I didn’t want to admit it, and I tried keeping my chin up and my cheerleader game face on, but it’s no use. Work, right now, is mighty tough to come by.
Maybe it’s not fair to compare one year over another, but last year at this time I couldn’t keep up with the projects. I called in for reinforcements because I was in over my head. This year, the echoes are loud and long. I fear that folks who have laid off or terminated most of their staff aren’t outsourcing – they’re simply not doing anything at all.
To be honest, I’m not marketing hard right now. I’m putting out about two-three queries a week. The rest of my time has been spent with ongoing stuff and tying up an article that proved difficult to find experts for. And resting. For some reason, I’m feeling the need to relax and take a breath.
I know, I know. I have to get the brochures revamped and circulating. I have to start cruising the job boards for the gems (the process I hate most because of all the crap out there right now). More magazine queries, more client contact, more general promoting of the business and exposure to people beyond these four walls.
But what do we do when the work isn’t there? I heard from another freelancer who uses my same temp service when things are dry. Even the temp agencies are laying off. Not good.
Time to get creative, but NOT time to lower rates or expectations. There are buyers out there. There have to be. Otherwise all magazines, advertising, and corporate communications would be gone. Sure, there are fewer avenues, but there are still avenues. Ever the cheerleader. But what about when the cheerleader needs Prozac?
What’s your job situation like right now? How are you finding the work you have? Anything you’ve found to work well for you now? Now’s the time for creative twists on our marketing. For instance, I’m compiling a mockup for a client to “sell” an ongoing project idea. It may never fly, but it will be a template to approach other clients, as well.
You?
Yeah, the temp agency has NOTHING. My contact feels bad because I recently signed and they’ve had nothing. Fine with me — it’s a backup and I’m not thrilled with the idea of spending any time in someone else’s office — although if a museum gig comes through, I’ll jump at it. Love working those museum gigs!
The fiction’s been my bread-and-butter lately. I’m selling stories, I have a play running, the next book in my series will release soon.
The bulk of my freelance jobs right now are editing. There’s a lot of legit editing work out there. I’ve turned down a bunch of ghost-writing, because I don’t do it, and I haven’t gotten an offer that’s so great I can’t afford to turn it down.
Also, I’ve gotten a few requests for teaching proposals, so I’m getting those out next week. They won’t actually happen until several months down the line, but I’m setting the groundwork now.
I’m preparing to do two big mailings at the end of the month — one for fiction and one for business writing/editing services — provided I’ve got my new printer.
For me, things really picked up this month, and I’m excited. Some of the projects coming through now are things that were submitted or proposed six months or so ago, but the timing of their coming to fruition is great.
Hang in there. It’s getting better, I promise!
That’s great news, Devon! I’m glad you’ve found some good avenues. And that’s the thing – when one area dries up, we have to be willing to head into new territory (or revisit existing ones in a new way).
I heard an interesting idea yesterday Lori, and it reminded me of something I did while living in Sweden during their economic downturn (mid-90’s).
Work was very hard to come by. I had a low paying job selling jeans on one of the small stores in Göteborg during the day, but still couldn’t pay the rent and feed myself on the meager income it provided.
So, the comment I heard yesterday. This was from an upper-level communications executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield. She said that, knowing that the CEO had already filled the position she was interested in, but hadn’t announced it yet, she sat down and wrote him a letter to tell him what she would do for BCBS if she were in that role. The CEO was impressed with her ideas, changed course, and gave her the job.
Back to my time in Sweden. I desperately needed additional work at night. No one was hiring, especially someone with Swedish as a second language. So, instead of admitting defeat and going home, I told the owner of a cafe that I would work for free for two weeks. If, at the end of the two weeks, she wasn’t convinced that she needed me I’d move on, no harm no foul.
It worked. I was only there a couple of days before she put me on the payroll; partly because I was a hard worker, but also because, as an entrepreneur, she respected my initiative.
So, I said all that to say this: Perhaps it’s time to look for publications that, though they don’t have work available or are doing everything internally now, could be persuaded by a discussion of the value our work would bring to them. Examine how our ideas create value for their clients and them, and if possible quantify that value with hard numbers.
If they believe, they will contract (along the lines of “if you build it they will come”). It makes the business decision easier for them, particularly where we show value creation.
IMHO,
Sid.
Excellent post, David (Sid – I never know what to call you)! Since we’re supposed to be creative people, a little ingenuity is what’s in order in times like these.
LOVED your story about your time in Sweden. That took some courage on your part, and the owner was smart to hire you. 🙂
Thanks Lori. I guess I’m trying to be an enigma… Sid is fine, unless you like David better.
Have an awesome weekend!
Sid. (David)
Hi Lori.
I’m surprised, but I’m very busy right now, at least through April. However, my mindset is that it could change from month to month this year, and I’ll probably see peaks and valleys.
The key for all of us will be (I think) staying positive during those down months. Just remember, this too shall pass, and when you’re busy in three weeks, remind yourself not to panic next time you slow a little.
As for specific tactics, so far, I’ve been successful by working hard to come up with compelling pitches for the publications I’ve had good relationships with over the years. I’ve found they’re not always thinking of me, but if I propose a good idea, they jump.
So take a little time to relax because you obviously need it to recharge your batteries and recover your positive mindset. Then start regularly pitching to the people who already trust your skills.
Hang in there, baby!
Oh, and another thing!
