The Freelancer Life: Meet Ellie Austin-Williams
Meet Ellie, aka This Girl Talks Money. Ellie is an online marketing strategist, who specialises in building social and influencer marketing strategies for lifestyle brands.
What started as a follow on Instagram developed into a real-life meeting back in 2019, and fast-forward a couple of years and Ellie is one of our Inner Circle Doers. Alongside working on marketing strategy for brands big and small, the founder of financial education platform This Girl Talks Money.
As an ex-city lawyer, Ellie made the jump from law to the creative world of marketing, diving headfirst into online marketing. Ellie shares how, especially after spending 18 months indoors during the infancy of her freelance career, having a ‘place of work’ aside from home helps to keep her work-life balance in check, along with sharing some of her top financial tips for freelancers.
“The constantly changing nature of social media and the influencer landscape means that old school marketing skills don’t necessarily win - we’re in a time where the faster you can move, the better traction you can gain.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do and how long you have been doing it:
I’m an online marketing strategist, focusing primarily on building social and influencer marketing strategies for brands in the lifestyle world. In particular, I have a lot of experience in the wellness sector and have worked with some of the country’s biggest fitness brands on launches, influencer campaigns, and more! I’ve been a marketing consultant for two years, having done brand consulting for two years before moving over full time.
You studied law and left that world behind - what made you leave law and become a freelancer?
During my training contract to qualify as a solicitor, I became heavily involved in the London fitness scene. When my friend set up a social marketing agency, my head started to turn and I began to contribute to building the business, client pitches, and campaign ideas, all whilst being in a full-time job. Over the two-year training contract, increasingly I felt drawn to the more creative world of marketing and once I completed my legal qualification, I took the leap.
Why social media? What is it that you love about it?
The constantly changing nature of social media and the influencer landscape means that old-school marketing skills don’t necessarily win - we’re in a time where the faster you can move, the better traction you can gain. I enjoy the challenge!
Where’s your favourite place to work from aside from your home and why?
I love working from different spaces across London, whether that's with The Doers at We Don't Do Lonely days, or finding a quiet corner in a cafe. I spend a lot of time working in Megan's in Clapham Old Town, which has a great vibe and is always full of freelancers. Getting out of the house really helps mentally to switch on and off from work which is something I am working on currently.
Share your struggles - what do you find hardest about working for yourself and why?
I find the lack of structure and the changing daily routine difficult. I have tried to implement more of a routine over the last few months, such as going to the gym at a consistent time and now, working out of The Wing on a couple of days each week. I’ve also found loneliness tricky at times, so I’m very grateful for The Doers ‘We don’t do lonely’ days!
Share your perks - what do you enjoy most about working for yourself and why?
The freedom of time is hands down the best perk - whilst it isn’t all plain sailing and there are days when I miss the office structure, having no one to report to is very much a perk. I’m very much a people person and love collaborating, so the opportunity to meet and bounce ideas off other creatives is brilliant. Finally, the fact that if you have an idea, you can bring it to life. You are in control.
“If you have an idea, you can bring it to life. You are in control”
Give us your top 3 financial tips for someone starting out as a freelancer...
My top tip? Read my blog, This Girl Talks Money! In all seriousness, the financial side of running your own business can be overwhelming and it’s important for all freelancers to understand the basics of personal finance management before tackling business finance. I use a business banking app, Coconut, to run all of my finances and it has been a life saver for me - it also estimates tax as you go. If you can afford an accountant, it is definitely a worthwhile investment!
Freelancing out and about can be expensive - those coffees add up! What are your top tips on saving money when freelancing out and about?
I’m a sucker for an oat latte, so this is something I’ve had to learn to handle! Plan ahead is my top tip - if you know you’re going to be out for a few hours, eat before you leave and carry a snack with you, whether its a cereal bar or chocolate. Factor in some spending into your budget - you’ll inevitably need to pick up the tab when meeting clients, and you will most likely fancy a coffee now and then. The main thing is ensuring you’ve allowed for the spending in your budget, so that you don’t overspend or feel guilty.
“The main thing is ensuring you’ve allowed for the spending in your budget, so that you don’t overspend or feel guilty.”
What are your top 3 recommendations - podcasts, books, people to follow, sources of inspiration and why?
How I Built This with Guy Raz is my top podcast for serious inspiration. Guy interviews founders of household name companies to understand how they started out and grew their brands, which I always find very motivating.
Also - along with a few million millennials - I am a hardcore fan of The High Low. It is the perfect way to stay up to speed with current affairs and get tips for articles, books and shows to check out.
One defining feature of 2019 has been a shift towards more plant-based eating and my main source of inspiration is undoubtedly Deliciously Ella. Her app is seamless to use and has become a weekly go to for increasing my intake of green goodness, so I recommend it to anyone seeking more veg.
What were you doing this time last year? What have you learnt or how have you changed since then?
This time last year I definitely still felt imposter syndrome in marketing - having come from a totally different background and with no formal training, learning on the job has been a rollercoaster and being freelance has felt very scary at times! In the last year, I have built networks and friends who not only support me but understand the unique challenges that come with working for yourself. I feel better equipped now than ever to take on bigger and more ambitious projects heading into the new decade!
“In the last year, I have built networks and friends who not only support me but understand the unique challenges that come with working for yourself. I feel better equipped now than ever to take on bigger and more ambitious projects heading into the new decade!”
For more financial insight visit Ellie’s website and follow her on Instagram @thisgirltalksmoney and twitter.