How to handle a freelance dry spell. Plus the TikTok trend you should try.

Hey friends, freelancers in the making, and new subscribers.

Another week, another update from me, and this one comes with some real talk about the stress that can sometimes rear its ugly head when you’re building something from the ground up.

After signing my second client and waiting on my third, I’ve been hit with a classic freelancer reality check: Things change within the blink of an eye.

I was doing freelance/casual work on the side while I was growing my client pipeline, but at the end of last week, I found out that particular work would be drying up far sooner than expected. As in, by the end of next week. 

Combined with my move happening this week, this past week has been a lesson in not completely freaking out. But I knew this would happen eventually. Freelancing has highs and lows, with some weeks flooded with inquiries and other weeks that feel eerily quiet.

That’s why consistency is key. I need to consistently show up, put my name out there, and stay visible. Even when things feel slow and even when I feel emotionally flat and slightly overwhelmed.

Speaking of consistency, let’s get into this week’s freelancer lesson and your next Bite-Sized Social Media Tip!

TikTok Content Prompt: Share your #5to9

People on TikTok are sharing what they do in their #5to9 after they leave their 9-5 jobs. Usually, this is done with clips pulled together, text added for context to explain what they’re doing in each clip, and music or a voiceover overlaid. Think of it as similar to a ‘day in the life’ mash-up.

This is just one example of how people are hungry for content that is authentic, personal, and more intimate. They want to connect with you and/or your brand rather than feel sold to.

Use this prompt this week if you’re low on ideas!

Have social media questions? Reply to this email or drop them in the comments, and I’ll answer them in future newsletters!

Keep moving, even when things slow down!!

As I said earlier, when things slow down, the instinct is to panic (and maybe even freeze). Especially when you have other stresses in your life and all you want to do is put your head in the sand. 

But instead of spiralling, I’m focusing on these three things:

1. Refining my processes and prices. How can I use this time to improve my onboarding and workflows? What’s feeling clunky? Were my original prices realistic, or do they need fine-tuning? 

2. Marketing. When paid work slows down, unpaid work (like content and networking) speeds up. I’ll admit it’s been hard over the last week because when I feel emotionally overwhelmed, I HATE putting myself out there on social media so much. It’s usually the time I step back for a breather.

3. Trusting the process. Every freelancer has dry spells, even the ones who look wildly successful on LinkedIn. The work always comes back (so long as you keep on doing 1 and 2).

That’s all for today. Thanks as always for your support and replies!

See you next Tuesday.

Laura