Each month we spotlight a Free Spirits member. This month it's Adam Portsmouth, who went freelance at the start of 2025 and founded Pathway Talent Development with one goal: make L&D impossible to cut. Full spotlight link in bio.

Applications to exhibit with us at World of Learning close soon. Jayne Bates of Growth Spark Training exhibited with us in Oct 2025. It led directly to a commission delivering neurodivergence training for businesses she met on the stand. Members only, £30/month. Link in bio 🔗

Ever sat in a training session knowing full well you'd implement none of it? Natalie Herrett on why great training rarely shifts behaviour on its own, and what to do about it. 28 July, 12pm. Free to attend live. Link in bio to book your spot.

Want to share our stand at World of Learning? Last year's winner, Jayne Bates from Growth Spark Training, has secured new clients as a direct result of exhibiting. Applications close at 5pm on 24 July. 🔗 Link in bio #WoL26

Two years ago Kim ran a session on how to be the unicorn of freelancers. Now I've combined that session with diversifying your skillset into one practical webinar. If you're wondering whether to niche or diversify, this one's for you. 🦄 🔗 Link in bio.

Ever start explaining what you do and somehow make it sound more confusing? 😅 That's exactly why we run Pitchathon. A friendly space to practise your pitch, get feedback and build confidence. On 14 July it's open to everyone! Link in bio.

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October, here's one of our Skills Lab hosts. Jill Sainsbury, former BBC journalist turned filmmaker, will be walking you through how to create a showreel that's professional, personal, and something you're proud to share. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in bio.

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October, here's who you'll be hearing from. Kara Stanford will be challenging the idea of "finding your voice" and sharing a practical framework for getting clear on what you actually want to say. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in our bio.

Applications are open for one Free Spirit to share our stand at World of Learning, NEC Birmingham, 6 & 7 October. Free exhibition space, your own banner, the full support of our team. A cracking chance to network and tell your story. Details and form, link in bio.

🚨 Members can grab a Free Spirits LIVE! ticket for just £15... but prices increase on 1 July. Join Erica Farmer, Tom McDowall and an incredible speaker line-up on 1 October. Grab yours now. 🔗 Link in bio #FreeSpiritsLIVE #LnD #FreelanceLnD #Conference

Last chance to have your say on the 2026 Freelancer Insight Survey...forms.gle/rrsix32453au...

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October. Have a nosey at who we've got lined up. Sarah Pocklington will be sharing practical ways to build real warmth and connection, cameras on or off. Early bird pricing is available until 30 June. Prices increase on 1 July. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in bio.

Your brand is making an impression before you've even said hello. If you run your own business, that first impression could be the difference between winning a client and losing one. Join us on TODAY at 1:30pm and learn how to close the credibility gap. 🔗 Link in bio

✨ Member Spotlight: Dan Roddy From an English degree to two decades in L&D and now founder of Handprint Training, Dan shares why training isn't always the answer, what clients really need, and what he's building next. Read the full spotlight via the link in our bio. #LND #FreelanceLife

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October. Hayley Maisey will be sharing how to turn your expertise into content that actually lands, without the endless content grind. Early bird pricing is available until 30 June. Prices increase on 1 July. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in our bio.

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October, and here's who's opening the day. Erica Farmer will be introducing the concept of the AI Dividend™, exploring what AI gives back to you personally: more time, more headspace, more confidence to do the work that matters. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in bio.

Free Spirits LIVE! is happening on 1 October, and here's who's closing the day. Tom McDowall will be sharing practical ways to build visibility, credibility, and a profile people trust, without becoming a self-promotional caricature. 🎟️ Tickets via the link in our bio.

Six months of work out of two years. Andy Candler doesn't sugarcoat early freelance life. Learn, Earn, Return — and the honest advice he'd give anyone thinking about making the leap 🎙️ ldfreespirits.com/the-3-stages...

How much do you charge? Andy Candler's answer: a million pounds. His actual pricing logic is even better. Season 2 finale out now 🎙️ ldfreespirits.com/the-3-stages...

The 2026 L&D Freelancer Insight Survey is now open. Built specifically for self-employed trainers, coaches, learning designers and consultants doing their own thing. Takes less than 10 minutes. Closes 26 June. Link in bio 🔗

Half of the freelancers we surveyed last year rated finding clients a 5 or lower out of 10. And referrals were still the number one way people landed work. The 2026 survey opens Monday. Grab last year's report and get on the mailing list to be first in line: linktr.ee/ldfreespirits 🔗

100% of people we surveyed rated client satisfaction 9 or 10. Only 57% were happy with what they charge. Brilliant at the work. Not so great at charging what we're worth. The 2026 survey opens Monday. Grab last year's report and get on the mailing list to be first in line: linktr.ee/ldfreespirits

Your "competition" might be your best collaborator. Andy Candler on co-opetition, finding your tribe, and why freelancers shouldn't go it alone. Season 2 finale out now 🎙️ ldfreespirits.com/the-3-stages...

Remember this bad boy? The red folder they drilled into us we HAD to keep updated. Nobody ever asked for it...which got us thinking... do you even need a CV once you're self-employed? Webinar 26/05 @ 12pm ldfreespirits.com/events/do-yo... #FreelanceLife #LearningAndDevelopment

It's Learning at Work Week and we're going on a safari. 🧭 At 8am each day, Kim Ellis will share a free daily reflection worksheet on LinkedIn – built specifically for freelancers and self-employed people development professionals. 🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/kim-ellis...

21 years of freelancing and still experimenting. In this episode of The Free Spirits of L&D Podcast, Mark Gilroy chats with Jules Wyman about confidence, pricing, niching, and building a business your own way. Listen here: ldfreespirits.com/resources/#p...

Big news from the L&D Free Spirits camp 👀 Andy Candler is officially joining the business as Business Partner and COO. Many of you already know Andy as a Wizard, webinar host and community supporter. Now it’s official. Welcome aboard, Andy.

It's Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May) and this year's theme is ACTION. Here's three things you can do to take action against loneliness 👇👇👇 These tips are great for taking action with your own mental health but this week, why not turn them around and take action to help somebody else too.

You're already negotiating — you just don't know it 👀 Negotiation happens around you (and within you) constantly. Full recording available to Free Spirit members 👉 ldfreespirits.com/

21 years of freelancing and still experimenting. In this episode of The Free Spirits of L&D Podcast, Mark Gilroy chats with Jules Wyman about confidence, pricing, niching, and building a business your own way. Listen here: ldfreespirits.com/resources/#p...