Being Freelance

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 her 12-year journey as a freelance graphic designer. And her approach to business has dramatically evolved so there’s plenty to share.Initially focusing mostly on magazine design work and raising her young family, the past four years have seen her embrace networking, community building, and new opportunities through social media and in-person events.Angela discusses how joining communities like Being Freelance, Digital Women (where she won Graphic Designer of the Year) and working on Freelancer Magazine as art director opened new doors and helped her overcome initial reluctance to put herself out there. She emphasizes how word-of-mouth referrals have consistently been her main source of work.And now? There’s no stopping her. She’s launching her own podcast called "Creatives Like Us" featuring people of colour in creative industries, and organising an event of the same name. She’s being mentored and mentoring others - Angela shares insights about the value of business programs like Santander's Women in Business, which helped her improve crucial aspects like invoicing and contracts.Ange says she loves talking to people. And that’s the essence of what’s brought her work throughout. This time she’s talking to us… Enjoy! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 shares his journey from agency copywriter to successful freelancer, highlighting how he transitioned only after establishing a strong reputation in the advertising industry. After working long stints at agencies, Thomas didn’t want to climb the career ladder and become a manager. He wanted to be doing the creative graft.Working alongside an art director partner, Thomas discusses how they maintain separate businesses while frequently collaborating. He explains the benefits of working with both agencies and direct clients, noting how each environment offers different learning opportunities and approaches to creative problem-solving.With freedom in his schedule, Thomas had time to finish his copywriting book ‘Junior’. Published in 2019, not only was it a hit in the advertising industry, but it got picked up in the start-up world. An unexpected promotional tool, it lead to speaking opportunities at companies like Spotify and events like Cannes Lions.The episode delves into the realities of freelance life, including managing work-life balance while working from home with a young child, avoiding social media, handling business aspects like contract negotiations, and staying positive during industry downturns.Thomas emphasises the importance of showing the work you want to do rather than what you think clients want to see. He recognises that freelancing is often being in the moment rather than looking long-term. So for now, spend this moment listening to Thomas’ freelancing story.--CHECK OUT THE FREELANCER GIFT GUIDEStack full of ideas of what to get the special freelancer in your life. Even if that's you:https://www.beingfreelance.com/freelance-articles/gifts-for-freelancers 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 initially getting the cold shoulder from cold outreach, Hazel soon found her niche creating purpose-driven work, particularly around feminist and social issues.A viral social media post early in her career led to work with major clients like Netflix, though she discusses the anxiety that came with sudden exposure.Hazel opens up about managing the rollercoaster of freelance life, including how she handles quiet periods - even training as a face painter as a backup plan. She discusses the evolution of her business, from client work to running an online shop, painting murals, and publishing a book.The conversation delves into the challenges of social media management, maintaining authenticity while building a following, and protecting creative work from plagiarism.Hazel emphasises the importance of in-person connections and pushing through comfort zones, sharing how speaking engagements have led to exciting opportunities.A key theme is staying true to your authentic voice - Hazel describes temporarily removing her women's health-focused work from her portfolio on advice from a mentor, only to realise this was diluting her unique perspective that clients value.  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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 Raymond Manzor shares his journey from teaching English in Paris to becoming a sustainability copywriter. His freelance career began as a French to English translator, specialising in medical translation. Over time, he transitioned to editing, proofreading, and eventually copywriting.Raymond discusses his start in freelancing, including cold calling and mailing potential clients. He emphasises the importance of positioning and messaging, sharing his recent efforts to rebrand himself as a sustainability copywriter. (How did he even land on that term?!)Ray talks about the challenges of creating a website, defining his niche, and the importance of researching market needs before launching his services. All very business like for someone who doesn't call himself a business owner.He highlights the value of building a community and networking, particularly on LinkedIn. Finding that balance between chatting to your peers and your potential clients.  He shares how most of his opportunities, including referrals and collaborations, have come through connections made on the platform. Virtual coworking has also played a huge part.There's so much to learn from Raymond about evolving in our freelance careers. It's a really fun conversation. He's good at chatting - and who knew that would be a key skill when finding work as a freelancer too? 