The Lonely Freelancer: Recent Episodes
The Lonely Freelancer
The weekly podcast by Nikki McCaig discussing everything freelance, from chasing invoices to working from home!
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I re-visit The FAQs of Mental Health In The Workplace and explore how we can all enjoy better mental health at work.
Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/mental-health/the-faqs-of-mental-health-in-the-workplace-part-ii/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I explore how the Netflix series 'Girlboss' accurately sums up the freelance experience. Give it a listen to find out more.
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I explore how the pandemic has changed the freelance industry and the changes we've all had to adapt to over the past year. Give it a listen!
In this week's episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I interview guest speaker Albert Aziz-Caulson, founder and creator of Underpinned - a virtual freelance network and service provider! We discussed the changing nature of freelancing, the diversity within the freelance community and the way COVID has changed the way we work so if you're interested - give it a listen!
Underpinned has also kindly offered any TLF listeners a 25% discount when they sign up to The Ultimate Guide to Freelancing Course through Underpinned using promo code: THELONELYF25.
All of Albert's links are below:
nstagram (UnderPinned): @_underpinned LinkedIn (UnderPinned): https://www.linkedin.com/company/underpinned/ LinkedIn (Albert): https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-de-symons-azis-clauson-%F0%9F%A6%9A-03a97a9a/ Twitter (UnderPinned): @_UnderPinned Twitter (Albert): @AlbertAzis
In my latest blog post, I share my tips for achieving a mental health inclusive Zoom environment and explore the idea of inclusivity online.
Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/mental-health/staying-mental-health-inclusive-over-zoom/
In my latest episode, I share 8 Tips for Accommodating Your Mental Illness and some useful advice for living alongside mental health.https://nikkimccaig.com/mental-health/accommodating-mental-illness/
Throughout my years working as a freelancer, I’ve heard many a myth, rumour or assumption about my job. Whether it be from a well-meaning client or a judgemental social media post, there has always been a certain stigma about working for yourself.
In this weeks episode, I want to share some of the smallest yet often overlooked secrets of building a great social media profile for your brand.
In today’s blog post, I want to explore exactly what a gender-equal workplace could look like and how your workplace can start making those vital shifts towards a more balanced and respectful working culture.
Over the last decade, the number of individuals becoming freelance workers in the UK rose by 14%. With the pandemic affecting physical workspaces and unemployment figures rising, freelance careers have been steadily inclining through 2020, as more and more people choose to work for themselves and work from home.
After months spent inside the comfort of our homes, with only our families around us, suddenly being placed in a bustling office for eight hours straight could be a little overwhelming – not to mention mentally taxing after the stress of this long, intense lockdown period. With new commutes to consider, a simultaneous loneliness and social overwhelm, new working routines to pick up on and social distancing measures to maintain, it can feel like starting a brand new job again for the very first time.
I’ve challenged myself to list 26 different pieces of advice I wish I’d been given when I first started out as a freelancer, in a fun A-Z style to help keep me thinking!
Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/a-z-of-advice-for-new-freelancers/
In this in-depth audio essay, I explore the experience of having health anxiety throughout a pandemic and the struggle it can be.
If you want to talk about your own anxiety, or share your experiences, feel free to drop me an email at nikki.j.mccaig@gmail.com.
In 2021, the modern workplace looks very different from its 2019 counterpart. I'm sharing the 5 ways that workplaces can cause their employees to feel anxious, stressed and burned out - without even realising it. Listen to The Lonely Freelancer or read along: https://bit.ly/380IuFN
Bubblegum pink meeting rooms, fluffy unicorns, free ice lollies, and high heels — finding out the truth about Inside Missguided.
Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/inside-missguided/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I talk about what to expect when hiring a freelancer and your top six reasons NOT to hire one! Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/six-reasons-not-hire-freelancer/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I talk about starting a podcast and all of the reasons you should start one too! Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/reasons-to-start-podcast/
For this week's episode of The Lonely Freelance, I've created a step-by-step guide to creating, designing and implementing your very own DIY branding for your small business. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/simple-diy-branding-for-a-small-business/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I talk about the ways in which freelancers waste their budgets, and the easiest ways to cut back at the end of the month! Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/5-things-freelancers-waste-money-on/
In this week's episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I talk about what happens when we make a marketing mistake, and the best steps to take in the hours that follow. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/marketing-mistake/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I share my process for developing and building my own website as a freelance marketer using Wordpress. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/how-i-designed-my-website/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I share the top key personal skills you need to become a successful freelancer. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/personal-skills-for-freelancing/
In the latest episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I explore whether you can be a good and successful freelancer whilst living with bad mental health. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/mental-health/can-i-be-a-good-freelancer-with-bad-mental-health/
In this episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I analyse the Seven Deadly Sins of Self Motivation, and explore which sins I'm far too guilty of. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-self-motivation/
In today's episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I wanted to answer some of the most common questions people are asking about freelancing during lockdown, surviving 2020 as a self-employed worker and staying productive in a world of chaos. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/freelance-faqs-part-ii-working-and-surviving-in-2020/
In my latest post, I share my advice for writing inclusive copy for your business, and improving ethical practices within your digital presence.
Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/digital/how-to-write-inclusive-copy-for-your-business/
In this episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I interview Will J Carman - a Nottingham based freelance filmmaker on his experiences of self employment and working in the industry. Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/will-carman-filmmaker/
In my latest episode, I'm talking about how to handle negative feedback from your clients, and sharing some of my strategies for coping with criticism productively! Read along: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/how-to-handle-negative-client-feedback/
In this episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing my experiences of university, studing film and television, and my road to becoming a freelancer. I'm discussing whether university was worth it for me, and the lessons I learned along the way! Read along here: https://nikkimccaig.com/lifestyle/film-student-to-freelancer/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing my favourite recommendations of the shows, films and albums helping me to get through lockdown! (There is a language rating on this episode, so please bear that in mind when listening!) Read along here: https://nikkimccaig.com/lifestyle/how-to-escape-from-lockdown-films-tv-and-music/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing why I blog and the benefits of starting a blog as a freelancer. To read the post, click here: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/the-benefits-of-blogging-as-a-freelancer/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing my advice for coping with anxiety in the workplace (or even in your work-from-home place).
To read along with this episode, you can check out the blog post here: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/coping-with-anxiety-in-the-workplace/.
In the latest episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I talk about the power of ethical marketing and share my advice for becoming a little more empathetic during the time of Corona.
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I share the elements of working in a full time role that I've been missing recently.
You can read along here: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/what-i-miss-about-working-full-time/
In the latest episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I talk you through my process for de-cluttering and organising my inbox. From my addiction to colour-coordinated labels, to my ever growing digital folder collection, I walk through my everyday routine for managing my emails!
In the latest episode of the Lonely Freelancer, I talk about the passions and hobbies we have that actually make us poorer, but happier. In today's digital world, it can be hard to fight the temptation to monetise all of our interests but sometimes it's better to simply spend money on the things you love. Read the original here: https://nikkimccaig.com/lifestyle/find-a-hobby-that-makes-you-poorer/
In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm talking about the very start of the marketing journey - from your first ever tweet, to creating your own work experience from home. I share my advice for impressing your future bosses, plotting your career path and finding out if marketing is truly the right field for you.
In the latest episode of The Lonely Blogger, and in honour of International Women's Day 2020, I share the 10 achievements I'm proud of from the past 10 years. I've been through heartbreak, pain, struggle and stress to get where I am now and I wanted to share some of my successes with my lovely listeners. Check out the original blog post here: https://nikkimccaig.com/lifestyle/10-achievements-in-10-years-of-a-woman/
Struggling to use Pinterest productively to improve your business marketing? In my latest podcast episode I share my tips for utilising Pinterest as an effective marketing platform and using it to help improve your web traffic!
Is your office up to scratch with it's wellness policies? How do you create a mentally healthy workplace without being patronising or discriminatory? In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing my tips for building a calm, productive and encouraging workspace for all of your employees. Check out my original blog post here: https://nikkimccaig.com/mental-health/create-a-mentally-healthy-workplace/
The Lonely Freelancer, with Nikki McCaig. In this week's episode, I share my stories of sexism within my own various workplaces. From a supermarket assistant to a freelance marketer, I've experience discrimination, harrassment and inequality my entire working life and finally, I've had enough.
How do you manage your distractions? Is there such a thing as a good distraction, and if so, how do we timetable our procrastination? In the latest episode of The Lonely Freelancer, I'm sharing my tips for staying productive, whilst still enjoying the distractions that matter. Check out my original blog post here: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/positive-distraction/
The Lonely Freelancer, with Nikki McCaig. In this week's episode, I share my advice for becoming your own client first. From presenting your business in the right way for you to looking at your skills from the perspective of a potential client, I've got it covered.
From setting up a website to curating your Instagram feed, finding the right imagery for your brand is crucial. I'm sharing the audio transcript of my latest blog post here, and you can read along here: https://nikkimccaig.com/business/brand-imagery/
Welcome to The Lonely Freelancer! In this episode, I introduce the podcast, myself and my business. Give it a listen and subscribe for more!