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The 2026 Freelancer Insight Survey is open. 

Tell us what it’s really like being a freelancer.

(Survey is accepting responses until 26 June, all responses are anonymous.)

Last year, 77 L&D freelancers told us day rates are rising and strategic work is booming — but finding clients was still the number one headache.

Refresh your memory on what last year’s data revealed before you add your voice.

Resources

Blogs & Insights

**Alt text:** Promotional graphic for the 2026 L&D Freelancer Insight Survey. Kim Ellis stands smiling on the right, wearing a colourful striped dress and holding a clipboard displaying the survey form. She points towards the clipboard. On the left, large text reads: "The Freelancer Insight Survey is back. Have your say." The L&D Free Spirits logo appears in the bottom left corner, and a blue button-style graphic labelled "SURVEY" with a clicking hand icon appears in the bottom right. The design uses light green and dark green branding colours.

The L&D Freelancer Insight Survey is back for 2026 (and we want to hear from you)

Kim Ellis, founder of L&D Free Spirits, shares everything you need to know about the 2026 L&D Freelancer Insight Survey.…
Alt text: Blog promotional graphic showing two women, one whispering into the other’s ear while the second smiles towards the camera. Black text on a pale green background reads “Why shared language drives consistent performance across global teams”. The L&D Free Spirits and Accentua logos appear at the bottom, alongside a blue “BLOG” button with a clicking hand icon.

Why shared language drives consistent performance across global teams

When training scales, does understanding scale with it? Leigh Lovering from Accentua explores why shared language is one of the…
Graphic promoting an L&D Free Spirits member spotlight featuring Tejas Kotecha. The image shows illustrated figures of a woman in a bright pink suit and a man in a floral shirt, both with question mark symbols covering their faces. Text reads “Meet the member: Tejas Kotecha” with a large blue “Spotlight” button graphic and the L&D Free Spirits logo on a pale green background.

Member Spotlight: Tejas Kotecha

Each month we shine a spotlight on a member of the Free Spirits community. This month we’re featuring Tejas Kotecha…

Webinars & Videos

Alt text: A pink promotional graphic featuring Kim Ellis with long red hair, wearing a colourful striped top and shrugging with a puzzled expression. Large bold text reads “How many CVs do you actually need?” with “actually” highlighted in yellow. The background uses a pink geometric triangle pattern fading from dark to light.
1 Members Only

Do you even need a CV as a freelancer?

When you’re employed, the answer is obvious… yep, you need a CV. When you’re self-employed, it gets murkier. Clients, recruiters,…
BERJAYA

Pricing for Profit

Working as a freelancer in L&D can be challenging when you have to discuss money with a client. It’s not…
BERJAYA

What’s the first thing you need to do before you earn money?

Thinking about starting a career as a freelancer in L&D? Before you can start making money, there are some important…

Podcasts

Alt text: Podcast promotional graphic featuring a smiling bald man with glasses wearing a dark jumper and blue lanyard against a dark green geometric background. Large white text reads “Learn, Earn, Return!” with stylised quotation marks. The Free Spirits of L&D Podcast logo appears in the bottom left corner.

The 3 stages of a freelance L&D career

In this episode we talk with Andy Candler, founder of Aprendido and self-styled “plain speaking learning consultant,” who brings nearly…
Podcast episode promotional graphic featuring Jules Wyman smiling and standing against a dark green geometric background. Large white text reads “21 years of experiments” with quotation marks in blue and pink. Jules is wearing a pink top and dark jacket. The Free Spirits of L&D Podcast logo appears in the bottom left corner. A yellow trigger warning banner at the bottom reads: “Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicide attempts.”

Is your freelance business solving the right problem?

In this episode of the Free Spirits of L&D podcast, we chat with Jules Wyman, coach, speaker, and founder of…
Graphic with a green geometric background and large white text reading “Let’s reflect. Free Spirits LIVE! Spring 26”. On the right, Kim Ellis in a colourful striped dress looks up thoughtfully with her hand on her chin. Bottom left shows The Free Spirits of L&D Podcast logo.

Reflections from Free Spirits Live Spring26

Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast for a very special episode — we’re bringing you the full…

Templates & Development

Promotional graphic for L&D Free Spirits featuring Kim Ellis dressed in safari clothing and a cork safari hat, smiling while looking through binoculars. She stands against a pale green and safari landscape background. Large text on the left reads “Your five day Learning Safari starts here!” A bright blue button-style label says “WORKBOOK” with a hand cursor icon pointing to it. The L&D Free Spirits logo appears in the bottom left corner.

Rediscover yourself on a Learning Safari

How often do you actually stop and think about how you learn? Not what you’re learning, or what’s on your…
A promotional graphic for L&D Free Spirits featuring a "Weekly SoMe Planner" (Social Media Planner). A smiling woman in a red top hugs a large red heart-shaped piñata with the number 7 on it. A button graphic labelled "TEMPLATE" with a cursor icon appears in the bottom right corner.
1 Members Only

Stop winging it on the socials

When you’re self-employed, your LinkedIn isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s your virtual handshake, networking tool, and portfolio all rolled…
Image of Jo Lockwood, text reads leveraging your voice for business growth WORKBOOK

Take your speaking professional

Struggling to turn public speaking into real business growth? It’s your key to influence, leads, and success – if you…
BERJAYA

Top 10 signs that ‘No’ might be the right answer

Saying “No” can feel daunting, but it’s also one of the most powerful skills you can master as a self-employed…
BERJAYA

Create a business plan that works for you

Let’s face it, running a business can sometimes feel like you’re winging it. But it doesn’t have to be that…
Woman holding a tablet, text reads are you ready to discover your niche?

Find your niche, make it your superpower

Whether you’re new to self-employment or a seasoned freelancer, understanding and refining your niche is a game-changer. This workbook is…