I’m author of The Freelance Mum: A flexible career guide for better work–life balance, editor of digital parenting and lifestyle platform The Early Hour, and work as a freelance journalist for national news and women’s magazines (Guardian, Forbes, Grazia, Red Magazine, Stylist, Metro, Telegraph). I also create the content for women’s confidence app Clementine (I’m a co-founder) and speak at live events and on BBC radio and TV.
Having seen how many freelancers and business owners struggle with self-promotion, I launched a four-week online course teaching people how to do their own PR (and save loads of money). All my tips and tricks for securing great press coverage for you and your brand. The first course sold out in two days. I also run an online course called ‘Becoming your own boss’; a combination of creative and practical exercises designed to help you work out what your freelance path or business idea should be, find the confidence to ‘make the leap’ to self-employment, earn enough money from it and get yourself up and running. More info, including how to book, here.
I wrote about my career journey for The Guardian’s Women in Leadership, fitting freelance work around family for Guardian Money, and shared my thoughts on parenting and early rising in a Guardian Opinion piece. I was also featured in The Sunday Times – talking business, motherhood and childcare – and interviewed for a Guardian article on negotiations in business. Lorraine Candy asked me about the language surrounding work/motherhood balance for her Sunday Times column. And I told the Telegraph about how isolating it can be setting up a business as a mum – but how networking can help. Stylist editor-at-large Alix Walker shared my freelancing tips for her piece on protecting your mental health, when working from home.
Other press, interviews and mentions include: Zetteler, Maternity Leave Life, Lucky Things, Think Productive, Business Insider, Mail Online, The Dad Website, Q&A with Dr Jessamy Hibberd. Also: Clementine podcast, Parentpreneur podcast, Nicky Raby’s podcast, Art Tiffin.
I live with my husband and our two children – a four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son – in east London. We’re expecting our third baby in August.
Come and find me on Instagram: @annieridout and Twitter: @annieridout.
(I love a little online chat).
All photos of me, on this website, are by the brilliant Penny Wincer
