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How Pitch does it
Our dedicated Freelance & Interim team is able to support all roles across marketing, communication, digital, sales, tech and creative. Whether, maternity cover, fixed contract or last-minute support for a few days, we have a vast network of clients and skilled contractors across the UK.
We understand how hectic and busy the world of freelance can be so our whole proposition is built on one principle: we want to take all the hassle & stress off you.
Our incredibly simple online portal makes submitting and approving time-sheets a piece of cake which means getting paid as a contractor and keeping on top of your paperwork doesn’t take time away from the day job.
We build valued relationships with our clients & contractors by understanding the markets in which they operate. We ask all the right questions to ensure that we’re as confident as we can be that we’re matching the right candidates with those clients.
Perfect pitch is the skill of being able to instantly recognise any note and it’s this level of harmony we strive for with every booking.
What we cover
Our Tech Consultants are digitally-neutral and so not limited to supplying only certain skills. We work to what best suits your business model and objectives.
Some of the other skills we cover across our contractor network:
- Marketing/Digital Marketing
- Branding / Category
- Social Media
- External & internal comms
- Business Development / Sales
- UX/UI
- Strategy & Planning
- National Sales - FMCG
- Front & Back End Development
- Creative/Artwork
- Controller - FMCG
- Architects
- Web Design
- Account/Project Management
- SEO & PPC
Our Latest Jobs
about 20 hours ago
London
Freelance UI Designer | Remote
My client is looking for a talented senior UI designer to help bridge the gap on an important project whilst offering complete remote working. Key responsibilities: Work in conjunction with stakeholders to develop design concepts & ensure project objectives are met & delivered on-time. With a human centric approach, create systematic experiences & brand stories. Understand the research and the impact it has. Create identities, user interface patterns & narratives. Leading by ensuring the creative output is second to non, mentoring the creative team on a daily basis. Effortlessly merge strategy, copy, design, UX & technology into a cohesive brand or systematic experience. Basic knowledge and understanding of code to make simple amends. Understand the frequent change in landscape of design & technology. Lead brief & idea conception, ensuring ideas are grounded in strategy & technology. Key requirements: Experience of Agile working. Great at communication with clients & team reports. Have a digital understanding, identifying & implementing solutions for digital. Leadership experience, offering supportive guidance to your team. Proven examples of a successfully launched projects. 3+ years commercial experience in digital design or UI. 1+ years management experience. Demonstrated user centred design principles & interaction design principles. Experience with design patterns & pattern libraries. Used Sketch, Abstract, Sigma, Mac OSX, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Docs & Acrobat. Great prototyping experience in Invision, Marvel or another similar tool. Experience leading the design of large complex design problems. Worked in a fast paced environment, working calmly under pressure whilst producing high-quality designs. This is a great opportunity where you’ll be working on some forward-thinking digital products, with the latest technology. To start w/c 10th February for 6 weeks, with possible extension on a remote basis. CC123
4 days ago
Birmingham
Freelance Account Director
Pitch are working with Birmingham based agecny to look for a freelance Account Director. Working within a busy client facing team, this role will responsible for new business planning and also the implementation of multi-channel marketing campaigns. The ideal candidate for this role will come from a digital marketing agency background and ideally have worked with hub spot. You will have a demonstratable track record in managing global camapigns for big brands will be a confident communicator. Please apply now for immediate consideration! CC123
6 days ago
Birmingham
Freelance Creative Artworker | Agency
No job description Pitch are supporting a fantastic digital agency who require the support from a freelance creative artworker to work across different projects. These projects will require artwork across a number of traditional and modern channels (print & digital) from conception through to delivery. Key responsibilities: + Understand the clients brand and their needs, working closely with the team to deliver a high standard of work. + Take responsibility for a range of creative artwork campaigns & on-brand business collateral. + When applicable, prepare files ready for print. + Create artwork across both print & digital mediums. Key requirements: + Produce high-quality artwork with a fantastic eye for detail. + Produce artwork according to the brand guidelines. + Have experience working at pace, but maintaining a high attention to detail. + Understanding of typography, space, layout and interfaces for different mediums. + Proficient with Mac OSX, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat & MS Office. + Confidence in your own abilities and be able to convey your work to the team & client. This role is for remote working, so you will be able to produce high-quality creative artwork with little management and will be contactable at all times during the working day. To start ASAP for 2-4 weeks, with a possible extension. Day rate: £160 - £200 CC123
6 days ago
Birmingham
Freelance Creative Design Director | Remote
Pitch are looking for a Freelance Creative Design Director to join an agency for 2-4 weeks, working across numerous print and digital projects. This is an ambitious agency who create and help to build better brand defining digital products. Key responsibilities: + Work closely with a team of creatives & the client services team. + Deliver engaging & impactful creative direction across multiple clients in line with their brands identity. + Provide strategic creative thinking. + Offer hands on concept design ideas. + Work closely with the client. Key requirements: + Be a passionate creative storyteller through brand communications across both digital & print. + A positive team leader with strong communications skills. + Agency background who’s used to working at pace and the demand for delivering high quality work. + Strong client-relationship building abilities. + Previous branding, concepts & designer experience. This opportunity is to start ASAP for 2-4 weeks with possible extension and the agency can offer remote working. £280-£350 per day CC123
6 days ago
Birmingham
Freelance Presentation Designer | Remote
Pitch are looking for a freelance creative PowerPoint designer who will be able to work during a demanding & peak time for my client, a digital agency. This opportunity may require some flexibility on your behalf and when needed could involve evening or weekend work but is completely remote working! Key responsibilities: + Ability to work multiple projects, at pace but with little errors. + Provide insight & inspiration to help clients flourish and excel. + From brief, create visually appealing and engaging slides in-line with each brands’ identity. + Quality checking of all work ready for final presentation. Key requirements: + 3+ years design experience in a similar role. + Proficient at using MS Powerpoint & Keynote. + Working with Adobe Creative suite (Photoshop, illustrator & InDesign). + Ability to multi-task and work at pace across multiples presentations. + Be proactive, use your initiative & be flexible. + High attention to detail with a key eye for detail. This opportunity would be starting in early February’20 for up to 1 month, with possible extension. You’ll working with a team of creative presentation designers to deliver the best outcome for our client. £200-£250 per day CC123
7 days ago
Birmingham
Freelance Senior Designer | Agency
