Many of our students, particularly those working within the creative industries, go on to become self-employed, freelance, or start their own businesses. We recently caught up with Commercial Music graduate Patrick Channon to talk about his experiences and to find out how he became a successful freelance musician.

Tell us about yourself

I studied Commercial Music with Canterbury Christ Church University at Broadstairs campus where I was lucky both to be taught by and to study alongside some amazing musicians. I currently teach at two different primary schools as well as running music workshops and teaching privately. I’m also a session musician, working in and around Kent and London with singer-songwriters, wedding bands and stage shows.

How have you built your freelance work?

A lot of the work I have has come from years of chipping away, I’ve been gigging consistently since 2010 so I’ve managed to get together a load of contacts I know I can call when I need the work. What I found is that it starts off slow but the more work you do the more people you get to know that will give you work, so networking is a massive part of what I do. I’ve been teaching for two years now and I’m only just getting to a point where it’s becoming my full time job so I’m still building that myself.

What advice do you have for those going freelance?

Aside from networking the most important part of freelancing for me is staying consistent with what’s on your plate and I think that’s true to whatever industry you’re in. When you’re financially reliant on the work that you’re getting you have to make sure you have a stacked schedule because work could fall through at any time especially when teaching privately.

What’s next?

I’m quite lucky in that I’ve been picked up by a couple of companies that help me out with teaching work, my aim for the next year to finally go full time with the work I’m passionate about as well as building my own business running music workshops in schools.

If you would like any information or advice on working freelance, becoming self-employed, or starting your own business, don’t forget that Career Development can help you. Email: enterprise@canterbury.ac.uk or visit The CORE drop-in desk, Thursdays, 1.00-5.00pm to speak with our Student Enterprise team.

Career Development and Enterprise support is available to you up to 3 years after you graduate from Canterbury Christ Church University.