FR££LANCE: How to (and how not to) approach the business side of freelancing

This is a recording of an event hosted in-person and online at St Bride Foundation on 1 May 2025.

Freelancing: where creativity meets contracts, invoices . . . and the occasional existential crisis. If you’ve ever stared at a spreadsheet with tears in your eyes, questioned whether contracts are as ominous as they sound, or debated invoicing for emotional damage after tweak request #47, this event is for you.

Brought to you by St Bride Foundation, Micaela Alcaino, Becky Chilcott, David Pearson and Jack Smyth, this evening dives into the essential – but often overlooked – business side of freelancing. Join top book cover designers, art directors, and guest speakers for panel discussions packed with insights, advice, and honest conversations on:

• Contracts: Kill fees, rights, territories, and when to say “No”.

• Fees: UK vs US rates, what on earth are sell on fees, when to ask for more, and how to survive tweaking hell with your sanity intact.

• Freelance Hacks: From managing invoices and expenses to staying inspired, and deciding if you’re a sole trader or ready to go LTD.

Whether you’re a new freelancer, a seasoned pro, an in-house designer who wants to look after their freelancers well, or just someone who enjoys free snacks while nodding sympathetically, join us for an evening of practical advice and a healthy dose of camaraderie. Bring your questions and curiosity – and we promise you’ll leave feeling a little more in control and a lot less alone.

With guest panelists:

• Darrel Rees

• Jessie Price

• Charlotte Abrams Simpson

• Luke Bird