Description
Free Spirits LIVE is a one-day conference exploring the power of freelancing and how to build a thriving, impactful business.
If you’re self-employed in L&D, you already know freelancing takes more than just expertise. It takes courage, clarity, and the confidence to back yourself – even when it’s hard and your wobble gremlin is whispering doubts. This conference is for people like you: people who want to learn, connect, and leave inspired to grow a business on their own terms.
Join us on Wednesday 4 March 2026 for a fresh mix of talks, practical skills labs, discussion panels, and rapid-fire speed sessions — all designed to reflect the realities of freelance life.
But don’t think you can just sit back and be talked at… this isn’t a passive webinar.
It’s real-time conversation, hands-on learning, and honest reflection from people who get it. And with built-in space to breathe, you can drop into a sponsor surgery, hang out in a breakout room, or recharge in the quiet zone whenever you need it.
And it goes beyond the day itself. Our Slack-based Conference Village opens on 18 February, where you’ll get access to exclusive pre-event content, behind-the-scenes chats with the speakers, and the chance to connect with other attendees ahead of (and after) the big day.
Plus, we’re bringing back our live podcast recording, where you’ll get the chance to share your reflections, capture your learning, and be part of the conversation.
If you’re ready to take control of your future and find your power, grab your ticket today.
What did people really think about last years conference?
Here’s the conference talks.
9:30am – 10:00am
Kim Ellis welcomes you to Free Spirits LIVE!
Opening keynote: Liggy Webb: Strive – From striving to thriving.
10:00 – 10:30am
- Emma Klosson: Design for impact. Be ready for recognition
- Rob Hubbard: Boosting creativity and building resilience
- Houra Amin: Designing a sustainable freelance business (without burning out)
11:00 – 11:30am
- Andrew Jacobs: Find and win public sector tenders
- Cathy Hoy: Commercial Skills for L&D Freelancers
11:30 – 12:00pm
- Tess Robinson: How L&D can lead the shift to sustainability
- Sheridan Webb: Balancing Human and Artificial Intelligence in Training Design
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30pm
- Linnéa Sjögren: The Trojan horse approach
1:30 – 2:00pm
- Dave Plunkett: Building referrals without the ick
3:30pm – 4:00pm
Closing keynote: Jasmine Gartner: 5 stories & 5 lessons about power from anthropology for freelancers
Wrap up the conference with Kim Ellis.
Get hands-on with practical, interactive sessions you can apply straight away.
11:00 – 11:30am
Building an interactive professional portfolio with Genially – Skills Lab hosted by Oyindamola Ojo-Eriamiatoe
In this hands-on session, Oyindamola will guide you through how to build a compelling and interactive professional portfolio using Genially, a leading platform for engaging visual content. Many freelancers struggle to showcase their work in a way that truly reflects their skills and impact. This session will help you move beyond static CVs and PDFs and turn your professional story into a dynamic digital portfolio that works harder for you when pitching, applying for opportunities, or building your personal brand.
11:30 – 12:00pm
How to use LinkedIn company pages to your advantage – Skills Lab Hosted by Judy Parsons
We’re taking a deep dive into LinkedIn Company Pages and showing how you can make the most of their features without spending hours managing yet another platform, demonstrating that a company page is not just “another thing” to maintain but a genuinely valuable marketing tool for your business. You’ll explore how LinkedIn Company Pages work and why they matter, how to use your page as a website alternative that helps you get found through Google SEO and increasingly through AI searches (GEO), and which features are worth focusing on to grow your audience with intention.
1:00 – 1:30pm
Pro video tips for small businesses – Skills Lab hosted by Jill Sainsbury
Jill’s ‘Skills Lab’ will be a practical, session, where she’ll explain how to plan a video both in terms of what to say, how to say it and how to illustrate it. She’ll show how to set up and frame shots by looking live through the camera lens. There’ll be some tips for confident presenting plus some basic editing tips to polish the final product. Checkout Jill’s promo video to see what you can expect.
1:30 – 2:00pm
The Price is right…isn’t it? Skills Lab hosted by Tom McDowall
Freelancers often struggle to price their work in a way that reflects its true value – not just the hours it takes. In this session, Tom will walk you through the mindset shift from billing time to pricing outcomes, helping you think more strategically about how you charge for your services.
2:30 – 3:00pm
Canva – Skills Lab hosted by Thea Newcomb
In just 30 minutes, you’ll discover how to create polished, professional-looking designs in Canva without the fuss. Voting for what is covered in this session will take place in the Conference Village.
3:00 – 3:30pm
Curiosity: The Key to Better Client Conversations – Skills Lab hosted by Natalie Savery
In this session we will explore how curiosity can transform the way L&D freelancers work with clients. Client conversations often stay surface-level, leading to unclear briefs and solution-led requests that don’t address the real need – curiosity helps us go deeper and do better work that our clients will love. We’ll look at simple ways to help build trust, uncover what’s really happening, and gently challenge assumptions. We’ll also reflect on how strengthening our own curiosity muscle boosts confidence and leads to more meaningful, impactful work.
