Build a reliable freelance pipeline without guessing where to find your next client with our 24-week virtual program.

Launching July 6, 2026

What the Heck is FEAST?

FEAST stands for "Freelance Empowerment and Advanced Skills Training." It's our brand-new 24-week online program for instructional designers looking to go freelance or boost their existing freelance careers.

At a Glance

FEAST is an online program hosted in Kajabi that covers a wide range of topics you actually need to build, run, and grow a freelance instructional design career.

At the end of the program, you'll walk away with structure, a stronger sense of footing, and resources you can actually deploy in your biz!

  • Long-form, 24-week virtual program

  • Weekly live sessions for discussion, questions, and feedback

  • Practical exercises, tools, and resources

  • Community-driven, not go-it-alone

Who's FEAST For?

While we try to be inclusive here, FEAST was built with a pretty specific audience in mind. So if you're a freelance brain surgeon, this probably isn't for you. But that's a pretty rad niche you've got there. Or is it alarming? We're not sure.

Here's who will benefit most from FEAST:

  • Instructional designers plotting a freelance escape plan

  • Freelancers tired of winging literally everything

  • Talented designers who secretly hate “selling themselves”

  • People who hate hustle-culture nonsense

  • People who learn better alongside other people

  • Outerspace-enthusiasts and silly gooses

Why We Made This

More freelancers are entering the market than ever before. So if it feels a little louder out there lately…you’re not imagining it. But most people aren’t stuck because they’re bad at what they do! In fact, we know you're great at what you do!

They’re stuck because:

  • They don’t know where to look for gigs

  • They don’t have a clear strategy for getting in front of the right clients

  • And they’re making it way harder than it needs to be

FEAST helps you get clear, get moving, and stop wandering around the freelance abyss hoping something sticks.

Included with FEAST: LaunchPad

LaunchPad is a searchable directory of 1,000+ L&D agencies, curated and vetted by freelancers (not robots), so you’re not wandering around the internet guessing where to look or who to contact.

Not every agency is actively hiring freelancers at all times, but this gives you a clear, targeted starting point for outreach.

Most freelancers waste weeks trying to figure out where to even begin.

LaunchPad removes that guesswork.

  • Search by industry, location, and size

  • Tap into real freelancer insights as the directory grows

  • Save your favorites and add private notes

  • Show up to the job market with an actual map

What Will We Cover?

Each part of FEAST is designed to help you move from learning to action, so you’re not stuck

wondering what to do next.

Week 1 | Building the Rocket Before You Launch

Before you blast off, we’ll help you set clear goals, get your money right, sketch out a sustainable weekly schedule, and start treating your freelance work like the real business it is. 

Week 2 | Identifying Your Sick Skillz

This week is all about figuring out what makes you wildly, wonderfully hireable. We’ll help you spot the strengths hiding in plain sight and start shaping the niche that sets you apart.

Week 3 | Finding Your Niche

In this lesson, you’ll identify the sweet spot where your strengths, values, and client demand overlap, and turn it into a niche you can actually build a business around. 

Week 4 | Going on a Vision Quest

This week is all about vision and mission statements and how they help you make better choices, attract the right clients, and remind you why you started this whole adventure in the first place!

Week 5 | Brand Camp

Welcome to Brand Camp! We'll help you shape your freelance identity with a name, look, and vibe that feel authentic. You’ll leave with a starter brand that’s memorable and client-ready.

Week 6 | Launch Your Beacon

In this module, you’ll polish up your LinkedIn profile, build (or upgrade) your portfolio, and start shining a clear signal about who you are and what you do.

Week 7 | The Module of Doom

Learn how to set up your freelance business without totally freaking out. We'll cover registration, taxes, and tools so you can run things like a pro.

Week 8 | Game of Claims

Freelance insurance may be boring, but it’s a must. This lesson breaks it down so you can protect your biz and get back to the fun stuff! Well, kind of fun, stuff.

Week 9 | What the Heck to Post on LinkedIn

Learn how to grow your LinkedIn network the right way, build real connections, share content that fits your brand, and create a simple posting plan that keeps you visible without going cuckoo bananas.

Week 10 | Let's Go Gig Hunting

It’s time to track down those elusive gigs! Explore six rings of opportunity, practice real outreach, and build a system that keeps new projects steadily coming your way.

