How to upskill for free 🤑
Soz gatekeepers.
From NXT LVL contributor, Matt Box
One thing that always slightly irks me about this industry is how many people try to gatekeep their knowledge. Not only does that stop more people from entering the field, but it also dilutes the overall quality of the work. Smart industries learn from each other’s wins and mistakes — and when we share more, we raise the bar for everyone.
More than the gatekeeping, it can also get expensive. Some courses are £££! And if you don’t have access to a learning and development (L&D), they’re often just not an option.
So, I wanted to share some of the free ways you can upskill. Whether you’re in role, a freelancer, considering a career change, or something else entirely.
Coffee chats and online mentoring ☕️
Sometimes the best knowledge comes from a quick chat with someone who's been there. Slide into the DMs of someone you admire. Offer to buy them a coffee or ask them if they have 15 for a Zoom call. The worst they can do is say no. Or ghost you. the best that can happen is that you get a valuable addition to your network. (And maybe even a job?!)
Alternatively, use platforms like Talk to a Creative Director – a brilliant space for informal mentorship in the creative industries - or join a community where you can get insights from other members or the content they provide. I heard NXT LVL is a great one.
Shadow a colleague 👋
If a cold DM isn’t your jam, reach out to a colleague or peer instead. This could be another freelance buddy or someone more senior in your team at work.
Ask if you can shadow them for a couple of hours, or on a client call, to see if you can pick up any techniques to apply in your own role.
Podcasts (that actually teach you something) 🎧
There’s so much gold in podcasts if you can find the right ones. Here are a few I recommend:
Uncensored CMO – interviews with top marketing leaders.
How I Write – a deep-dive into the craft of writing.
On Strategy – insights on brand strategy and real-world campaigns.
Blogs and newsletters that worth subscribing to 💻
We may be biased, but Substack (and other platforms like Medium) are where it’s heading. Swap a scroll on socials for a quick read of a blog and start expanding your thinking without much of a habit shift.
My favourites:
Roger Martin – strategy mastermind.
Zoe Scaman – the best thinkpieces of where the industry is headed.
Rob Estreitinho (Salmon Labs) – a smart, curious lens on creative culture.
Alex Morris (Strat Scraps) – strategy gems in bite-sized form.
James Whatley (Five Things on a Friday) – weekly digest of must-reads, trends and inspiration.
No fluff — just great thinking from people who know their stuff.
Networking events and meet-ups 🤝
Meeting people in real life still matters. A few useful links to get you started:
My general advice to people is hardly ever ask directly for a job. But if you’re looking, always ask if they know someone who might be able to give you a job. It’s usually a more fruitful and useful conversation.
Free online courses 🎓
There are tonnes of free online courses that are ace starting points for learning something new. Plus, some even give you a certification which can be a nice nod to future clients and employers that you have that crucial growth mindset everyone’s looking for.
Check out this list of free courses we think are worth their salt.
Final thought
The creative industry is better when more people are equipped to contribute to it. If you're in a position to share knowledge, do it. And if you're just getting started — know that there's so much out there for free, if you know where to look. If in doubt, ask!