Conversations on hot topics, hosts and participants will be revealed soon.
1:00pm – 1:45pm
The power of your personal and company brands
Your personal brand and your company brand are not the same thing, but they are closely connected. In this discussion panel we will explore why both matter, how they differ, and how to make them work together in a way that feels authentic and intentional.
2:30pm – 3:15pm
Using AI as a freelancer
AI is everywhere, but what does it actually mean for freelancers? In this discussion panel we will explore practical use cases, common concerns, and how to use AI in ways that support your work rather than replace your expertise.
Q&A sessions from our event sponsors.
1:00pm – 1:30pm
Sponsor Surgery: Q&A with The CPD Group
Come to this surgery with Andy Donnachie and find out how CPD accreditation works, what the benefits are and how you can use it to potentially sell your courses for more money.
2:30pm – 3:00pm
Sponsor Surgery: Q&A with Evolve L&D and IDTX
Whether you’re interested in running a consultancy, being a thought leader, pushing boundaries with your clients or running conferences, Tom McDowall is here to answer your burning questions.
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Sponsor Surgery: Q&A with Your Best Next Move
Do you have plans for world domination? Or at least growing to a size where you can employe people? The come and quiz Paul Service, he works with founders of small businesses who’ve hit a growth plateau and need clarity on what to focus on next.
Meet the speakers
Select each headshot to find out more about the speaker and their session.
Meet the moderators and hosts
Select each headshot to find out more about our marvellous moderators and fabulous Skills Lab hosts.
Breathe with breakouts
Throughout the day, you’ll be encouraged to dip in and out of our themed breakout rooms – spaces designed for reflection, connection, problem-solving and, sometimes, just a bit of peace and quiet.
Each room has a different focus, and you can come and go as you like. There’s no formal structure, just real conversation, peer support, and the freedom to join what feels right for you in the moment.
Check out what you can expect in each room.
Get clear on what you offer, who you serve, and where you want to show up.
This room is for anyone exploring (or refining) their niche. Whether you’re still working it out or ready to reposition yourself, this space is for those thinking about clarity, specialism, and standing out in the freelance world.
Make new connections, swap ideas, and find your Free Spirit crew.
A social space for casual networking and natural conversations. No structure, no pitches — just genuine connection. Great for meeting potential collaborators, having a natter, or finding someone who just gets it.
Step back and make sense of what you’re hearing.
A space to process what’s come up in the sessions — whether something challenged you, inspired you, or sparked an idea. Quiet chat encouraged, but no pressure. Think of it as your decompression zone between the learning.
Got a challenge? This is where we fix things together.
Bring a work-related problem or challenge and get support from fellow attendees. Whether it’s pricing, proposals, tricky clients or imposter syndrome — this room is all about peer wisdom and honest advice.
No talking. No pressure. Just space to breathe.
A calm space to step away from the buzz and take a breather. Cameras optional, mics off. Use it to journal, doodle, stretch, meditate, or just sit quietly for a while. Because doing less is also productive.
Meet the sponsors
Select each logo to find out more about our sponsors.
If you would like to sponsor this event, please get in touch with Kim Ellis.
Official media partners
By attending this conference, you’ll gain CPD points and receive a certificate of attendance.
FAQ’s
If you can’t find an answer to your question, email hello@ldfreespirits.com
Nope – and that’s very much on purpose. We want people to be fully present, have open conversations, and know it’s a safe space. No recordings. No AI notetakers. Just real-time, real talk.
The whole day will take place on Zoom. You’ll get the full joining details and links once you’ve purchased your ticket and in the lead-up to the event.
It’s totally up to you! You can come for the full day or just pop in for the sessions that speak to you. No pressure.
You’ll get access to both keynote talks, main conference talks, breakout rooms, and speed sessions — plus panel discussions, sponsor surgeries and skills labs.
You can create your own agenda based on what you’ll find most useful.
Just log in to the website and the discount will be automatically applied when you come back to this page.
Yes! Most sessions are interactive or include space for questions, and the breakout rooms are designed for proper two-way conversation. You can also apply to deliver a 5-minute speed session or join a discussion panel (more info to come on those bits).
Yes…but spaces are limited! We have two sponsorship packages available: Get Seen and Get Involved.
Get Seen gives your brand visibility through shout-outs, social posts and presence on the event page. Get Involved takes it up a notch with just four exclusive spots — including your own live Sponsor Surgery session where you can chat directly with attendees, share what you do, and build real connections.
Please email kim@ldfreespirits.com for more info.
We’ll only use your data in line with our privacy policy and to manage your involvement with Free Spirits LIVE!
When you register, you’ll also have the option to subscribe to our mailing list. It’s a good idea to say yes — we’ll be sending important conference updates only to people who are both registered and subscribed, including speaker announcements, session details, resources, info on the Conference Village and how to join on the day.
Sign up to the mailing list here to make sure you’re getting the full experience.
Come for the learning. Stay for the people.
