Creative Self-Employment Basics - 5 week course

This five-week course led by Ollie England helps young creatives understand the local creative industry around Bournemouth and Dorset and develop foundational skills needed to begin a freelance career.

This practical course guides young creatives through the essentials of starting out as a freelance creative. Across five 90-minute sessions, learners discover how to find clients, price their work, communicate professionally, manage projects and deliver creative work confidently. Perfect for those ready to take on small jobs or begin building a self-employed creative career.

What we cover each week:

Week 1 – Finding Your First Clients

• Where work comes from, outreach messages and starting small

Week 2 – Pricing & Money Basics

• Day rates, quotes, invoices, taxes and simple bookkeeping

Week 3 – Communication & Client Management

• Asking good questions, managing expectations, and setting boundaries

Week 4 – Project Management & Legal Essentials

• Timelines, project stages, contracts, copyright and insurance

Week 5 – Delivering Work & Getting Paid

• Presenting work, handling revisions, invoicing and collecting testimonials

This course has been designed with input from a range of local experts in marketing, design, animation and video production.