97% more fun to go!

Are You Doing The Right Work In 2024?

Author

Alex Andrews
January 12, 2024

Hey Friend,

Shock tactic - We are already 3% of the way through 2024! Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • Am I doing the right work to make meaningful progress?

  • Are my resolutions still valid or do I need to adapt them?

  • Do I need to ask for help?

Freelance Friends is here to support you on your journey - please utilise our services and look out for the exciting things we have planned this year, including:

  • 🌞 Morning Accountability Sessions

  • 🌐 New Website (Coming very soon!)

  • 🚪 Members Portal

  • 🎊 In-Person Events

  • 🎥 Video Interviews

Our mission is to empower Freelancers, Entrepreneurs and Business Owners to do your best work. Hit reply to this email and tell us what your working on.

You Love Our Events!

We have hosted three events this year and have a further five scheduled for January, all of which are listed in this email. The feedback we have had so far has been heartwarming - thank you. 🫶

On 29th Jan and 19th Feb - Jordan Walker is hosting a Portfolio Surgery. Our January session is already sold out and spaces are filling up for February, so book now. Jordan’s insights will teach you how you work can land your dream job.

To get to know Jordan better we sat down with him to discuss all the important questions in life - read our interview below. 👇

Here is what we have coming up in this week’s FF Newsletter:

Meet Jordan!

Jordan is the host of our January and February Portfolio Surgery sessions and this week’s Member Spotlight.

Jordan Walker

Hey Jordan! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Who are ya, where do you come from and what do you do?

I'm Jordan, originally from the mighty Hertfordshire. Can neither confirm nor deny if it's still mighty. Now firmly routed in Leyton, London.

Been a freelance senior designer for the past 4 years now. I actually fell into freelance after being made redundant at a game publishers just before COVID which was about as fun as it sounds. Since then been lucky enough to work for some heavy hitters like Meta, Amazon Prime and some other big boys.

When I'm not hunched over the MacBook i'm off playing gigs with my band goldenbloom who you should try and catch for no other reason than to scratch my ego.

Can you recall a moment when you suddenly realised, ‘Yes, this is exactly what I should be doing’?

I can actually. I was only a few months into freelancing when I was in an office with one of my very first clients. One of the creative directors tapped me on the shoulder and asked for me join them on  a review session for a huge job I wasn't even working on. I asked them why out of curiosity. They simply said "well, you're a professional and we'd appreciate your feedback."

I think the rest of the day I had a 50/50 mix of smug and swag. Jokes aside, it really made me feel confident in what I do and my creative opinion. Two of the comments I made in that session went on to the final piece.

What do you think your younger self would say about you now? How would they feel meeting you?

Probably not surprised at the fact I still struggle to grow facial hair.

I do think my younger version would be pretty stoked with how far I've come. I remember when I was younger, seeing freelancers come in and out of agencies I worked at and always being in awe that they could just drop in, slay a project and then bounce. Now I'm one of those guys. He'd be pretty happy that I got a doggo too.

In five years, what’s your dream scenario for yourself and your work? What are you most excited about?

For ages, I've had this idea of starting an agency. It's been really close before. Looking at office spaces, potential hires. I think the idea is still swimming around in my head. Maybe it'll happen. Other than than, i think getting some more big names on the books would be tight.

If you could sit down with someone just starting out on their own freelance or entrepreneurial path, what one piece of advice would you love to give them?

It would probably be the same advice I got given when I was starting redundancy in the face. "You'd be surprised who comes out the woodwork when you tell everyone you're a freelancer."

I was bricking it when I started out, didn't really have any direction or any idea of how to make this work. Thankfully though talking to friends and ex-colleagues, at least 1-in-5 of them "...had a mate who works at some agency that always needs someone."

That's how I started out and believe that can work for anyone. Apply yourself, put yourself out there, back yourself, vouch for yourself, do a good job and repeat.

Picture this.. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only listen to one song forever. What song would you choose and why?

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer because it's a banger. That's literally all you need to know.

Events

The events keep on coming! 🪄

It’s Time for a Digital Declutter

Throughout January, we are hosting four five online accountability sessions for you to make time for yourself. Join one or join them all.

We’ll hold each other accountable for getting our s*** together!

Monday, January 15th 2024 - 7:00pm

Wednesday, January 17th 2024 - 1:00pm

Wednesday, January 24th 2024 - 1:00pm New Session Added

Hosted by: Lauren, Co-Founder of Freelance Friends

In each session, you can choose what to declutter and for that hour we’ll hold space for you. We’re talking things like:

  • Delete, archive and organise emails and WhatsApp messages. 💬

  • Change your passwords - no more snoozing this on your to-do list - password security is a priority! 🔑

  • Delete/organise the 22,976 photos and videos on your phone - back that stuff up. 🖼️

  • Unfollow social media accounts that make you feel rubbish. 📭

  • Those Facebook statuses from years ago? Yeah, they need to go... 👶

  • Delete apps you don’t need/use. We see you garage band. 🎸

  • Unsubscribe from those emails that you never read and let’s face it - never will. 📨

  • Organise your Dropbox / iCloud / Google Drive / Downloads / Desktop. 📂 

    and this list goes on...

Manage Your Time & Achieve More This 2024

Monday, January 22nd 2024 - 7:00 pm MORE TICKETS ADDED

Hosted by: Essi, Author of Heartful

Join us for an exciting online event where you'll learn valuable tips and proven strategies to manage your time effectively and achieve more in the upcoming year.

Led by experienced speaker Essi Auguste Virtanen, this workshop is perfect for students, professionals, and anyone looking to enhance productivity. Gain practical techniques to optimise time management skills and reach your goals.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to boost productivity and well-being.

Register now to join Essi and Freelance Friends in mastering the art of time management for success in 2024.

Portfolio Surgery: How Your Work Can Land Your Dream Job

Monday, January 29th 2024 - 7:00 pm  SOLD OUT

Monday, February 19th 2024 - 7:00 pm 2nd Date Added

Hosted by: Jordan Walker

Join us for this portfolio surgery hosted by the enigmatic Freelance Friends Member - Jordan Walker. This immersive session is dedicated to building a powerful portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients and companies.

Your portfolio is a reflection of your creativity and professionalism, not just a collection of projects but a representation of you as a unique individual in the industry.

This session is perfect for creatives, freelancers, and anyone looking to make a significant impact in their career through a well-crafted portfolio. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing portfolio, these insights will help you stand out in a competitive market.

Join us for this Portfolio Surgery and take the first step towards showcasing your talent and professionalism in the most impactful way.

For more details on the specifics of the event, please click here.

🗞️ News Worthy

News Worthy is a fun recap of the best things we found online over the past week.

Remember only to click what interests you. It’s okay to take a few minutes to learn something new and have a little laugh.

Refer a Freelance Friend

If you know someone who would find our community helpful, you can share FF with them by directing them to our website - www.freelancefriends.fun.

Want to advertise with us? Email Alex.

Do you have an idea or news to share with the community? Email Lauren.