Week 11 | How to Build a Sales Funnel

Learn how to build a sales funnel that actually fits you! No sleazy tactics, no jargon. Just a clear, human system that turns curiosity into conversations and conversations into paid work, baby! 

Week 12 | The Price is Right

This week is all about putting real numbers behind your work—how to price your services, choose the right pricing model, scope projects with confidence, and set up invoices that actually get you paid!

Week 13 | Discovery Calls 101

Discovery calls don’t have to be painful or salesy. We’ll break down how to lead a discovery call with confidence, ask better questions, spot scope issues early, and walk away with clear next steps! 

Week 14 | What to Do When a Client Says “Yes!"

A client said yes. Amazing! Now what? This module covers how to handle the moment after the yes, including all the relevant paperwork, so you can lead the process with clarity and confidence instead of rushing or guessing.

Week 15 | Building Your Client Onboarding System

This module is about getting your process out of your head and into a reusable onboarding system, so new projects feel organized, intentional, and way less stressful from day one.

Week 16 | Managing Multiple Projects

This week is about juggling multiple projects without losing your ever-loving mind. You’ll learn how to prioritize, communicate timelines clearly, protect deep work, and build a system that keeps your business’s engine running.

Week 17 | The Difficult Client Field Guide

Not every client is sunshine and rainbows! Shocking, we know. We’ll walk through the most common types of tricky clients, how to handle scope creep, and how to receive and give feedback without crying.

Week 18 | How to Not Lose Good Clients

Freelancers who stay booked aren’t getting by on talent alone. They’re reliable, clear, and easy to work with. This week focuses on small touches that build loyalty and repeat business without overextending yourself.

Week 19 | Putting Yourself Out There

Ready to step out from behind your laptop? Ok, brave guy! This module covers how to show up at conferences (virtually or in-person), network without feeling gross, and turn real-world connections into real opportunities.

Week 20 | The Fine Art of Upskilling and Reskilling

The industry evolves. So should you! Learn how to identify skill gaps, choose smart upskilling paths, refresh your portfolio strategically, and make sure your work reflects where you’re actually headed.

Week 21 | Scaling Your Biz

Thinking about subcontracting? Offering retainers? Shifting into consulting? This week explores how to scale intentionally so your business grows instead of staying in the same spot.

Week 22 | Building Your Freelance Safety Net

Bummer news…sometimes money gets tight in the freelance game. This module is about preparing for those moments. We’ll cover financial buffers, diversified income streams, and mindset shifts that help you stay steady when work slows down.

Week 23 | Future-Proof Your Biz

We take a step back and look at the big picture. You’ll assess where the industry is headed, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and create a simple strategy to keep your biz aligned with what’s next.

Week 24 | The Stuff No One Talks About

This is the part most freelance “success stories” conveniently skip. The dry spells. The awkward moments. The self-doubt. The loneliness. The irritable bowel syndrome. We’ll share the real stuff so you don’t feel like you’re the only one figuring it out in the dark.

This is the grand finale, folks. Try not to cry. We’ll miss you, too. 

Take a Look Inside FEAST

No one wants to buy the milk before they… sample the cow? That can’t be right. You know what we mean! You should see what you’re getting before you commit. So take a look inside Module 11, "How to Build a Sales Funnel!"

"We wanted to build a space that felt safe, where people could ask the questions they were too embarrassed to ask anywhere else without someone making them feel bad about it."

-Andrea Dottling, IDLance Co-Head Honcho

Enrollment

FEAST only launches once a year—when enrollment closes, this ship leaves orbit until next time.

May 11-May 15

Priority Boarding (Launch List Only)

Launch List members get first access to enroll. Add your name by May 10 to receive your early access link and discount code before doors open. Codes expire May 22.

May 16-June 30

General Boarding

Enrollment opens to everyone. If you’re on the Launch List, you can still use your discount code through May 22.

Pricing

Most freelance projects fall somewhere in the $3,000 to $10,000+ range. FEAST is here to help you actually get in the room for those opportunities with less guesswork. One solid project can very realistically cover the investment.

PAYMENT PLAN

$297

/ month for 6 months


  • Full access to the 24-week FEAST program

  • Weekly live sessions + replays

  • Full community access

  • 1-year access to LaunchPad

  • Spread payments out over 6 months

PAY IN FULL

$1,697


  • Full access to the 24-week FEAST program

  • Weekly live sessions + replays

  • Full community access

  • 1-year access to LaunchPad

  • Pay once and save on the total cost

“FEAST covers what you actually want and need to know. It also goes into a lot of the nuances most programs skip entirely."