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 freelancer from Panama, shares her journey from architecture to illustration and design. Starting with a chance Facebook event, Mariery discovered her talent for art. She had pretty firm confirmation she was good at this new offering when her first freelance client was... Nike.Yep. She just did it.Mariery discusses how her architecture background helps her manage multiple projects and timelines effectively. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in time management and clear communication with clients, especially in quoting and project planning.A pivotal moment in her career was participating in the London Illustration Fair, which confirmed illustration as her path and connected her with wholesale buyers. This experience taught her the value of pursuing projects she's passionate about, as it resonates with clients and leads to more fulfilling work.And if you love what you're doing, you'll keep going when it's tough. Because it will get tough.Mariery shares insights on balancing work and life, including her decision to live near the beach for a better quality of life. She discusses her approach to social media, preferring to keep her work process private and focusing on one-on-one time with clients. Avoiding the lure of becoming an influencer, whilst making the most of the connections social media can bring.She stresses the importance of having a community of fellow freelancers for support and understanding. Mariery also talks about the challenges of slowing down, especially after a health setback.Mariery operates under the studio name "Mezclao," which reflects her mixed heritage and approach to projects. She emphasizes the importance of personal work in attracting clients and discusses how she balances client work with personal projects.Mariery's work is bright and bold and that shines through in this conversation too. Enjoy! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 freelance voiceover artist, composer, and writer based in Manchester in the UK. You don't get to have a  35-year journey of self-employment without learning a thing or two. A lot to share in this conversation in amongst the laughs.Starting at 17, Emma knew she wanted to create her own job that combined her various interests. Her career began with recording for BBC Radio and quickly evolved into creating training playlets for businesses.Emma emphasises the importance of client management, getting clear briefs, and managing expectations.A key focus of our chat is Emma's systematic approach to business strategy. She conducts monthly "weather reports" to analyse trends in her personal life, work, and the wider world. This practice, along with quarterly and annual reviews, helps her stay agile and adapt to changes in the industry.Emma shares her experiences with various marketing channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and her Substack podcast. She notes how these efforts, particularly her podcast, have led to unexpected work opportunities, sometimes years after initial connections were made.And, yep - we had to bring it up. With AI unavoidable in the voiceover industry, Emma stresses the importance of being nimble and looking for adjacent opportunities. She advises us freelancers to focus on our unique skills, interests, and experiences to create new income streams.Throughout her career, Emma has weathered various economic storms by focusing on customer service, adapting her business model, and diversifying her income streams. She emphasises the importance of being aware of subtle economic shifts and being ready to pivot when necessary.So much good stuff in here and so much fun too. Whatever business you're in, it's all about the being freelance. Enjoy! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 Matthews, a seasoned freelance web designer celebrating an impressive two decades of independent business.Based in Weymouth on the UK’s South coast, Phil's journey started when an unexpected request came in whilst working in a computer game shop. Now we get to hear how he levelled up his freelancing career over the 20 years from there.In the days before Fiverr and UpWork, we hear how Phil went from creating websites advertised as eBay listings to building a loyal client base through word-of-mouth and stellar SEO practices, Phil shares his freelancing story - offering valuable insights on client relationships and the importance of recurring revenue streams.We hear his experiences balancing client work with family life, and how being freelance has allowed him to be present for his children's milestones. We also explore his approach to gathering and leveraging client reviews, a key factor in his business growth. Speaking of which, if you enjoy this podcast, please do leave a review 😘 Enjoy! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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, we meet Desire Lacap, a freelance filmmaker and content creator who took the leap into freelancing just a year ago. Desire talks about how she grew her social media following by sharing filmmaking tips and tricks, which led to brand partnerships and exciting opportunities like working with Adobe. We hear the challenges of balancing passion projects with paid work, the importance of avoiding burnout, but very much not-avoiding making real life connections in your industry. And here's a great freelancer philosophy -"passion over profit." If you follow the passion... the profit will come.We also have  insights into building a personal brand, managing client relationships, and staying true to your creative vision whilst keeping the customer happy as a freelancer. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 with traditional education systems due to undiagnosed ADHD and felt out of place in the normal working world. It all changed when she started her own freelance business - literally creating a job title for herself.Determined to make a difference in the inclusive language and accessibility space she set about educating others through content creation. Using LinkedIn posts, her in-depth ‘Fighting Talk' newsletter on Substack, and speaking engagements.Ettie shares her approach to flexible pricing, balancing pro bono and low bono work with paid projects, and maintaining work-life balance.Ettie also talks about crafting her freelance business around her values, the importance of branding and photography, and the autonomy and freedom that comes with freelancing. Through freelancing, Ettie’s created a role that draws on her neurodivergent strengths, whilst using the flexibility of freelance life to set a work schedule that protects her.She emphasises the need to set boundaries, take care of yourself, and embrace the opportunities for creativity and personalisation to suit your own needs that freelancing offers.   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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 Gilbert, a seasoned designer based in Colorado - who after years of freelancing on the side went full time freelance in January 2023.Multiple roles in agencies and tech startups gave him a tonne of knowledge in marketing, sales and processes that are paying off now. Brennan discusses the importance of time management, client expectations, and the intricacies of various business models, including subscription-based pricing. Yep, ‘subscription’ instead of ‘retainer’ - we dig deep into that one.A self professed geek, Brennan’s leaning into the business as much as the design. Not many freelancers create an ‘annual report’, or have frequent ‘Straturdays’ to strategise at the weekend. But, maybe we should? See/hear what you think. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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's journey to becoming a successful freelance social media manager, marketer and then beyond into running a membership and courses.She founded her business, HI Communications (when your initials spell HI you go with it right?) eight years ago. She quickly built her client list through word-of-mouth. Then things exploded when she moved to a new town where she new one person, but with the plan to become 'famous' there. Hannah knocked on doors. Started a local magazine, organised local networking events and even put together the first Barry Pride festival.Recently, Hannah transitioned away from social media management to focus on her membership program 'The Best 90 Days Ever', which offers daily prompts to help business owners. She's also written a book of the same name, which will be our next Book Club read in the Being Freelance Community!Hannah shares insights on balancing various projects, the importance of community in business, and her belief in taking the plunge into new ventures sooner rather than later.Above all, it feels like Hannah doesn't take no for an answer. If she thinks 'wouldn't it be cool if...', then she'll make it happen. And once it exists she won't stop shouting about it. Because if she wants to keep being a freelancer, she needs to keep visible and telling people what she can do.Such a huge lesson. Hope you enjoy the podcast! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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're following Kirth Noel's journey from starting photography as a hobby to turning it into a freelance business. Initially worked doing side gigs to fund his passion for photography (all that equipment soon adds up). Then as he became a father, Kirth transitioned to baby and maternity photography - delving into video production to help promote it.We hear how Kirth switched his niche again, following his interests whilst being very aware of what might work as a business. His freelancing shift to corporate videography, the strategic investments in equipment, and adapting to COVID-19 by focusing on product commercials. In the past year he's gone from a home studio with little risk, to working from a big rented studio where he can set up as a robotic video specialist focussing on 'visual engineering'. Using his experience as as an engineer on London's trains to tinker, experiment and solve problems that create incredibly inventive, specialised videos. All the time sharing his behind the scenes process to show what's possible, just as he did with the maternity photography years before.Kirth discusses his continuous learning, relationship-building within the industry & local area, and marketing strategies, including developing his presence on LinkedIn and plans for live events.There's a lot to Kirth's freelancing story for us all to take away, whether you're a videographer or not. Enjoy! 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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- working from home- building a one-on-one network- the benefit of writing her own book- being ‘niche resistant’.Because now the freelancing side hustle has firmly become the main income. Boredom banished thanks to Shea resisting the advice to niche. Her flexibility has become her calling card - it keeps her interested, learning, and happy - keeps her a freelancer. PODCAST SPONSORThis episode of the Being Freelance podcast is supported by Lulu.Printing your book on-demand, around the world, with you in control. Sound good?- Stand out as an expert- Land new opportunities- Diversify your income- Have the best business card everAnd of course a whole lot more when you write & publish your own book.Your words, your images and you’re in control.Join the millions who have already published with Lulu (a B Corp - hello!) & take your freelance career to the next level.Discover what Lulu could do for your business using this link. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 opportunities, and the importance of speaking to actual humans in the noisy digital age. Andy thinks the human touch distinguishes his work and approach in an era of AI and digital saturation. We also explore how the illustrations of ‘Quinn The Fox’ that Andy created to convey his own emotions have now turned into a successful homeware and print side business.It’s an inspiring and fun conversation filled with practical advice, heartfelt reflections, of goals realised or reworked and a deep dive into what it means to be truly freelance. Even if you don’t realise that’s what you are. Because sometimes ‘you have to be a bit cringe’ to be successful. Whether that be reaching out to people on LinkedIn, or talking about yourself to a popular freelancing podcast.   PODCAST SPONSORThis episode of the Being Freelance podcast is supported by Lulu.Printing your book on-demand, around the world, with you in control. Sound good?- Stand out as an expert- Land new opportunities- Diversify your income- Have the best business card everAnd of course a whole lot more when you write & publish your own book.Your words, your images and you’re in control.Join the millions who have already published with Lulu (a B Corp - hello!) & take your freelance career to the next level.Discover what Lulu could do for your business using this link. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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. Maybe it was time for a change. To reinvent herself.Someone suggested being a freelance copywriter. She didn't know what that was. But here are.10 years later. 'The Wrinkly Writer'. Owning, literally as a business owner, her age. Turning it to her advantage.Mary now lives in France. We chat about- building long-term client relationships- turning age to her advantage when business mentor Kate Toon suggested her new working name- continuous learning and passing on to the next generation as a mentor- her relocation to France, working as a freelancer in a different country with many clients overseas- achieving work life balance, prioritising her physical and mental health across the day and weekIt's such a fun conversation. Full of the joy of life and work life.  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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 help him filter who will be a good fit for his freelance business. James also discusses the role of social media in lead generation. We hear how he creates valuable content for designers and clients on Instagram and TikTok. On top of that, he shares his experience of hiring an assistant, not for admin like emails, scheduling and accounts, but for the 'grunt work' of design freelancing, and a copywriter to up his email game.Steve and James pick over the time and energy given to content creation, experiments with creating digital products like courses and working with brands like Adobe as a content creator/online business and design influencer. From a work life balance side of things, James discusses his move from the UK to Australia and how freelancing allows him to be there for his young family.Getting on camera has made a huge difference to James' freelance business and life. Not just through the connections and opportunities that have come via social media, but through the confidence it's given him in dealing with clients.There is a LOT going on his conversation. Enjoy!EPISODE SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside.Plus let AI help you out by creating social media ready clips, matched to your brand.You can even stream to the likes of LinkedIn and YouTube… and then repurpose that recording with AI summaries and video clips ready to go in before you’ve made a cup of tea to celebrate.See how recording 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 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 (after college tutors said he’d never make a living from drawing!)Adding a unique flair to his freelancer personal brand as 'Rubber Penguin’. Using a business name helped him be remembered and found - useful if you have a common name (Shout out to all the Dan Baileys of the world!). It also let him focus on adding character to his freelancing design work through illustration.When you're a freelancer, you're a business. And whilst Dan's time in agencies helped him with dealing with freelance clients professionally, he still struggled to have confidence in his value, his pricing - what he could charge for projects. Getting to know other freelancers and becoming co-mentors with them gave him a chance to discuss pricing strategies, finally getting that piece of the freelance puzzle in place.For all the talk of fast food, this is a slow burner of a career. Dan has gradually built his reputation within the industry. As a freelancer he's now getting the kind of work he wants to be doing at a price he deserves. Being able to to work around his family in a way that in-house demands would never allow.Happy Meal? No. Happy Freelancer? Yes. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 emailing. And discusses the way she pays attention to what in her work gives her energy. Adri appreciates the freedom and flexibility that freelancing offers and talks about how she deliberately chose to work less hours to avoid burnout, even if it meant earning less money.  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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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, and his continual quest for learning in his field  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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

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 work and ability to figure things out, won out.She has ‘ideas’. Ideas that found her a constant stream of work. That took her into online communities, that then supported her back out into the offline world. Ideas of a future spending winter in the sun. When the real ray of sunshine is her being her true self all along. It’s an inspiring listen. The flexibility of freelancing. Business growth and personal growth going hand in hand. Buck up your ideas. 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!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland