Beating the Famine Blues
You get cranky when you’re hungry, so it’s no wonder that freelancers can feel starved when they’re lacking projects. After all, freelancing is all about feast (having too much work) and famine (not having enough). And as someone who’s regularly gone through these ups and downs, I can tell you that it’s normal to experience, or feel like you’re experiencing, a famine.
It’s not a comfortable thing, either. Mainly because it makes you doubt what you’re doing. Beginning freelancers that I’ve spoken to all report extreme doubt in the beginning. Get through a few famines, though, and you’ll build a tougher skin (or hunger resistance!)
Whether you feel like you’re in a rut, or you’re actually digging through the couch for spare change, it can bring up some huge fears about job security. And even though you dread going back to your 9-to-5 job, you may think of heading straight back to the comfort of a steady gig when you feel a famine coming on. For me, I always get myself into a panic thinking that there are no more opportunities out there, and I will be forced to go back to the corporate world, driving over an hour a day to some boring cubicle job that I despise. That’s always my biggest fear. But on the flip side, that scenario doesn’t sound so bad when I think about the prospect of having to constantly hunt down the bacon.
There are a couple things you can do to determine if you’re in a famine, prevent a famine, and get out of a famine. Here are a few tips that have helped me tremendously during times when I was ready to run back to the fluorescent lights.
Assess the damage. Sometimes work projects run low, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I am without. Often it takes a few days to roll back into the land of plenty, and I’m fine. What’s important for me is to properly evaluate what’s happening. I’ve never had a complete “famine” because I am always marketing myself, even when I’m busy. But I have had times when I worry that the well has been tapped dry. Often, it’s not—I just need to relax, get perspective, and take advantage of the “free time.”
When you evaluate things, you may find that your situation isn’t so bad. For instance, I have a couple of smaller-paying jobs and get regular bigger-sum gigs. On a day when all I have to do is write a short article like this one, it’s easy to think “I’m not making enough money today.” That’s when I have to consider the big job I just finished (and lost sleep over for a week). That sucker has enough to pay my bills for the entire month and then some, so a day of light writing isn’t so bad. It’s hard to be easy on yourself when you’re in a famine. Knowing that, however, it’s more likely that you’ll be kinder to yourself over time.
Keep marketing. Whether I’m in one of my lulls or not, I always try to keep marketing myself as a writer. This includes approaching other businesses about what I do—not just responding to job ads—that is the most vital step in keeping your business flowing. I usually have a steady stream of work, but do find that whenever I’m feeling a little “hungry” it correlates to me being lazy on marketing efforts.
And who can blame us for getting sluggish when it comes to marketing? Sometimes you’re so busy that you don’t have time to breathe, let alone do a marketing push. These are the instances when you have to continue marketing, but maybe just on a smaller scale. Devote an hour a week at the very least to sending out emails and forging connections when you can’t give it more time. Just do a little to keep things steady. When you market yourself regularly, you’re less likely to experience famines.
Hit the job boards. It’s always good to keep posted on the latest openings, and it’s okay to use job boards to bring in some dough when you’re in a rut. I just don’t rely on them. Job boards only represent the businesses that have it in their budget to take on new employee, or who are smart enough to realize their need for someone to manage a project. There are so many other businesses that can use help but don’t advertise it.
Here’s another thing about job boards—they’re depressing. Especially for freelancers, who are searching mostly for projects and part-time work. Most job boards cater to the full-timers. That’s why I either approach a company via job boards even if they’re not hiring a freelancer, or try to use boards that are specifically for freelancers. Otherwise, you’ll never feel like you can get your foot in the door—all the 9-to-5’ers have the advantage at places like Monster.com!
By applying these tips, I’m confident that you’ll be able to prevent famines and keep cash rolling in steadily. Should you hit a setback, though, just try to take it with a grain of salt. Experiencing dry spells is common for freelancers—but the well always refills itself.
Kristen Fischer is a copywriter, editor and author living at the Jersey Shore. Her second book, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes is due out this spring. For more on Kristen, visit http://www.kristenfischer.com.
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Great article! Gives me inspiration as I venture into the land of self-employment.
