It's a question Steve Folland gets asked a lot: as a freelancer, is it better to have a company name or use your own?
In this compilation episode, Steve digs deep into 11 years of the Being Freelance podcast archive - pulling together voices from guests including brand copywriter Mark Grainger, branding expert Bhavini Lakhani, copywriter Graeme Piper, illustrator Dan Bailey, social media consultant Alison Battisby, marketing agency founder Ross Simmonds, and more - to try and get to the bottom of it once and for all.
Why some freelancers hide behind a business name - and why that's not necessarily a bad thing
How a company name can shift your mindset and make you feel like a proper business
The practical reasons to avoid trading under your own name: spelling, pronunciation, searchability, and standing out in a scrollable world
When a business name helps you work with bigger clients, organisations, and even government
Why your business name should be future-proof - what happens when you pivot away from the service it describes?
The case for using your own name, and why Ross Simmonds says don't underestimate the power of your personal brand
Why in an age of AI, being a visible human is more valuable than ever
How some freelancers make the best of both worlds - with names like Jessi Illustrates, By Hollie Arnett, and Letters By Julia
Of course, there's no single right answer - but Steve rounds things up with his own take on when each approach makes sense.
HEAR THE FULL EPISODES
You can hear the full freelance stories of these guests by checking out their original episodes.
Simply try these links to open in your podcast app:
- Rebecca Shipham
- Mark Grainger
- Bhavini Lakhani
- Graeme Piper
- Joel Klettke
- Col Skinner
- Dan Bailey
- Alison Battisby
- Mary Cameron
- Louisa Heinrich
- Hollie Arnett
- Ross Simmonds
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Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.