Last week it was officially announced that the UK has entered into a recession [BBC News article], not that any of us actually needed official recognition! As a result, more and more people are worried about their 9 to 5. Personally speaking there is a very good chance that I will be out of my part time job at the end of March. But I am not panicking.
As someone trying to get into the freelancing business the time couldn’t be better. Whether you’re a writer, a designer, a coder or whatever the pickings are ripe and there for the taking. Here are 5 reasons why a freelancer will thrive in a bad economy.
- Motivation. Bad news can be a great motivator. Losing your job can and should stir you into action. You do want to replace that lost pay cheque right? Even if you’ve been freelancing for a while you should be using this as motivation to step up your marketing efforts. Don’t be put off by all the negative reports. People are still buying. For more on bad news as a motivator go read Deborah’s post Using Bad News as a Motivational Tool.
- Freelancers can be hired as needed. When a job needs doing, the quickest way to get it done is most often through freelancers. Clients don’t need to go through the lengthy (and expensive) process of advertising a job vacancy and holding interviews in order to hire a new employee. Vetting prospective freelancers is far quicker and doesn’t involve as much financial risk.
- No need for office space, equipment, paid vacations or health benefits. Again keeping costs down. This is an incredibly attractive option for clients, especially in the current economy. Don’t be afraid to use it in your marketing efforts.
- Adaptability and Flexibility. Employees can sometimes be constrained by the company they work for. This may be because of office policy or office politics. It may even be a lack of incentive or motivation to get a job done outside normal working hours. A good freelancer develops a flexible and adaptable work method that enables them to work around any constraints a business may inevitably impose on its employees.
- Networking. Again the good freelancer will develop a network of contacts to ensure a diverse range of skills are available to the prospective client. Even if the freelancer cannot, for whatever reason, do the work they were asked about they will almost always be able to recommend another that can.
The list goes on but hopefully what I’ve given you should provide a more positive outlook on your future. Stop procrastinating and start your freelance career today.
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I loved the information you provided. But I don’t know from where to start freelancing. M not a good writer. So how can I start that?? Can you guide me in this
Of course, that’s why I started this site
The first thing you might want to do is subscribe to my feed. You can use the buttons on the right hand side.
Next thing I’d like you to do is not to underestimate yourself. If you are able to read this then you are already equipped with the “tools” you need to write. The real secret to writing is to write; the other is to read. Sorry if that’s a letdown but there’s no spectacular special ingredient, no magic formula. Which is a good thing as it means you can get going right away.
Freelancing can involve any skill you have but I gather you want to be a writer? Do you have a topic in mind? Picking a topic to write about gives you a sense of direction and continuity. If you are stuck for a topic just pick a hobby of yours – this is something you are probably passionate about. Not only will it give you a lot to write about but your passion will be conveyed through your writing.
I could go on and on but for now (I mean right now) start writing, whether it be on your computer or with a pen and paper.
How are you on the job front Marc? Do you still have your part time job or did you lose it as expected?
Melinda’s last blog post..Seven Facts About Me (That Most People Don’t Know)
The safety net was cut Tuesday and suddenly it looks like a long way down…
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