Comments on: Recession Proof

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:38:00 +0000

Jess, if any extra work crosses my desk, you’ll be the first one I contact.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Email on the way, Jess.

By: Jessica Anne Elizabeth

Jessica Anne Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:08:00 +0000

I've marketed to , no exaggeration, at least 100 jobs or more a DAY the last month. I have followed up with every last client, I have asked for more work to others, I have EVEN offered 20% off all services to clients AND 15%for referrals, and still no takers.

Starting to take it personal.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:06:00 +0000

That is a great bonus, Sophia. I agree. :))

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Jess, hang in there. You KNOW you can do it. You had a great year last year. Look over your plan – are there steps you’re missing? Following up? Asking for more work? Contacting old clients? Asking for referrals?

If that’s not working, try mixing it up by going after different gigs. If you need a shoulder, here I am.

By: Jessica Anne Elizabeth

Jessica Anne Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:07:00 +0000

I have had --- about $150 dollars of work in a month -- until I got a 10 article order the other day, but even that is not even close to what I usually earned.

Frankly, I'm frustrated, depressed, and want to quit.

I have maintained the same professionalism, marketed times 10, and still no work. NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON.

By: Sophia Levis

Sophia Levis — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:18:00 +0000

Truer words have never been spoken.

I'll admit, I've taken some writing gigs that have put me darn near close to minimum wage, without the neat benefits (like free burgers) over the years. I've paid my dues.

On the other hand, I've had some gigs that I've almost felt guilty for taking what I was offered. I've had some lucky breaks, too.

At the end of the day, it all balances out.

One awesome thing about our field, especially in modern times, is that you can pretty much do what we do from anywhere. I live in the Middle of Nowhere, Michigan. Michigan has been in a one-state recession for the last five years, so it's nice to see that we've been a trendsetter in one way or another.

My point here is that, even though people around me are losing work and moving to other states, I'm not. I'm turning down work these days. And I can keep doing what I do, right here.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:43:00 +0000

In all honesty, I don’t even worry about a “recession” (in terms of work anyway; when it comes to my retirement accounts, that’s a whole other story!). I think the more people who get laid off, the more freelancers are in demand … not only to pick up the slack left behind, but also to help those out-of-jobbers land new positions. It’s alll about putting a positive spin on things.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Good advice, Devon.

By: devonellington

devonellington — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:39:00 +0000

There will be like a week during the transition where you’re pitching for the higher paid jobs and panicking because you don’t have the security of the lower paying jobs. But ride it out, and you’ll be in a better place in a month or two.