I don’t know about you, but I’m about done with all of this talk about a “faltering economy,” “economic downturn,” and, worst of all, “recession.”
My state, Michigan, hasn’t really ever recovered from the hard times that started after 9/11. Back in 2005, I recall newspaper headlines declaring that Michigan was in a “one-state recession.” Times are tough here, and have been for a long time.
Am I worried about this situation? Sure. I’m worried for my friends, my extended family. I see people around me getting laid off every day, and my heart goes out to them.
But I’m not worried for myself.
The thing is, you see, I choose not to participate in the recession.
What do I mean by that, exactly? I mean, simply, that I’m not going to allow the recession to affect my income or my lifestyle. You see, there are a few facts about running a freelance writing business that can, if you’re smart about it, make your business recession-proof.
Freelance writing clients are worldwide
Right now, my biggest clients aren’t based in the United States. While I have clients in the U.S., my client base spans the globe. I haven’t had a client in Michigan in some time – further proof that my state is in dire straits.
Unlike my good friend who runs an appraisal business just down the road, the local economy doesn’t affect me as directly. If the local market dries up, I can get work from Aussies, Canadians, Brits and lots of other folks. I like working for local clients, but they aren’t my bread and butter by any means.
Freelance writing gigs aren’t tied to a specific industry
I have the same sort of flexibility when it comes to industries. Michigan is, of course, tied very closely into the auto industry. If you’ve been watching the shenanigans in Washington as of late, you know the auto industry is in trouble. That makes for a lot of economic devastation in my community.
Here again, though, I don’t work with just one industry. I have clients in real estate, technology, food service and even some related to the auto industry. But should any one of those areas take a dive, I have plenty of others to choose from.
A freelance writing business model has to be flexible to succeed
Now, I don’t want to paint some kind of rosey picture here. Hard economic times do affect the way I do business. I may have to spend more time searching for clients. I might have to chase down a client or two for payment. I might have to offer deeper discounts than I’d like.
But the business I’m in allows me the flexibility to do those things. I can make adjustments, on the fly if I need to, to insure that my business continues to be healthy and to thrive.
Freelance writing is about creating opportunities
Even when the markets all dry up, there is still potential for success. As a freelancer, I can use my ambition, imagination and creativity to come up with new ways to succeed. The possibilities are endless, it’s just a matter of identifying the ones with the greatest potential for success and then executing them effectively.
This is what being a freelancer is all about, folks. Expanding your horizons, breaking into new markets, adjusting your business to the times and making your own way is how you get ahead as a freelancer.
Freelancing not for the faint of heart. It’s for those folks who are willing to do what has to be done in order to come out ahead, recession or not.
13 comments ↓
Even better? By refusing to participate in the recession, you’re helping the economy stay alive.
Your business is helping other businesses earn money – that they can spend and help other people keep their jobs. Your money does the same as well. Someone’s keeping you working, and you’re keeping someone else working too.
I think people need to realize that recession means they need to do what they can to boost business and increase it instead of battening down the hatches and hoarding everything they have just in case.
Likewise, I’m not participating in any recession. The beauty? Anyone can build a new business or even a sideline business to help increase their income in tough times.
James Chartrand – Men with Penss last blog post..Drive-by-Shooting Sundays: The Antisocial Social Worker
[...] Writing Your Way Out Of A Recession: There is work out there if you know wher to look. [...]
What a great posting. It has been a little bit harder to find good clients who pay on time, but you are right about the endless chances to improve on business. I see it as a time to expand my skill set and take my business into new areas and not just new writing markets.
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Well said my friend, well said! This type of economy just means freelancers have to think a little more out of the box to ensure constant income, but if you’re already a successful (read: working) freelance writer, you’re already doing that.
I’m just starting out in my freelancing career, partly as I’d like to eventually make the switch to doing it full-time, but also for the very reason that my full-time job could potentially be eliminated at any time. I want to be prepared.
Very cool that you acquire clients from all over the globe. I didn’t realize that potential.
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I’m not participating either. Should we start a recession-proof club? Hehehee!
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Adapting to new ways of business will be one of the most important factors in emerging from this recession. I think part of the cause behind this is the fact that certain business models and job skills are becoming obsolete and we are having a tough time catching up. Using the internet to get freelance writing jobs from around the world is a great example.
My way to not participate in the recession was to change my whole idea about publishing my novels. Rather than going the traditional route of trying to sell books, I instead opted for publishing my novel online for people to read for free. I make money instead by selling ad space.
Kaylee
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Check out my online novels at http://www.illumitas.net/books/KayleeMason
Another great post. Your blog is an inspiration to its readers.
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[...] Writing Your Way Out Of A Recession: There is work out there if you know wher to look. [...]
I like it, good piece. It captures the heart of any creative person in this so called “Global Crisis”.
“Free your mind, and the rest of you will follow”
Kind regards
Chad
Chads last blog post..First problem presents itself.
You could write all day long and submit to ass0ciated c0ntent. They pay roughly $5 per 500 word article. 20 a day = $100 .
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Bravo, thank you for this post. About a month and a half ago, I lost my job. Granted it was a career that I had spent 15 years in and hated, but never the less I was unprepared for it. Yes the debt piled up, but I knew that if I lassoed my other talents I would survive. One of those talents was the ability to see things from unique perspective’s and then write them down in a clear way. By submitting freelance articles, I have started once again earning an income. I wont let anyone tell me the recession is hard, of course it is hard, you just find a way to not be affected by it.
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