L&D Free Spirits

Kim Ellis, with curly auburn hair and wearing a dark green top, sits thoughtfully with her hand on her chin against the backdrop of the L&D Free Spirits stand at the World of Learning exhibition. The banner behind her reads “The community for the self-employed.” The image features a bright caption at the top saying “After the expo glow, here’s the debrief…” and the L&D Free Spirits logo with a blue blog icon in the corner.

In our latest blog, After the expo glow, the honest bit, Kim shares what it’s like going to Expos as an independent.
Have a read, then watch the full debrief and unpack what makes expos worth it, what to avoid, and how to get the most from your time and energy.

👉 ldfreespirits.com/after-the-ex...

There's so much happening next month....https://ldfreespirits.com/free-spirit-events/

There's so much happening next month....https://ldfreespirits.com/free-spirit-events/

✨ Ready to step out of the freelance bubble? ✨ On 1 October, the self-employed folk of L&D are coming together for Free Spirits LIVE – a day packed with connection, collaboration and conversations… Are you ready to build a thriving business?

Have you booked your Free Spirits LIVE! ticket yet?

The Conference Village opens tomorrow and the main event is happening on 1st October.

If you’re serious about self-employment in #LearningAndDevelopment, don’t miss it youtube.com/shorts/xPOCL...

Find out more ldfreespirits.com/product/free...

✨ Ready to step out of the freelance bubble? ✨ On 1 October, the self-employed folk of L&D are coming together for Free Spirits LIVE – a day packed with connection, collaboration and conversations… Are you ready to build a thriving business?

Have you booked your Free Spirits LIVE! ticket yet?

The Conference Village opens soon and the main event is happening on 1st October.

If you’re serious about self-employment in #LearningAndDevelopment, don’t miss it youtube.com/shorts/xPOCL...

Find out more ldfreespirits.com/product/free...

Theres 5 breakout rooms to choose from at free spirits live

The best sparks at a conference often happen between sessions 💡 That’s why #FreeSpiritsLIVE25 has 5 breakout rooms for real conversations + ideas that stick. Tickets capped — grab yours before 22 Sept 👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/free...

Webinar promotion image for Make LinkedIn work harder for you. A smiling woman with red hair sits at a table with a laptop, holding up dumbbells labelled with the LinkedIn logo. A blue and orange box on the right reads: “Webinar – Make LinkedIn work harder for you, 17 September, 11am BST.” A diagonal banner in the top left corner says “Free for members.” The bottom text on a dark green background reads: “Stop blending in! Discover tactics to boost your visibility and get your voice seen, heard, and remembered.”

LinkedIn isn’t broken.
But the way you’re using it might be.

Learn how to:
✅ Write posts that land
✅ Use images & video strategically
✅ Understand what LinkedIn really rewards

📅 Wed 17 Sept, 11am BST
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/make...

#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

Make LinkedIn work harder for you - L and D Free Spirits 10 practical ways to boost the visibility, impact and engagement of your posts.LinkedIn can be one of the most powerful tools in your business, helping you build relationships, showcase your…

Second-guessing what to post on LinkedIn?
🤔 Hashtags? Links? Images?
🙃 Wondering why no one sees your content?

Time to stop guessing.

📅 Wed 17 Sept, 11am BST
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/make...

#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

✨ Ready to step out of the freelance bubble? ✨ On 1 October, the self-employed folk of L&D are coming together for Free Spirits LIVE – a day packed with connection, collaboration and conversations… Are you ready to build a thriving business?

Have you booked your Free Spirits LIVE! ticket yet?

The Conference Village opens soon and the main event is happening on 1st October.

If you’re serious about self-employment in #LearningAndDevelopment, don’t miss it youtube.com/shorts/xPOCL...

Find out more ldfreespirits.com/product/free...

Free Spirits LIVE! - L and D Free Spirits 1 October 2025 9:30am - 4:00pm BST L&D Free Spirits Member tickets are only £25, please log in before adding ticket to basket to apply discount.

For £55 you get CPD-accredited FreeSpiritsLIVE! access, a 3-week Conference Village (opens 22 Sept) + full community membership. Stay on after for just £30/month with weekly webinars, Pitchathons, Fiestas + 29 support channels. ldfreespirits.com/product/free...

Webinar promotion image for Make LinkedIn work harder for you. A smiling woman with red hair sits at a table with a laptop, holding up dumbbells labelled with the LinkedIn logo. A blue and orange box on the right reads: “Webinar – Make LinkedIn work harder for you, 17 September, 11am BST.” A diagonal banner in the top left corner says “Free for members.” The bottom text on a dark green background reads: “Stop blending in! Discover tactics to boost your visibility and get your voice seen, heard, and remembered.”

