Being Freelance

Being Freelance

Author: Steve Folland Language: English Episodes: 100
Stepping away from the traditional career path to work for yourself is a journey filled with unique highs and lows. Being Freelance, hosted by Steve Folland, delves into that reality through candid conversations with those who are living it. Each episode is built around a freelancer's personal story, moving from their first tentative steps to the ongoing challenges and triumphs of running a solo business. You'll hear authentic discussions about finding clients, setting boundaries, managing finances, and coping with the isolation that can sometimes accompany the freedom. This isn't about theoretical business models; it's the practical, often messy, human experience of building a livelihood from your own skills. Steve guides these conversations with empathy, drawing out insights that are both reassuring and actionable. The podcast serves as a regular reminder that the questions and doubts you face are shared by others navigating the same waters. Tuning in provides a sense of connection and a wealth of hard-earned wisdom, whether you're just considering the leap or are a seasoned veteran looking to refine your craft. It’s a resource that acknowledges the tough days while celebrating the incredible rewards of designing your own working life.
Episodes
Her Niche Is Fishe - Becoming The Ocean Writer - Melissa Hobson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:45
Melissa spent over a decade in PR & Comms. She was good at it but she was drawn to the ocean. So she started pitching dive magazines on the side, moved to Mozambique to volunteer with a marine conservation charity, and w…
Becoming a Freelance Illustrator for Marvel, Disney and DC: Doaly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
How does a creative side project turn into a decade long freelancing business working with the biggest names in pop culture, like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, DC Comics, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures? All good super…
Business Name vs Your Own Name: Which is Better for Freelancers? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:55
It's a question Steve Folland gets asked a lot: as a freelancer, is it better to have a company name or use your own? In this compilation episode, Steve digs deep into 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive - pu…
Becoming the go-to freelancer in your niche - Jessi Illustrates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:42
Jessica Hartshorn was trained as an illustrator, but unable to get work as one she went in another direction. Jessica spent the next 16 years working in museums and galleries. But the itch to illustrate never went away.…
Freelancer BTS - Some things are more important [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:41
New episodes with fresh freelancing stories coming very soon. But as Jess Bruno said on her episode of Being Freelance: "Content can always blood wait". JOIN THE COMMUNITY You're not alone being freelance. Come and hang…
Stop Waiting for Clients. Start Making - Charles Commins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:04
Charles Commins handed his notice in at his pub management job with no plan and no business. His partner gave him one month to figure it out. All he knew was that he wanted to love his job. Seven and a half years later,…
Field Trip Fridays and Four Bank Accounts - Illustrator Perryn Ryan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
Perryn Ryan didn't set out to become a freelance illustrator. After a degree in computer information systems (to keep her parents happy), years in tech,, and a long stint in the fashion industry, she eventually gave hers…
Chase Those Late Payments - Graphic Designer Laura Whitehouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:13
Laura Whitehouse didn’t follow the usual path into graphic design. While studying archaeology and anthropology (told you) at university, she started designing posters for student theatre shows. At first for free, then fo…
How to Find Your Freelancing Niche [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:02
In this short compilation episode, Steve revisits conversations from across 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive to explore what actually happens when freelancers specialise in a niche. Full of stories of how…
When Freelancing Goes Quiet: Getting Proactive with Mark Grainger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:06
For years, Mark Grainger’s freelance business ticked along nicely. Referrals. Word of mouth. Repeat clients. And then… things went quiet. In this episode, we explore what happens when the reliable stream of freelance wor…