Riding the Waves of Freelancing: A Q&A with Marketing Pro Sam Collier

Tell us a little bit about yourself & your work.

Hello, my name is Sam and I am a certified geek. I love a good story and I strongly believe that clear processes and defined objectives make achieving your goals a whole lot easier. I spent 14 years honing my skills in various marketing roles and two years ago I decided to take all of that knowledge and do things a little differently out on my own. I launched What’s Next Consulting to help clients get clear on their marketing strategy and create content that tells their story.

What inspired you to pursue freelancing?

Seeing the example of former colleagues who were making a success of it! For years I didn’t see that as an option as I was brought up in an environment where the route to ‘success’ was a stable job. It had been something that I was considering for a long time, but saw as too risky.

How did you get your first freelance client?

Through my existing network. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who. But people who know you and trust your work are your easiest sale!

What has surprised you most about being self-employed?

That I still gravitate to standard working hours 80% of the time!

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer?

To trust that people will value my work. The shift from earning a salary to pricing work and issuing invoices will have you questioning everything!

If you were just starting out, what advice would you give yourself?

Shy bairns get nowt. Keep putting yourself out there and trust that the work will come.

How do you manage work-life balance as a freelancer?

For me, removing my commute has drastically improved my worklife balance and the freedom to be more flexible with my hours, especially in winter when daylight hours are so precious, is a gamechanger. It can sometimes mean some evening and weekend working to catch up, but for me the trade-off is worth it.

What software or tools do you swear by?

Trello for project management. Freeagent for finances. Grammarly as my proof reader and Google Workspace for pretty much everything else!

What is the soundtrack of your working day?

I find lyrics a total distraction when working so it’s instrumental focus playlists all the way, vibes dependent on how much motivation I need!

Wfh, office or coffee shop?

70% home, 20% coffee shop, 10% co-working spaces

What’s your go-to wfh lunch?

I’d love to say that wfh has made me a health queen, but sadly it’s still mainly a sandwich or soup.

What strategies do you use to find new clients?

The main avenue is the weekly What’s Next LinkedIn newsletter, which is filled with marketing news, inspiration and tips. I also keep an eye out for opportunities (like this one!) to raise my profile and build the network organically.

How do you measure your success as a freelancer?

Obviously it’s income first foremost. Cash flow is king for any business, and one strong indicator of this is repeat business. If clients keep coming back, I know I’m doing something right.

What are your favourite projects to work on and why?

I love working on brand strategy, especially for smaller clients who gain so much from going through the process. The initial stages are like business therapy sessions that get all the ambitions, reservations, likes and dislikes out in the open. Then I get to dive into competitor research and really understand the challenge. There’s something about breaking something down to it’s core elements and clearly communicating it that really appeals to me.

What are you most looking forward to over the next 12 months?

The full launch of our Employer Brand Tookit is a big one! I’ve worked with Talent Insight Group for the last 18 months, and that immersion in the HR and TA world has led me to create a package that gives HR teams access to marketing expertise.

What is your favourite way to unwind after a busy day?

Getting in the sea! If there’s even the slightest hope of a wave you’ll find me hurtling down to the beach, surfboard in hand.

What’s the best way for someone to learn more about you or get in touch? Follow me or What’s Next on LinkedIn, or visit whatsnextconsulting.co.uk