Electric Trainer

Freelance or Small Business?

I had a great day on Friday at the BECTU Theatre Festival in central London. I was running two workshops, both for theatre freelances - one on setting up a web site to sell yourself and the other on business skills.

I meet a lot of freelances in the course of my training, and am always struck how many are reluctant to think of themselves as any kind of business. Some seem to view self-employment almost the same way as having a job, just without the security and with lots of 'down time' (aka poverty).

I don't believe you can be a successful freelance without taking on the mindset of a business. Of course that's different from being a 'company' and perhaps too many people confuse the two terms.

If you think I'm splitting hairs, consider this example: take two identical self-employed people, one a freelance and one a small business. When they're not working on a contract what are they doing?

Whenever I ask people this question the freelance is usually getting up late and watching daytime TV. The small business is out getting more clients or updating his publicity.

It may be just mindset and perception, but that can make all the difference.

Panorama, Scientology and Media Training

John Sweeney's extraordinary contribution to the Scientology debate was strangely fascinating to watch. Animal passion was the term that came to mind - or perhaps just animal frustration.

Unfortunately the knock on effect for those of us in the media training business may not be so positive. I like to work with charities and NGOs. It's rewarding work as I meet so many dedicated and clever people.

At an exhibition for the voluntary section last year I met a lot of people who think that all journalists are rude and bullying, and would prefer not to have anything to do with them.

I find it frustrating that my training often has to start with lots of reassurance to sometimes nervous trainees that they are very unlikely to be trapped, shouted at or in any way Paxmanned.

My view is that media training is about focusing on the message and getting plenty of interview practice. After all, a 2'30" interview is hardly a normal situation. Practice helps you retain your passion for your subject while addressing the subject in question in an unnaturally short period of time. (And I agree with a lot of what Julian Henry wrote recently.)

I suppose John Sweeney has at least provided something to break the ice at the beginning of a training session. Having a good laugh about his outburst might just put trainees at their ease.