Pitch are currently working on behalf of one our clients who are looking to gain a freelance senior designer for 2+ weeks starting as early as this week. You’ll be working on an events branding project, coming up with concept ideas which will then lead onto the development phase & delivery. Day to day responsibilities: + Collaborate with various departments including digital to create visuals. + Mange the development of assets, typography, logos and interfaces for different mediums. + Offer problem solving ideas through visual solution. Key requirements: + Is experienced with delivering experiential events & conference branding exercises. + Strong conceptual & design experience. + Good understanding of digital design. + Proficient with Mac OSX, InDesign, Illustrator, Sketch, Photoshop, Google Business Apps, Acrobat & MS Office. This requirement is to start as early as this week for 2x weeks. With the probability of your concept ideas being picked up, you may be required further so that your influence can be used across the clients wider marketing strategy. £250 - £280 per day CC123
8 days ago
Sutton Coldfield
Freelance Account Manager
Freelance Account Manager Pitch are working with a Birmingham based integrated agency to recruit a Freelance Account Manager. Sitting within a busy client services team, this role will be integral in enabling the delivery and development of their automotive clients. The ideal candidate for this role will come from an agency background with a keen eye for detail as well as having the capabilty to communicate and build good relationships directly with clients. This is an urgent requirement so please apply now for immediate consideration! CC123
8 days ago
Nottingham
Freelance Art Director
Freelance Art Director Pitch are working with a Nottingham based creative agency who work with a range of instantly recognisable brands to recruit a Freelance Art Director. You will be responsible for the planning, conceptualisation and execution of a broad range of work for global clients where you will direct the vision all the way through to post-production including selecting all visuals from shoots for the website, email, social and other campaigns. The ideal candidate will have an impressive portfolio with a demonstrable track record of working with ‘big brands’. This is an urgent requirement so please apply now for immediate consideration! CC123
Our latest opinions
about 3 years ago
By Rob Markwell
The Drum Network launches ‘Create Britain’
The Drum Network (TDN) has launched a new initiative ‘Create Britain’ that aims to show the world that Great Britain is still open for business, despite Brexit. TDN claim that they’ll “leave all the rhetoric to the politicians in Westminster and Brussels” and Create Britain will visually demonstrate to the many countries of the world that we’re still an awesome creative marketplace and encourage them to continue to invest marketing budgets and talent with us here in the UK. Create Britain is essentially an online interactive map that requires organisations from the creative industry to contribute a short video to and claim their own ‘pin on the map’ that links to their video clip and website. Creative agencies are also being encouraged to accept interns from overseas to work with their agency, to promote further diversity across the eclectic hub of creative talent that we’re fortunately home to. All businesses in the creative industries are encouraged to get involved and submit an original 3 minute clip in answer to the question: ‘What makes British creativity so great?’ to engage a global audience and stake their claim as part of a national movement hoping to safeguard the UK’s creative heritage. Pitch are deeply passionate about promoting and preserving the essence of our creative industries – we look forward to seeing your entries and further championing the incredible creative offering we have here in the UK.
The Drum Network launches ‘Create Britain’
The Drum Network (TDN) has launched a new initiative ‘Create Britain’ that aims to show the world that Great Britain is still open for business, despite Brexit. TDN claim that they’ll “leave all the rhetoric to the politicians in Westminster and Brussels” and Create Britain will visually demonstrate to the many countries of the world that we’re still an awesome creative marketplace and encourage them to continue to invest marketing budgets and talent with us here in the UK. Create Britain is essentially an online interactive map that requires organisations from the creative industry to contribute a short video to and claim their own ‘pin on the map’ that links to their video clip and website. Creative agencies are also being encouraged to accept interns from overseas to work with their agency, to promote further diversity across the eclectic hub of creative talent that we’re fortunately home to. All businesses in the creative industries are encouraged to get involved and submit an original 3 minute clip in answer to the question: ‘What makes British creativity so great?’ to engage a global audience and stake their claim as part of a national movement hoping to safeguard the UK’s creative heritage. Pitch are deeply passionate about promoting and preserving the essence of our creative industries – we look forward to seeing your entries and further championing the incredible creative offering we have here in the UK.
over 3 years ago
By Rebecca Thomas
Is Freelance for You?
Going independent and taking up freelance work has extraordinary appeal. The benefits of being your own boss, choosing the work you truly want to do, flexibility in your schedule and a potentially boosted income are obvious, but before you hop on the freelance bandwagon, consider the pitfalls and assess not only whether it’s right for you, but whether you are right for it. Working solo isn’t for everyone and without the support of a stable regular work environment, you may find yourself both personally and professionally, adrift. As a freelancer, much like applying for permanent roles, you’ll be competing with people with very similar skillsets and such competition is not for everyone. Some people will struggle to acclimatise to working without holiday or sick-pay, no offer of a workplace pension and other workplace benefits of permanent employment. However, with the evolving work environment and focus upon work-life balance, many are choosing the more flexible career that freelancing offers and once settled, wouldn’t dream of returning to permanent employment. Competition is fierce and many brands/agencies will have their regular pool of freelance / contract talent who they turn to when the need arises. Before you’ve formed a broad network of contacts, you may have to be patient for work to come your way – and when it does, you must strive to deliver high quality, on time, every time. It’s up to you to establish a reputation and live up to it, time after time… There’s no room for an off day as a freelancer. Once you’ve established a good network of clients (we can help you with this!), work tends to roll in more regularly – and that’s when the benefits of a contract lifestyle really start to kick in! When you freelance, you are essentially starting your own business, where you are the brand. Whether you take up assignments on-site with clients, or work remotely, success as a freelancer calls for a high degree of discipline. Being focused and adhering to timelines and quality standards is paramount. If you enter into a fixed price project, agreeingEdit Link a contract which is comprehensive regarding scope, timelines, payment terms and expectations from both sides, can sometimes feel like hassle when you’re itching to dive in to the work – but doing this up front will protect you from things such as multiple revisions and changes in scope that may otherwise require extra work without additional pay. There may be lull periods when your project flow may be down to a trickle. You must have the emotional and financial muscle to see this through. So think like an entrepreneur and expect the lean seasons and plan your finances well – especially your taxes, there’s simply no escaping them. Ultimately if you choose to live a life less ordinary, you’ll reap the rewards both professionally and personally but be aware that this flexibility comes not without risk… And always remember to plan ahead for that rainy day – even though the sun may be beaming down on your pipeline at present! For more background info on setting up as a freelancer, check out our 13 point guide to freelancing. And do make sure you get in touch with Paula to discuss how Pitch can make your freelance life more profitable and to chat through all of our latest freelance opportunities.
