One of the most important parts of staying afloat as a freelancer is to always keep looking for work, even when you feel like you’re plate is already full. While uncertainty is part of the game- with both slow months and all too busy months making up the players, there are things you can do to keep the workflow steady.
For some, freelancing can seem like a shaky way to earn a living but for those of us who have been around the block a few times, we understand how to keep our work-life out of limbo. When I first started working in PR, I felt those uneasy ups and downs, but now I’ve found ways to make sure I have more steady paychecks and work to maintain my lifestyle. Creating a certain amount of consistency when it comes to your workload helps to decrease the amount of stress you feel when you’re waiting around for your next client.
Here are the tips:
- Always be meeting people
This doesn’t necessarily mean going to networking events, I admit I always promise myself I’m going to go to that happy hour or luncheon only to find I never do, but it does mean always be reaching out to potential clients. For me, this is connecting with new PR firms I can work for either by offering to take owners out to lunch or coffee or by setting up phone calls to owners outside the Austin area. A one-on-one meeting feels more productive than a happy hour, as there are far less distractions around to draw the potential client’s attention.
Anytime I hear about a new PR firm, I reach out to them. I have found that most of the time people are interested in hearing about my services but may not need me at the moment of contact. Six months down the line, however, something comes up and they remember me. You can never stop reaching out to new potential clients.
- Anticipate your slow times
This is something that definitely comes with practice. For my business the summer is usually the slowest part of the year. To reconcile this I start planting seeds early by reaching out to all the people I work for at the beginning of the summer letting them know I’ll have additional time I’m available to work for them. This slower period is also a good time to finish tasks you’ve been putting off. Rather than worry about the slow-down, use this time for business improvement. For me, I used my extra hours this summer to launch my new business, Glamtrepreneur.
- Have a little faith
Know that you are good at your job. And while this may seem implied you have to have faith in yourself and your work. You have to blindly believe that you will always have the work you need. I used waste a lot of time during my slow periods worrying about how slow things were. Then, when work picked up again, I would regret that I didn’t use the time off to do something more productive than just worry. If you were busy at one point, trust that you will be busy again and rather than worry, keep doing all the things you need to lay the foundation for future productivity.
- Check in
As the biggest advocate for your business, its’ very important that you check in with people to remind them you’re there. Whether its people you have met with or clients you have worked with, sending them friendly reminders-while being careful not to cross the line of annoyance, will keep you on their minds. If you see a news article that reminds you of something you had previously discussed, don’t be afraid to share it with them. Or perhaps you’re adding a new service. Always look for subtle ways to keep in touch because no matter how great you are, people are busy and you may not always be at the front of their minds.
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