I have to disagree with the job boards comment, though… I’ve found plenty of part-time gigs on Monster and the like. The key is convincing clients that they don’t need a full-time person and that hiring a freelancer can actually save them money.
I always set aside 1-2 hours a day to hit job boards (I’ve got 15 I check daily) and write up proposals, make calls, ect. EVEN if I have 3-4 jobs I’m working on. It’s a matter of keeping up with the flow. I used to get 4 jobs lined up and then stop marketing and writing for jobs the entire time I was working. Then, when I was done, I’d be stuck with nothing. Definitely something I won’t do ever again.
Awesome article
Very excellent, love it and thanks for the information…
Good stuff. Don’t know about anyone else, but in the last few years that I’ve been a freelancer, the beginning of the year has been my dry spell. But what makes it better? Experience. Knowing that I survived one dry spell, that it happens around the same time each year, and that it doesn’t necessarily have to do with my skills (or lack thereof). You give some great advice in constant marketing. No matter if I’m in a dry spell or hot zone, I try to do a bit of marketing each day. This helps me lay the groundwork to prevent disastrous “no work zones” now and in the future.
Heading back to a 9-5 (or more likely… a 5 to 9) advertising exec job after 18 months doing very well freelancing. But what happened? Scary economy in the US made my cash cushion deflate without any action on my part, and clients dragging out decisions (probably due to the uncertainty in the economy… my clients are Fortune 500 companies and their advertising agencies).
I doubt my decision every day… particularly as I was business developing and job hunting at the same time, so I landed a job and now my freelance opportunities are getting traction. Also, I spent a LOT of money on hardware, software, and equipment in the first year, so my income requirements are lower since I’ve got all the gear already.
Hopefully, I will be able to freelance a few projects on the side while collecting a full salary, and replenish the cushion to the point at which I can continue what I like to do. But the question sticks in my mind… will my clients think I’m not serious and will abandon them for a day job?
It is a big disappointment, and a difficult decision. I didn’t really experience a famine in my first 18 months so I second guess my stamina and stomach for the whole thing. One thing for sure… I didn’t stop business developing… but I did chase the wrong contracts… I backed off on my fortune 500 clients (6-9 month sale cycle for projects) in exchange for small business contracts (1-2 week sale cycle, 1% of the sale potential). I think I lost focus of the real goal and spread myself too thin, finding myself too swamped with little projects to develop my target market, and I wasn’t equipped to service those small contracts in a cost effective manner in terms of chasing payment from 20 or 30 small clients as opposed to 1 or 2 large ones.
I guess I just don’t have the answer and hopefully I will get a grip on it soon!
Amen to that sister.
I am feeling the blues right now. Then again, I am still a student so it is not so bad. Wish I am taking on some interesting freelance stuff other than class projects right now…
Something I see happen often with freelance writers is that they refuse to look everywhere for work. They’re arTEESTEs, don’t you know. It’s beneath them to scour job boards and overturn stones. They cry, they moan, they whine, they plead with the heavens… “Why has no one discovered my brilliance yet? Do they not realize who I am? Do they not see the beautiful work that I do?”
People don’t care that you’re an arTEESTe. I’m sorry. Do you need kleenex now?
When you’re surfing the sofa for change because actually looking for work is beneath you, it might be a good idea to bring your nose down a few notches, take off the lofty drama queen (or king) attitude, and treat your job like a job.
James, you are very right. It’s like, go be an artist, but if you want to be in business, you have to be in business.
Great article! This is one of the fears that keeps me from moving from a full time (office) job into a full time freelance job (doing both full time currently).
Every famine I’ve had was caused from not marketing two months back. I usually ends up by getting involved in a larger project and not meeting new people. Two months later; prospects are low, the big project is done, and panic mode sets in.
That’s why it’s vital to have some cash saved as a fall back. It sucks to lose the money but it helps you weather lulls and stay in the business. Just knowing you can pay rent and put food on the table for another month will let you calm down enough to close a few deals.
Thanks. I need this one at the moment.
Kristen, Congrats on your upcoming second book! I think that the most valuable advice in here is to not rely on job boards. There is SOO much competition for those types of gigs (plus, many of them are low-paying), but you can create your own opportunities if you’re willing to be a little bit more creative.