Now Is Not the Time to Be Shell Shocked
As freelance writers it’s more important than ever to concentrate on our businesses and our work - despite the horrific time we’re living through right now with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s hard to pull away from the overwhelm, but that’s the only way our businesses are going to survive this period.
Photo by W A T A R I on Unsplash
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many new realities. In addition to the gut-wrenching scenes from overextended hospitals, the eerily quiet streets, and the jaw-dropping weekly jobless claims, we have to adapt to kids and significant others at home, cooking three meals a day, and the anxiety produced by having to venture out to the supermarket.
It’s a lot to deal with. It’s hard to keep the days straight.
Even if we’re not impacted directly by the disease itself or know anyone who is, we’re all experiencing overwhelm. I get it.
But if you’re a freelance writer, it’s absolutely imperative that you snap out of it.
Here’s why. Sky-high unemployment is going to drive a bunch of new people into the freelancing/consulting space, so competition is going to ratchet up. The people who win in this environment are not necessarily the best writers but the ones who are most proactive.
But let’s not panic about the increasing competition.
Because with an increase in competition, there’s also a massive increase in opportunity, too. This pandemic is accelerating the adoption of the gig economy. In uncertain economic times, companies are more likely to rely on freelancers and contractors than gamble on hiring staff. This means that many companies who weren’t open to working with freelancers before may now be interested in this arrangement.
Moreover, freelancers with established practices are dealing with their own disruptions. They may not be able to take on their usual load of work because of homeschooling obligations or because they’re helping aging relatives.
What does all of this mean? It means potential opportunities to build your freelance business - if you’re willing to banish the overwhelm and concentrate on getting clients and building ongoing relationships with them.
Here are some questions to think about when deciding on what businesses to reach out to:
Do they create content and copy on a consistent basis (for either internal or external use)?
Do you have relevant experience that would help you get up to speed on the subject matter quickly (for example, if you worked as a patient advocate in a big hospital system, you have relevant experience to write patient education materials. You might also have the background to write for healthcare insurance companies.)?
Are the businesses you’re targeting able to pay decent rates (because you need to make a living, not give away your writing)?
Do you have contacts in that industry (it’s OK if you don’t, but it’ll be much easier if you do)?
This list may feel a little mercenary or cold, but that’s the point. Cold, clear-eyed thinking is what will pull you out of the shell shock and get you on the road to building a sustainable business.
We - Jenn and I - are living proof that it is possible to keep a sustainable, profitable freelance writing business going even now. But it requires determination and grit. It requires shutting out the current insanity of our world, firing up the laptop, and getting to work.
And you don’t have to do it alone. Please reach out if there’s anything we can do to help.