EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside-----ABOUT THIS EPISODEIcelandic artist Stefán Yngvi Pétursson, also known as Styngvi, shares his journey from working in an ad agency to becoming a freelance conservation illustrator. Inspired by shocking pollution during a trip to Indonesia, Stefán decided to use his creative skills for environmental activism, or 'artivism'. He established a successful freelancing career through Instagram, but more recently has expanded his network and leads via LinkedIn and email outreach. With a growing online presence and support from platforms like Patreon, Stefán aligns his art and business with his values, promoting sustainability, environmental awareness, kindness and positivity. In this chat we explore his passion-driven career and his strategic pro bono work (including a collaboration with a major music star). But whilst it may feel like Styngvi may have found his calling, what to actually call himself is another matter. An ethical designer? A conservation illustrator? A science communicator? How about: a really great podcast guest?Enjoy!00:00 Introduction to Stefán Yngvi Pétursson02:47 Starting the Freelance Journey04:45 Discovering a New Path in Indonesia07:04 Building a Sustainable Art Career10:13 Navigating Business and Outreach18:24 Pro Bono Work and Strategic Collaborations22:54 Freelance Community and Networking24:18 Stefan's Portfolio and Online Presence26:02 Managing Freelance Workload26:59 Exploring New Content Strategies28:22 Balancing Work and Personal Life29:30 2 Truths/1 Lie Game33:42 Life on the Road as a Freelancer34:55 Crafting a Professional Identity38:01 Conclusion and Farewell 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 (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside-----ABOUT THIS EPISODEThis time, we explore both a metaphorical freelance journey and physical one.In 2015 Rebecca decided she wanted to travel whilst freelancing.After building up savings and clients for a couple of years, she headed off to Europe as a digital nomad. Travelling whilst working as a content writer and strategist.At first she did more sight seeing that client work, but as time went on she was ready to switch that balance. To settle for longer - both in terms of location and contracts.Rebecca shares insights on how she made the most of her network for initial clients, and adapted to changing freelance landscapes over the years through platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and Slack communities. She discusses the challenges and benefits of running a location independent business. (She’s currently settled in Bonn, Germany - but before that spent two years in Turkey!).Plus we hear about the importance of community, developing her freelance business with external help in mastermind groups and with coaches. Plus getting strategic by herself with regular quarterly 'CEO retreats' - taking time out of client work, to focus on what she's building herself. Because even if she's staying put for longer geographically these days, she's definitely still going places. 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

In this lively conversation, Dave Anderson, an animation director and illustrator based in Barcelona, shares his unexpected journey from aspiring tree surgeon to creating content for major podcasts like Joe Rogan. He emphasizes the value of networking and balancing client work with personal projects while navigating freelance life. Dave discusses the impact of remote work, automation, and AI on the creative industry, sprinkled with humor from his adventures in different cities and the art of selling prints. His reflections inspire fellow creatives to embrace their passion.

EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riverside----ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn this podcast we chat to South African freelancer Yolanda Sissing.From her base in the UK she explains how a near-death experience made her realise filling in KPI reports for a boss wasn’t what she wanted.She’s now found her niche freelancing for purpose-driven clients and shares her strategies for getting clients through networking, content marketing, LinkedIn and Instagram Lives. Yolanda discusses the importance of setting work-life boundaries, leveraging community support, and pursuing long-term goals (if you watch the video version you’ll get to see her actual mood board!). We also get an introduction to the Anti-Social Socialites - the community which Yolanda co-founded to help people uncomfortable with traditional networking. And from that, the power of LinkedIn audio rooms.She might not like small talk, but there's big things to enjoy about this episode.Available as a video podcast too - Watch Yolanda here on the site, on YouTube, or Spotify. 