May 12, 2020
This is a guest post from freelance writer Stephanie Weaver. Read more freelance writer guest posts.
Stephanie Weaver is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Inc.com and Philadelphia Magazine. When she’s not hooked to her laptop, she can be found riding a motorcycle or a horse.
The coronavirus has caused a prolific period of upheaval. From shutting down restaurants and retailers to causing thousands of 9 to 5 employees to have to work remotely from home, our world has significantly changed.
If you’re a freelance writer working through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering how and when it will affect your business. From clients putting assignments on hold to the stock market crashing, you may be worrying that your business is at risk.
But as Erma Bombeck once stated, “Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but never gets you anywhere.”
Instead of fretting, here are five proactive steps you can take to prevent the coronavirus from disrupting your freelance writing.
Take the proper precautions to avoid getting sick yourself. It’s almost impossible to meet a deadline if you have a fever, or worse.
Some preventative measures that you can take include:
Your first job is to take care of yourself in the midst of this chaos.
2. Take Audit of Your Current Marketing Strategy
If the pandemic has made your freelance assignments come to a screeching halt, now is the time to beef up your marketing strategy to attract new clients.
Go through your website, and portfolio, with a fine-tooth comb. Does it accurately portray your accomplishments and writing expertise? Also, ask yourself questions such as:
Really take this time to figure out what’s not working, and what is.
3. Pivot to Help Your Clients and Your Freelance Business
Now is a great time to learn ways to pivot in a way that serves you and your freelance clients. I helped one freelance client continue to sell their products during the pandemic by writing content that supported their business model. They’re a restoration company that also provides deep cleaning and sanitization services. I wrote a blog for them about the importance of professional sanitization to kill bacteria and to stay healthy.
4. Keep an Eye Out for Potential Winning Clients
In every world crisis, there are winners and losers. Ask yourself who the winners are in this instance. Some sectors for me that come to mind include:
5. Learn a New Skill
OK, so your pool of freelance work has dried up. Now is a good time to learn new skills that can enhance your resume and land you new clients.
For example, you can take an online graphic design class. Or you can deepen your knowledge of social media content marketing.
Don’t let the coronavirus put a damper on your freelance business. Use this time to really evaluate what’s working for you, what’s not, and how you can help out your clients during this troubling time.
More importantly, stay healthy and calm. As everything does, this too shall pass.
Tags: business tips, freelance questions, freelance success, freelance writer, freelance writing tips, freelancer, guest post, side hustle, tips from freelancers, writing tips
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