Unit 24 – Manage and Market Own Freelance Services

Unit 1 - Be able to market own services

1.1 Identify relevant business contacts within the industry

A great way to identify relevant business contacts is firstly online, as this method allows you to filter your search and find companies/ clients that are more relevant in your industry. There are also many events for industry professionals to attend such as director and producer functions.


1.2 Maintain established business contacts within the industry

A good way to maintain your business contacts in the industry would be to keep in contact, whether that being through social networks, email, phone, or meeting. Another way to maintain your business contacts would be to attend events set up by certain companies, as this is a positive way to catch up with contacts and also meet some new ones.


1.3 Participate within relevant networks and expert organisations to support own freelance activity

This basically means if you are trying to promote yourself within the relevant networks it would be a good idea to sign up to mailing lists that will inform you of industry events taking place. It would then be wise to bring your business cards with you, and exchange as you wish with like-minded people.


1.4 Use appropriate strategies and tools to enhance own professional reputation and promote own services

Recently I have thought about this, especially as I approach my final few months on the apprenticeship. One method that I’ve seen used a lot is having your work on a website, that showcases your talent and displays your CV. Another one widely used is having a show reel – shame I haven’t got anything for mine.


1.5 Implement systems to enable early identification of work opportunities

The best way to find out about upcoming job opportunities would be joining creative media websites and signing up to mailing lists, such as shooting people, mandy, production base and so on. Also LinkedIn now offer a tool that prompts you regarding new jobs.


1.6 Identify potential agents or other representatives

As mentioned above, potential representatives that market your services could be media websites such as mandy, shooting people and production base. Some other ways to identify agents/ reps could be by posting an advert into a media newsletter or magazine, such as Broadcast, Televisual, The Knowledge, etc.



Unit 2 – Be able to manage own performance


2.1 Identify own development needs drawing on a range of relevant sources

Ways to identify my own development could be done by setting myself targets that I hope to achieve by a certain date, and also a breakdown on how I’m going to achieve them. At the moment my personal development plan involves using the college camera’s more, allowing me to draw on gaining further experience in that field (the one I wish to pursue).


2.2 Seek constructive feedback from relevant parties about own performance

A simple, yet effective way to gain constructive feedback from relevant parties on your performance could be having a monthly meeting with your employer on your progress (I can’t remember the name of this meeting – perhaps it is called monthly meeting?). Your employer should be able to give you your weaknesses and your strengths and an action plan with something to achieve.


2.3 Set, monitor and review realistic objectives for own training and development needs, performance and business targets

A way that I have monitored these performance and business targets in the past is by having a training card with my personal performance level and what level I need to achieve to meet my set targets – whether this being in sales or customer service. I did realise however that there is little point setting yourself unrealistic targets, as it can be quite sad when you do not meet them.


2.4 Work flexibly, adapting to the requirements of others as appropriate whilst maintaining own personal work ethic and reputation

I can definitely say I understand and respect the fact sometimes work flexibility and requirements change, I have been in this situation when I worked for a distribution company and myself and two other colleagues worked late into the night to make sure that everything was prepared for MIPTV (did get a lovely sushi meal paid for though). Another occasion that I showed work flexibility was during production at my current job, it was always an understanding that during this busy time I would be required to work Monday – Saturday with long hours – however this was not a problem, it’s one of the things I find exciting about making a film. HARD WORK PAYS OFF….. Sometimes!


2.5 Make appropriate business decisions

I feel some clarification should be shed on this answer, as generally people don’t intend to make inappropriate business decisions…


Unit 3 – Be able to manage own systems, accounts and records


3.1 Implement effective systems of managing budgets, finance and documentation

An effective way to maintain your budgets, finance and documentation could be by keeping a fileofax with separate areas for each different document area, such as legal, bills, bank statements, invoices, pay cheques etc. Another way to manage your budget and finance would be by conducting a breakdown of bills, therefore giving you an idea of income and outgoings.


3.2 Maintain appropriate, accurate and up-to date accounts and records

One way I would ensure accurate and up-to date accounts and records would be organising a folder/ or filofax with month dividers, this way you can easily find certain bills and keep things in a logical order. Another thing that I do is write down what my billing dates are for each of my direct debits and credit cards – that way I can ensure that I have sufficient funds in my account/ or make sure I transfer the money across.

3.3 Implement effective support services

Use services such as connections and government websites to find effective support


3.4 Plan ahead to maintain a viable work and cash flow

This could consist of having a rota of work lined up, including a summary of what your being paid for each job. From here you can then sit down and organise whether you can afford those new clothes or not. Rule of thumb it’s best to find your outgoings for bills, tax, food, travel and I’m sure much more and from that you can budget sensibility throughout the month.


Unit 4 Be able to manage own contracts


4.1 Negotiate contracts that meet legal and industry requirements

I guess the most effective way of negotiating your contact in line with legal and industry requirements would firstly be learning your legal rights such as holiday entitlement, minimum wage, unfair dismissal and so on. Negotiating your contract to industry requirements could be harder to find, but I’m sure you can find a friend in the HR department of a creative media industry.


4.2 Agree realistic fee rates, schedule and other expenses

Always a delicate subject I find, as it can be very hard to negotiate fees and expenses in which both sides win. An example of this could be being presented with a fee that your unhappy with but if you put a counter offer on the table, for all you know the job could be pulled from your feet or you could start off on an awkward note with your new employer.


4.3 Establish clear performance outcomes

A great way to establish clear performance outcomes would be to talk to your employer, as at the end of the day they want to get the most out of you and stretch you for whatever money they are paying you. If you ask your employer to give you say a monthly or quarterly meeting discussing your performance you can then note down what may need improving.


4.4 Ensure that contracts include all relevant details, checking that these match agreements

Personally I would check that my contract meets legal and industry requirements by either checking it against a draft contract or by checking it against a previous job contract, this way you can ensure you are not being mugged off. Also if you find yourself inadequate of doing this, I would speak to an industry HR department who I’m sure can offer some guidance.


4.5 Communicate the obligations of all parties clearly

BASICALLY, this means don't mumble.


4.6 Store a written copy of the final signed contract securely

I would personally put my final signed contract securely in my purchased fileofax – that keeps all my other documentation safe and secure (unless a fire or burglar help themselves). It may also be a wise idea to keep a copy of your contract on a over the air location such as Dropbox or SugarSync (I doubt these will crash!) or even an external hard drive.