No Gatekeeping (start here)
Our massive (updated) list of resources for your career and business
One of our mottos here at I LIKE NETWORKING is sharing is caring.
We exist because creative careers can be still opaque and hard to access. Our mission is to make creative career paths clearer, fairer and more connected by combining honest guidance, real networks and practical opportunities.
Below, you’ll find a curated collection of mostly free resources to help your career and business—from how to pitch and get paid for your writing, to career steps, CV advice, funding and a Film & TV guide.
Want the full picture?
Our ILN INSIDERS newsletter (the paid version) takes this even further.
Hundreds of curated jobs, grants, open calls, gigs, funding and events – save hours and access opportunities you may not find anywhere else.
Mentoring from industry experts – expand your network and get clarity, fast
Professional development – workshops on funding, networking, marketing…
A community that gets it – join others building creative careers on their terms and transform your path.
❤️︎ If you like this post please like it, restack it, share it with someone, leave a comment with tips or a career question. It goes a long way!
The ILN Mentoring Guide: lessons, tips and worksheets from our mentoring scheme.
Easy Read Artist Contract: A contract for artists that is accessible, easy to read, and free of jargon.
The Power of Networking: Build Professional Opportunities: In this online course, we teach you a method for building a collaborative network and take your career to the next level.
Resources for Emerging Theatre Makers
Common People Toolkit: A toolkit to help working-class creatives access the industry, includes organisations, reports, job boards and more.
1-1 Coaching with Isabel Sachs: Stop wondering “what if” and start taking action. We can tackle a Done-for-You Job Search Strategy, Business Strategy, Public Speaking & Pitching and Personal Brand Development
Getting Started in UX/UI Design: including how to reach out to mentors
Roles in Advertising: a glossary
Tether: Notion template and networking tool
The 100 Connections Challenge:) by our mentor Phoebe Dodds
How can you land your first job without professional experience?
Reframe how you think about work: A brief intro on how you think about careers by Stephanie Brown.
The ILN Creative Careers Guide: an oldie but a goodie, our first ever guide on with inside track from experts on how to build a creative career path.
How to prepare for a job interview
How to understand creative job levels
LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2026: The 25 fastest-growing roles in the U.S
Done-For-You Job Search Strategy
CV and Portfolio Guides for Creative Direction and Design Roles from recruiter Nikky Lyle
The 2025 LinkedIn guide to kickstarting your career in the UK
Personalised feedback on CVs, cover letters or job applications for women aged 18 to 30
Getting Started: Good Growth Hub has a range of resources and free events for those 18-30 wanting to get started in the Creative Industries
How to Break into Film & TV: A starting point for you
Filming in England Starter Park
Film & TV crew: this directory is full of opportunities.
How to Write a CV for Film & TV: Amazing insights from insiders!
Film Barking and Dagenham Crew Database: all applications are subject to approval, once approved you will automatically be added.
Business Plan from the Prince’s Trust
Creatives Guide to Networking and Partnership (PAID, but get 30% off with code 8X653)
💸 FREE self assessment with Pie. Use code pie-I_like_networking or use their expert services to do it for you, from £59.99.
The Stack): tools that Alex Lieberman (founder of Morning Brew) uses for his businesses.
Freelance Calculator: Calculate hourly rates, project costs, and profitability
How to calculate your day rate as a first-time freelancer
1-1 Coaching with Isabel Sachs(PAID): Stop wondering “what if” and start taking action
How To Do Taxes As A Creative Freelancer in the UK (FREE): A full guide on how to do your taxes as a self-employed creative.
3 email templates for Small Business Owners (FREE)
Virtual Assistant: I personally used Kayleigh and had a great time.
Understanding UK Tax Reliefs for Creative Industry Businesses (FREE)
How to get Featured in the Press: We removed the paywall on this post from our ILN Insiders edition so you can get the secrets we used to get featured on the New York Times and Beyond
Pitching guidelines for UK publications: from Freelance Writing Jobs
For freelance writers: a selection of the best resources that Dan Hastings had been using since 2018 “when I first tried pitching to newspapers and magazine editors as a freelance writer with zero contacts. It's always a bit scary at first but you'll be surprised how many editors are looking for new voices and are willing to give emerging writers a chance if their pitches are good enough! “
Who Pays Writers?: An anonymous, crowdsourced list of which publications pay freelance writers, and how much.
