As blogging seems all the rage I feel it's time to tell bloggers a little bit more about myself
and
why I freelance.
I am quite new to blogging as you can probably tell. I am also relatively new to freelancing in
terms of going it alone, nevertheless as I have taken the plunge I may as well let you know a
little
bit about me & my companies (www.GDSFreelance.co.uk &
www.EastLancsAdvertising.com)
First of all I have worked in many industries and have trained in many trades, I left school at
13-
14 years old and went working with the fairground, following this I began working as a paint
sprayer for a local factory. As I knew paints spraying wasn't really the role for me I moved
swiftly
on and began working and trying to find work that I was passionate about or even happy
doing.
For many years this meant I was carrying out some very different, sometimes funny,
mundane and
laborious jobs. In my late 20s I began working in the creative industries, this was my lucky
break,
finally I found something that I really enjoyed, but being a family man this wasn't to last as
the pay
was sporadic, nevertheless from finding a real passion for something I enjoyed I gained back
the
confidence to get back into education, mainly because I wanted to learn more about the
trade I
was so passionate about. This led me down a different path, (education) as I enjoyed
education so
much, you could even say I gained a thirst for wanting to learn more and more, this led me
to
where I am now.
After completing numerous qualifications at Level 1, I was offered a place on a broadcasting,
film
& communication BA (hons) Degree course. In 2008 I gained a 1st Class BA (hons) Degree
from the
world famous Liverpool John Moores University. Whilst doing my degree I began working as
a
learning support worker (which I still do to this day), along with being a part time lecturer in
media
and a program leader for foundations entry level 3 learners, and yes still being a student
myself.
All this has led to the opening of doors towards a freelancing career and If I am going to be
totally
honest, if I am to make it as a highly rewarded professional freelancer there's a checklist
of
stuff I will need, and unfortunately much of what is required can not be bought. First and
foremost, the clients happiness and confidence is the most important part of my business, I
will
not under any circumstance work on a project that will not aim to provide good customer
service
and relations. For those of you who know me I hope that you agree and although I am not
the
most
out spoken person I have morals that lends itself to bucket loads of self-belief. I have the
determination
to
keep driving my businesses forward for years and decades to come.
I was once told "that it takes at least five years to establish yourself and just surviving in this
game is a huge challenge, it doesn't get any easier. The reservoirs of resilience need to be
brimming just to keep your head above water." And I totally agree.
Even after a few years as a freelance photographer & videographer I still don't feel at all
secure in
my trade, I guess I never will, this is why I feel the need to lecture the work that I am
passionate
about, as do many of my lecturing colleagues. I am a firm believer that the media game is
not a
game for the faint hearted and if you want security and the peace of mind a regular pay
check
brings, maybe you should think again about getting into the media business.
Nevertheless as I have already taken the leap of faith and I thrive for the challenge or
competition,
I would say go for it because the flip side of all this is the deep life affirming glow of
satisfaction
of making it happen, being master of your own destiny, earning a living from something you
are
passionate about. If you are thinking the price of taking the leap is high, remember these
few
words "the reward you will gain will be priceless".
