The Freelancer Life: Meet Ben Hayes
As one of our newest Doers, Ben has swiftly assumed the role as our chief wordsmith. Having come from an agency background, Ben took some time out in 2018 to give the world of freelancing a bit of a go. Luckily for us, it was an adventure that he hasn’t looked back on and now freelances under the guise of his company, Grasp. We asked Ben about his freelancing life. He opens up about his struggles with ‘Imposter Syndrome’, shares his top tips on how to overcome it and some of the things he’s learned about freelancing along the way. We also probed him about his new interview mini-series, Home-Truths, which he started during the COVID lockdown!
“It took a while to switch into freelance life, but once I did it was difficult to look back. You get a bit more freedom and don’t have to deal with boring office politics. ”
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do and how long you have been doing it for?
I’ve been a freelance copywriter for over two years. Put simply, I tell brands what to say and how to say it. In boring industry terms, that means working across four areas: brand positioning, messaging frameworks, tone of voice, and creative campaigns.
Why did you first become a freelancer?
It was never the plan to become one. I took some time off in 2018 but couldn’t find the right job to come back to. Instead, I did some freelance work… And then just kept going. It took a while to switch into freelance life, but once I did it was difficult to look back. You get a bit more freedom and don’t have to deal with boring office politics.
Where’s your favourite place to work from aside from your home and why?
Benk + Bo in Spitalfields. It’s a café, workspace, and yoga studio. The people are great. It’s buzzy in certain places but quiet in others. And it’s a really creative place to be.
Share your struggles - what do you find hardest about working for yourself and why?
When things are quieter there’s always that imposter syndrome feeling. “Is my work any good? Am I charging the right amount? Should I be doing more to get out there?” None of this is helpful when you’re a writer. You constantly second-guess yourself. Linked to this… A lot of ideas you have are subjective, and if you’re trying to do original and different work you never really know if people (clients and muggles) are going to like or respond to it. I do miss having a sounding board in that respect.
How have you found ways to combat these parts of working for yourself?
Therapy. Having someone who actively listens, and helps you rationalise thoughts and issues, is a gamechanger.
Having at least one weekly work routine. For me, that’s working with a friend called Will every Friday morning. We’re in different industries, but it’s useful checking in with someone. It helps you keep track of how much (or how little) you’ve done in a week.
My Fiancé. She’s a great pair of eyes and ears to sense-check any thoughts, ideas, or phrases.
Share your perks – what do you enjoy most about working for yourself and why?
A lot of things are about what I don’t have to do anymore… Long internal meetings. Being at one desk from 9-5. Office drinks. More positively: doing work when I want to do it, not when someone else wants me to.
“Collaboration is good when done without ego!”
What are your top tips for anyone thinking about working for themselves?
It’s great at certain moments, and gin-provoking at others.
If it’s the former, max out on that time. Try and do that thing you’ve been putting off.
If it’s the latter, accept it as quickly as possible, find a great ‘bad film’, lie on the sofa, and start again later / tomorrow.
What are your top 3 recommendations - podcasts, books, people to follow, sources of inspiration etc. and why?
Anything that David Hieatt writes or puts out with Hiut Jeans or The Do Lectures is always interesting. Two really strong brands with very strong purposes.
Malcom Gladwell. For the way he thinks, sees patterns, and writes. His Masterclass is worth watching, whether you’re a writer or not.
Charlie Gladstone. He has countless businesses, but a good starting point is his podcast ‘Mavericks’. He’s always creating new things, and his passion for ideas and making things is infectious.
What role does collaboration play for you?
Collaboration is good when done without ego, and with a recognition of what your primary skillset is. When I’m working with designers I’m acutely aware that my design skills stretch to a homemade birthday card done on PowerPoint. I can give thoughts and opinion, but I can’t be upset if the designer doesn’t take it. I think that’s important for long-term collaboration... Pick your moments.
What do you love to do? What makes you tick and what do you simply love doing?
I love writing, and reading good writing. Even editing writing gives me a lot of energy. It’s like working on a puzzle. Trying to make everything fit and look good.
Visiting coffee shops, getting a book out, and sitting for a while. Good coffee is the most important of the least important things. It’s something I’ve really missed in lockdown.
What lockdown has given me though, is a renewed love for Italy. The lifestyle, music, food, and language. I’m now cooking more Italian food thanks to a friend’s newsletter, which I edit, called Eat My Words. And am learning Italian on Duolingo. Progress is slow and steady.
What are you really good at? What’s your marketing superpower?
Keeping things simple. This applies to my writing, ideas, and how I work with clients. People love talking about (and overcomplicating) things. I like to get on and do things.
What is the best project you’ve worked on since going freelance?
The launch of Birch – a new hotel-cum-workspace-cum-members club-cum loads of other stuff, just outside London. I’ve worked on Birch’s messaging and tone of voice since the beginning and written their website and other bits and pieces. When everything went live in February it was a really cool moment. I’m super proud of that work.
What were you doing this time last year? What have you learnt or how have you changed since then?
Eating ramen in Japan! How times have changed (I was blonde then, I’m now grey and a skinhead). I’ve learned a lot about what makes good writing, and what I like to write, since then. Doing more reading - fiction, non-fiction, newsletters, magazines, papers etc. - has really helped.
You can follow Ben on Instagram & Twitter
You can read Ben’s mini-interview series, Home Truths, which he started whilst in lockdown. He asks founders and interesting folks 9 questions about their favourite things to do, listen to, read, watch, cook and learn. Think Desert Island Discs, but for all things cultural! Founders from some of his favourite brands - Seedlip, Paynter Jackets, allplants et al. - have taken part so far!
