Freelancing Job Security

By: Katy O’Dowd  (katyodowd.com).

‘Mum?’ said my eldest son in a questioning kind of way.

‘Yes darling, I’m working, what do you want?’

‘Mum, what do you do? I thought you were just on the internet all day?’

‘Well honey, I am some of the time, but then I write things.’

‘On Facebook, like you’re doing now?’

Freelancing Job Security

Oh dear. I then tried to explain the concept of freelancing over doing a ‘real job in a real office’, as so succinctly put by my child. I didn’t do very well and so I sat down and made a list of why I love freelancing. It went something like this:

• I get to choose who I work for.
• I have no chance to stagnate.
• The more I work the more I make, I wouldn’t be able to do this on a monthly wage.
• I interact with new people all the time.
• There are no office politics.
• I stay fresh with every new opportunity.
• I am my own boss.
• I have become a good negotiator – very helpful when putting foot down over Xbox.
• I am happier – no commute, more tea, more chocolate, more creativity.

Then the whole job security thing reared its ugly head and I had to have another sit down. The truth of the matter is that these days there is no such thing as job security. People who have worked for companies for years are now jobless thanks to the current economic climate. As freelancers, we are only as good as our last job, but hey, I think we are ahead of the posse because we are like blood hounds sniffing out the latest opportunity because we are used to finding our work. And surely that is a kind of job security. But there’s no harm in bundling yourself up in a giant, imaginary duvet and buffering yourself against any potential storm by being even more secure.

Consider creating different revenue streams – I know a few people who have more than one freelance role. A good friend is a web writer who makes cakes for weddings on the side. Another is a web designer who also works on the audio-visual side of things for the events industry. What are your talents? How could you add another string to your bow?

Communicate well with your clients. Be helpful and friendly. Offer little extras, like checking in regularly over the course of a project, give un-asked for updates. Hand over the completed project before it is due. The client will remember your excellent customer service and come back to you if they need more work done.

Keep marketing yourself and sourcing potential new business, even when you are busy, so that when one job ends you can start on another straight away, thus avoiding any gaps in your earnings.

Work on projects that you will be happy to use on your CV/portfolio to showcase your abilities. Keep blogging and social networking. Let people know that you are out there and available for work.

Comments

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