If you’re a freelancer with no work (it doesn’t really matter what profession you’re in), it can be pretty annoying when you hear others in your field say:
“I never stop working!”
But if you believe the word of every freelancer online, you’d think they’re packed out with work, all day, every day until the end of time.
Frankly, it’s just not true.
Sure, loads of people have stuff to do, but there’ll be times when work dries up, and they’re sat humming some random tune to a song they hate.
And I know this because I’ve been there.
I’ve had times when I’ve gone months and months without stopping. Then, just like that, it dried up. Hell, some deserts aren’t as dry as my inbox has been at times.
I could have panicked, but what would have been the point?
It’s what’s known as ‘feast or famine’.
So, if you’re a freelancer with no work, here are twelve things you can do to moisten that dry spell.
12 things to try when you’re a freelancer with no work.
If you’re stuck in a complete work famine, here are a few things for you to try:
One. Have a lie-in
Up at 7 am every day and at your desk by 7:30 like me?
Hit the snooze button on your alarm.
It’s unlikely anyone other than a vampire will have contacted you since you checked your email on your phone when you went for a wee at 3 am.
Give yourself a break, get a bit more shut-eye, and get up when the business world is awake.
Two. Cold pitch 10-20 agencies a day
Okay, you seriously need some work, so search online for creative or industry agencies you could work with or for.
I like setting myself a limit of around 20.
Why?
Because it takes longer than you expect, especially when you’re tailoring them to the individual.
Three. Post stuff your audience will love on your Blog and LinkedIn
Nothing to do?
Time to show your ideal clients what you’re made of.
If you’ve no work, jot down some ideas and put them into action on LinkedIn and your Blog page.
You need people to see who you are, what you do, and why you’re the person they need.
So, show them informative posts that’ll blow their socks off.
Four. Contact previous clients and ask if they need anything done
Past clients loved you, right?
Well, no harm in dropping them an email or calling them to see if they need your expertise again.
Five. See if there are networking events locally
When you’re quiet, there’s no better time to find networking events you can’t go to when you’re busy. If you’re chronically shy, remind yourself it only takes one conversation with the right person, and you could land a bloody fantastic client.
Have a stiff one and get out there (just don’t have too many and drive).
Six. Change the way you market your business
Are your tried and tested methods not working?
Well, why not mix it up?
For some inspiration, check out my article: Why I Changed The Way I Was Marketing My Business.
Seven. Check out a co-working space
If you live in a reasonably sized town or city, co-working spaces are growing by the week – and they don’t have to cost the earth.
Some co-working spaces run ‘free‘ days, or you can ‘pay as you go‘ for a reasonable price.
Co-working spaces are great for finding other freelancers to collaborate with – and you don’t have to commit to working there every day, especially if you’re a hermit, like me.
Eight. Work from a cafe
Staring at the same wall all day won’t help. In fact, it can drain your creativity – so go and work in a local cafe.
Pick one with:
- Bangin’ tunes
- Great coffee
- Delicious food
Your wallet might not get bigger, but your waistline and productivity will.
Just a simple change of environment can give you a boost and get you motivated to keep pitching for work when you’d usually be flagging at home.
And really, one of the best things about being a freelancer with no work is working on your own stuff while people watching.
Nine. Tell everyone on social media you’ve bog all to do
If you’re a freelancer with no work and you message me asking for advice, this is one of the first things I’ll tell you to do.
And when I do, more often than not, the reply will be:
“Ah, I’m not sure about that.”
I do it all the time, and it’s landed me work.
Why?
Because people are looking for experts like you. And others in your profession are snowed under and need to outsource.
Does it look desperate?
Well, if it pays the bills, then I’m all for it.
Whenever I mention to my network that I’m having a quiet time, excellent writers I know will either ask if I can take some work off them or they’ll say they’ve had a query for a job that’s not their cup of tea, and they put my name forward for it.
Announcing you have no work doesn’t make you a failure. It’s the perfect opportunity to see if businesses need my services or if one of my peers needs a helping hand.
Try it now on LinkedIn or Twitter – is it any different from cold-pitching emails to businesses?
The answer is no.
Ten. Stick some films on
What?
I’m not kidding.
It doesn’t mean you don’t care about running your business, and it doesn’t make you lazy because you can pitch and search and apply until the cows come home, but you’ll drive yourself bonkers refreshing your inbox every five minutes.
Hell, once I was so quiet and had done everything I could, I watched:
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
On consecutive days.
And I’m talking about the extended versions here and considering the extended edition of The Return of the King is around 4-hours long, it was a relaxing Friday afternoon.
Keep your laptop beside you in case something drops in but give yourself a break and enjoy a film or three.
Eleven. Take the day off
Sometimes you have to throw your hands up and admit it just ain’t happening.
So, take the day off.
You went freelance to work the hours you want.
More than likely, you’ll be due a break with all the evenings and weekends you’ve done when you’ve been snowed under anyway, so mark it down to ‘feast or famine‘ and unplug completely.
- Go for a walk
- Jump in the car and go for a drive
- Find a country pub and eat a massive pie for lunch
You tend to find when you don’t bother working for a day, there’s a query waiting for you when you get home.
Twelve. Ignore everything I’ve just said and do what you want
Got better ideas?
Go ahead and do them.
Are you a freelancer with no work?
Then try all of the steps above (even the ones where you do bog all).
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you make the most of your free time.
Pitch. Blog. Walk the dog.
If you’re a freelancer with no work, give yourself a break and try and not to let it get you down.
Until next time,
Matt
P.S. If you’re struggling with a lack of work and it’s affecting you, read my article, Poor Mental Health, Freelancing and Me.
