Good Morning Friends,
Welcome to the latest Soapbox newsletter!
Our next gathering is on Wednesday March 27th 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:
Starting this month our Soapbox events will be taking place on the last Wednesday morning of the month. Still at Sierra Metro, still free (thanks to our wonderful sponsors), still with fabulous coffee from Dot Coffee, and still happening between 8am and 10am. Spread the word, pals!
This month is rather special, and not because we decided to change the day of the event, but because it’s our 1 year celebration! This time last year we had our very first Soapbox event. If you’ve been following this newsletter, or attended any of our events, you’ll know that our reason for starting Soapbox was for Community; to help rebuild the communities that fractured during the pandemic. With loneliness on the rise amongst adults, and a lot of us working from home, being part of a community of like-minded folk feels even more essential than before. With Soapbox you can pop along, even just for 10 minutes, grab a coffee, have a quick chat and go about your day. Or you can stay the full 2 hour duration, which is what ends up happening to most people who just ‘pop in for a bit’. Soapbox is for freelancers and those employed working in culture, creative, digital and tech to meet like-minded folk. But really, it’s for anyone who is looking for a creative community to come by. We welcome tiny humans and furry friends too!
To go along with our coffee this month there will be some cupcakes too, because what is a celebration without cake?! But make sure you’re early so you don’t miss out!
If you have something to share such as an upcoming project, an event, an opening, anything community driven, please reply to this email or leave a comment on Substack!
A Few Things From Our Community:
Looking for studio space or desk space? Sierra Metro has a two person studio available from April (£350 pcm) and a co-working desk also available from April (£180 pcm). These spaces would suit fellow creatives who are looking to be part of the community. For more information, or to check out the spaces, email Janine hello@sierrametro.org
Jupiter Artland opens back up later this month on March 29th! With many exciting exhibitions, events, talks, learning days, and dining out evenings, it’s a great time to take advantage!
Back in November, Briana Pegado (one of our 5things speakers), introduced us to her upcoming book Make Good Trouble. It’s now less than a month to publication day and she has released some book tour events; see them here!
Cinetopia’s monthly documentary club return’s on March 30th with KIM’S VIDEO + a director’s Q&A at The Cameo! Part legendary New York video store history, part crime caper thriller, 100% cult status…this film will strike a chord with anyone who has ever rented a movie. Taking place at Cameo Picturehouse from 6pm. Get your tickets here!
Sponsor Section
With Jack
You’re new to freelancing and have just landed your first client. Congrats! Amongst the excitement of it all it’s important to get your ducks in a row. Knowing things such as who’s contract are you going to use, how are you structuring payment, and how are you going to handle difficult clients are just some of the things With Jack covers in this helpful blog post!
If you’re looking for Insurance check out With Jack who is all about insurance for freelance creatives. They make it simple and accessible. With Jack. But don’t just take our word for it, check out this wonderful customer testimonial from Chris!
The Edinburgh Minute
The Edinburgh Minute Newsletter is a free daily roundup of links to local news and happenings. Here’s a recent message from a reader:
"I've been subscribed for a few months now and just wanted to say how much I love the Edinburgh Minute. I was trying to put my finger on why I enjoyed it so much and I think that aside from the bringing together such relevant, interesting, local news, but also, as I usually consume my news on social media, I love that there are no comments! It's so easy to get bogged down in the public comments from "my aunty used to live in that building" to "bloody cyclists" to "shocking use of council money" etc etc etc its just nice to keep up to date with local news completely independent from public opinion! So thank you for offering that, and for all the work you put in. Have a nice Monday :)”
If that sounds good, sign up for free at edinburghminute.com
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.
This month, FreeAgent is highlighting some more great resources to help you, our community, with all your business and accounting questions:
Missed the Spring Budget announcement? Get the lowdown on the most important changes for small businesses from FreeAgent’s Chief Accountant, Emily Coltman
Keeping your cashflow healthy relies on your customers paying you - ideally on time. Here are 5 ways FreeAgent can help you get paid pronto
FreeAgent has extended the reach of its Amazon integration. You can now streamline your admin with FreeAgent if you use an Amazon UK Marketplace account to sell goods abroad on Amazon’s international marketplaces.
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!
Something inspirational to end our March 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