Is Freelance for You?
Going independent and taking up freelance work has extraordinary appeal. The benefits of being your own boss, choosing the work you truly want to do, flexibility in your schedule and a potentially boosted income are obvious, but before you hop on the freelance bandwagon, consider the pitfalls and assess not only whether it’s right for you, but whether you are right for it. Working solo isn’t for everyone and without the support of a stable regular work environment, you may find yourself both personally and professionally, adrift. As a freelancer, much like applying for permanent roles, you’ll be competing with people with very similar skillsets and such competition is not for everyone. Some people will struggle to acclimatise to working without holiday or sick-pay, no offer of a workplace pension and other workplace benefits of permanent employment. However, with the evolving work environment and focus upon work-life balance, many are choosing the more flexible career that freelancing offers and once settled, wouldn’t dream of returning to permanent employment. Competition is fierce and many brands/agencies will have their regular pool of freelance / contract talent who they turn to when the need arises. Before you’ve formed a broad network of contacts, you may have to be patient for work to come your way – and when it does, you must strive to deliver high quality, on time, every time. It’s up to you to establish a reputation and live up to it, time after time… There’s no room for an off day as a freelancer. Once you’ve established a good network of clients (we can help you with this!), work tends to roll in more regularly – and that’s when the benefits of a contract lifestyle really start to kick in! When you freelance, you are essentially starting your own business, where you are the brand. Whether you take up assignments on-site with clients, or work remotely, success as a freelancer calls for a high degree of discipline. Being focused and adhering to timelines and quality standards is paramount. If you enter into a fixed price project, agreeingEdit Link a contract which is comprehensive regarding scope, timelines, payment terms and expectations from both sides, can sometimes feel like hassle when you’re itching to dive in to the work – but doing this up front will protect you from things such as multiple revisions and changes in scope that may otherwise require extra work without additional pay. There may be lull periods when your project flow may be down to a trickle. You must have the emotional and financial muscle to see this through. So think like an entrepreneur and expect the lean seasons and plan your finances well – especially your taxes, there’s simply no escaping them. Ultimately if you choose to live a life less ordinary, you’ll reap the rewards both professionally and personally but be aware that this flexibility comes not without risk… And always remember to plan ahead for that rainy day – even though the sun may be beaming down on your pipeline at present! For more background info on setting up as a freelancer, check out our 13 point guide to freelancing. And do make sure you get in touch with Paula to discuss how Pitch can make your freelance life more profitable and to chat through all of our latest freelance opportunities.
over 3 years ago
By Rebecca Thomas
Pitch Freelance
I'm excited to have recently joined the Pitch team to head up our dedicated Freelance/Contract recruitment service. Having specialised in marketing & creative freelance recruitment in London for the last few years I've got a huge amount of experience in building freelance communities across all disciplines; creative, digital, marketing or PR. So, whether you need a few days’ support or longer term cover, we're able to access a wide range of talented marketers and creatives looking for freelance and/or fixed term contracts, which means that if you’re suddenly in need of that last minute designer, or looking for a marketing manager to cover a maternity contract, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for a specialist recruiter to partner with for your freelance requirements, please do get in touch; we’d love to hear from you and help you to establish a pool of trusted candidates. Working with us for your freelance and contract requirements, you’ll benefit from: One simple point of invoice: we manage all pay Online timesheet portal: simple & efficient sign off and submission Guidance on day rates & overall contract costs Reduced costs: our system often enables overall costs to be reduced Reduced risk: we remove the hassle and ensure freelancers are fully compliant with legislation If you have any questions about the who, what and where of recruiting and working with freelancers, get in touch today; we’ll happily provide any advice you need.
Pitch Freelance
I'm excited to have recently joined the Pitch team to head up our dedicated Freelance/Contract recruitment service. Having specialised in marketing & creative freelance recruitment in London for the last few years I've got a huge amount of experience in building freelance communities across all disciplines; creative, digital, marketing or PR. So, whether you need a few days’ support or longer term cover, we're able to access a wide range of talented marketers and creatives looking for freelance and/or fixed term contracts, which means that if you’re suddenly in need of that last minute designer, or looking for a marketing manager to cover a maternity contract, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for a specialist recruiter to partner with for your freelance requirements, please do get in touch; we’d love to hear from you and help you to establish a pool of trusted candidates. Working with us for your freelance and contract requirements, you’ll benefit from: One simple point of invoice: we manage all pay Online timesheet portal: simple & efficient sign off and submission Guidance on day rates & overall contract costs Reduced costs: our system often enables overall costs to be reduced Reduced risk: we remove the hassle and ensure freelancers are fully compliant with legislation If you have any questions about the who, what and where of recruiting and working with freelancers, get in touch today; we’ll happily provide any advice you need.