-Dr. Parker Grant, IDLance Co-Head Honcho

Frequently Asked Questions

OK, fine. No one's been asking us these questions "frequently." Let's call it "sporadically." But if you’re considering FEAST, there are probably a few things you want to know!

Is this live or self-paced?

FEAST follows a structured 24-week schedule. Content will be released weekly (drip-style), so you move through the material together as a cohort.

There will also be weekly live sessions designed to support that week’s module. You’ll get the most out of FEAST by staying on pace so you can participate fully in those conversations.

When does FEAST start?

FEAST starts on Monday, July 6, 2026.

How much does FEAST cost?

FEAST is $1,697 if you pay in full, or $297/month for 6 months if you prefer to spread it out. Either way, you get the full 24-week program, weekly live sessions, community access, and one year of LaunchPad.

If you’re on the Launch List, you’ll receive a discount code to use at checkout (just be sure to use it before it expires on May 22).

What if I can’t keep up every single week?

Then you’re human! Congrats!

The program is structured week-by-week to keep you moving forward, but it’s not a boot camp. If you fall behind, you can catch up.

We care more about you building something sustainable than checking every box on schedule.

If you miss a live session, you won’t be exiled from the space station. Replays will be available so you can catch up.

How much time will this take each week?

Everyone learns at a different pace, but we'd say to plan for a few (3-4) focused hours per week to move through the module, complete the field assignment, and attend the live session. Some weeks will be more reflective while others will be more tactical.

Who’s running the course?

FEAST is led by our Co-Head Honchos, Andrea Dottling and Dr. Parker Grant, with Meghan Traynor, our Director of Marketing, popping in here and there. We’ll also bring in a few special guests to share real-world perspective and lived experience from inside the industry.

Why should I trust you guys?

Fair question! We’ve spent the last six years building IDLance around real relationships and honest-but-kind support to our large community of freelance instructional designers. We work with freelancers daily, so we see what succeeds, what stalls, and where people get stuck. Along the way, we’ve partnered with teams at organizations like Zoom, GE, Etsy, and HP, which means we’ve seen both sides of the freelance equation.

Plus, we're all freelancers ourselves. We've been in your shoes!

When we were first starting out, we couldn’t find the kind of support we actually needed. Most of what we saw felt gate-keepy, overly serious, or weirdly cold. It was either vague hustle advice or high-ticket mastermind stuff with a velvet rope.

So we built the thing we wish we’d had.

Do I have to apply or be “accepted” into FEAST?

Nope!

There’s no application process or approval committee. When enrollment opens (date TBD), it will be open to anyone who wants in.

The only requirement is that you’re ready to treat your freelance work like a real business.

Is FEAST for brand-new freelancers or more experienced ones?

Both, but for different reasons.

If you’re newer, FEAST gives you structure and a roadmap so you don’t spend two years figuring things out the hard way.

If you’re experienced, it helps you tighten systems, refine positioning, raise your rates confidently, and future-proof things a bit better.

How much one-on-one attention will I get?

FEAST isn’t a 1:1 coaching program, so there’s no individualized review or grading of your work.

Instead, support happens through our weekly live sessions, where you can bring questions, get feedback, and talk through what you’re working on in real time. You may also receive occasional feedback or commentary from us or other IDLance members throughout the program, but this isn’t guaranteed for every submission.

What makes FEAST different from other freelance courses?

We’re not promising passive income or six-figure windfalls. Sorry!

FEAST is practical, structured, and slightly weird. It's also built specifically for freelance instructional designers, so the program speaks directly to the type of work you actually do.

If you dig this page, you'll probably dig the vibe of FEAST.

Will I lose access after the 24 weeks are over?

Nope!

You’ll retain access to the course materials after the live cohort experience ends. The 24-week structure is there to give you momentum and community. But the lessons, frameworks, and resources are yours to revisit whenever you need them.

What if I enroll and decide it's not for me?

That would be a bummer!

FEAST is designed as a cohort experience with weekly live sessions and drip content, which means enrollment is final once the program starts. We want you to feel confident before you join. So, take your time and feel free to ask us questions. If it feels like a fit, we’ll be excited to have you. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too!