Lessons from 29 years of Freelancing

Today is National Freelancer Day...a day where we celebrate and recognise the important role that self driven, and self motivated, skilled professionals play in the world of business...oh and remind the rest of the world that rarely do we work from our laptops on a beach despite the dream that is sometimes sold.

I now have a fulltime role, my first in over a decade (my Mum is soooooo happy) but despite this move, I am still just as passionate about the power of Freelancing to help you build a portfolio career to be inspired and motivated by long term.

Next year will mark 30 years in business for me, as I was just 16 when I got my first paid freelance job...(ooops just gave my age away) as I am not sure my previous entrepreneurial attempts (car washing, delivery of taxi cards, babysitting) quite count.

That first paid Freelance gig was a 6 week project role as an assistant director on a local community arts programme called "We all came from somewhere else" and I was put forward for the role by my Drama teacher who was pretty much one of my only allies and advocates at school.

I was in 6th form at the time, studying for a BTEC 1st in performing arts...I didn't really know what I was going to do with my life, so I was just following the thing that interested me and trying not to get into too much trouble.

I spent 2 weeks of my Easter Holidays on that job, supporting the director and managing groups of local young people. It was a job that looking back has influenced almost everything I have done since...a powerful and impactful project about identity, and opportunity, and belonging.

That was 29 years ago.

The great thing about project based work is that for someone like me who is interested in EVERYTHING, and a bit of a generalist, it fuelled my thirst for adventure, learning and creativity....and most importantly put money in my pocket.

That one project was all I needed under my belt to have the courage to pitch for other similar projects still in my teens, to respond to adverts on ArtsJobs an early email newsletter, to show up at local regeneration consultations to see who was who in the world of regen and the creative sector.

I would become chair of a local arts organisation at the age of 21, managing pots of funding to support local artists...other Freelancers and creatives.

A few years later I remember having my first meeting with the tax man (he actually did a home visit when I still lived at my mums) and went through all my self employed responsibilities...and encouraged my unhealthy love of stationary (its tax deductible of course)

Over an almost 30 year career I haven't exclusively been a freelancer, I have had a number of full time roles, and been founder/CEO of a creative consultancy company since 2008, which has served as an umbrella company for many of the ventures I've got off the ground.

In the early days of my career I didn't even have a business card, let alone a website, instead I had an enthusiastic CV, a Hotmail email address and a growing network of people who could vouch for my work as a creative artist, project manager and facilitator...and the work just found me.

Twenty years on...the landscape is very different.

So here are my top lessons...

1. Start Local, think Global

Even though we work in a much more global way these days, I am always surprised at how many Freelancers ignore opportunities on their doorstep. Whether that is local in terms of geography, or simply by proximity, by which I mean, often new contracts and opportunities come via people you know...friends, family, people at your gym, or church.

I started my career predominantly working in East London (Newham), and the Thames Gateway, but have worked all over the world now. Often focusing on what is going on in your own area, and really listening to the challenges and opportunities at a local level, can help you scale up and offer things further afield.

I am enjoying being back in a local area again...but we have globally significant companies in our building, and are ambitious in our vision for the area.

2. Always be telling

I hate the expression "Always be selling" or "closing" or "prospecting" but i love the idea of sharing what you are up to, telling folks what you are working on, sharing case studies, talking about your skillset, your interests, the types of projects you love to work on...if potential clients can't see you working and loving your work, they will find someone who is telling them whats important to them.

Social media gives us a wonderful opportunity to tell stories, but don't be afraid to share stories in other formats too, regular podcast appearances, speaking opportunities, panels, in person in conversations.

I know that it is the stories of the business owners in our centres that really get people to take note, one of our customers has recently become the nutrition partner for Team GB in Paris 2024... the founder's story, is phenomenal.

3. Stay curious

If something looks interesting, pursue it, but be mindful not to use shiny new things and cool events and projects as a way of procrastinating from the "real work". Not every interesting thing turns into a tangible profitable opportunity...but every thing you choose to do in your business leads to an opportunity to learn.

I learned very early on that morning networking meetings were not for me, they energised me in the moment, but often left me feeling exhausted, and disappointed with the depth of connection that was created...whereas appearing on other peoples podcasts feels like a better use of my limited time, and isn't restricted by time zone, or location.

A recent trip to London tech week for me last week shows that my curiosity is still as strong as ever...robotic dogs as an alternative to having a real pet not withstanding.

4. Personal Brand Matters

There are two schools of thought about niching...

A. Pick a lane, and stick to it so you become the go to person on that topic/skill/niche

B. Be yourself, go where your curiosity takes you, communicate what you do NOW and how your varied past contributes to helping people with the problems they need help with

There is no right or wrong. If I had stuck to what I did in the early part of my career, I may well have reached the pinnacle of directing, producing, choreographing within the community arts sector...however I would never have had all of the adventures I have had since, in regeneration, the fitness industry, and entrepreneurship.

The same core values have driven me over the years though, so even if on paper it looks like I have done a million things, for me my career has felt cohesive, creative and always about enabling change.

5. Keep an eye on your pipeline...and not just of sales

As a Freelancer, a Solopreneur you wear ALL OF THE HATS...you are not just the doer, but you are the thinker, the marketer, the seller, the administrator...all of the errs.

Getting the balance right is super important, too much time spent on delivery and you can look up and realise you have no work in the diary for big chunks of time, too little and your cash flow takes a hit.

But also where in your year do you get down time, holidays (you know they are a thing right?), creative retreats, space for development of ideas.

You might want to judge some of this intuitively, or maybe there are some natural seasonal ebbs and flows, but if you are likely to forget or ignore the need to have a life outside of your work...literally diarize it.

Freelancer life is not for the faint hearted, when I think about the hoops I have jumped through to stay solvent and sane over the years, the creativity and adaptability that is a prerequisite for the self employed.

Many Freelancers are still recovering from the impacts of COVID, have seen their industries and sectors change significantly, and are having to get their head around technological developments, and innovations.

So if I have any final messages for you its is go forth and prosper, try not to spend too much time alone, and mostly thank you for your contribution to the world of business and commerce

We salute you.

At Broxbourne Enterprise Centres where I am Innovation Director, we are running a summer series called Freelancer Fridays, to encourage the creative sector and other local solopreneurs to come and see our sites, and to get involved in the work we do here.

Get Involved

• Check out our Freelancer Friday workshop series here
• Visit either Hoddesdon or Theobolds Centres (our centre staff are expecting you lol)
• Book one of our FREE Virtual Get Unstuck Sessions