Feel like you’re fighting the LinkedIn algorithm? 👀
It’s not about tricking it — it’s about making LinkedIn work harder for you.
Join Hayley Maisey for this webinar:
📅 Wed 17 Sept, 11am BST
🎟 Free for members / £19.99 non-members
ldfreespirits.com/product/make...

#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

Announcement graphic celebrating Growth Spark Training. The top text says: “Congratulations to Growth Spark Training.” Below, a circular badge shows the L&D Free Spirits logo alongside the Growth Spark Training logo, surrounded by text: “We’re exhibiting! #WOL25 – Come and meet us!” On the right, details of the World of Learning Conference & Exhibition (7–8 October 2025, NEC Birmingham) appear with a purple “Register for free” button and the website www.learnevents.com . At the bottom, the L&D Free Spirits logo appears again with the text: “They’ll be exhibiting with us on stand H90, come and say hello.”

Absolutely chuffed to share that Jayne Bates from Growth Spark Training will be co-exhibiting with me + Free Spirits at #WOL25! Come see us on stand H90, NEC Birmingham, 7–8 Oct. Free passes 👉 www.learnevents.com
#WOL25 #WOLCE25 #LearningAndDevelopemnt #LnD #Freelance

Announcement graphic celebrating Growth Spark Training. The top text says: “Congratulations to Growth Spark Training.” Below, a circular badge shows the L&D Free Spirits logo alongside the Growth Spark Training logo, surrounded by text: “We’re exhibiting! #WOL25 – Come and meet us!” On the right, details of the World of Learning Conference & Exhibition (7–8 October 2025, NEC Birmingham) appear with a purple “Register for free” button and the website www.learnevents.com . At the bottom, the L&D Free Spirits logo appears again with the text: “They’ll be exhibiting with us on stand H90, come and say hello.”

Congrats to Jayne Bates @ Growth Spark Training 🎉 She’ll be joining Free Spirits on stand H90 at the World of Learning 2025! Huge thanks to everyone who entered – the L&D talent out there is incredible. #WOL25 #LearningAndDevelopment #Freelance #LnD

Fancy a round-up of what’s been happening… and a sneak peek at what’s coming next?

Make sure you’re on our mailing list before the next newsletter lands on 18 August.

If you’re only following us here, you’re only getting half the story.

📥 Subscribe now: mailchi.mp/ldfreespirit...

What to Expect from Free Spirits LIVE! - Mini AI-Powered Podcast We’ve built this bite-sized podcast episode using the magic of AI tools – Google NotebookLM, ChatGPT, Colossyan and Opus Clip – to… An L&D event so good, even AI’s talking about it

We used AI (ChatGPT, Colossyan, NotebookLM & Opus Clip) to create a mini podcast about Free Spirits LIVE! — the one-day virtual conference for self-employed L&D pros. No AI note takers on the day, but we do love a bit of tech.

The agenda’s live for Free Spirits LIVE! 🎉 A virtual conference for self-employed L&D pros, packed with practical sessions, keynotes and community vibes. Happening 1 Oct, tickets just £25 for members. Full line-up and details here:
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/free-spirits-live

Happy Yorkshire Day!

Whether you're born ‘n bred or just fond of a brew, you’re welcome in our corner of the freelance world.

L&D Free Spirits is where self-employed L&D folk find their people, share the graft, and get cheered on.

#YorkshireDay #FreelanceLife #LearningAndDevelopment

How Sobriety and Wellbeing can help up your game - L and D Free Spirits You service your car… so why aren’t you servicing yourself?Healthy business owners build healthier businesses — it really is that simple.When you’re self-employed, you are the engine. But how often do...

Just over an hour to go until we're getting top tips on creating healthy habits ldfreespirits.com/product/how-...

The application window for sharing the L&D Free Spirits stand at the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition in October has now closed!

Get yourself subscribed to the mailing list to be the first to find out who'll be sharing the stand with us ldfreespirits.com/events/world...

A promotional image for a webinar titled “How Sobriety and Wellbeing can help up your game,” happening on 30 July at 2pm BST. The banner says “Free for members” in the top corner. The image shows a woman sitting cross-legged, meditating with palms together. The bottom text reads: “Healthy business owners build healthier businesses... it really is that simple.”