almost 4 years ago
By Rebecca Thomas
Portfolio Perfection - How To Put Together A Portfolio That'll Get You Noticed
Think of your portfolio as your shop window. A well laid out and designed shop window draws people in and creates interest. A poorly designed one puts people off before you’ve even got through the door. The same applies to your portfolio: the more time and effort you dedicate to honing it, the higher are your chances for attracting potential employers. Working with Creative Directors on a daily basis means that we have a pretty good idea about what they look for when reviewing candidates’ work, so we’ve distilled this into our top tips for fine-tuning your portfolio, getting noticed and being remembered. Good portfolios are always evolving, you need to be constantly on the lookout to ensure that it’s showcasing your best work, even if you’re not actively looking for a role. Nothing is permanent and nor should your portfolio be. One of the best quotes we’ve read over the years encapsulates this point perfectly: “You should never consider your portfolio finished. You should always be dissatisfied with it. Your book requires endless work and few things are more important. And no matter how successful you become, this never changes." Format These days a lot of designers opt for both an on and offline version of their portfolio. If you’re a graphic designer there’s still something about the physicality of a printed folio that hits home - but don’t forget, this will also need to be duplicated to be sent out to prospective employers electronically in pdf format. No matter what your creative specialization is, digital portfolios are increasingly popular and there is a myriad of options out there for creating a beautiful online showcase. These range from personalized websites, whether this is a simple, templated site using hosting platforms like Wordpress or Squarespace, or a custom built site. If you’re less technically minded you can use one of the popular portfolio sites like Behance, Carbonmade, or Portfoliobox. The benefit of having a portfolio in both formats is that your online portfolio can showcase the breadth of your experience, whilst your print (and pdf) folio can be tailored to include examples relevant to the role you’re applying for. Always ensure your physical portfolio is in good condition and presents a professional appearance. Equally, your work inside should be well mounted and consistently spaced throughout. There’s nothing more off-putting than tatty old pieces of work falling out everywhere. Layout If there’s one piece of advice to take from this guide it should be this: always start and finish your portfolio with your best pieces of work. Your first piece should make the interviewer (or recipient) sit up and take note. Your last needs to be equally impactful; after all, it’s likely to be the piece of work that’s open in front of the interviewer for the rest of the interview. Overall, your book should be organized so that it demonstrates a variety of activity, styles and formats. If you can help it, try not to group similar pieces of work together – keep it as interesting and diverse as possible. Like a good book you’re looking to tell a story, so if you can, order your work so that there is a nice flow and projects complement each other. Tell a story Your portfolio should create interest even if you’re not in the room to present it. Whether you’re emailing a copy of your portfolio to a prospective employer, or leaving one behind at the end of the interview, it needs to tell a story. Make sure each piece of work is accompanied by a short description that gives a concise summary of what the brief was and why you chose the creative route that you did. If possible, a top line summary of the results achieved will always be well received. As with the overall layout of your portfolio, ensure descriptions are consistent in terms of positioning, size, and font. When presenting your work to a prospective employer, treat it like a pitch. Show enthusiasm for your work and your craft. The worst trap people fall into is simply turning the pages in their portfolio without explanation or any sense of pride in their work. So tell a story about your work and bring it to life. Be ready to elaborate on the brief description in your portfolio and to articulate the brief, what the client was aiming to achieve, who the target audience was, the creative route you took and the results it achieved. All this will help you stand out from the masses. Practice makes perfect Presenting your work isn’t something that comes naturally to a lot of designers. But it’s an important skill to learn. Take every opportunity to talk about your work, whether it’s to colleagues, clients, family or friends. The more you do this, the more comfortable you’ll become. Quite simply, you want them to be as interested in your work as you are. Quality not quantity Avoid the trap of putting every piece of work you’ve ever done in your portfolio. Keep it tight and as high quality as possible. Potential employers don’t want to see everything, so the general rule is 10 key pieces of work. Much more than this and you risk losing the interest of your audience. You’re showcasing your talents, not giving your entire life history. If possible, it’s also good to showcase work that reflects the type of work you’re looking to do more of in your next role and that demonstrates your full range of capabilities. Show your breadth Just because you specialize in UX or brand design doesn’t mean you don’t also have other creative talents. Maybe you’re a nifty photographer in your spare time, or have a love of illustration when you’re not finessing user journeys. There’s no harm including one or two examples to showcase there’s more in your creative armoury than meets the eye. Nothing from 1983 Not that we’ve got anything against the 80s or 90s for that matter, but your portfolio must remain current. You might get away with one real stand out piece that you did years ago, but if your book is full of old work the interviewer is likely to worry why you haven’t done anything recently that you’re proud of. Keep it updated As we stated at the beginning of this guide, it’s good practice to always keep your portfolio updated, whether you’re looking for a new job or not. Every time you put a piece in, look at what can be taken out. We’re our own worst critics most of the time so learn to be ruthless with your portfolio and it will always remain strong and relevant. In summary, your portfolio should be an ever-evolving entity. It should showcase your creative talents and be something you’re proud to present. Whatever your level, every job, every internship, every project, should represent a stepping-stone to an even better portfolio.
Portfolio Perfection - How To Put Together A Portfolio That'll Get You Noticed
Think of your portfolio as your shop window. A well laid out and designed shop window draws people in and creates interest. A poorly designed one puts people off before you’ve even got through the door. The same applies to your portfolio: the more time and effort you dedicate to honing it, the higher are your chances for attracting potential employers. Working with Creative Directors on a daily basis means that we have a pretty good idea about what they look for when reviewing candidates’ work, so we’ve distilled this into our top tips for fine-tuning your portfolio, getting noticed and being remembered. Good portfolios are always evolving, you need to be constantly on the lookout to ensure that it’s showcasing your best work, even if you’re not actively looking for a role. Nothing is permanent and nor should your portfolio be. One of the best quotes we’ve read over the years encapsulates this point perfectly: “You should never consider your portfolio finished. You should always be dissatisfied with it. Your book requires endless work and few things are more important. And no matter how successful you become, this never changes." Format These days a lot of designers opt for both an on and offline version of their portfolio. If you’re a graphic designer there’s still something about the physicality of a printed folio that hits home - but don’t forget, this will also need to be duplicated to be sent out to prospective employers electronically in pdf format. No matter what your creative specialization is, digital portfolios are increasingly popular and there is a myriad of options out there for creating a beautiful online showcase. These