Goodbye 2024 and Hello 2025

This feature is a mix of my personal and business life in 2024.

My 2024 started with finishing of a self-induced sabbatical. I called my clients in September 2023 and said I was taking time off from November 2023.

To some that may have seemed like a bold stupid move, especially the way the freelancing world is going. Lots of my friends have struggled this year to find work. I’m not sure if that is due to the uncertainties of the political and financial world or AI (Artificial Intelligence) claiming some of their roles. I say we will always need a human. AI can aid us but should not take away our creativity.

My year has been about finding and belonging. My word of the year I decided on was :

VISABILITY. Here’s how my 2024 went.

Being black

My 2024 started with me travelling to Ghana, Africa. I had been to Tunisia but this was the Africa I have always wanted to see. The people, the land and the culture. I went for a friend’s wedding which was beautiful and full of tradition. But this trip changed part of my life. I wanted to know more about black history and heritage. I was moved – and traumatised by visiting Elmina Castle. The port where people left Ghana as slaves. The door of no return was especially harrowing as it was so tiny – showing how emancipated the slaves had become. Ghana also was an eye-opener to how you can work anywhere in the world. It was an encouraging sight to see Ghanaians in co-working spaces and coffee shops. I could so picture myself there.

Once back in the UK, I decided to be involved with more black communities. I already was but wanted more.

I found:

Do It Now Now

Join Our Table

The Precious Awards

Where are the Black Designers

January started with a trip to Ghana with friends from Black Women On Wheels (BWOW)

February work begins

My 2024 work for clients started back on track in February.

For my own marketing, I continued to write my monthly newsletter ‘Font Love Friday and Other Designery Things’. I have increased subscribers to 331.

I continued to write blogs – not as many as I had planned but I have plans for more in 2025. I continued to post on social media to share my work and tips.

I rounded up a year of sharing 52 design tips on a Wednesday – I got good feedback from those.

Social media is a place to share your knowledge and tell people who are and what you do. The majority of my work again this year came from referrals 80% of the other 20% from finds via Google, social media (LinkedIn plus Instagram) and podcasts.

When a client comes via my website I always ask how they found me, it is a good way to track your marketing efforts. I know that my SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is working.

Lyons Creative Wrapped 2024

I did a round-up of my work over on Instagram and shared my ‘Lyons Creative Wrapped 2024’

The STATS - Where my work came from:

Retained clients

A SAAS company – found me on Google

A food and drink company found me on Google too. They both search for freelance graphic designer London and UK.

24 magazines designed

5 reports designed

7 brands created

2 books designed

3 websites designed

1 article written for a magazine

Lots of Marketing designs were created – too many to count

As I mentioned, I also had referrals from existing clients, freelancer friends, and people who saw me post on LinkedIn. Posting content and commenting do work!

Work

Away from my desk

I planned events around my client projects.

I like meeting people and networking. I also know this is a must for my business and mental health. As much as I love to be at my desk creating and meeting people online via various coworking sessions. Here are a few of the events I attended:

 You Are The Media (YATM) - Poole

The Hive - London

Her Voice Up

Digital Women Awards and Event

SMMMeetUp – Birmingham

The AntiSocialites

Atomicon

Cowork Crew

bCreator Awards

British Black Business Show UK (BBSUK) – London

Precious Awards – London

Ne’twerking – yes dancing and networking

Speaking

Webinar for Link up London on branding for charities

Me on stage!

Digital Women – panel discussion

Magazine Street – International Magazine Centre. In conversation with Peter Huston (link to his Substack)

Digital Woman Awards judge and announced the winner of the Graphic Designer of the Year

Santander Women in Business closing ceremony. I was on stage with former Dragon’s Den star Sarah Willingham I spoke about my business and then I asked a question. It was speed mentoring. This was a special moment as I had taken part in a 9-month programme working with a mentor.

Alt Marketing School – the last webinar of the year. I’ve recorded it and it will be released on 16th January 2025* You can book a place here.

Visibility right there!

Speaking also included podcast appearances.

These are also great for visibility and sharing what you do. You really don’t know who is listening. I have had referrals for work from being heard on a podcast this year.

Featuring on:

Women in Business – Erin Buck

YATM – with Mark Masters and Daniel Plume

Being Freelance – with Steve Folland

Monday Morning Marketing Podcast

Story Slurp – with Victoria Brown

The Alt Marketing School – with fab Giovani

Send it to Marketing – being released in 2025

The Architecture Business Club – being released in 2025

The Built Environment Marketing Show by Ayo Abbas (not speaking but I get a mention)

Indie Business Club (not speaking but I get a mention)

Doing It For the Kids (not speaking but I get a mention)

Personal fun and important stuff

Cycling with Black Women On Wheels (BWOW).

The annual Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) 1000’s of us on our bikes, music and vibes

Gave blood for the NHS. Give love spread love spreading awareness for the Afro-Caribbean community.

What an epic year!

Lots of selfies taken!

What’s happening in 2025

The year will start with me doing jury service. Not great as a self-employed person. A few freelancer friends have mentioned the FSB and IPSE memberships as they cover you if you are on jury service.

Speaking

YATM – Foundry in February, a panel on creativity. More information and tickets are here.

Events

I have been working on creating an event with Ayo Abbas – Creatives Like Us. A workshop for creatives of colour. February 13th in east London. You can get your tickets here!

Atomicon – I’m back to Newcastle. Atomicon is a small business conference

You Are The Media – Wandsworth

You Are The Media – In Poole

I’m sure I will have more but for now, these are in my diary.

My Podcast

Creatives Like Us – I have started my podcast. Featuring creatives of colour. Since October I have been recording with guests. Listen to the trailer here.

The recording is fun, and I have loved hearing about how people started and how they can help people out there who are like them and may want to make the leap into having a creative career. One of the podcast graphics is the Sankofa bird – ‘return and get it’. A symbol of the importance of learning from the past to enable our future - to look forward we must look back at history.

It is being launched in January, so keep an eye out for that!

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading and being part of my 2024. My word for 2025 is INTENT.

I’m claiming 3:

Visibility

Intent

Productivity

Here’s to 2025!

If you would like to Work with me in 2025 I offer various marketing design services, from power hours to branding and website design. I have experience of being in internal marketing departments. I also work for small businesses that need an extra pair of hands with their designs.

Are you looking for a guest speaker for your podcast?

If you have a podcast and think that I’d be a good guest for your audience. I talk on various topics including design, marketing, freelancing/owning a small business and more! Take a look at my past appearances and do get in touch.