I recently took a look at how the make-up, hair and beauty industry recovered post-Covid. While that sector experienced a surprisingly positive upswing after 2 years of lockdowns, forced closures and social distancing measures, other industries weren’t as lucky. Every year, IPSE, the UK’s only not-for-profit association for the self-employed, and Kingston University take a look at the demographic and occupational trends for the self-employed in the UK. By comparing the annual reports from 2019, 2020 and 2021, we can see the real impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on freelance workers.

Struggling to maximise the potential of Instagram to gain new clients and followers? Reels could be the answer!  Join Emma Goode, Managing Director of 24 Fingers and an online marketing expert, to discuss: - How to create Reels - What makes a great Reel - How to add music & effects - How to build engagement & boost sales through Reels   Emma is also an ambassador and accredited Lead Trainer for the #SheMeansBusiness campaign, run in collaboration with Facebook & Enterprise Nation. She has helped dozens of small businesses grow their brand through digital marketing.   

We’ve had a lot of fun in these past few articles, haven’t we?  - Click here for Article 1 - Click here for Article 2 We got to play make-believe and conjure up some outrageous scenarios such as clients paying a freelancer upfront the same way we all do for onions, bottles of stain remover, and our hairdressers—yeah yeah, I know…technically we pay them after the haircut, not upfront, but the same rule applies. C’mon! Cut me some slack, we’re on the same team here.

More people than ever before have chosen to centre their lives around their career. Previously, this role would have been filled by community institutions like religion, sports or even the pub! As our jobs place increasingly more demands on our time; these outlets are falling by the wayside, leaving only the office to provide us with the sense of meaning we crave. And now, the Covid-19 pandemic has taken this from us as well! As we attempt to make sense of our lives and seek direction, could the answer be found in freelancing?

Japanese Hair and Make-up Artist Ryoko Ushio had only just moved to Cardiff when she was confined inside thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. Newly released into the outside world and wanting to improve the variety in her portfolio, Ryoko organised a pair of collaborative test shoots with other Freelancer Club members on a tennis court in north-west London.

Tom May, an award-winning journalist and editor, shares his top ideas for being creative from his book ‘Great TED Talks: Creativity’. Tom explains what creativity is, how to become more creative, and how to harness your creativity to improve your freelance practice.

We all know that forging a career in the creative industries isn’t easy in this country, despite Britain’s storied cultural reputation. New research highlights an interesting picture of class diversity within the UK’s creative sector, suggesting that if you’re not from a privileged background, you’re even less likely to make it. But why might that be?

Freelancing and feeling isolated? You’re not alone. We all know the feeling of loneliness and isolation but where does it come from and how can we combat it?