With at least 50% of Wales’s creative workforce classed as freelancers, it seems more and more people are deciding to take the plunge and ‘go it alone’ professionally. Whether it’s a case of needing more flexibility to balance your commitments, wanting ‘out’ of a toxic work environment, or simply seeking to make money doing something you’re passionate about, we’ve heard lots about peoples’ varying motivations for going freelance. But we’ve also spoken to people nervous about leaving the relative security and benefits of a full-time position, unsure how to manage the transition between being an employee and working for yourself and – frankly – baffled by the extra paperwork, processes and practicalities that are part and parcel of the ‘freelancer’ life.
So, with National Freelancers Day also falling in June, we thought this month was the perfect opportunity to delve into some of these issues in a bit more depth. And we were thrilled to secure the perfect speaker to guide us in this conversation – independent PR consultant, and founder of the Cardiff Wine Passport, Jane Cook.
Here are our main takeaways:
ALL experience is valid experience
don’t worry if you feel like you’re winging it, you’re actually gaining valuable experience, contacts and skills that you’ll rely on as a freelancer
When we’re stuck in the day-to-day reality of our work lives, it can be easy to feel we lack direction and a longer-term ‘plan’. Jane addressed this frankly in her presentation, taking us on a whistle-stop tour of her varied career history, sharing stories that ranged from ‘dead-end’ temp jobs to senior corporate positions. In identifying what key skills or experience she gained from each and every past job role, it became clear that it’s often only when we step back and take a more birds-eye view of our journey that it actually starts to make sense and we can see how each past role has been integral in building skills and shaping the ‘you’ of today.
The main takeaway for me: don’t worry if you feel like you’re winging it, you’re actually gaining valuable experience, contacts and skills that you’ll rely on as a freelancer.
Be ‘the voice’ in your area of expertise
In a crowded and competitive field, we all know that standing out is key. So, to really succeed as a freelancer you need to find your niche and become recognised as an informed, engaging voice in your area. With so many opportunities to get your ideas ‘out there’ through social media, this is easier than ever. For Jane, this happened naturally through her blog Hungry City Hippy, which focussed on sustainable food and travel and was timely in capturing the country’s growing ‘food story’ in a compelling way. Whilst this blog itself was a labour of love and not necessarily designed to cultivate business leads, it positioned Jane as the ‘go to’ voice in the industry, built her reputation and put her in a position where she could build authentic relationships with prospective future clients that eventually paid dividends. Whether it’s through a blog, social media or even in-person events, figure out what it is that really makes you tick and then make sure you’re getting your ideas in front of people who they resonate with.
Be genuinely interested
people don’t do business with business, they do business with people
We’ve heard it said before, but it bears repeating: people don’t do business with business, they do business with people. Whilst it’s important to grow your pipeline of leads, most of us can sniff a pitch a mile away, and it can be off-putting to feel that you’re getting the ‘hard sell’ from the off. However, if you’re able to show genuine interest and understanding of a business or organisation, you’re likely to build a much more aligned client network with a higher potential for repeat work. Industry mixers, sector networking events and conferences are all great places to start making these sorts of connections.
When you know, you know
Lots of people working in the sector might pick up the odd freelance contract – particularly towards the end of the financial year when budgets need to be run-down and short-term projects are ten-a-penny. But, knowing when’s the right time to give up the security of a full-time job and go it alone can be risky. Jane’s answer to this is simple: when you’re getting more offers for work than you can fit into a weekend and one evening a week, it’s time to take the plunge. When your side hustle starts eating into your working week then you’ve got the beginnings of a successful career working for yourself.
Now, nobody’s saying it’s going to be easy, but, listening to Jane talk last week, it’s clear how much energy and satisfaction she derives from working under her own steam and being her own boss. With Cardiff’s creative sector more thriving than ever, and supply chains predicted to grow, there’s never been a better time to get yourself out there and go it alone. Hmmmmm – I can feel a little side hustle coming on myself I think…
What is Creative Cuppa?
Creative Cuppa is an informal opportunity for Cardiff’s freelance and creative workforce to come together for connection, collaboration and caffeine. They are designed to facilitate sharing and reflection and support personal and professional network building for individuals.
A reminder that Creative Cuppa will be taking a short break over the summer, but we’re looking forward to being back with you in September. Keep an eye on our social channels for other events and content in the meantime.