range from personalized websites, whether this is a simple, templated site using hosting platforms like Wordpress or Squarespace, or a custom built site. If you’re less technically minded you can use one of the popular portfolio sites like Behance, Carbonmade, or Portfoliobox. The benefit of having a portfolio in both formats is that your online portfolio can showcase the breadth of your experience, whilst your print (and pdf) folio can be tailored to include examples relevant to the role you’re applying for. Always ensure your physical portfolio is in good condition and presents a professional appearance. Equally, your work inside should be well mounted and consistently spaced throughout. There’s nothing more off-putting than tatty old pieces of work falling out everywhere. Layout If there’s one piece of advice to take from this guide it should be this: always start and finish your portfolio with your best pieces of work. Your first piece should make the interviewer (or recipient) sit up and take note. Your last needs to be equally impactful; after all, it’s likely to be the piece of work that’s open in front of the interviewer for the rest of the interview. Overall, your book should be organized so that it demonstrates a variety of activity, styles and formats. If you can help it, try not to group similar pieces of work together – keep it as interesting and diverse as possible. Like a good book you’re looking to tell a story, so if you can, order your work so that there is a nice flow and projects complement each other. Tell a story Your portfolio should create interest even if you’re not in the room to present it. Whether you’re emailing a copy of your portfolio to a prospective employer, or leaving one behind at the end of the interview, it needs to tell a story. Make sure each piece of work is accompanied by a short description that gives a concise summary of what the brief was and why you chose the creative route that you did. If possible, a top line summary of the results achieved will always be well received. As with the overall layout of your portfolio, ensure descriptions are consistent in terms of positioning, size, and font. When presenting your work to a prospective employer, treat it like a pitch. Show enthusiasm for your work and your craft. The worst trap people fall into is simply turning the pages in their portfolio without explanation or any sense of pride in their work. So tell a story about your work and bring it to life. Be ready to elaborate on the brief description in your portfolio and to articulate the brief, what the client was aiming to achieve, who the target audience was, the creative route you took and the results it achieved. All this will help you stand out from the masses. Practice makes perfect Presenting your work isn’t something that comes naturally to a lot of designers. But it’s an important skill to learn. Take every opportunity to talk about your work, whether it’s to colleagues, clients, family or friends. The more you do this, the more comfortable you’ll become. Quite simply, you want them to be as interested in your work as you are. Quality not quantity Avoid the trap of putting every piece of work you’ve ever done in your portfolio. Keep it tight and as high quality as possible. Potential employers don’t want to see everything, so the general rule is 10 key pieces of work. Much more than this and you risk losing the interest of your audience. You’re showcasing your talents, not giving your entire life history. If possible, it’s also good to showcase work that reflects the type of work you’re looking to do more of in your next role and that demonstrates your full range of capabilities. Show your breadth Just because you specialize in UX or brand design doesn’t mean you don’t also have other creative talents. Maybe you’re a nifty photographer in your spare time, or have a love of illustration when you’re not finessing user journeys. There’s no harm including one or two examples to showcase there’s more in your creative armoury than meets the eye. Nothing from 1983 Not that we’ve got anything against the 80s or 90s for that matter, but your portfolio must remain current. You might get away with one real stand out piece that you did years ago, but if your book is full of old work the interviewer is likely to worry why you haven’t done anything recently that you’re proud of. Keep it updated As we stated at the beginning of this guide, it’s good practice to always keep your portfolio updated, whether you’re looking for a new job or not. Every time you put a piece in, look at what can be taken out. We’re our own worst critics most of the time so learn to be ruthless with your portfolio and it will always remain strong and relevant. In summary, your portfolio should be an ever-evolving entity. It should showcase your creative talents and be something you’re proud to present. Whatever your level, every job, every internship, every project, should represent a stepping-stone to an even better portfolio.
almost 4 years ago
By Rebecca Thomas
Thinking about going freelance? Here’s our guide on how to get started.
Freelancing has long been a popular career choice for many in the marketing, PR and creative sectors. The reasons for going freelance are varied; you want more flexibility in your working life, you want to be your own boss, you want to ditch the long commute, the list goes on. We’re often asked how to make the switch to freelance, so thought it was about time we put together our tips on successfully making the move and important considerations you should be mindful of before you do. 1. Being your own boss Sounds good doesn’t it? Not having to permanently answer to anyone, managing your workload, choosing which assignments you want to take on, leaving office politics at the door and so on. The thing is, not everyone is cut out for it. Freelancing can be massively rewarding and many people wouldn’t dream of going back to permanent employment. But be under no illusions, running your own business is hard work and isn’t for everyone, so before you make the leap, make sure you’ve properly thought everything through. Bear in mind that as a freelancer you immediately become the finance manager, marketing manager, IT department, admin assistant and everything in between. Depending on how you set yourself up, be prepared to spend a good chunk of time on finding opportunities, invoicing, chasing payments, meeting potential clients, marketing yourself etc. So before quitting your permanent job, make sure you’ve put together a plan outlining what you need to earn each month to cover your expenses (not forgetting holidays, sickness, travel costs etc.) and give yourself a good wage. 2. Brand YOU Once you’ve decided it’s for you, you’ll need to choose a name for your freelance business. It’s also worth considering developing your own profile and looking in to setting up a website to showcase your services – this will help massively when it comes to marketing yourself to potential clients. At this stage it’s important to get your name out there and start making connections with potential clients. Equally, we’re immersed in the sector and frequently have clients coming to us looking for freelance talent, so we’ll be able to help source opportunities through our network. 3. Take care of the legal stuff Like it or not, becoming a freelancer doesn’t mean you suddenly become exempt from having to pay your taxes. So you need to make sure you’re properly set up and compliant with HMRC requirements. The starting point for this is how you set yourself up. Visit the HMRC’s website for guidance on how to do this. 4. Accountant or Umbrella Company? At the point where you’ve set yourself up, you then need to consider how you’re going to ensure you meet the tax man’s requirements. In which case, it’s good to get yourself an accountant – they’ll be invaluable in ensuring you can maximise your income, whilst staying fully compliant with your obligations. To keep yourself sane and your accountant happy, you’ll also need to make sure you’ve set up a good admin system for keeping on top of your invoices, receipts, purchase orders and so on. Alternatively, you can look in to using an umbrella company… they won’t keep you dry on a rainy day in Manchester, but if the thought of setting yourself up, getting an accountant, managing your taxes etc. sends a cold shiver down your spine, then it’s worth considering using an umbrella company who will do all this for you. For a fee of course, but when everything boils down, they’re surprisingly cost effective and often an excellent alternative. You’ll get a dedicated account manager to provide any advice you need along the way and they’ll ensure you’re operating as tax efficiently as possible. As always, there are good and bad examples of companies in this space. Luckily for you if you’re freelancing through us, we have a partnership with an excellent company who will be able to manage the whole process for you. 5. Save your pennies Yes, freelancing can be lucrative, but it won’t happen overnight and no matter how brilliant you are, it’ll take a bit of time to build up a client base and start getting regular bookings and regular income. So before you hand your boss your resignation letter, make sure you’ve got a good base of savings in the bank… common wisdom recommends 6-months of living expenses. You’re making a long term investment and this will help ensure you have the time and confidence to develop your freelance business. 