Bal loved his job in advertising, but posting on Instagram as ‘Mr Whisper’ changed the course of his career, leading him to work not only for himself, but with some insanely high profile brands from the off.

As an early ‘creator’, Bal has had to adapt as social media has evolved, to make sure the brands and the full-time rates kept coming. But despite the competition, he has his blinkers on. He’s only in a race against himself.

In our chat we here how Bal:

- has the confidence to stand his ground with big brands
- found his style and niche
- stops himself from burning out despite the urge to be always 'on'
- uses side projects to keep himself inspired for client projects

And a whole lot more.

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Although Michelle had a brief fling living the nine to five life in Silicon Valley, there was no chance of her resisting being her own boss.

Starting out as a freelancer 20 years ago, Michelle could never have predicted that social media would become such a big part of her freelancing life - with a huge Twitter chat, community and Space that she hosts.

In two decades she’s grown a successful business, a family, a community and ridden out the inevitable recessions and tough spells. It’s the long game and she’s got plenty to share on how to play it.

In this episode we hear how Michelle:
- builds authority and visibility by writing guest posts
- loves retainer clients
- overcomes the isolation of remote working
- prepares for recession
- fights back against those taking advantage of vulnerable freelancers

And a whole lot more.

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

After graduating with a degree in illustration, Andi moved back to his hometown.

Renting an odd-shaped office with no windows might not have given him great views. But it did give him amazing business connections. Resources and referrals that would set the first of many freelance plates spinning.

With a varied career, Andi is also enjoying the challenge of mastering freelancing with his latest clients…his children.

In this episode we hear how Andi:
- uses his email newsletter
- regularly jumps on Twitter chats
- uses being multi-skilled to his advantage
- found clients and shared knowledge by surrounding himself with other businesses

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

After being made redundant from her New York agency job, Nikki thought she’d go to Israel for a year and freelance as a copywriter. If it didn’t work out, she’d come back and get another agency job.

7.5 years later her family has grown up in Israel. Their mum is very much still freelance.

But she’s not a general copywriter anymore, she’s since found her niche in email strategy. Building authority and a small team. And a website experience which is pretty unique.

In this episode we hear:
- how a mastermind changed Nikki's career
- how a 'cold' email showed Nikki her niche and landed a dream client
- Nikki's very different approach to her website
- how building a team isn't as easy as you might think
and so much more...

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Ryan started freelancing still in his teens, mentored by his first (and only) boss.

Intriguingly, for SEO purposes he has both a freelancer website and a local agency site, but doesn’t want to grow bigger than being a solo business. He’s putting work-life balance ahead of profits.

Our chat includes putting your worries in perspective, the importance of side projects, worklife balance, adding personality to your site and relationships and the way Ryan uses his website to qualify leads and better manage his time.

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Krishna was always freelance on the side of other jobs, eventually going full self-employed in 2019.

Now with the support of a mentor, a community and mastermind group she’s growing her business into an agency.

A lot going on, a lot happening fast. But then she loves life ‘100 miles per hour’.

You'll find full show notes and transcript for this episode at beingfreelance.com

This episode is sponsored by Pension Bee.

The flexible pension for the self-employed.

Get set up in minutes and then get back to business.

Start saving for a future beyond being freelance. Download the app or head to PensionBee.com

PensionBee is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
With investments your capital is at risk.

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Micah is a pandemic freelancer.

A year after losing his job and starting out, he redesigned his ‘OK Micah’ website to be full of his personality and aligned with his values: to help and celebrate queer businesses.

Two years in, his ‘work life harmony’ is in place. Ideal clients coming to him. Freelance life is more than just OK for Micah.

This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.

Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.
Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about!

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Estelle has created a freelance business that is good for her and the planet.

Focussing on her green values (some might say ‘ecopreneur’ 😬🌎 but she won’t) and building a business that plays to the strength of her introverted personality.

Living on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, she’s making time for work and life and it’s all going swimmingly. Wild swimmingly.

This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.

Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.
Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about!

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Iancu moved from a successful branding career as an employee in Romania to being a freelancer in London.

1200 miles. Smoothed over by 600 emails. 
Not asking for work, but seeking connection.

This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.

Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.
Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about!

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Diane has learned and change a lot in a short space of time of being freelance. Or being the 'business owner’ of ‘Lion Words’.

By my taking time to step back. Adjust. And just do it. She’s doing more of work she enjoys. Building a network of genuine connections via LinkedIn. Saying ‘yes’ to the right opportunities that come her way to build authority on podcasts and webinars.

This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.

Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.
Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about!

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland