Precious Mayowa Agbabiaka is a freelance creative offering writing, photography, and videography services. She is also a published author!
Precious helped me in the beginning stages of my freelance career and so it is a pleasure to have her featured on this blog and share with you all the amazing work she’s been doing!
What do you freelance in?
Writing, videography, photography, and video editing.
What influenced you to become a freelancer?
I think I just enjoyed doing all these different things and opportunities presented themselves to me to get paid for them so I took it.
How long have you been freelancing?
Consistently? Probably since 2016/2017
What companies have you freelanced for?
VAMP UK/Entertainment One, Diabetes UK, The Guardian, Glamour Magazine, Black Ballad UK, Black Girls Book Club, Christiana Andrews, Black Property Network, Stylist Magazine.
What would you describe your niche as? (if applicable)
I usually do stuff for Black-Owned businesses or events. It’s not my niche per se but it’s what I end up doing most of the time because of word of mouth or recommendation.
As well as being a freelancer, what other businesses do you have?
I’m an author and I work!
What resources have you found useful as a freelancer?
Sian Meades has a great freelancer newsletter that comes out every week. Bank accounts like Coconut, Starling and Monzo are great too.
What do you like most about freelancing?
That I’m not forced to write about things I don’t care about just to meet a quota. I can write about what I want when I want. Same for the other things I freelance in I have the freedom to say yes or no.
What challenges have you found with freelancing, and how do you battle through them?
Pricing my services correctly. I just estimate what my time is worth. It’s honestly, trial and error and you keep learning. Just don’t let anyone haggle you down; you have bills to pay.
You’ve recently released a book! Congrats! Tell us more about what this project is and what motivated you to create it?
Thank you! I wrote a kid’s book in 7 languages. It’s called “There’s Rice At Home” and I released it because I wanted to create resources that children and adults could use to learn and practice their mother tongues.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Because of lockdown, I don’t even know what I like doing anymore and there’s spare time in abundance…to an extent anyway. I used to love going to the cinema, going swimming.
How do you find the work/ life balance being a freelancer? Do you have any tips for this area?
I’m constantly trying to find the balance. When you work and freelance you’re spending your extra time doing freelance work which technically means you’re always working. The rule(s) I do have though is that first Wednesday and Sunday of the month I don’t do any kind of freelance work to prioritise Bible Study and worship night at church. Other than that I’m still figuring it out.
What key characteristics are needed to become a freelancer?
All of the skills you need I can’t even say I have LOL. I am not self-motivated half the time, once I’m tired I’m not doing ANYTHING. I won’t write and I definitely won’t edit a video. Passion is probably the most important thing though. If you’re not passionate about your work you’ll hate it.
What is the proudest project you have worked on?
Probably “There’s Rice At Home”. I’ve loved seeing the responses from people posting their kids reading the books. It’s been so cute and moved me to tears!
Where can we find your work/ socials?
My books are at: linktr.ee/PreciousMA and you can find my other work at www.preciousma.co.uk
Anything you’d like to add?
Stay safe, wash your hands, and ALL Black Lives Matter!
To have a read of the previously featured freelancer, Javacia Harris-Browser, on the Remi Reports blog, visit this post.
Also, if you are at the start of your freelance journey looking for guidance on how to navigate this world, I offer a Beginner Freelancer E-course to help you with this.
