The Freelancer Life: Meet Emma Jane Palin
Image lifted from emmajanepalin.com - Suited and booted in Boden*. Sunshine velvet is proper professional. Photo: Natasha Nuttall
“ I think that the promise of not having to answer to anyone, managing my own time and potentially being able to boost my earnings (which I absolutely have) were too good to miss out on.”
We’re super proud to have multi-award-winning content creator and freelance writer, Emma Jane Palin as one of our trusted Doers. She has an eye for design, is a dab hand at DIY and a penchant for creating content around creativity, interiors and culture with a colourful twist. Emma’s freelance life has really taken off over the past year and we talk to her about the promise of not having to answer to anyone, boosting her earnings and making the leap from London to Margate.
Tell us all a little bit about yourself, what you do and how long you have been doing it for.
Hello! I’m Emma and I’m a freelance writer and design blogger living in the wonderful seaside town of Margate. It always feels so weird saying that. I’m a lover of all things interiors and have a strong vision for helping out independents and creatives. I’ve been blogging for five years now but stepped into the full-time world of copywriting, blogging and writing for design sites just over a year ago.
What made you decide to go freelance?
I felt as though I had very strong opinions on how to do things, and having never been one for authority, working for myself seemed ideal. I think that the promise of not having to answer to anyone, managing my own time and potentially being able to boost my earnings (which I absolutely have) were too good to miss out on.
Too good to miss out on indeed! How have you been able to turn your decision to go freelance into a boost in earnings and how long did it take to really see that increase?
When you're in employment, someone is normally charging more for you and taking a chunk of your earnings. This isn't wrong but if you've got the skills to cut out the middleman you may as well. That's exactly what I did and I immediately saw a boost in my earnings. I also had more free time to manage my own projects and this has seen my blog grow and earn more money. The first few months financially were admittedly a struggle cash flow wise, but after around three months, I was certainly more comfortable and this has typically boosted month on month ever since.
Whenever we’re scrolling through the gram we always know when we see your content - how did you go about formulating the EJP brand?
Oh, thanks! My brand really is just me and I’ve always stayed true to myself when it comes to my blog. There’s nothing strategic or planned about it and actually, I think that’s why it works. I think the design influence and my background in graphic design has helped make it visually cohesive which obviously helps it to become distinguishable from other content, but again, that’s just my natural vibe!
Image lifted from emmajanepalin.com
How do you find the juggle between being a freelance consultant and an influencer – is the line blurring? How do you split your time?
I’ve stepped away from the consultancy side of things in the last six months and I only help out with brands that I really believe I can make a difference with / enjoy working on. That’s definitely come as a result of being more active with my social channels and proactively choosing what to work on. I love writing so it’s been a natural progression to move more into writing for brands and magazines. Some months will be more focused on the latter, while others will involve working on blog content. I take each week as it comes.
You recently moved from London to Margate - has the move impacted your working life at all, has it helped or hindered?
I’d say it has helped me personally. I have more time to work on projects and plenty of seaside inspiration. That being said, I spent years networking in London and those relationships are still strong. I don’t think my freelance journey would be the same if I hadn’t put in all that legwork before moving.
Give us your top 3 places to work from in Margate:
Cliffs - The airy cafe has a retro yet minimal vibe and offers food, good coffee, vinyl, a hairdressers and yoga. Yep, what a mix. I recommend sitting upstairs for a coffee with a view and some darn good monochromatic mid-century stairs.
Store Room - Curve Roasters flagship coffee shop & general store on site of a new mixed use creative space the Printworks on the cusp of Margate's old town.
Turner Contemporary - The gallery, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, looks out on the coast that JMW Turner immortalised in his works citing Margate’s skies as “the loveliest”. Catch a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions and events at the gallery and embrace Margate’s creative spark.
Share your struggles - what do you find hardest about working for yourself? How have you found ways to combat these parts of working for yourself?
I can take on more than I can handle at times. I’m definitely a yes person but I’ve had to learn how to say no to things. I’m not superwoman and I can’t be all to everyone. Luckily I’ve never had this negatively affect a job but I’ve certainly impacted my health at times. Here’s hoping the second year of freelancing brings less of that.
“It’s amazing to be able to manage my own time and decide how I want a working day to look”
Share your perks - what do you enjoy most about working for yourself?
The flexibility. It’s amazing to be able to manage my own time and decide how I want a working day to look. I don’t have to adhere to anyone else’s schedule and if I fancy a day off, I only have myself to ask! Being able to work from wherever I like is great too as travel is something that’s super important to me.
Image lifted from emmajanepalin.com: Mural by Plim in Camden, London
What is the best project you’ve worked on since going freelance?
Ah, so many! There are a ton of influencer projects that I’m super proud of (I’ve worked with everyone from John Lewis to Apple) but client-wise, it has to be the work I’ve done alongside Zoe of W.A.Green. I’ve helped grow her business online substantially by working on series of events, blog posts and guides. She’s such a joy to work with and proof that sometimes the smallest of projects can bring the most joy.
“I’ve learnt so much in the past year but I think the most important lesson is knowing my worth. I don’t undervalue myself and I always push for the rates that I know I am worth”
What were you doing this time last year? What have you learnt or how have you changed since then?
I was just starting out on my freelance journey! I’ve learnt so much in the past year but I think the most important lesson is knowing my worth. I don’t undervalue myself and I always push for the rates that I know I am worth. I think it’s easy to forget this side of freelancing; money is such a huge part of it and you need to be prepared to sell yourself and then chase for that dollar...