Being Freelance

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 the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Thanks! Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Remy worked for a company for 9 years before becoming self-employed; he gradually left that job by going part-time, giving him a safety net as he became freelance Working in a company first gave him lots of experience that's helped him hugely become the business he is today He always thought growing his business to be a company of 6 would be perfect, but actually has found the stresses that come with employing staff and running an office

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 finds time for a holiday. Don't forget to subscribe via iTunes and the Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Thanks! Here’s some of the key takeaway points: there’s always going to be people out there who are better than you, just accept it and do the best that you can stay on top of the latest technology, always keep learning trading under a business name (instead of her own) made her feel like a business, treating it like a business, promoting like a business she copes with the isolation of working al

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 scroll down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Working for an agency gives you experience that helps you in your freelance career: the processes, the client management Create content for your site that helps your potential clients - not only does it place you as an authority, but if done regularly massively helps your SEO Create longer form blog content (think of them almost as chapters of a book - maybe one day it will be!) - it helps provide greater value for longer and establishes you as authority Reach out to

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 for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Don’t feel guilty about arranging child care, especially in holidays; it will mean the time you spend together really is properly spent together so everyone’s happier Franky tries to only work during the school day: the strict hours keep her focussed Remember, you're not only networking at 'networking events, any time you meet someone could lead to work further down the line so first impressions count Franky writes mainly wi

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 down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Tim started freelancing by going part-time at his job When people say ‘what do you do?’ He tells them what he’s done Side projects shouldn’t be considered ‘side’ projects, they’re projects - they’re not fluff, they’re investing in you Use side projects to evolve your skills and creativity in the direction you want to head; the worst thing you can do is… nothing With your side work you start to build gravity and people start to be drawn to you for what you do, instead of chasing work the whole tim

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 (July 2015), Louisa's longtime collaborator Ayman Maat has become a full partner in Superhuman Limited. Busy, busy, busy. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: working as a company with its own name and brand can open you up to bigger clients than a single freelancer could ever get, no matter how good your CV identify patterns in what clients ask of you… is there a way of productizing that

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'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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Make social media part of your daily routine Use an app like Buffer to schedule social Keep it up! If you're creating a brand on social, be consistent and persistent If your account is for a professional feed, don't get too personal or deviate from that theme - don't forget why people have followed you Make your twitter pic human, not a logo, people like

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 Podcast app for iPhone etc and also via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Niche and then focus further - what are you enjoying doing most? Think: where do my ideal clients hang out? Janet finds a lot of work through interacting in Facebook groups Find a local Mastermind group to develop yourself as a business person; you'll also grow your network If you’re thinking of starting out… there’s nothing to stop you; don’t build pysological barriers to hold you back. Build your online brand an

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 personal brand, built up over years that positions him as the go to expert. Podcasts, videos, blogs, books. We take a peek inside the workings of Boag World. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Paul is proof of the power of content marketing. Other people could have his same skills, but do people know about it? Plus it lets potential clients get to know him before they even meet him. As well as broad web ap

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 via Stitcher who have an Android app, or scroll down and download from here - If you like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Invest in yourself - lots of courses also offer support in their online community (see links below) Find yourself an accountability partner, use a remote mentor if you need to If you’re a writer who does a lot of ghost-blogging (it’s 50% of Samar’s work), you can’t show that in your portfolio, so guest blogging with your name on it is key Write guests blogs by targeting which topics your prospective clients want to know more about Samar l

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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Do something you love and it shines through to people When doing a side project, set yourself a deadline. Collaborating with someone else on a side project can be inspiring and also makes you more accountable. Speak at conferences, give interviews, appear on podcasts, give workshops, make friends at events - all of this gets your work known. Being in a specialised niche can allow you to charge a higher day rate Don’t feel like you have to hire a desk somewhere ‘cool’ - how about setting up your own space with othe

How do you go from being a locksmith to being the voice of BBC Radio 1? From house entries to House heroes? From working on people's doors to knocking on doors that opened up a world working with his dance music heroes. As a voiceover and in demand audio imaging producer to the world's biggest DJs, Stevie's business took off but he had to figure out how to run that business too. And when it all went a bit Pete Tong, he found help in a mentor. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: If you get a feeling that you want to do something, follow it through If you're a home worker, keep a space just for that, try and distance it from your 'home' life Use a timetable to stay productive - lock things into your diary and honour them Have processes in place to manage the admin side of y