6. Set your rates Back when you were considering going freelance (see point 1), you took time to put together a plan outlining what you need to earn each month to cover your expenses. Once you’ve done this and paid the tax man, there’s often not much difference between your previous permanent wage and your freelance wage. Seek advice on what the market is paying for your level of experience (we can help with this) and set your rates accordingly. Often clients will be prepared to pay more for a short term contract, and look to negotiate for a longer term booking, so a degree of flexibility based on contract duration is advised. 7. Research your audience It’s vital to do your homework on who your potential clients are going to be and start getting to know them via networking, social media and the like before you start. This could be via a mix of recruiters and direct clients. Try to understand what their challenges are and how you can solve them; where are your specific specialisms that will add the most value and command the best rates? Is it a specific industry sector or type of design? The aim is to define your market place and then market yourself to them (we can help with this!). 8. Location, location, location Once you’ve set your stall out, you need to consider if there’s enough opportunity in your local area. If you live in London, the answer is probably yes. If not, how flexible are you prepared to be in spreading your net further afield to secure more contracts? The more flexible, the more opportunity. 9. Be prepared for downtime Freelance work can be sporadic, especially in the early days. There will be peaks and troughs so before you dash out to buy your first Porsche when the money is rolling in, just bear in mind that there may be some leaner periods and plan your finances accordingly. With that in mind, like in any business marketing yourself consistently (even when the sun is shining and you’re making hay) is key to long term success – the more you get ‘brand you’ in to potential clients’ minds, the more likely you are to have a bulging order book. 10. Clients won’t always pay on time As with any client-supplier relationship, you need to be prepared for the fact that clients won’t always pay on time, which is why it’s always important to retain a good buffer in your account to allow for this eventuality. Most standard payment terms are 28 days, however, this can often slip to 60 and even 90 days in the worst scenarios. You’re well within your rights to (politely) chase clients for payment. It’s never the nicest part of the job, but it’s important to be firm and diligent chasing payment, although this should always be done professionally in order to maintain good relations. One of the benefits of working through a recruiter is that they will ensure regular payments and this payment hassle is therefore substantially reduced. 11. Choose your projects & build your portfolio When you start to build a regular stream of work from clients and people begin to know you’re someone they can trust to deliver exceptional work, you should find yourself may well find yourself in a situation where you can pick which projects you want to take on. Turning work away from clients can be very uncomfortable, but think about why you went in to freelance; most likely to do work that you love doing and that you’re interested in. The more you do that interests you, the more you will be able to build your portfolio with this type of work and the more those opportunities should start to come along. 12. Love thy client The best freelancers are those who have strong interpersonal skills, adapt quickly to new environments and who clients can trust to deliver with minimal input/supervision. Good communication with them is key, as is pushing back when briefs aren’t defined clearly enough, and challenging ideas when you think there’s a better solution. Diplomacy is key, but they’re paying for your expertise so will appreciate constructive input. Ultimately clients want an easy life; they want to know that when they have a specific requirement they can call on you to help them out. Build strong relationships with them and they’ll come to you again and again. 13. Enjoy yourself This guide is not designed to put you off the idea of freelancing, in fact, quite the opposite; it can be hugely rewarding and provide the work/life balance you’ve always yearned for. There will inevitably be tough times, but these should always be outweighed by the good. Make sure you enjoy them!
Thinking about going freelance? Here’s our guide on how to get started.
Freelancing has long been a popular career choice for many in the marketing, PR and creative sectors. The reasons for going freelance are varied; you want more flexibility in your working life, you want to be your own boss, you want to ditch the long commute, the list goes on. We’re often asked how to make the switch to freelance, so thought it was about time we put together our tips on successfully making the move and important considerations you should be mindful of before you do. 1. Being your own boss Sounds good doesn’t it? Not having to permanently answer to anyone, managing your workload, choosing which assignments you want to take on, leaving office politics at the door and so on. The thing is, not everyone is cut out for it. Freelancing can be massively rewarding and many people wouldn’t dream of going back to permanent employment. But be under no illusions, running your own business is hard work and isn’t for everyone, so before you make the leap, make sure you’ve properly thought everything through. Bear in mind that as a freelancer you immediately become the finance manager, marketing manager, IT department, admin assistant and everything in between. Depending on how you set yourself up, be prepared to spend a good chunk of time on finding opportunities, invoicing, chasing payments, meeting potential clients, marketing yourself etc. So before quitting your permanent job, make sure you’ve put together a plan outlining what you need to earn each month to cover your expenses (not forgetting holidays, sickness, travel costs etc.) and give yourself a good wage. 2. Brand YOU Once you’ve decided it’s for you, you’ll need to choose a name for your freelance business. It’s also worth considering developing your own profile and looking in to setting up a website to showcase your services – this will help massively when it comes to marketing yourself to potential clients. At this stage it’s important to get your name out there and start making connections with potential clients. Equally, we’re immersed in the sector and frequently have clients coming to us looking for freelance talent, so we’ll be able to help source opportunities through our network. 