Arts Council Funding Templates & Resources
ILN 2026 Money Guide: for individuals and businesses
Impact Investor Finder: This resource has been created to help companies looking for funding to search and find impact investors by theme and geography.
A never-complete list of recommendations. Yes, we consume a LOT of content. We can’t even begin to tell you about social accounts and podcasts 🤯
Careers
I LIKE NETWORKING (ha!)
Marketing & Strategy
Business
CROSS-DISCIPLINE / MISCELLANEOUS
I Like Networking (ILN)
Award-winning career platform offering mentoring, networking events, job curation and professional development support.
The Stack World
Membership platform and community for ambitious women to connect through online and in-person events, offering learning, networking and a marketplace for women-led services and expertise.
She Says
Award-winning organization running free mentorship and events for women and non-binary people in the creative industry.
NOWIE - The Network of Women in Events
NOWIE are spearheading DEI initiatives and better opportunities for women in the events industry.
VISUAL ARTS
CVAN (Contemporary Visual Arts Network)
National network of regional visual arts hubs in England, supporting artists and art workers through advocacy, sector development and programmes across nine regions.
Working Arts Club
Community for professionals in the visual arts from working class backgrounds, using events and online spaces to build connection and visibility.
AWITA – Association of Women in the Arts
Membership networking group advancing the careers of women (and some non-binary people) in the visual arts via skills development, mentoring, advocacy and events.
AWITA Next Gen
Young professionals network within AWITA for early-career women and non-binary creatives in the visual arts, offering peer support and development opportunities.
SCREEN, FILM, TV & MEDIA
Women in Film & Television UK (WFTV)
Membership association championing women working in film, TV and digital media, offering events, mentoring schemes, advocacy and professional networking.
Film Independent
Support organisation for independent filmmakers in the US and UK, offering networking, funding information, resources and professional development for screenwriters, directors, producers and other film professionals.
Alliance of Women Directors
Non-profit organisation providing advocacy, education, networking and mentorship to increase opportunities for women directors in film, TV and new media.
Women in Media
Network supporting women professionals across media industries, offering events, resources and advocacy for career development and representation.
MUSIC & AUDIO
The F List for Music
UK directory and support ecosystem for women and gender expansive musicians plus a network of “sister organisations” (production, tech, local scenes and campaigns).
Saffron
A music tech initiative taking an intersectional approach to redressing the gender imbalance in the industry
She Said So
A global independent community of women and gender nonconforming people in the music industry.
MOTHERS, PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Mums Who Build
London-based community for mums and female founders offering memberships, free pre/postnatal fitness, weekly meet-ups, guest speaker events, networking and business support for career and confidence growth.
Mothers Meeting
International community and marketing agency creating events, content and brand partnerships to help mums feel confident, connected and empowered in work and life.
PiPA – Parents & Carers in Performing Arts
UK campaign and charter initiative working with organisations to make performing arts more family-friendly and inclusive for parents and carers through policy change and best practice.
JOURNALISM & WRITING
Women in Journalism
Networking, training and campaigning organisation supporting women journalists at all career stages and across all platforms in the UK, with mentoring, events and advocacy.
Women in Journalism Scotland
Sister organisation focused on improving gender equality in the Scottish media through training, mentoring, advocacy and networking.
SPORTS
Women in Sport
UK-wide membership organisation championing equality and inclusion in sport for women and girls.
Women’s Sport Collective
Free, inclusive network for women working in or aspiring to work in sport, offering events, webinars, networking hubs and a jobs board to drive gender equality in the sports industry. Well-organised channels covering events, co-working spaces, job opportunities and peer support.
FOUNDERS, FREELANCERS & SENIOR TALENT
Female Founders Rise
Community and support network for women founders, providing events, peer support, visibility and programmes to help female-led startups grow.
The Selfhood (Daisy Morris)
Digital community for creatives and small business owners, focused on social media, community-building and support for freelancers. Channels cover events, co-working opportunities, offers and peer advice. Highly active and widely used.
❤️︎ If you like this post please like it, restack it, share it with someone, leave a comment with tips or a career question. It goes a long way!
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What a mega list!!! Thanks for mention - looking forward to digging through your reccs 💕