You’ve probably thought of this because you’re smart, but have you considered leveraging your insurance knowledge to educate consumers on today’s mess?
For instance, I read some of your posts on Devon’s blog about AIG. Have you pitched general busines and consumer pubs/sites using that knowledge? Maybe a “5 Things You Didn’t Know about AIG,” with an angle toward educating average people about AIG’s history in a way that offers insights into its predicament today and what that means for consumers?
I’m sure you could think of better angles, but you see my point about using your trade knowledge to help general business editors educate their readers?
For what it’s worth!
Prayers for famine to turn to feast soon!
I hope things pick up again SOON!
Thanks, all. Too much sugar, not enough rest. 🙂
Gabriella, I do write for magazines on insurance topics already. Spreading into consumer areas might be a good idea, though. I can definitely write about insurance! LOL
It’s not so much famine, Angie, as sameness. I have the same job every day. Little change, lots of repetition. I shouldn’t complain as it’s a very solid moneymaker, but I want to get a few more things under the belt. Nothing is secure, even the secure gigs. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie. I appreciate it. 🙂
Things are somewhat slow on my end too. I’m making enough to survive with my repeat clients, but like you, nothing new and exciting has really come my way in a while. I haven’t been overly marketing myself though, so I’m probably partially to blame. One new tactic I’d like to make happen within the next few months is to get two niche sites up to try to bring in more of the kind of work I really like to do.
It is so, so easy to get discouraged in this market. About a month ago, I was feeling like I was never going to get a (good) new assignment ever again. By some stroke of fate, I got four articles assigned to me by three different publications within a week. I just finished them up and am working on a long-term project that’s due next month. But now I’m starting to worry about the lull, too. I didn’t have time to do much querying or marketing while I was cranking out those four assignments, and I really should have made more time for doing that.
So I guess I don’t have much useful advice except to stick with it! You’re good, so just continue to let people know you’re out there. And hopefully, for you and for all of us, this is only temporary.
Lori, I know what you mean. A client dropped me last month due to budgeting and it wasn’t until I got really determined last week that I was able to replace him. I woke up last Monday and said “things are slowing down, but I’m not gonna just sit around and take it.”
I announced my desire to land a new client on Facebook and Twitter in case anyone had a lead to share. One of my follows has a potential lead, but I haven’t heard from them yet. I think the important thing was my attitude shift and my willingess to stick my neck out.
That afternon I heard from a potential client, and I signed the contract later in the week. It’s a referral from someone I’ve been working with for awhile now. (I landed the original client through a post on the services section of Craig’s List, but lately that strategy hasn’t worked for me. I even did an experiment where I posted a different ad on CL every day for two weeks. Nothing!)
I’ve also been getting a few assignments from editors I’ve worked with in the past. Queries to new publications have been tough because freelance budgets are shrinking and editors seem more reluctant to take a chance on a new-to-them writer.
I think my advice is to set a goal and put it out there to the world (the more specific, the better). Then keep doing what you’re doing in terms of marketing and trust that SOMETHING will pan out.
And shift the thinking and the attitude, right? Susan, you said, “I think the important thing was my attitude shift and my willingess to stick my neck out.” I’m a big proponent for that very approach. It’s what’s gotten me out of slumps in the past. Even though this isn’t a “slump” for me as much as a one- or two-job slow period, I’m feeling vulnerable. Sticking my neck out is exactly what I want to do. 🙂
Jennifer, I’m very glad things lifted for you! I’m sure it’s a temporary thing and directly related to my sluggish marketing. I admit it – I had projects pending (that didn’t quite come through yet) so I stopped worrying about work. That and an ongoing job that pays well. Too easy to become used to one client making up the majority of your work.
My only current client called Friday to explain why he hasn’t been returning my calls — they’ve decided to consolidate their mar/comm work with the vendor who is doing their annual report.
It’s been clear for a while that I wasn’t going to be getting much more business out of them. But the kicker is he asked me to refund any unused portion of the retainer he’d paid me. I told him I’ll check my timesheets and get back to him. Now I’m trying to craft an email asking if I can work off the time instead.
I’m not feeling much like a titan of industry at the moment.
Oh shoot, Kirk. That sucks.
Was that an actual retainer (and stated as such at the outset) or was it a payment for services rendered?
It’s that sinking feeling, isn’t it? You know something’s amiss, but until they tell you, you’re stuck in limbo.
Well, it’s an opportunity to find more lucrative work. I’d ask them for a recommendation in writing. Never hurts to start now to gain some added momentum as times get tough.
I’m lucky in that I have about five clients that provide my with pretty steady work. I’ve been with most of them for at least a year. However…I was planning to make this the year that I secured better paying, more interesting work and replaced most of my current clients. They’re all wonderful to work for, but I feel like I’m at the point where I want to move on to write about different topics (kind of feeling burnt out writing about the same things every day).
So far that definitely hasn’t happened. There are very few ads on CL compared to a year ago, and I’ve been getting very few responses back. So…I guess my strategy for now is just to hold on to my existing clients and resign myself that it may be some time before I can move on up to better pay.
Provide *me* with pretty steady work.
One more point…I definitely wouldn’t want to be a new freelancer trying to break in to the industry right now!
Thanks for posting, Krista. I knew what you meant. 🙂
I have a client like yours, too. It’s not terribly challenging, but it’s steady and it pays well and on time. I want to move into another area, but I can’t give this up. It’s keeping me afloat in the tough times.
I wouldn’t want to be breaking in right now, either!