You know that thing you’ve been putting off? That personal freelance writing project? That marketing? That ___ ?
Now is the time.
Seriously, when is it going to be a better time?
A few caveats first. If you don’t capitalize on this time that’s been gifted to you by one of the most life-altering, ongoing, scary, awful events ever to happen in your lifetime, know this:
That’s okay, too.
Because no one reacts to the same situation in the same way, what you do or don’t do with the free time brought on by disappearing clients or no ability to leave your house is your business entirely. Sometimes, you just need to allow yourself space. Allow yourself to be scared or relaxed or content or anxious or ….
[bctt tweet=”Every #freelancewriting professional reacts differently to crisis. It’s okay to approach it your way.” username=”LoriWidmer”]
But if you want to fill the empty space many of us freelance writers may now be facing, here are things to fill that time.
Market.
Come on, you knew that was coming. It’s me, right? But how can we market in this climate, you wonder? Read my last post for some ideas. Reach out to clients in industries that were not impacted (there are a few). Know that the long-term effects of a global pandemic could well cause those clients to hesitate. Know what you’ll say when they do. But do talk with them. Ask them how they’re doing, most importantly.
Work on your pet project.
Mine is poetry. Yours might be a book or a website revision or … what better diversion from the 24/7 news cycle than to busy your brain with something completely unrelated?
Get educated.
Right now, there are any number of colleges and universities offering free courses. Coursera. Udemy. iTunesU. Type “free online courses” in your browser and learn something new. You could even take courses with the San Diego Zoo Global Academy on animal taxonomy.
Read a book on how to make money freelance writing.
Choose one with great ratings and one you can download (no sense in waiting, right?). Or choose an area of your writing business where you think you’re weakest. Find resources (paid or free) that can help you improve your skills in that area.
Read for enjoyment. Almost.
I grab poetry books these days when I’m wanting to read. They inspire me to write, which is what I probably should be doing instead. Reading for pure enjoyment is okay, too. Just wanted to give you another option.
Add one business-y read to your daily routine.
Maybe a blog or a daily email or a LinkedIn group focuses on the topics you like to write about. I have one that comes in every Friday from a risk management group that’s called The Weekend Read. Whatever it is, reading about the things your clients are talking about, even if it’s cursory knowledge you’re picking up, helps you communicate better with clients and hey, collaborate better with them.
Form an online writing group.
My writers group is taking it online for the duration. Why not take this opportunity for you to connect virtually with writers you know and admire? Have a video chat, an email exchange, whatever makes you happy. Just connect with other humans who share your love of writing.
Sort yourself.
Look at that pile of papers you’ve been avoiding. Tell yourself you’ll spend five minutes dealing with some of it (and set a timer, if you like). Now is the time to sort your physical space, including painting, moving your desk around, redecorating, even reading those emails you’ve been avoiding.
Another thing to sort — your psyche. We’re going through some heavy stuff right now. It’s why I’ve picked up on my yoga and meditation (online Zoom meetings), and I’ve found my church has live-streaming services. My mom watches televised church services every day, and she lives in the middle of nowhere. If she can, you can.
And keep talking with people. Pick up the phone. Do something nice for someone. Open the windows and let fresh air circulate.
Find ways to make tiny changes.
Writers, how are you making the most of your current situation? What is your current situation?
5 responses to “8 Downtime Strategies for Freelance Writers”
I had steady work for a while, then a short gap in which I scouted out free courses I’m interested in and made a list prioritizing what I wanted to get done in this time. I’ve been more active on LinkedIn and am thinking about diving into Twitter (but am wary of another time-sucking rabbit hole, although I know that I should be there). I started watching a webinar to learn how to make updates to my website myself, rather than paying someone else to do it. Now I have new work, so I’ll try to keep those projects moving along too. My husband and 2 kids are now home with me, so that can be distracting, but also offers some good opportunities. I’m so glad my kids are old enough to manage their school work almost entirely on their own, and I’m glad it’s required now. It keeps them somewhat busy and gives us something to talk about that’s not directly corona.
Funny how new work shows up even during a pandemic, right Joy?
Twitter is okay IF you turn off the notifications. I find it boring after about five minutes anyway, but it is a good way to share the info your target clients are posting.
So far my schedule has been pretty much the same. I had about 10 days of a slow period (only had light editing and a weekly column to focus on), so I did more marketing. Last week I got a quick, unexpected, assignment that I turned around quickly. Looks like I might have a new assignment come in soon. Nothing big, but enough to pay for almost half of next month’s bills.
I want to work on my script, but right now I’m using any free time to make face masks to donate to the hospital a few blocks away. (A few will go to friends or relatives who need them, too.)
I need to do yard work, but I hate yard work—especially doing it without any assistance. (I have lots of branches and weed trees to cut, and I only have a couple of hand pruning saws.) But you know what? It’s a pandemic. I don’t have to do yard work. Last thing I need is to injure myself and have to go to an ER!
As much as I ALMOST envy people who are using “extra time” to cleaning organize and learn now skills, I’m glad I still have work to do. Staying on a schedule helps things feel normal. Or as normal as possible.
Paula, you’re doing what you need to be doing. And it’s wonderful that you’re doing that.
Yard work — that’s me today after I finish this article.
And you’re right. Being on schedule and in the routine makes it all seem normal enough. I’m thankful to be able to get outside after I work now. The little bit of down time I have right now (two days of it) is enough to recharge.
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