We’ve all been there. It’s the start of the mouth, you’ve just finished a huge project, and ahead…the void. AKA nothing. No jobs lined up, no clients interested. No work! So you search. And search. And search… And maybe it’s just the time of year or maybe you’ve drawn the short end of the stick, but you can’t land a single gig.

Friend, you have truly learned what it means to be a freelancer. It’s a scary moment when you’re not sure where your next paycheck is coming from. Your first instinct is probably to panic and run around frantically like Chicken Little, but I promise you, the sky isn’t falling. This season will pass as long as you keep moving forward! Here’s how.  

DO Keep Going

First and foremost, keep up your spirits. Keep going. This isn’t the end unless you give up. Keep a positive, opportunistic mindset and just wait to see where it takes you!

DO Change Things Up

Assess your work habits, schedule, and processes up until now. Is there anything that you might be able to change? Maybe try a different job site or rework your pitch/cover letter. Keep learning and growing, and more often than not, you’ll find your way out of the slump.

DO Stretch Yourself

I’ve said it once (twice, thrice…), and I’ll say it again and again: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re a fiction writer, try a bit of non-fiction. Or try some novice-level editing if you’re a grammar nerd. Take a look at all of your skills and use them to the best of your ability. Don’t let yourself get stuck in a niche when there’s more you could be doing!

DO Network

Although you should always be networking as a freelancer, if you haven’t yet, now is the time! Reach out to other freelancers. Start cold pitching. Even ask for help! This might be out of your comfort zone, but you never know who has a job opening!

DON’T Be Needy

There’s a difference between networking and begging for jobs. The former is just good practice, the latter makes you look unprofessional. Clients don’t want to work with needy, whiny people. You can be honest and even ask for help when you feel it fits, but don’t walk up to everyone you meet and start begging for work; it’s a sure way to get ignored.

DON’T Get Stuck in a Bad Job

When you’re desperate, it’s oh-so tempting to want to take any and every job, even if it’s below your standards. But be warned: getting stuck in a trash job where you’re doing tons of work for almost no pay is just not worth it. You’ll be miserable. Just wait it out a little longer, but…

DON’T Wait Too Long

Only you can define the point where you’ve gone too long without work. If you really can’t find anything after this long, you almost definitely need to rework something about your business. It’s okay to change things up! But at this point, you may need some other work to fall back on. Check out online tutoring or something like DoorDash to supplement your income until you figure things out.

So, when you’re stuck without a job, don’t despair. Stay calm, follow the above guide, and above all, keep going. You’ll make it!

Have any questions about freelance writing? Drop a comment or contact me!

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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