As the pandemic progresses, it’s impossible to know how long the economic repercussions will last. This presents freelancers with a new dilemma: should I get a corporate job?
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Author: elleneastwood1
Should I charge less?
With many companies cutting back these days, a lot of freelancers are struggling with the conundrum: should I lower my rates to compete?
Generally speaking, I would advocate setting a rate and sticking with it. But these are not normal times, and I know that a lot of clients have become more price sensitive out of fear.
So, in this spirit I offer some alternative suggestions to lowering your rates if you’re feeling the pressure.
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Virtual presentations don’t have to suck: five key tips for virtual impact.
Virtual presentations don’t have to suck, but they usually do. That’s because most people use the same approach they would for a regular presentation, even though it’s much more difficult to hold the audience’s attention virtually. So, you want to be the exception? Here are my five key tips for virtual impact.
Start strong
The beginning of a presentation is always critical because it sets the tone. With a virtual presentation, it’s even more important. You’ve got to get the audience intrigued so they’ll stay with you on the journey. To this end, your opening needs to succinctly convey:
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Freelance strategy: playing the long game in a crisis
I’m not going to sugarcoat it – times are tough for many freelancers. As this article in the Financial Post succinctly put it:
“Your income can vary wildly from month to month and is likely being cut back as companies shave costs. Your check may come in the mail, or it may not. Your healthcare is expensive, or you may not even be able to afford it – which makes you even more terrified of the coronavirus.”
I have always said that freelancers who play the long game will ultimately come out on top. It may not seem like the right approach when you need a new contract today. But in the absence of having a fairy godmother, it is the absolute best thing you can do in troubled times.
How do you play the long game during a crisis? Here are my top recommendations:
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Freelance Pivot: Real-life examples of shifting offers in challenging times
With the economy slowing down, a lot of freelancers are losing work. If this is the case for you, now is the perfect time to pivot your offer to something more conducive to the times. I know it can be difficult to get creative when you’re stressed, so I scoured the Internet to find examples of “freelance pivot” to give you some inspiration. Turns out there’s a lot of creative people out there.
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Getting freelance work in chaotic times
I know a lot of freelancers are losing work due to the pandemic and subsequent global upheaval. Getting freelance work in chaotic times isn’t easy. If you are in this situation, I’m thinking about you. This post is designed to help brainstorm solutions.
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How to find the right clients for your freelance practice
A marketing consultant was complaining in a Facebook group that everyone wanted her to work for free. She was marketing comprehensive brand strategy packages for $10K.
Fellow freelancers responded to her post telling her to know her worth and stick to her pricing structure. I had a different thought.
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Client green flags: how to find the right clients
Last week I wrote a blog post outlining the early warning signs of a bad client. Those practices that set your teeth on edge and put warning bells in your head (for good reason). There’s another side to that coin – client green flags, or how to identify good clients.
I’m fortunate to have a number of great long-term clients, so I can see patterns evolving early in terms of what relationships will be mutually beneficial and what relationships will become problematic. As with bad clients, there are often early signs that this will be a productive and enjoyable relationship. Here are some early signs of a good client:
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Client red flags: how to avoid freelance misery
The freelance groups I belong to are filled with tales of client relationships gone wrong. One thing that most of them have in common is that there were client red flags from the beginning. In fact, many bad client relationships start off on the wrong foot with someone who is unrealistic, unreasonable or too demanding.
The key to avoiding bad clients is to recognize these issues before you’ve signed a contract. Here are some of the client red flags that I’ve encountered (and/or heard about) as a freelancer:
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How to create a great work environment
When you go freelance, you have the opportunity to escape the dysfunctional part of the 9 to 5 life. Think of life without your Michael Scott-like boss. The thing is, though, a lot of freelancers don’t actually escape. That’s because even though a freelancer is the boss, s/he is also their own employee. And if you want to be productive and happy over the long-term, Boss-you has got to create a productive and functional work environment for Employee-you.
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