Seasonal Myths About Freelancing
Every year, around this time, I get an email or two from someone wanting to know how to make a few bucks freelancing in time for the holiday season. I generally try to point these folks towards other options, although it does get me thinking about why someone would turn to freelancing for seasonal work. There are more than a few myths that seem to pop up, making freelancing seem like a viable option for seasonal work.
While debunking these myths shouldn’t scare off any freelancers in it for the long haul, they can be easy answers for any friends hoping you’ll help them find a freelance project or two that will bring in enough money to cover some holiday expenses.
You can get freelance work on short notice
This isn’t actually that much of a myth anymore. Where a freelancer would have once met with a client and put together a proposal, there are now alternatives, like websites where a freelancer can bid on projects immediately. The work is generally not lucrative, but it is there.
Instead, the myth has become a question of whether a freelancer can really make enough to matter with the work that is easily available online. Especially if you’re starting from scratch, it can be quite difficult to land enough work to cover the value of the time you spent looking for that work in the first pace. It is possible, but he odds are that you’ll be taking on projects at prices below market rates to do so.
You can start freelancing at any time
While it certainly depends on your clients and your field, it’s been my experience that the amount of freelance work available is lower during the weeks before and during the holiday season. Many of my clients over the years have wanted a clean slate for the new year as well as plenty of free time during the holidays, which means reducing the amount of work they hand off to freelancers at this time of year.
If you want to freelance in order to cover some of your holiday expenses, it’s easier to take on small projects over the course of the year — you won’t be cramming a bunch of work into a time of year where you’re already over-scheduled and you can build a reputation as a freelancer, which makes it easier to continue to land projects on a regular basis. It is possible to start freelancing any time of the year if you really need to, but there are certainly times that are harder than others.
You can make lots of money on a freelance project
Freelancing can be lucrative — but you’re not going to get that payout before Christmas. If you’ve managed to land a good freelance project despite searching for it at the last minute and not not having a solid reputation as a freelancer, the odds of completing the project, invoicing the client and getting the client to pay the invoice in time to use your income towards the holidays is pretty unlikely.
With some companies taking as long as 90 days to turn around payments on invoices, there are always faster ways to make money. Even if you can’t expect to make as much money at another seasonal job, it may make sense because of time constraints.
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Nice post. Ahhh the festive season
Yea getting a project off the ground, iterated, approved, and paid out before the season is already over is a tough one. Not just because of the work involved but your clients attention will be elsewhere more often than naught.
You need very light weight projects– direct marketing, seasonal marketing-eske work. Else go grab some extra time at the Mall with the Gap or something similar.
Nice post, Thursday. I think beyond being seasonal there’s this perception that freelancing is always a quick job to pick up….it’s not if you’re at the point where you can be pickier. It takes time to sift through potential clients to find the ones you want to work with – not just the ones who want to work with you. That lengthens an already longer process than people perceive it to be.
I’ve found that local newspapers are always looking for good writers around the holidays – lots of school and community events to cover, and there aren’t enough staff writers to cover every assignment. I’ve been shifting away from newspaper work (the pay isn’t great), but the holidays are always my busiest time of the year!
Start making connections now and write a few pieces before the holiday madness begins, so that you’ll have connections and a bit of trust built up. After the holidays, you should have some great clips to move forward if you’re still interested in freelancing.
Thank you Thursday! Most of my clients are AT LEAST 30 days out, and the big ones– companies that pay very well, and publishers– easily 60 days plus.
90 days? Are you insane? Is that how they’re paying writers these days? lol
Seriously though, I’ve never had somebody delay that long.
Some mega-corps tend to do this. Small to medium sized businesses almost never do.
Good post. From my experience most places pay out the latest 30 days too. I have heard of 90 days and the thought of that isn’t too good. Depending on size of project and clients most clients get pretty busy around November so if you do catch a couple gigs at the time you should be able to receive some income by early/mid December in time for the Holidays, especially if you are the type to recieve 1/2 payment up front and 1/2 after.
I like this post for a different reason: I’ve been freelancing for just over a year, part-time. A few days ago I created a spreadsheet showing the dates of all my assigments and how much they paid. It showed a steady, but painfully slow, upward trend. This post is comforting to me because it confirms that freelancing isn’t quick. Thanks for another great article.
My experience is that holidays have been VERY slow. Clients are busy with their own families and don’t want to deal with websites during this time. I would NOT recommend using bidding sites, as you’ll spend more time than you would make money. However, it could be a great time to start making templates or sell stock, since business will be slower anyways.
This is a great topic, Thursday:)
A great post and topic! Many believe that you can freelance and get quick cash. It sure doesn’t work that way, most of the time. I think many that want to get into freelancing should read this post at this time of year. Most of the clients I have seen take usually 30 days or more. No chance to get that money for the holidays. The holidays are the holidays and everyone are with their families; not too many think about working.
Great post
I’ve been an independent contractor for a long time (15+ years.) One factor I’ve gotten very used to is the foolish envy that gets sprayed in my direction from acquaintances who think that contractors are “spoiled” and always, without exception, highly paid. These points about seasonal work are more of the same – fantasies from onlookers who don’t have a clue. People who see the result never realize or want to think that it required any planning or effort.
I totally agree with this post. Holidays can be slow and a lot of people take time for their families. So, even if the end of this year is getting close to that time and it’s more difficult to find jobs, this is good advice for planning 2010.
I just had this same discussion with another freelancer, good thing we are both prepared for this time of the year.
I hope I don’t get busy around Christmas, I love the feeling of wrapping up a few last minute projects, before heading off to buy and wrap up a few gifts for loved ones.
I wouldn’t want to add in any more stress around this already hectic time of year.
One way to know if you’ve taken on too much, especially in terms of long-term projects, is when you give an estimate on a project and it’s rejected, and you feel grateful – almost like you paid the estimated amount for sleep/free time/sanity.
I doubt I’m alone on that one – I guess you can see it as a win-win situation – if you get the job, you’re busy but you’re earning money. But if you don’t, you’re happy because it’s essentially an increase if your quality of life for the time being.
What a sick way to work
Nice picture
Why would you folks want to freelance at Xmas? Its time to put your feet up!
I have had projects to do over the holidays. It is a really good time for me to work, since I am a stay-at-home mom and my husband is off work a lot during the holidays. My clients know that. They give me repeat work during the holiday time. I love it! It is nice to know that money is coming in. They never bother me ON a holiday. On the actual holidays, they are just as busy with family as I am.