There’s nothing like a natural disaster to test how life as a
freelancer is going for you.
I’ve been sitting right in the path of Irma for almost a week now here in south Florida, USA. So far it’s worked out (I still have power though…we’ll see afterward), but that’s because of some very specific things…
- A retainer client so even if I can’t work for a week (I’m out of the cone, but there will probably still be damage), my income won’t take a serious hit
- Giving my clients a heads up as
soon as I knew there was a threat of a storm. This allowed me to move work around as needed and set expectations.
- Regularly checking in with my clients so they still feel like they have my attention. (all have been completely accommodating)
- Living in a country that has reliable infrastructure and Internet access. (Nothing I did, but it makes a big difference.)
- Having a financial cushion so that even if I am down for a month, things won’t fall
apart.
Most of those are elements of my freelance business that took time to develop…I’ll be real with you…I’m honestly not sure things would have gone this smoothly a couple years ago for me, but I’m ridiculously relived that work isn’t a primary concern for me right now.
Just know that freelancers can weather storms too. I won’t happen overnight…stability in freelancing comes, but usually only after years of adjusting to a new way
of life.
Keep pushing and know you really can shape a freelance life that works for you.
Megan