No Gatekeeping (aka start here)
A massive roundup of mostly free resources for your career
One of our mottos here at I LIKE NETWORKING is sharing is caring.
One way we found to do so is to have our ILN INSIDERS newsletter - the paid version. This is what you get:
Hundreds of curated jobs, grants, open calls, gigs, funding and events to network. Why? For you to save hours and access opportunities you may not find anywhere else
Mentoring from industry experts: expand your network and get clarity—fast
Professional Development: workshops on funding, networking, marketing, and more
A community that gets it: join others building creative careers—on their terms.
In addition to this, we decided to collate a list of free and not expensive resources to help your career, from how to pitch and get paid for your writing, to career steps, finding jobs and getting unstuck and our first film & tv guide.
🪩 CREATIVE CAREERS 🪩
The ILN Mentoring Guide (FREE): lessons, tips and worksheets from our mentoring scheme.
Career Change Resources Booklet (FREE) by Dina Grishin.
Resources for Emerging Theatre Makers (FREE)
Easy Read Artist Contract (FREE): A contract for artists that is accessible, easy to read, and free of jargon.
1-1 Consultancy with Isabel Sachs (PAID): A session with the ILN founder to discuss your professional profile, networking, planning, community and beyond.
Common People Toolkit (FREE): A toolkit to help working-class creatives access the industry, includes organisations, reports, job boards and more.
Reframe how you think about work (FREE): A brief intro on how you think about careers by Stephanie Brown.
The ILN Creative Careers Guide (FREE): an oldie but a goodie, our first ever guide on with inside track from experts on how to build a creative career path.
The Power of Networking: Build Professional Opportunities (under £10): In this online course, we teach you a method for building a collaborative network and take your career to the next level.
Confused about Job Roles? Creative Lives in Progress has a glossary for you. They also share tons of resources and opportunities, so one to follow!
Creative Thieves (FREE). An exercise book for grown-ups who have run out of ideas. Developed by Mac+Moore to help you get your creative juices flowing.
The LinkedIn 2024 guide to kickstarting your career in the UK
Personalised feedback on CVs, cover letters or job applications for women aged 18 to 30 (FREE)
Where to Look for Jobs? Besides our own job board, which we share on our socials and newsletter, we recommend If You Could Jobs, Escape the City, Flexa, Arts Jobs and Run the Check.
The 100 Connections Challenge (FREE) by our mentor Phoebe Dodds
Getting Started (FREE): Good Growth Hub has a range of resources and free events for those 18-30 wanting to get started in the Creative Industries
Getting Started in UX/UI Design (FREE): including how to reach out to mentors
🎥 FILM & TV
How to Break into Film & TV (FREE): A starting point for you
Filming in England Starter Park (FREE)
Film & TV crew: this directory is full of opportunities.
How to Write a CV for Film & TV (FREE): Amazing insights from insiders!
Film Barking and Dagenham Crew Database (FREE): all applications are subject to approval, once approved you will automatically be added.
👩💻 FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, FREELANCERS & ENTREPRENEURS
1-1 Consultancy with Isabel Sachs (PAID): A session with the ILN founder to discuss your professional profile, networking, business, planning, community and beyond.
Branding and PR Resources (FREE)
Understanding UK Tax Reliefs for Creative Industry Businesses (FREE)
💸 FREE self assessment with Pie. Use code pie-I_like_networking and do it all FOR FREE, or use their expert services to do it for you, from £59.99.
The Stack (FREE): tools that Alex Lieberman (founder of Morning Brew) uses for his businesses.
How To Do Taxes As A Creative Freelancer in the UK (FREE): A full guide on how to do your taxes as a self-employed creative.
3 email templates for Small Business Owners (FREE)
Business and productivity planners (we love The Daily Planner). 15% discount for you with code ILIKENETWORKING.
🖊️ WRITING, PR & JOURNALISM
How to get Featured in the Press (FREE): We removed the paywall on this post from our ILN Insiders edition so you can get the secrets we used to get featured on the New York Times and Beyond
How to get in the press (PAYWALLED): Steal our secret to get featured in the press
For freelance writers (FREE): a selection of the best resources that Dan Hastings had been using since 2018 “when I first tried pitching to newspapers and magazine editors as a freelance writer with zero contacts. It's always a bit scary at first but you'll be surprised how many editors are looking for new voices and are willing to give emerging writers a chance if their pitches are good enough! “
Who Pays Writers? (FREE): An anonymous, crowdsourced list of which publications pay freelance writers, and how much.
For journo/writing jobs and pitching opportunities: Journo Resources and Sian Meades Williams.
Sports Podcasting panel (FREE)
🤑 FUNDING
Arts Council Funding Templates & Resources (FREE)
Access Support Guide (FREE)
Esme Verity (FREE): shares funding and incubator opportunities for people building businesses
Impact Investor Finder (FREE): This resource has been created to help companies looking for funding to search and find impact investors by theme and geography.
Hey team, I’ve sent you a DM with a great proposal for your newsletter. Would love for you to take a look when you get a chance!