Being Freelance Steve Folland

A lot of freelancers have a niche. But a lot of others wonder just how do you figure out what your freelancing niche should be?

In this episode we hear how Kirth Noel explored what interested him, his passions, what he wanted to master.. but what also might make sense as a business decision. From hobbyist photographer to specialised visual engineer in the world of video production. And whilst Kirth now uses robotics to create his work, its the human connections that bring it to him.

Shea was changing jobs every couple of years. Boredom setting in again.Taking freelance projects on the side to keep things interesting, she eventually realised she didn’t need a ‘job’ after all.

Building a business without the help of social media, growing a network on a one-on-one basis. Now the freelancing side hustle has firmly become the main income. Boredom banished thanks to Shea being ‘niche resistant’. Her flexibility has become her calling card - it keeps her interested, learning, and happy - keeps her a freelancer.

Meet freelancer Andy Hau, who shifted his career from architecture to design after a chance encounter with musician Imogen Heap. From employed life to freelancing life. With no real blue print to follow.

From goals achieved to those reworked, this is Andy’s experience across 10 years as an ‘agency of one’. The importance of human connections in a world of AI and digital noise. He’s a lot happier with freelance life than that photo suggests.

Aged 58 Mary found herself staring ageism in the face.
Full time work wasn’t coming her way. And she realised perhaps she didn’t want it to. Maybe it was time for a change.

With age comes experience. A stack of it in writing, even if she didn’t know what a copywriter was. Loads of it in managing projects. Dealing with people. Giving and taking feedback…

Aged 68 Mary finds herself staring at the face of The Wrinkly Writer. Owning that age with pride.
10 years of successfully freelancing with people who love working with her. Mentoring new writers. Switching Australia for life in France. Prioritising health in mind and body alongside the work that she loves. You get the sense Mary is only just getting started.

Going viral on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok transformed Jame's freelancing career, bringing in a flood of clients and opportunities.

But how did he get to this point? We hear his journey from generic graphic design freelancer to niche logo specialist. From making a difference to his clients, to making a name for himself for designers around the world in the content he creates.

Dan is an experienced designer and illustrator.
He went freelance twice. First for creative freedom. Secondly to free him up for his family.

Starting out as a designer for McDonald's, he wanted a more varied diet of projects. With a lot of time freelancing in agencies, Dan learnt to stand out, be indispensable and build relationships to expand his chance of finding work. He also flexed himself creatively with illustration side projects (after college tutors said he’d never make a living from drawing!)

Adding a unique flair to his freelancer personal brand as 'Rubber Penguin’. He says there’s too many Dan Baileys. But here’s one you won’t forget.