Being Freelance

Straight out of university Louise wanted to travel and start her career. Instead she had to start treatment for a major health scare.On the mend, she found a job in government, but decided to focus on making a difference in Health issues.10 years on she realised she didn’t have to follow this government path for the rest of her life. She could become self employed. She could use her expertise in Health to start off niched as a health copywriter.This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about! This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?Visit ahrefs.com/webma

It was when Greg planted the flag of his values that things changed.Instead of chasing jobs as ‘anyone’, he became ‘someone’ - someone people wanted to work with for what he stood for.Now Greg’s not just a graphic designer, but a Creative Consultant, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant and public speaker. Freelancing with purpose.This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about! This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today.  Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled u

After years of working her freelance life from 6pm-1am alongside other jobs, Raydene’s now gone full-time freelance. Working for herself. But not by herself.She’s set up a collective of freelancers to collaborate on projects. Sharing the work but importantly, sharing values.Far too many toxic jobs made her discover what matters. Kindness. Inclusivity. Philanthropy.She’s realised a business can be built whilst being true to yourself. Supported by those who get it too. This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about! This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.Want to get your freelance site more search traffic

When Ashwin moved from India to Ireland, it was more than just his surroundings that changed.At first he took any design work he could get. Then he decided to focus on being an illustrator. But the pandemic allowed him to pause and focus further. He wanted to be a visual storyteller spreading positivity and joy.His self initiated (and even self published) side projects brought that to life. They showed the work. Now they bring him work.Embracing an abundance mentality is bringing him - and us - plenty of joy for real.This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about! Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many m

When you work for a news organisation you're not allowed to let your personal thoughts out in your work. So when 2020 happened - the pandemic, George Floyd and beyond... Lo needed a way to express what she was feeling.She chose Instagram. And it wasn't long before big named brands chose her. Amazon, Adobe, American Express, The Ellen Show, Disney, Hulu, United Nations. All in her first year?!While the world locked down, it had suddenly opened up with freelance life to Lo. She was free to explore the expanding 'Lo Harris Universe'.This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Fr

When Claire moved from Ireland to France in 2009 she started picking up freelance work with the expat community.Since then she’s been on an even bigger journey. From a designer of ‘everything’ to a niche digital marketer. From ‘having lots of work’ to ‘having a business’. From working into the early hours with no life, to working a four day week with two months off in the summer.So much learned. Not just a new language. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.comLike VIDEO? - Check o

After years as professional dancer, Wayne started to make moves in a new direction.He picked up a camera and taught himself filmmaking. At first shooting what he knew - the dance world. Before stepping out into other genres and techniques including projection mapping and light installations.After a decade of freelancing Wayne’s realising the power of working with other freelancers. Both in promoting his business, pushing himself creatively and making his business bigger than just himself.  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

Tim Odofin always wanted to work in the media, but his day job was in local government. For years he would do voiceovers on the side of his job, often starting early, working late and even through lunch breaks. Finally, with a year’s buffer of cash saved up he decided it was now or never. It was time to go full-time freelance.That was three years ago and it wasn’t the savings that got him through - it was the relationships he’d invested in.Time to get Tim behind the mic, not for a voiceover, but to share his story of being freelance.This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many

From South Africa, to Scotland and now to your ears. This is the story of Suz Bird.Being made redundant, going through a separation, moving house, parenting… it might not have seemed like perfect timing. But volunteering her vast marketing experience to a charity suddenly led to the possibility of freelance work. Something flexible for her new life.A year later after referrals kept bringing her work she looked around and realised - “oh, so this is the business you always wanted to start, but you never knew you were going to..’Now we get to find out how she got serious about her business, her prices and her marketing whilst remaining fun and happy . Realising that when no one can offer exactly what you offer, you have no direct competition, so embrace it. This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is l

Afoma trained to be a doctor. Yes, an actual medical doctor. So how did she end up worrying more about the health of her business than of patients?Hear how Afoma forged a career as a freelance writer & editor working with clients from around the world from her home in Nigeria. First via UpWork, then through her own contacts. All without losing her love of writing.Alongside freelancing, Afoma runs a successful book blog, which serves as an income stream, living proof of her SEO skills, and as a place to just enjoy writing without a client’s feedback.And all this whilst working a four-day week?! Just what the doctor ordered. This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.T

Vic realised he didn’t just want to be a Spanish copywriter. He knew his strength was in being bilingual.He also knew other freelancers were using LinkedIn to great effect to find clients. So he formed a LinkedIn strategy and stuck to it.Creating quality content and making real connections. Now Vic has great recurring clients and writes in Spanish and English. Confident to say adiós (or goodbye) to the work that no longer interests him. This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect w

