All Episodes

February 10, 2025 51 mins

EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE

Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. 

See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business.

 It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. 

Head to: beingfreelance.com/riverside

-----------

In this episode, Steve Folland interviews Helen Ridley, a freelance illustrator who has carved a unique niche in live event illustration.

Helen shares her inspiring journey from studying fashion design to working in retail for over a decade and finally making the leap to full-time freelance illustration during the 2020 lockdown. 

She discusses the challenges and rewards of building her business, the importance of pitching and persistence once you have a contact, and her success with live portraits at events, including a notable partnership with John Lewis. 

Helen’s not just pursuing her passion. She’s focussed her freelancing on what’s actually profitable.

Helen also delves into her collaborative creative workshops and retreats, strategies for email marketing and PR for freelancers, and the value of community and networking in the freelance world.

00:35 Steve Folland's Introduction and Riverside Sponsorship

01:21 Helen's Journey to Freelancing

04:15 Transition to Live Illustration

09:07 Success with John Lewis and Pet Portraits

17:14 The 100 Rejections Challenge

20:58 Collaborating on Creative Workshops

25:49 Unexpected Bookings from Podcasts and Events

26:46 The Power of Email Marketing

28:10 Balancing Marketing and Live Events

32:09 The Role of a Part-Time Job

33:49 Promoting Yourself and Winning Awards

41:54 Fun Facts: Two Truths and a Lie Game

48:48 Advice for Aspiring Freelancers

 

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

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.