A Surprise Freelance Opportunity

As freelancers we are always looking for the next project – sometimes there is a gap between clients that gives us cause for concern but we need to think outside the box sometimes.

For example, I have been focused on the publication of the sequel to my novella, The Rython Kingdom for the last couple of months as Rython Legacy will be launched at a local annual event on 28th September. This has not been exclusive, however as I edited an author’s manuscript and gave feedback on another author’s first chapter, and met up with an author, who was just starting out and wanted advice on promotion. I also hosted my local writing groups monthly meetings and worked on improving my social media presence. During this time I investigated possible opportunities for projects – these arose from a variety of sources, some online, some not.

Teaser for Rython Legacy book cover.

We have to be open to new connections and that happened recently when I connected with the owner of an online magazine on Facebook after liking a post. I was blatant in asking if she accepted blog posts/articles and she was more than willing. We talked about my background and decided on topics I could write about that would be inline with the magazine’s themes. It is a nice project as I can write on a variety of topics and there is no deadline (a nice change!). The pay is reasonable and it is nice to have the ability to write on a more personal basis, while connecting with a larger group, I would never have known otherwise. It is an on-going project which gives me a semi-regular income.

I also received an invitation to join a Facebook group for Women’s Empowerment and although the post I shared did not generate income, it is a valuable source of potential future clients.

What freelance opportunity did you seize or find in an unusual way?

Obligations On Our Time Other Than Freelance Work…

With a plethora of activities requiring my attention in the past few months, my freelance work has unfortunately suffered. I am sure many other freelancers have experienced ‘low activity’ in their schedules and these periods can be a source of panic and worry or a time to refresh, organize, catch up with bookkeeping and promote to newly defined clientele.

My time has been split between social media blasts for one client, promotional events for my books, including launching my new young adult book, Clickety Click, secretarial duties for one non-profit and unexpectedly becoming President of another! Social media and membership drive for these organizations as well as a Policy & Procedures manual development for one. Added to that is a new ‘committee’ looking at affordable housing options in my area headed by our local MLA. And finally revision and editing of two manuscripts. So I have not been resting on my laurels, so to speak but it has meant I have not been as active in my freelance work. Am I doing too much? More than likely but I am passionate about each of these organizations/projects and cannot ‘give them up’.

However, a  friend’s referral in the last couple of weeks has given me a new client. It is an interesting project, creating on-line lessons for a massage professional. It is another aspect of my freelance skill base I can add as well as becoming familiar with a profession I had no knowledge of before now.

I know freelance work will come my way periodically even without focused promotion so I accept projects when they are offered and know I will continue to deliver quality work for my clients.

How do you use your ‘down time’?