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 (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDERecord high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: beingfreelance.com/riverside-----------In this episode, Steve Folland interviews Helen Ridley, a freelance illustrator who has carved a unique niche in live event illustration.Helen shares her inspiring journey from studying fashion design to working in retail for over a decade and finally making the leap to full-time freelance illustration during the 2020 lockdown. She discusses the challenges and rewards of building her business, the importance of pitching and persistence once you have a contact, and her success with live portraits at events, including a notable partnership with John Lewis. Helen’s not just pursuing her passion. She’s focussed her freelancing on what’s actually profitable.Helen also delves into her collaborative creative workshops and retreats, strategies for email marketing and PR for freelancers, and the value of community and networking in the freelance world.00:35 Steve Folland's Introduction and Riverside Sponsorship01:21 Helen's Journey to Freelancing04:15 Transition to Live Illustration09:07 Success with John Lewis and Pet Portraits17:14 The 100 Rejections Challenge20:58 Collaborating on Creative Workshops25:49 Unexpected Bookings from Podcasts and Events26:46 The Power of Email Marketing28:10 Balancing Marketing and Live Events32:09 The Role of a Part-Time Job33:49 Promoting Yourself and Winning Awards41:54 Fun Facts: Two Truths and a Lie Game48:48 Advice for Aspiring 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 (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: beingfreelance.com/riverside----------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST EPISODE In this episode, Xavier Buendia shares his journey from Mexico City to Brighton, and more importantly from the world of hospitality as a sommelier to a career as a successful freelance photographer.Xavi discusses the importance of people skills, marketing consistency, self-confidence, and believing in yourself. He highlights both the financial benefits and creative downsides of having routine retainer clients; his pivot when COVID and Brexit hit the food industry he’d relied upon. And his recent experiments with hiring a very human PR and using AI – both to help his business in different ways.00:00 Introduction to Xavi Buendia02:04 Xavi's Freelance Journey Begins03:16 Moving to England04:04 Discovering Photography04:38 First Photography Gigs06:57 Building a Photography Business07:24 Using Social Media for Business08:19 Learning Business Skills09:08 Expanding the Business12:11 The Role of Customer Service17:01 Challenges of Freelancing18:11 Managing Work and Life19:28 Embracing Food Photography20:20 Lockdown and New Opportunities21:13 Impact of Brexit on the Food Industry23:18 Networking and Diversification28:14 Managing Retainers and Routine Challenges37:01 Working with a PR39:18 Advice for Freelancers and Relocation Insights   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 (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: beingfreelance.com/riverside----------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST EPISODE In this episode of the Being Freelance podcast, host Steve Folland interviews Kate Taylor, a seasoned podcast producer and founder of the Feast Collective.Kate discusses the highs and lows of her 20-year freelance career, emphasising the importance of personal relationships and trust in bringing word of mouth work.She shares the journey of starting the Feast Collective to combat the isolation and stress inherent in freelance work, fostering a supportive community for audio professionals. Very much a sense of not seeing your peers as your competition. It's an interesting taking on freelancers working together and growing together.Kate also opens up about her personal fears, the rejection she's faced, and the strategies she uses to maintain work-life balance.The episode celebrates 10 years of the 'Being Freelance' podcast - Thanks so much for listening and being part of it! 00:00 Introduction to Kate Taylor and Feast Collective00:39 Podcasting with Riverside - SPONSOR MESSAGE01:52 Celebrating 10 Years of Being Freelance03:20 Start of Kate Taylor's Freelance Journey08:49 Building Relationships in the Audio Industry12:33 The Birth of Feast Collective15:41 The Structure and Focus of Feast Collective23:15 Challenges and Successes in Freelance Audio Production29:03 Balancing Work and Life as a Freelancer30:20 MESSAGE - Join the Being Freelance Community31:50 Dealing with Rejection in Freelancing34:39 The Importance of Awards and Recognition38:06 Climate Change and Podcasting41:59 Game: Two Truths and a Lie48:57 Advice for Freelancers: Wisdom from Experience51:28 Wrapping Up: Join the Being Freelance Community 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 (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: beingfreelance.com/riverside----------- ABOUT THIS PODCAST EPISODE Hear how Dave Officer, a freelance graphic designer got started and finds clients in this episode of the Being Freelance podcast hosted by Steve Folland. Dave shares his late leap into freelancing, discussing the challenge of overcoming the urge to procrastinate by consuming endless information. Discover how Dave transitioned from a steady job to pursuing his passion later in life, using creative networking strategies and leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to build his brand. If you're wondering if LinkedIn video can bring you work... yes it can. Dave is the proof. But how is he doing it? Stand out. Bit that bit different to the 20 who came before. With plenty of humorous anecdotes and practical advice, Dave's story is a must-watch for any aspiring freelancer looking to make their mark, or established self employed creatives who are trying to find clients on social media.   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 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