3. Take care of the legal stuff Like it or not, becoming a freelancer doesn’t mean you suddenly become exempt from having to pay your taxes. So you need to make sure you’re properly set up and compliant with HMRC requirements. The starting point for this is how you set yourself up. Visit the HMRC’s website for guidance on how to do this. 4. Accountant or Umbrella Company? At the point where you’ve set yourself up, you then need to consider how you’re going to ensure you meet the tax man’s requirements. In which case, it’s good to get yourself an accountant – they’ll be invaluable in ensuring you can maximise your income, whilst staying fully compliant with your obligations. To keep yourself sane and your accountant happy, you’ll also need to make sure you’ve set up a good admin system for keeping on top of your invoices, receipts, purchase orders and so on. Alternatively, you can look in to using an umbrella company… they won’t keep you dry on a rainy day in Manchester, but if the thought of setting yourself up, getting an accountant, managing your taxes etc. sends a cold shiver down your spine, then it’s worth considering using an umbrella company who will do all this for you. For a fee of course, but when everything boils down, they’re surprisingly cost effective and often an excellent alternative. You’ll get a dedicated account manager to provide any advice you need along the way and they’ll ensure you’re operating as tax efficiently as possible. As always, there are good and bad examples of companies in this space. Luckily for you if you’re freelancing through us, we have a partnership with an excellent company who will be able to manage the whole process for you. 5. Save your pennies Yes, freelancing can be lucrative, but it won’t happen overnight and no matter how brilliant you are, it’ll take a bit of time to build up a client base and start getting regular bookings and regular income. So before you hand your boss your resignation letter, make sure you’ve got a good base of savings in the bank… common wisdom recommends 6-months of living expenses. You’re making a long term investment and this will help ensure you have the time and confidence to develop your freelance business. 6. Set your rates Back when you were considering going freelance (see point 1), you took time to put together a plan outlining what you need to earn each month to cover your expenses. Once you’ve done this and paid the tax man, there’s often not much difference between your previous permanent wage and your freelance wage. Seek advice on what the market is paying for your level of experience (we can help with this) and set your rates accordingly. Often clients will be prepared to pay more for a short term contract, and look to negotiate for a longer term booking, so a degree of flexibility based on contract duration is advised. 7. Research your audience It’s vital to do your homework on who your potential clients are going to be and start getting to know them via networking, social media and the like before you start. This could be via a mix of recruiters and direct clients. Try to understand what their challenges are and how you can solve them; where are your specific specialisms that will add the most value and command the best rates? Is it a specific industry sector or type of design? The aim is to define your market place and then market yourself to them (we can help with this!). 8. Location, location, location Once you’ve set your stall out, you need to consider if there’s enough opportunity in your local area. If you live in London, the answer is probably yes. If not, how flexible are you prepared to be in spreading your net further afield to secure more contracts? The more flexible, the more opportunity. 9. Be prepared for downtime Freelance work can be sporadic, especially in the early days. There will be peaks and troughs so before you dash out to buy your first Porsche when the money is rolling in, just bear in mind that there may be some leaner periods and plan your finances accordingly. With that in mind, like in any business marketing yourself consistently (even when the sun is shining and you’re making hay) is key to long term success – the more you get ‘brand you’ in to potential clients’ minds, the more likely you are to have a bulging order book. 10. Clients won’t always pay on time As with any client-supplier relationship, you need to be prepared for the fact that clients won’t always pay on time, which is why it’s always important to retain a good buffer in your account to allow for this eventuality. Most standard payment terms are 28 days, however, this can often slip to 60 and even 90 days in the worst scenarios. You’re well within your rights to (politely) chase clients for payment. It’s never the nicest part of the job, but it’s important to be firm and diligent chasing payment, although this should always be done professionally in order to maintain good relations. One of the benefits of working through a recruiter is that they will ensure regular payments and this payment hassle is therefore substantially reduced. 11. Choose your projects & build your portfolio When you start to build a regular stream of work from clients and people begin to know you’re someone they can trust to deliver exceptional work, you should find yourself may well find yourself in a situation where you can pick which projects you want to take on. Turning work away from clients can be very uncomfortable, but think about why you went in to freelance; most likely to do work that you love doing and that you’re interested in. The more you do that interests you, the more you will be able to build your portfolio with this type of work and the more those opportunities should start to come along. 12. Love thy client The best freelancers are those who have strong interpersonal skills, adapt quickly to new environments and who clients can trust to deliver with minimal input/supervision. Good communication with them is key, as is pushing back when briefs aren’t defined clearly enough, and challenging ideas when you think there’s a better solution. Diplomacy is key, but they’re paying for your expertise so will appreciate constructive input. Ultimately clients want an easy life; they want to know that when they have a specific requirement they can call on you to help them out. Build strong relationships with them and they’ll come to you again and again. 13. Enjoy yourself This guide is not designed to put you off the idea of freelancing, in fact, quite the opposite; it can be hugely rewarding and provide the work/life balance you’ve always yearned for. There will inevitably be tough times, but these should always be outweighed by the good. Make sure you enjoy them!
almost 7 years ago
By Rebecca Thomas
Perfect Your Creative Portfolio
Think of your portfolio as your shop window. A well laid out and designed shop window draws people in and creates interest. A poorly designed one puts people off before they’ve even got through the door. The more time and effort you dedicate to honing your portfolio, the higher are your chances for attracting potential employers. Working with Creative Directors on a daily basis means we have a pretty good idea about what they tend to look for when reviewing candidates’ work, so we’ve d distilled this in to our top tips for honing your portfolio. Good portfolios are always evolving; if you don’t like something, it’s easy to change. Back to the shop window analogy – it’s a representation of the current range, not next season. Nothing is permanent and nor should your portfolio be. One of the best quotes we’ve read over the years encapsulates this point perfectly: “You should never consider your portfolio finished. You should always be dissatisfied with it. Your book requires endless work and few things are more important. And no matter how successful you become, this never changes.” Format These days a lot of designers opt for both an on and offline version of their CV. We’re going to focus on your print portfolio, but don’t forget, this will also need to be duplicated to be sent out to prospective employers electronically in pdf format. Personalised websites are increasingly popular, whether this be a simple, templated site (there are lots available), or whether you use one of the popular portfolio sites likewww.behance.net With such a variety of portfolio cases available, the key point to ensure is that it’s in good condition and presents a professional appearance. Equally, your work inside should be well mounted and consistently laid out throughout. There’s nothing more off putting than tatty old pieces of work falling out everywhere. Layout If there’s one piece of advice to take from this guide it should be this: always start and finish your portfolio with your best pieces of work. Your first piece, should make the interviewer (or recipient) sit up and take note. Your last needs to be equally impactful, after all, it’s likely to be the piece of work that’s open in front of the interviewer for the rest of the interview. The middle of your book should be organised so that it demonstrates a variety of activity, styles and formats. If you can help it, try not to group similar pieces of work together – keep it as interesting and diverse as possible. Tell a story Your portfolio should create interest even if you’re not in the room to present it. Whether you’re emailing a copy of your portfolio to a prospective employer, or leaving one behind at the end of the interview, it needs to tell a story. Make sure piece of work is accompanied by a short description that gives a concise summary of what the brief was and why you chose the creative route that you did. If possible, a top line summary of the results achieved will always be well received. As with the overall layout of your portfolio, ensure descriptions are consistent in terms of positioning, size and font. When presenting your work to a prospective employer, treat it like a pitch. Show enthusiasm for your work and your craft. The worst trap people fall in to is simply turning the pages in their portfolio without explanation or any sense of pride in their work. So tell a story about your work, bring it to life. Be ready to elaborate on the brief description in your portfolio and to articulate the brief, what the client was aiming to achieve, who the target audience was, the creative route you took, the results it achieved. All this will help you stand out from the masses. Practice makes perfect Presenting your work isn’t something that comes naturally to a lot of designers. But it’s an important skill to learn. Take every opportunity to talk about your work, whether it’s to colleagues, clients, family or friends. The more you do this, the more comfortable you’ll become. Quite simply, you want them to be as interested in your work as you are. Quality not quantity Avoid the trap of putting every piece of work you’ve ever done in your portfolio. Keep it tight and as high quality as possible. The general rule is 10 key pieces of work. Much more than this and you risk losing the interest of your audience. You’re showcasing your talents, not giving your entire life history. Nothing from 1983 Not that we’ve got anything against the 80s, or 90s for that matter, but your portfolio must remain current. You might get away with one real stand out piece that you did years ago, but if your book is full of old work the interviewer is likely to worry why you haven’t done anything recently that you’re proud of. Keep it updated As we stated at the beginning of this guide, it’s good practice to always keep your portfolio updated, whether you’re looking for a new job or not. Every time you put a piece in, look at what can be taken out. We’re our own worst critics most of the time so learn to be ruthless with your portfolio and it will always remain strong and relevant. In summary, your portfolio should be an ever evolving entity. It should showcase your creative talents and be something you’re proud to present. Every job, every internship, every project, should represent a stepping stone to an even better portfolio. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes the perfect portfolio, so if you have anything that you'd add, we'd love to hear from you.
Perfect Your Creative Portfolio
Think of your portfolio as your shop window. A well laid out and designed shop window draws people in and creates interest. A poorly designed one puts people off before they’ve even got through the door. The more time and effort you dedicate to honing your portfolio, the higher are your chances for attracting potential employers. Working with Creative Directors on a daily basis means we have a pretty good idea about what they tend to look for when reviewing candidates’ work, so we’ve d distilled this in to our top tips for honing your portfolio. Good portfolios are always evolving; if you don’t like something, it’s easy to change. Back to the shop window analogy – it’s a representation of the current range, not next season. Nothing is permanent and nor should your portfolio be. One of the best quotes we’ve read over the years encapsulates this point perfectly: “You should never consider your portfolio finished. You should always be dissatisfied with it. Your book requires endless work and few things are more important. And no matter how successful you become, this never changes.” Format These days a lot of designers opt for both an on and offline version of their CV. We’re going to focus on your print portfolio, but don’t forget, this will also need to be duplicated to be sent out to prospective employers electronically in pdf format. Personalised websites are increasingly popular, whether this be a simple, templated site (there are lots available), or whether you use one of the popular portfolio sites likewww.behance.net With such a variety of portfolio cases available, the key point to ensure is that it’s in good condition and presents a professional appearance. Equally, your work inside should be well mounted and consistently laid out throughout. There’s nothing more off putting than tatty old pieces of work falling out everywhere. Layout If there’s one piece of advice to take from this guide it should be this: always start and finish your portfolio with your best pieces of work. Your first piece, should make the interviewer (or recipient) sit up and take note. Your last needs to be equally impactful, after all, it’s likely to be the piece of work that’s open in front of the interviewer for the rest of the interview. The middle of your book should be organised so that it demonstrates a variety of activity, styles and formats. If you can help it, try not to group similar pieces of work together – keep it as interesting and diverse as possible. Tell a story Your portfolio should create interest even if you’re not in the room to present it. Whether you’re emailing a copy of your portfolio to a prospective employer, or leaving one behind at the end of the interview, it needs to tell a story. Make sure piece of work is accompanied by a short description that gives a concise summary of what the brief was and why you chose the creative route that you did. If possible, a top line summary of the results achieved will always be well received. As with the overall layout of your portfolio, ensure descriptions are consistent in terms of positioning, size and font. When presenting your work to a prospective employer, treat it like a pitch. Show enthusiasm for your work and your craft. The worst trap people fall in to is simply turning the pages in their portfolio without explanation or any sense of pride in their work. So tell a story about your work, bring it to life. Be ready to elaborate on the brief description in your portfolio and to articulate the brief, what the client was aiming to achieve, who the target audience was, the creative route you took, the results it achieved. All this will help you stand out from the masses. Practice makes perfect Presenting your work isn’t something that comes naturally to a lot of designers. But it’s an important skill to learn. Take every opportunity to talk about your work, whether it’s to colleagues, clients, family or friends. The more you do this, the more comfortable you’ll become. Quite simply, you want them to be as interested in your work as you are. Quality not quantity Avoid the trap of putting every piece of work you’ve ever done in your portfolio. Keep it tight and as high quality as possible. The general rule is 10 key pieces of work. Much more than this and you risk losing the interest of your audience. You’re showcasing your talents, not giving your entire life history. Nothing from 1983 Not that we’ve got anything against the 80s, or 90s for that matter, but your portfolio must remain current. You might get away with one real stand out piece that you did years ago, but if your book is full of old work the interviewer is likely to worry why you haven’t done anything recently that you’re proud of. Keep it updated As we stated at the beginning of this guide, it’s good practice to always keep your portfolio updated, whether you’re looking for a new job or not. Every time you put a piece in, look at what can be taken out. We’re our own worst critics most of the time so learn to be ruthless with your portfolio and it will always remain strong and relevant. In summary, your portfolio should be an ever evolving entity. It should showcase your creative talents and be something you’re proud to present. Every job, every internship, every project, should represent a stepping stone to an even better portfolio. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes the perfect portfolio, so if you have anything that you'd add, we'd love to hear from you.