You service your car… so why not yourself? Build a business that doesn’t burn you out. Join our webinar on sobriety & wellbeing with Vince Hannant. 30 July, 2pm BST. Free for members, £19.99 for non-members.
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/how-...
#LearningAndDevelopment #Freelance

CVs don’t win clients. Proof does.
Case studies show your impact and help you land work.
Here are 5 quick tips to make yours stand out 👇
#Freelance #LearningAndDevelopment

Systemising the Superfan Cycle: Smart systems to turn interest into income - L and D Free Spirits In this session you’ll learn how to apply smart systems and simple automations at every stage of the Superfan Cycle, so you can grow your list, follow up with confidence, and convert warm leads into…

“You gotta be systematic… hydromatic… automatic…”
But your business? Still running on guesswork?

Learn how to turn warm leads into income (without chasing).
With systems wizard Becs McNeill.
🗓️ 23 July, 2pm BST
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/syst...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A promotional graphic for a free webinar titled "Join the great network glow-up" on 22 July at 12pm BST. The background shows a phone screen with hands giving thumbs-up and hearts floating above, suggesting social media engagement. Text at the bottom reads: "Get ready to cut the dead weight and give your LinkedIn network a glow-up over summer." The event is co-branded with The Learning Network.

Bigger ≠ better when it comes to your network.
Relevance is what opens doors.
Join the Great Network Glow Up on 22 July and make your network work.
👉 thelearning-network.org/event/join-t...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A vibrant café scene with diverse professionals working on laptops and chatting over coffee. Text reads: "Who are the L&D freelancers of 2025?" with the L&D Free Spirits logo below. The image hints at community, connection, and the future of freelance work.

The 2025 L&D freelancer isn’t just one “type.”
They’ve come from everywhere — and they’ve got serious skills.
Full insight report lands soon.
Grab first access here 👉 mailchi.mp/ldfreespirit...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A promotional graphic for a free webinar titled "Join the great network glow-up" on 22 July at 12pm BST. The background shows a phone screen with hands giving thumbs-up and hearts floating above, suggesting social media engagement. Text at the bottom reads: "Get ready to cut the dead weight and give your LinkedIn network a glow-up over summer." The event is co-branded with The Learning Network.

Time to glow up your network?
If your feed’s full of fluff or people you don’t know — it’s time for a refresh.
Join Kim Ellis and for a free session on building a network that actually works for you.
🗓️ 22 July, 12pm
👉 thelearning-network.org/event/join-t...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A promotional image for a webinar titled “How Sobriety and Wellbeing can help up your game,” happening on 30 July at 2pm BST. The banner says “Free for members” in the top corner. The image shows a woman sitting cross-legged, meditating with palms together. The bottom text reads: “Healthy business owners build healthier businesses... it really is that simple.”

Running on empty but pushing on anyway? Let’s change that. Learn how sobriety & wellbeing can up your game — and keep your business sustainable. Wed 30 July, 2pm BST.
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/how-...
#LearningAndDevelopment #Freelance

A vibrant café scene with diverse professionals working on laptops and chatting over coffee. Text reads: "Who are the L&D freelancers of 2025?" with the L&D Free Spirits logo below. The image hints at community, connection, and the future of freelance work.

Who are the L&D freelancers of 2025?
They’re not newbies.
They’re not winging it.
And they’re definitely not all ex-trainers.
Insight Survey results dropping soon 👇
👉 mailchi.mp/ldfreespirit...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

Promotional graphic for an L&D Free Spirits webinar titled "Systemising the Superfan Cycle", happening on 23 July at 2pm BST. It features a hand typing on a laptop with digital icons symbolising automation and systems, plus a bold message: “Tired of posting, chasing, and guessing what to do next? Build a system that actually works.”

Posting. Following up. Hoping for the best?
There’s a better way.

Join @BecsMcNeill for a practical session on smart systems to turn interest into income — with ease and zero tech drama.
👉 ldfreespirits.com/product/syst...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A promotional image for a free webinar titled “Protect your ideas – trademark your products” happening on Wednesday 2 July at 2pm BST. The background shows a cartoonish burglar sneaking in an office with a computer, reinforcing the message about protecting your work from being stolen. A banner at the bottom says: “If you’ve created a standout course, concept or product… make sure no one else can nick it.”

Freelancers: your ideas are your edge.
Protect them properly.
Join Saad Qureshi’s free session on trademarking your products today at 2pm BST.
👉 ldfreespirits.com/events/prote...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment

A promotional image for a free webinar titled “Protect your ideas – trademark your products” happening on Wednesday 2 July at 2pm BST. The background shows a cartoonish burglar sneaking in an office with a computer, reinforcing the message about protecting your work from being stolen. A banner at the bottom says: “If you’ve created a standout course, concept or product… make sure no one else can nick it.”

Freelancers: your ideas are your edge.
Protect them properly.
Join Saad Qureshi’s free session on trademarking your products.
👉 ldfreespirits.com/events/prote...
#Freelance #LearningandDevelopment