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 outweigh the benefits - find what works for you and don't be afraid to change your plan His side projects are shared openly on the web and along with his blog and speaking engagements, serve to bring him work by showing the world he knows his stuff Right now his young family is important to him so he only works 4 days a week - if a client isn't happy with that then they're probably not the sort of client he'd want to work with The Full Frontal conference came about because of a gap in the conferences being offered at the time - if you want something that doesn't exist, why not try creating it too?! More from Remy Remy on Twitter Remy's Blog Remy's Business Remy's 5 part blog post on his JS Bin side project Full Frontal Conference Useful Links What is Open Source? What is Palm Pilot? What is ZX Spectrum? Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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

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 alone by using twitter to form a network of freelancers to chat to both creatively and for company submitting an entry for an award, makes you take stock of what you’ve done and celebrate your achievements winning gave Rebecca a boost in confidence that’s improved her work stick to what you’re good at - don’t do everything, find your niche, your expertise - “Find what you’re good at and do that, don’t try and do more” More from Rebecca Rebecca's site: Ships and Pigs Rebecca on Twitter Creative Briefs Useful Links IPSE (The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed) Policy Bee Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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 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 people and see if they will link to your site or particular posts as those links help your SEO Monitor the analytics of your site/blog so you can see what’s working well for you Keep your time scales for projects realistic, with ‘air’ in them for flexibility Think about what you want in your contract: how will communication work? Will paused projects get restart fees? etc When starting out, just get your website out there and evolve it as you go. If you need help designing so it reflects the quality of your brand, then hire someone! Try and get some clients to hire you on a retainer so you have a baseline amount of money coming in each month, it takes the pressure off Work/life balance should be what you want it to be: don’t get hung up on what others expect; if you love to devote a lot of time to your work/side projects, there’s nothing wrong with that, don’t feel guilty More from Tim Tim B's site Tim B on Twitter Tim B's blog Tim B's podcast Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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

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 within a niche of 'weddings', she did an internship within the industry and developed contacts 95% of her work comes via word of mouth Don’t adopt other people’s goals - there’s more than one definition of success; find your own More from Franky Her 'Love Audrey' blog Franky on Twitter Franky on Intsagram Franky on Pinterest Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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 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 time For Tim, side project collaboration is key: share the risk and the reward. It also helps with the isolation of freelancing Stop worrying about and chasing work and take that time/energy to create amazing things that draw work to you It gets to the point when you become confident the phone will ring Don’t fear time of no work between jobs, embrace it to develop yourself Doing his podcast has been a great networking opportunity of meeting incredible script writers; it’s got him to be better known within the industry More from Tim Tim's site Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg? film site UK Scriptwriters Podcast BFI London Film Festival page for Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg? (October 2015) Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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

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 service to make it more obviously available or open to a wider audience? identify negative patterns in your workflow; how can you break free of them? DON’T FREAK OUT! find a way to mitigate anything that freaks you out, put yourself back in control communication with clients is key; be clear about what you're doing, when and why - how is it going to be benefit them? ask for feedback from clients after every engagement More from Louisa Louisa on Twitter Louisa's site & blog Louisa's company Superhuman Limited Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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

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 to follow people and feel the messages are real More from Ian Logo Geek site Logo Geek on Twitter Useful Links Buffer Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up. 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

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 and get going. Constantly reassess and tweak what you’re doing and offering More from Janet Janet on Twitter Janet's site Janet on Instagram Useful Links "The $100 Startup" by Chris Guillebeau Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland 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

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 appeal Paul deliberately targets marketing at specific sectors (particular niches such charities) Don't just rely on inbound marketing: approach people as well, be it in person or even on twitter. Paul also includes companies/people he'd like to work with within his blog by way of introduction. Paul's charge out rate is based on billing 50% of his time, then the remaining 50% of time can be spent marketing/bringing in clients and affords the opportunity to be choosy about who he works with How is he so productive? He puts it down to planning and using the Getting Things Done (see links below for book) model Be careful not to over commit - Paul doens’t turn down work, but is very clear as to when he can do it You can’t just bring in enough money to cover your expenses each month, you’ve got to create a cushion Don’t let yourself get burnt out - look after yourself and take time out: you can get the same amount done, you just have to work smarter If you’re offering a consultant service make sure you have insurance You’re hired on reputation - do you know your stuff and are you likeable? Write/speak as you are, let some of your personality out - Paul even records videos of his blogs to sit with his blog post Make your business work for your lifestyle - don't let your life be your business More from Paul Paul on Twitter Boagworld site Boagworld podcast Useful Links Getting Things Done - by David Allen Evernote Headscape Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland 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

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 lists on her site very clearly what services she offers and what her rates are: it cuts out the leads that go nowhere If you’re working across time zones, don’t risk missing a deadline, always finish a day early Communicating via email rather than on calls gives a paper trail of information, cuts down confusion Her side ‘passion project’ saved her from client-work burnout When you’re starting out, if you need to work low paying jobs, that’s fine, so long as you don’t get stuck Go with your gut. If you agree with the advice you’re hearing fine, otherwise do what works for you More from Samar Samar on Twitter Samar's professional site Samar's passion project 'Freelance Flyer' Useful Links Damn Fine Words Men With Pens Commit Action (remote mentoring) Peter Shallard - Shrink for Entrepreneurs Guest Blogging Course Copy Blogger Authority Who the hell is Steve Folland? You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be? Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com Track him down on Twitter @sfolland 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