GUIDE TO FREELANCING

May 12

Freelancing advice, and feedback from an expert.

We’re so lucky to have so many great florists hiring amazing freelancers in our community and we’ve been speaking with some of them (and amongst ourselves at TFF HQ) about what sort of people we would look for for certain jobs. We’ve also been thinking of our top tips on how to get the best out of being a freelancer and how you can become more employable.

So lets jump in and answer some of those burning questions you’ve always wanted to know the answers to…

How important are freelancers to a team?

The very nature of event floristry lends itself to needing a team of freelancers, in fact, very few of even the largest florists have many permanent staff. One of the best things about freelancing, to us at least, is the community and camaraderie that comes with working hard and having fun on big projects and busy periods - teamwork makes the dream work as they say.

Lindsay from The White Horse Flower Company told us “It’s no good being great technically but not being approachable or friendly in the studio or on location - it can make for a difficult and unpleasant work atmosphere. I have a small studio and so I really do have to like everyone I work with, and because I work from home it's really important to me that we ‘fit’ if we are to spend days or even a week together, we need to work well as a team.”

We couldn’t agree more and think most employers would be looking for someone who was willing to integrate as a member of their team, and muck in as needed to achieve the overall job.

What do employers look for in a freelancer?

Ideally, for most positions, employers are looking for someone who is competent in all aspects of the floristry basics - An understanding of conditioning, arrangement, placement and wiring skills are essential must-haves. Whilst lots of jobs that we post out are varied in the work they offer and some may look for experience in different aspects, most employers will need a versatile all rounder. You may need to hop onto a different aspect of a design or pick up the slack on another at very short notice, so a good, robust level in all aspects of floristry is key.

Kerry, creator of The Freelance Florist explained that “as an employer it’s vital to know you have the support you need, from taking the time to understand the brief and style of floristry, to being fully on board as part of the team. We all know hours can vary, but knowing you have a good team behind you to see the job through makes a huge difference”.

Lindsay also added how important it is to have someone who is “able to think on their feet and is highly competent, because, let's face it, time is money” and really hammering home the importance of being open and honest when applying for roles. “I would say knowing your skill level is key, as unfortunately I’ve had some experience of freelancers offering themselves at overpriced rates with literally no idea or core floristry skills.”

What are some of the most important qualities in a freelancer?

As we’ve mentioned previously sound, basic skills are the backbone of a good freelancer. “It’s vital to make sure your basic floristry skills are on point as opposed to thinking that freelancing it is a way to learn to become a florist. I have interns I train, not freelancers.” A very good point from Lindsay - freelancing is not a work experience. You need to be honest both whilst booking the job beforehand (during an interview etc) and on the day or the job. The worst thing for a florist running a busy event is a freelancer who needs too much hand holding when they made out to be competent and independent. Don't oversell your own abilities and then not deliver on the day, and if you do have questions or are struggling then asking questions, confirming things before making and being upfront about where you're best placed is the way forward.

We’d say the next most important thing is being able to work well both independently and as part of a team, and to move between the two easily whenever it is needed in a reliable and trusted manner. Marianne Slater from Frances and Rose says “Sometimes I will need my freelancers to drop everything and come and work on the last push of a big build, sometimes I will have to just send them off to check on something on the other side of the building. No two event set ups are the same and I need to know that versatility is one of their main strengths. I also need to know I can trust their judgement and their taste levels will represent my brand and what I have promised the client - trust is vital.”

What is ideal to include on a freelancer CV?

Lindsay told us that she would “definitely want to see examples of their work and perhaps a few references from employers past and present. A list of skills would be really helpful too and maybe what they love doing and what their least favourite skill set is (because we all have a least favourite)!”

We also think it’s really important to see a freelancers style of floristry and see that it’s the right fit for an employer. You want to know that what you’re asking a freelancer to create feels fairly natural for them and isn't going to be a complete change in style and technique.

Make sure you include:

Previous experience
All courses/classes/education you have completed
A list of all skills you can demonstrate without help
Link to an image portfolio of previous work
Work you really enjoy doing or think you’re especially good at
Details of at least two freelance references

So with all those great points and tips from the experts, what you want to know now is how to build yourself a really strong CV and portfolio, position yourself in the floral world and become an instant hire for any freelance position. Here are our tips to get you started:

Hone Your Floral Skills

As this has come up again and again during our discussions, it seems like the best thing you can do for your freelancing career is to continuously improve your floral design skills. We are keen advocates for investing time in learning new techniques, experimenting with different styles, and staying updated on current trends. Attend workshops, take online courses, and practice regularly in your own time to refine your craft.

We also highly recommend keeping your eye on things in the floral industry, a place that is constantly evolving. Continuous learning and adaptation is crucial, and staying up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and business practices will help you to stay ahead of the game and be able to offer your work in line with a cutting edge industry. Industry conferences, floral magazines, influential florists on social media and Pinterest - engage in ongoing research and learning to stay in the loop.

Build a Strong Portfolio

Creating a strong portfolio that showcases your best work and demonstrates your versatility as a freelance florist will really show an employer how you work best. Include high-quality photographs of your arrangements where possible, and work on highlighting a variety of styles, themes, and occasions - showing versatility is key. Alongside your working experience, a visually appealing portfolio will attract the perfect employers and set you up for some fantastic opportunities.

Make Your Specific Skills Known

Versatility and all-rounded skill are vital (have we said this enough?!) but it’s also really worth identifying your unique set of skills, areas of specialism and also what you enjoy working on the most. This could be wedding floristry, event decor, corporate arrangements, or even sustainable and eco-friendly designs. Focusing on these alongside showing your varied skills will help potential employers pick up on which aspects of a job they really need help with.

Network and Collaborate

Build a strong professional network within the floral industry by attending industry events, joining floral associations, and engaging with fellow florists like others within The Freelance Florist community. Collaborate with wedding planners, event coordinators, photographers, and other vendors to expand your reach and create valuable partnerships and potential job leads - there is a thriving industry just waiting for you to be part of it, make sure you put in as much as you want to get out.

Nurturing and cultivating long-term relationships with your employers and others in the industry by keeping in touch and remaining on their radar even after an event will stand you in good stead for any future opportunities. Remember what we’ve said above about team work - employers love a strong and trusted crew, one they can rely on and one that also keeps in touch for all the highs and lows. Remember special occasions and dish out high fives (virtual or real) to people you work with! Building these strong relationships can lead to repeat work and valuable references.

Freelancing as a florist requires dedication, passion, and perseverance. By implementing these expert tips and continuously striving for excellence, you can establish yourself as a successful freelance florist in a competitive industry.