About a month ago, I was staying so busy with freelance writing I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do much with my blog. Since my writing is just meant to be part-time work and my mommy-ing is my fulltime job, I was writing 6-7 good sized (2500-4000 words each) articles per week. In all honesty, it was a bit exhausting. But, it was an income I felt we really needed, so I stuck it out. My most regular client is currently traveling, which means I’ve been writing about half as much as I was a month ago. Although I am not worried financially right now, it does make me wonder what I would do if things were to slow down in a time of need.
Get a Variety of Clients
More than half of my work comes from one client. While it is great having such a good client and knowing exactly what he expects, it is almost like putting all of my eggs in one basket. I tend to get one or two other jobs each week from other sources. So, when things start to slow, I head to the job boards. While one-offs are a great income in the moment, there is rarely a future there. I apply for projects that have the potential for becoming something more regular more than I do the one time jobs. Developing another regular client would leave me completely set for the remainder of the year.
Thus far, I’ve used Upwork for all my freelancing needs. If it comes to it, I can always branch out. However, I really like the payment system that comes with Upwork. Despite the fees incurred, once you’ve earned $500 on a job, those fees are cut in half. This is another reason my regular clients are my favorites! If I am unable to get back up to my 6-7 articles per week in the next month or so, I’ll start looking at other job boards. I’m sure with the experience I’ve gained just in these last several weeks, I might find someone willing to take a chance!
Focus on Other Things
Since I’ve come to get a bit of a schedule down with writing and parenting, I could handle a couple of regular clients and blogging regularly. I’ve found that I really enjoy working on my blog and while I am not yet generating an income, I feel that it is a possibility eventually. Right now I am using it as a hobby that I enjoy when I get time to myself. I also really like sharing things that I’ve learned with other people! Based on my view count less than a month into this thing, it looks like people are actually reading!
I also see slowing down as an opportunity to spend more time with my family. I’m leaving my finances in God’s hands, so I am focusing on trusting Him. In the meantime, I get to spend a few free hours here and there with my hubby instead of working! How could that be a negative? I know the jobs will come, just as I know I will only get this time with my family for so long.
Alternate Income
If I see a bill coming up that we might struggle with, I always have transcribing. GoTranscript is my transcription income of choice, but I usually use it for a few extra bucks here and there. I don’t consider it to be part of my regular income. It takes a lot of time to generate enough pay to consider it a real paycheck. Instead, I usually spend an hour or two transcribing for an extra 5 to 10 bucks each week.
If you worry about your income when your freelance work has slowed, don’t freak out. Things will get better! A savings is also a good back up plan, so if you haven’t hit that part of freelancing where you aren’t working as much, get started on adding money to that account! While trusting in the Lord is always the best go-to, having a reserve will save you some stress!
Stick With It
Going back to work isn’t an option for me right now. After experiencing what it is like to stay home with my babies and make an income while doing it, I’m sticking it out! It is so much better actually being able to raise my kids full time!
If you have experienced a slow time whilst working from home as a freelancer, what did you do to get things going again? Let’s talk about it in the comments!