Podcast

May 4th, 2009

Andy White talks to freelance Art Director and Conceptual Designer, and winner of The Xchange Team Freelancer of the Year award, Anna Cowie.  In this interview, Annie gives us some tips and reveals her modus operandi.

Topics covered:

• Guiding clients
• Managing client expectations
• Taking risks / not be afraid to make mistakes
• Allowing clients to be the experts in their business
• The importance of working within a team
• How to listen to the client
• How to inject energy into a project

Links:

• Article on Anna’s awards

 

 Podcast #15: The Hallmarks of a Good Freelancer [19:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

April 6th, 2009

Andy White talks to Drew Griffiths of Mosaic about why companies hire freelancers and what they look for.

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 Podcast #14: Why we get Employed - the Company Perspective [12:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

April 6th, 2009

Andy White talks to Emma Brierley, Director of Xchange Team, about her book, Talent on Tap: Getting the best from Freelancers, Interims and Consultants, and gain some interesting insights into why freelancers get employed from the agency perspective. (more…)

 

 Podcast #13: Why we get Employed - the Recruitment Consultancy Perspective [28:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

January 28th, 2009

I talk to Steve Crouch about the latest IR35 case, Dragonfly Consultancy. This case highlights some very interesting points that contractors and freelancers need to consider when embarking on client projects. If you want to remain IR35 compliant, this is a must listen.

 

 #12: Are you IR35 Compliant? [19:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

November 10th, 2008

In the wake of the results of the Kingston University survey on freelancers, we get reactions and opinions from John Kell of the Professional Contractors Group and Nathan Pope of Latitude Hosting and the Brighton Farm.

Topics Covered:

• Growth in the freelance market
• Freelancer figures, statistics and research
• Male and Female freelancing split in IT contracting and creative industries
• Response and reflection from John Kell (PCG), Nathan Pope (Brighton ) Darren Fell (Crunch)

Related:

• Listen to Part-one

 

 #11: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace - Fact or Fiction (Part 2): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

October 10th, 2008

Andy talks to John Brazier of the Professional Contractors Group, Nathan Pope of the Brighton Farm and Darren Fell of Freelance Advisor, about their views of how the freelancing and contracting market is evolving over the next few years.

Whether you are a consultant or contractor, contracting or freelancing, the future could look bright for the independent and self-employed.

Related:

• Listen to Part II

 

 #10: The growth in the Freelancer Marketplace - Fact or Fiction [26:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

August 13th, 2008

Andy talks to Darren Fell of Freelance Advisor, about some techniques for working out what you should be charging.

Topics Covered:

• The role of networking;
• Online resources;
• Finding the perfect price point according to your skill;
• Selecting the rate you can afford;
• Strategies for getting started in pricing;
• Pricing for big clients;
• Price negotiating tips.

 

 #9: Finding your perfect pricing point [21:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

July 4th, 2008

Andy talks to Stuart Scott, an successful freelance graphic designer based in Brighton, about what it takes to succeed in the industry.

Topics Covered:

• Getting direct clients;
• Watch the trends;
• Attending industry events
• Having a team of experts around you
• The difference between design and artwork
• Flaunting your published work
• The role of networking in specific industry sectors
• Asking for referrals
• Free initial consultations

 

 #8: How to thrive as a Graphic Designer in todays market [19:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

June 19th, 2008

Andy talks to Dave Mellors & Malcolm Cook of First Light Associates about the things that need to be done when taking on a new project.

Topics Covered:

• Getting and capturing the scope
• How to charge for projects
• Handling scope changes and change control
• Project planning
• Contracts, agreements and legal matters
• Becoming a partner with your client and fostering long term relationships

 

 #7: How to take on a Project: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

May 9th, 2008

Part 2 of an interview with Steve Crouch of SRC Chartered Accountants. Here Steve tells us about the types of expenses freelancers can claim such as those associated with working from home and some more general things to look out for.

Topics Covered:

• The expenses a freelancer can claim;
• Expenses associated with working from home;
• Motor expenses;
• Expenses related to working from rented accommodation;
• Insuring your equipment;
• Public liability insurance;
• Taking on employees;
• Health and Safety;
• Taking on contractors of your own;
• What should freelancers look for in an accountant?

 

 #6: Five Things you always wanted to ask your accountant - part 2 [17:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

April 2nd, 2008

Part one of an interview with Steve Crouch of SRC Chartered Accountants. Steve answers questions on such things as salaries, dividends, section 660, IR35 and VAT.

Topics covered:

• Limited company verses sole trader;
• Taking a small salary with big dividends;
• Section 660 – profit share between spouses;
• Consideration to IR35;
• When to register for VAT;
• The two VAT schemes.

Links:

• The Crunch limited company vs sole trader calculator.

 

 #5: Five things you always wanted to ask your accountant - part 1 [19:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

March 4th, 2008

Andy talks to Paul Silver of The Farm who talks about 5 areas to concentrate on. Get these right, and your freelancing business will get off to a flying start.

 

 #4: Marketing Secrets part 2: Here are 5 things you must do [26:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

February 8th, 2008

RA: , an experienced IT support contractor speaks to Andy about some of his self-promotion techniques as a contractor. This is part 1 of a 2 part special series on marketing yourself.

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 #3: Marketing Secrets part 1: Tips from the coalface [14:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

February 8th, 2008

Andy talks to Raju Ajiz, an IT support contractor, about some of the first things you should consider before embarking on freelancing or contracting.

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 #2: Things you must do to prepare for freelancing [12:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

February 5th, 2008

Andy White and Darren Fell set out the aims and upcoming topics in Freelance Advisor podcast series.

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 #1: What you're going to get in this series [8:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download