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 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

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 Illustra

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 co

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 import

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 bui

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 h

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’,

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 foc

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 t

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

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

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 ment

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 busin

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

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 merchand

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

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 be summed up quickly, but it happened slowly… With client work still the bulk of her income. Building intentionally as her family grows too.Andréa is the host of the Savvy Social Podcast - so, since you like podcasts, go track that one down too.As ever, Transcript for this episode is at beingfreelance.comYou can also find a video version of this podcast on YouTube. 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 a

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 strategies for attracting and maintaining clients, the impact of the pandemic on her business (as exhibitions closed down overnight!), but the positives that emerged from it 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

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 our conversation Eddie shares the process of building his newsletter audience, his decision to create courses whilst not abandoning client work, the danger to work/life balance when you get a high from creating, and the importance of not just growing for growth’s sake.FULL SHOW NOTES and TRANSCRIPTION AT BEINGFREELANCE.COM02:04 The Growth of Very Good Copy02:58 Transitioning to Freelance03:52 The Power of LinkedIn for Growth05:12 Taking the Leap into Full-Time Freelancing06:02 Maintaining a Steady Stream of Leads06:57 Choosing Projects and Setting Rates08:44 The Importance of Testimonials10:37 The Role of Regular Co