Good Morning Friends,
Welcome to the latest Soapbox newsletter!
Our next gathering is on December 19th at Sierra Metro (one week today!) where you can come and meet like minded folk who freelance or are employed in culture, creative, tech & digital for a morning of blethering and sharing news and opportunities over a cuppa. Soapbox events are free, and you’re invited to pop along any time between 8am and 10am. Whether you stay for 10 minutes or the full 2 hour duration is totally up to you!
We’d love to see you there!
Updates:
Our next Soapbox is the last of this year, and I can’t quite believe we’re here. This time last year Soapbox was merely an idea, a way of wanting to re-connect with communities that had fractured during the pandemic.
In most of the conversations we were having it seemed like other people were looking for community too. But even in knowing that, it’s been so wonderful to see so many people walk through the doors of Sierra Metro each month!
This will be our 10th event, and we’re keen for Soapbox to be better than ever next year! And while we have some great ideas of our own, we’d love to hear what you think would make it better too. We’ve put together a short typeform for some feedback which will really help us. If you have 10 minutes, it would be really great to get your (anonymous) thoughts. Please click this link to fill it out!
Sponsor Section:
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is award-winning online accounting software designed specifically for UK small businesses - and based here in Edinburgh. The folks at FreeAgent are all about making business owners and freelancers happier and more successful by putting them in control of their finances.
After a year of spiralling prices, it’s not just Scrooge who wants to cut back on Christmas costs. Check out FreeAgent’s blog to discover the festive expenses you might be able to claim tax relief on.
If your business sells on Amazon, or if you’re earning income from property - two new FreeAgent launches could be just what you need. Connect your Amazon UK account to FreeAgent with our powerful new integration or find out more about our new account for landlords.
Don’t worry if you missed the last Facebook Q&A to answer all your Self Assessment questions, FreeAgent’s Chief Accountant is running another on 23rd January. You’ll find all the details on Facebook.
Everyone in our Soapbox community can give FreeAgent a go with a 30-day free trial and get 50% off their first six months. Click here!
With Jack
If you’re a freelancer and keen to get insurance check out With Jack, they make it simple; it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. Find out why you should invest in insurance as a creative freelancer, but don’t just take their word for it; freelance copywriter Graeme Piper has some great things to say!
Check out this blog post in busting the most common freelance myth: “I don’t need insurance because I have a contract”
The Edinburgh Minute
The Edinburgh Minute Newsletter is a quick summary of local news, events and community vibes that lands daily at 7am. It’s free and has bonus add-ons including the weekly Edinburgh Culture Minute, containing local creative industry jobs, funding opportunities and grants. Here are some reader testimonials:
"Love the newsletter! I live in Edinburgh and I love to know whats going on in the city, particularly around arts and culture.” - Dominique
“So much more informed about Edinburgh goings-on. A massive improvement in mental health too as I don’t need to wade through ads, questionable reporting, twitter, etc. Well worth supporting Edinburgh Minute, doing good work for people.” - Andrew
To celebrate our partnership, founder Michael is giving all Soapbox Newsletter subscribers three months of subscription for free! That includes 12 editions of The Edinburgh Culture Minute, which normally costs £5 per week. The offer is open for Soapbox Subscribers only and ends at the end of December so be sure to sign up using this special link: https://edinburghguardian.substack.com/soapbox
Something inspirational to end our December Newsletter:
If you would like to stay up to date with more events, jobs and opportunities, do consider following us on Instagram!
If you have something you would like to share with the community please feel free to message us!
We hope to see you at our next event if you’re local, and in the meantime please feel free to share The Soapbox Newsletter if you enjoyed it.
Until next time,
Ellie & Janine