Chronic pain had left Kendyll unable to work. Stuck at home, depressed, her sister gave her a watercolour set, saying ‘If Henri Matisse can paint from bed, then you can too”.And she did. Every single day. Sharing her illustrations of food and household objects on Tumblr.Kendyll’s fine art education had helped her find relief from the pain. Unexpectedly, it also helped her find work when a celebrity chef with a magazine got in touch. A year and a half after that first commission Kendyll had the confidence to realise this was actually a career. She was a freelance illsustrator.From dealing with clients, budgets, contracts, deadlines, health, starting a family, diversifying her income… there’s been a lot to learn. And each client gives her a chance to do just that. Now Kendyll paints a picture of life for her being freelance as she chats to Steve in the first episode of Season 15. Enjoy!This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awe

Tom began freelancing right out of university after realising that the suit-and-tie life wasn’t for him. 12 years on, he’s built a strong and successful web development business and he’s now ready to branch out and try his hand at other things.When one of his tweets blew up and gained 2.5 million impressions, Tom seized the moment and wrote an ebook; the first in a lineup of digital products he’s creating to help freelancers get ahead. He’d always wanted to write a book and sell a product and he finds meaning in helping other freelancers to make their way.Tom shares that story and chats to Steve about finding clients, pricing his services and balancing his time. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the

Erica was born in Korea, where she studied and worked before moving to London in 2010 to complete a masters degree. After that, Erica stayed in the UK and built a career as a designer.Ready for a new creative challenge after 7 years in a full-time job, Erica began freelancing. Her first project helped her decide which direction to head in and it’s been a rocky but exciting ride ever since.She chats to Steve about figuring out how to introduce herself, exploring the potential in both London and Seoul, and pursuing better clients who respect her skills, time and processes. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website being

Kat freelanced on the side of her design jobs for years, with work coming in via word of mouth referrals from her large, local community. After designing day and night for years, Kat eventually pulled back on freelancing so that she could spend her free time exploring other creative pursuits.Later, Kat spent several years writing a book while still working as a designer for companies including Slack and Pandora. After self-publishing that book in January 2020, opportunities and offers began pouring in and Kat’s now freelance full time, speaking and facilitating around the topic of her book — cultivating better friendships in adulthood.She chats to Steve about finding community and connection, pricing her work, and writing a book and the self-publishing process. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help

Marco moved from Italy to London in 2015, ready for a big reset in his life and career. He quickly found a job in design but he wasn’t happy with the work he was doing. In search of more creative freedom and control, Marco began working with agencies and looking for a better job, but it soon became clear that freelancing was his best option.Today, that drive to create work he’s proud of is still steering Marco, and he focuses on building relationships with clients who trust him and his expertise.He chats to Steve about finding work, building a portfolio and being selective about the projects he takes on. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect with other freela

Nela Dunato is an artist, designer, and writer from Rijeka, Croatia. She likes to have fingers in 'many pies’, but equally has to balance the challenge of having so many hobbies that could also become work.As a freelancer she specialises as a brand designer. But she’s realised that once she’s created your logo and brand, she’s then in a position to offer you much more over the months and years. Drawing from her experience in web and print, she can take your brand and run with it.She's forged a successful freelance career working for 'human centered brands'. A form of business ownership she knows so well she could write the book on it. In fact, shedid.Nela discusses the great position bilingual freelancers are in. So many go straight for English language websites, but actually if you have a site in your native tongue too, you can make a far greater impact SEO wise in that smaller pond. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years

Oladimeji studied architecture but soon realised he wanted to make his own thing. Not a building or a structure, but a creative business that would free him from the nine-to-five.Developing the skills he learned in university, Oladimeji taught himself graphic design. He put in the hours to practise and got started by volunteering his services to local businesses.Today, Oladimeji works globally, offering a variety of design services to clients and creating content to educate and inspire the next generation of creatives.He chats to Steve about how he meets and keeps clients, why he creates content and how he found balance after burnout. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 240 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn fro

Mel’s freelance story began when she walked away from a job that she hated. She had a big network of contacts in her industry, and so she emailed them all to say she was going solo. She got a couple of jobs right away and built it up from there.Eight years on, Mel’s still freelancing and she says that she’s deliberate in everything she does. From how she plans her days, to the type of clients she takes on and the way she prices her services—Mel’s looking for order and structure in her freelance life.She tells Steve about how she keeps her eye on the big picture, continues to build her network and avoids the cycles of feast and famine. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 240 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn fro

June’s been freelance since 2008 when she left her full-time role in London in pursuit of creative freedom. Today, she’s on a mission to inject optimism into the world via her art and design work.With support from advisors and coaches, who’ve taught her the business side of things, June’s working towards a big goal. She wants to earn enough for her husband to retire. This episode is sponsored by the very first Being Freelance course!Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 240 freelancers.There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.Find out more about the course. Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.comLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland