social (both media and life) has been the focus of his career. Which begs the question: nowadays, if you're a creative freelancer can you afford not to be 'social'? Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also...

Canadian copywriter Joel Klettke is focused on results. When it works for his clients it's working for him. This chat has a crazy amount of useful freelance tips in it as Joel shares thoughts on using a personal name vs a company one, what makes his freelance site stand out, how he came to be a TEDx speaker, networking, growing the business... and all of this whilst being the best looking man...

Over 25 years of being freelance for acclaimed TV and Live Event exec Jacqui Moore; this is a box-set of experience to binge on. An English woman in New York, she set up Brits In The Box to help others in the industry working overseas. Hear freelance tips on personal marketing, keeping connections alive, finding out what it is you're really after and taking care of yourself along the way. Don...

She trained as a Linguist. She worked as a Translator. She dreamt as an Illustrator. Eventually Landysh brought them together: co-founding Lingvistov, a Skype based language service which also allowed her illustrations to speak volumes in shouting about the business, so much so they've now become a product of their own. She shares thoughts on collaborating to expand your ambitions, how to suc...

JavaScript developer Remy Sharp's been freelance for nearly a decade and has never pitched for business. Hear how his side projects bring him clients, plus great thoughts on being a freelancing dad, the story behind his Full Frontal conference and how he found having staff and an office simply wasn't everything he'd dreamt it would be. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and t...

5 years after redundancy abruptly introduced her to self employment, exhibitions designer Rebecca Shipham was named IPSE Freelancer Of The Year. Ahead of National Freelance Day 2015, a year on from her coronation, we hear how she succeeds in her niche, deals with isolation, finds confidence in trading as company Ships and Pigs, how she gives back to the next generation of creatives and just about...

Tim designs and develops for local SME clients in his home city of Minneapolis. They all come thanks to the work he puts into establishing himself as a digital marketing authority both with blogging and podcasting. All that whilst refining his trade with work in an agency. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or...

Both Franky and her husband are self employed. How do they make it work for their young family? Hear how Franky's blog 'Love Audrey' gave her the confidence and the connections to go freelance, how she balances work and kids and why it's important to question what it really means to be successful. Pass the biscuits! Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app...

Tim is a freelance storyteller. As a BAFTA nominated film maker, video creative and script writer, he sees 'side projects' as investments in his business: producing work you love should draw people you'd love to work with to you. This... is his story. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll...

Strategist, speaker, designer and instigator Louisa trades both as herself and as her company Superhuman Limited, travelling from her homes in Berlin and London to make a difference across the digital world. A long career from startups and agencies to big corporations and even governments has given her great insights to share so hopefully we won't freak out. Note: since recording this episode...

Ian Paget designs logos as a freelance side project, but by using social media has carved himself out as an industry authority. This online brand means all of his work is generated by inbound enquiries. Worth geeking over. Chatting to Steve Folland, Ian shares his techniques and strategies both on social and in his creating his own site that have helped him build such a strong personal brand. Don&...

Janet quit her job in the US to travel the world. After finding herself she started finding clients as a freelance designer focused on e-books. From the slums of the Philippines she's emerged as the E-book Queen. Now back in the States, she's switched the advice of monks for mastermind mentors. Listen up: it's quite a journey! Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcas...

Paul Boag is a leader in digital strategy with over 20 years experience. He's been an employee, started a company and has now chosen to make his business suit his lifestyle: as a freelancer he's kept busy with consultancy, speaking, writing, training and mentoring. But that's jus the half of it. Literally. 50% of Paul's time is spent marketing himself. He has an incredible pers...

Samar Owais arrived in Dubai. She knew her husband. She knew she could blog. What she didn't know, she's learned online, investing in courses that hone her writing and business skills. With great tips on working with clients in multiple time zones, plus the power of remote mentors and guest blogging. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also vi...

Stefanie has exhibited at top galleries, spoken at conferences around the world and designed book covers for her heroes, but it's her passion projects that she does on the side that really make a difference to her success. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll down and download from here - If you l...