How to build a high performing communications team

(Thanks to Neil Grayshon for the image!) Building an excellent communications team requires lots of equally-excellent strategy, hiring, people management and culture building – and more. I knew when I started at FutureGov that I didn’t have experience in this area, so reached out to the good and the great of the UK PR industry … Read more

Freelance Consultant Rates: How To Work Out Your Hourly, Daily or Project Rate

One of the main things people ask before they go freelance is how to work out their freelance consultant rate. Setting your freelance consultant rates is difficult. Set your day rate too low and you have to work longer and harder to make a decent income. Set your day rate too high and you risk putting … Read more

Personal and Professional Development for Freelancers: Learn More to Earn More

When you first go freelance, you’re likely going to build your business on your existing skill set and knowledge. Whether you’re a freelance photographer, web designer or writer, you will have built up the confidence to go freelance as you know you are good – no, excellent – in a particular field. But after a … Read more

8 simple steps you can take to get the confidence to go freelance

Lots of people dream about going freelance, but getting the confidence to go freelance is something else. Starting your own freelance business can feel like a big risk. There are lots of unknowns and you’re going to have to rely on your own knowledge, experience, judgement and plain hard graft to make your freelance business … Read more

Facebook COO works 9-to-5 every day

Shocking headline I know. But actually really refreshing to see someone in a high-level position in a notoriously long working-hour industry (having been at Google and now at Facebook) working a 9-to-5(:30) every day – and getting a much better work/life balance for it. From an interview with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, on Makers.com: “I … Read more

2014 Year in Review

"2014

I’ve been enjoying reading various 2014 Year in Review posts, including Stephen Waddington, Nathan Barry and Patrick McKenzie, so thought I’d share my own mini review of the year, concentrating on this blog as my main source of online activity (outside of work).

Here are the main stats for this blog in 2014.

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Privacy

What is this Privacy Policy for? This privacy policy is for this website benrmatthews.com and governs the privacy of its users who choose to use it. The policy sets out the different areas where user privacy is concerned and outlines the obligations & requirements of the users, the website and website owners. Furthermore the way this … Read more

How to dress for a job interview – infographic

Jack Prenter from KnownMan.com looks at how to dress for a job interview and the importance of looking professional when meeting prospective employers. How to dress for a job interview Whether we like it or not the reality is that we are judged based on how we look. So it’s no surprise that employers expect their employees … Read more

Artificial Intelligence: Should Freelance Writers be Worried About It?

The tech industry has been quite active as of late. And while there is are uncounted tech releases that deserve your attention, the one type of tech that has the technology-inclined drooling over their shirts is artificial intelligence. And no, I’m not just talking about AI-powered smartphone cameras that seem to be sprouting like mushrooms … Read more

8 Effective Tips To Launch Your Freelance Video Production Career

The world of internet freelancing has created a vast amount of unique opportunities for people all around the world. Online freelancing has made the world of work easier and smaller as experienced and knowledgeable individuals can now easily find freelance clients with those who are looking for their desired skill set. For many, it’s a … Read more