Passionate about video production, at the start of the millenium Neil soon grew from being a freelancer to being a company owner. But when the recession hit he realised being good wasn't enough. He needed to be marketing his business. Having laid everyone off he set about growing again, but this time with lessons learned... Neil's is a great story of the buzzes and challenges of growing your business, with great tips from his marketing strategy and also on what he looks for in the freelancers he now hires. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Neil's always traded as a brand rather than himself which made it easier to grow as a company Don't let one or two clients become the bulk of your business, what if they disappear over night It's not enough to be good at what you do: yo

Danny Margulies quit his job. Next he wrote 'how to make money writing' into Google. Two days later he had his first client on freelance marketplace Elance. It's become his sole place for finding work. Fair to say, he's making more than enough money writing now. He's since started a course teaching the techniques he's picked up to win at freelancing online. You can get Danny's top 5 hacks for succeeding as an online freelancer here. Let's be clear: Danny does not work for Elance. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Be prepared to earn less to begin with while you build up your reputation (after each job you get 'reviewed') Check out your competition - figure out what you could be worth Don't be afraid to learn as you go - there are loads of online resources to teach you (Da

Freelancer Ebonie Allard went from TV to a successful Virtual Assistant business... until she broke under the strain. Hear how she went from breakdown to breakthrough and retrained as a coach to other self employed 'misfits'. She shares lots of great lessons her and her clients have learned along the way and includes great insight into building a business via social media/blogging/email list. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Work shouldn't be your whole life, don't forget the down time (besides it's actually when you'll often be most inspired!) Avoid burnout, learn to say 'no'. Saying 'no' to one thing, means you can say 'yes' to something else Develop your niche, it will help focus every element of your business; you'll know what your niche is, it'll be a gut feeling of

Olly Newport's a 20 year old camera op/video editor who has never been anything but freelance. Faced with a future of high univeristy fees he chose to take his film making passion into a freelancing career instead. Steve Folland discovers the challenges he's faced with a steep learning curve in business. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Network with those within your field, the competition aren't a bad thing, it pays to get to know them To find his first freelance gigs he simply started asking those he knew around him and built it from there Creative collaborations can lead to more work over time as you work on each other's projects Finding his finances out of control, he became obsessed with spreadsheets and opened 4 bank accounts: business, current, saving, tax. Ever

Fraser Davidson is a BAFTA award winning director, animator and designer. You'll find some crafty and candid tips in here whatever field you work in. He's been staff, he's been freelance and now he's a year into co-founding a company. He chats about developing side projects to get dream projects, finding his niche, how nice guys get paid last and what's it been like starting his own studio. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: You're nearly there with your dream job, don't go all through uni/college training and just give in to taking jobs soley for the money Do side projects you're passionate about, be creative and use that to get your dream work Don't over deliver early on, you'll dig yourself into a hole you're not getting paid enough to get out of Find your niche. You'

Photographer Casey Gutteridge doesn't just take pictures, he takes every opportunity to build his connections and that builds his business. This time, Steve Folland discovers how a local newspaper snapper ends up with leading entreprenneurs and even royalty in the frame. Plus, how Casey always goes the extra mile to keep the customer satisfied and is using social media to help build buzz for his clients and bring in new ones. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: ‘People remember people’ - all of Casey’s work has come from referrals Help people out along the way and it will come back around Casey worked for free for a lot of charities to both expand his portfolio (trying new techniques out) and has found a lot of charity people have moved on to bigger charities and events of

Steve Folland finds out what it’s like being freelance for US born and now Manchester based blogger Kimberly Duran. How she balanced a successful blog with a full time job until the time was right to start officially being freelance. With great advice on blogging, diversifying your income, selling yourself and making and keeping an eye on your goals. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: When approaching people, tell them what they will get out of the relationship - that’s what they care about If you’re blogging, be authentic, let a bit of your real self out there How Kimberly created a professional 'Media Kit' to help explain explain herself and her proposition to companies If you’re a blogger: beware the temptation of sponsored blogs, don't jeopardise your relationship wi

Steve Folland chats to Art Director Sam Clark-Hall. Due to the nature of the TV/film industry, Sam's never had a 'proper job', so with over 15 years of freelancing under her belt has plenty to share on staying afloat financially. Plus in recent years she's been balancing ambition with starting a family and doing something you love around those that you love. 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 like the podcast, please do leave a review if you get a chance. Here’s some of the key takeaway points: Be sensible with your money, save a little extra for your tax and for your bills each month, so if you find yourself without work you've got a buffer to fall back on When Sam started a family, she and her husband based their lifestyle on just one income as if she'd not work again; now that she does, it's all a bonus Being freelance gives you great flexibility to be with your family, y