It’s not surprising that people on the in-house side of work often have a rose-tinted view of what working for yourself is like.
The freelancing fantasy is seductive. Designing your own days, choosing your own clients, and having the kind of work-life balance people stuck in back-to-back Teams calls can only dream of. It all sounds lovely on paper.
The problem is that the dream doesn’t always survive contact with reality. Day-to-day freelancing can feature just as much (if not more) anxiety than even the most stressful desk job.
There are definitely perks, like being in charge of your own diary, but the challenges are very real.
The good news is that you don’t have to face it alone. You might not have an HR department or payroll – but you can build up your own network of support in a way that works for you.
Here’s where to get support as a charity freelancer:
Connect with fellow comms professionals
People who work in your particular niche are worth their weight in gold.
If you’re lucky, they’re willing to listen to your war stories about difficult clients and impossible deadlines. And then they’ll make you feel less alone by sharing some of their own, often alongside useful advice.
But they’re not just potential confidantes, they can be a source of work too. For example, they might ask you to work on projects they haven’t got time for or introduce you to clients who don’t quite match their skills. Also, a reference from a trusted source is always valued by clients.
Developing the relationship can start with a quick intro at a networking event or an invite through LinkedIn.
Here’s a few useful ground rules for positive relationships:
- Offer, don’t demand. Steaming into other people’s orbits and demanding their time or contacts won’t win you many friends. Nor will harvesting their contact details under the guise of doing ‘sector research’. Instead, try to offer something to them – like a big idea, practical skill, a sympathetic ear or just a friendly word – and see how the relationship develops from there.
- It starts with trust. Showing up when you say and being consistent and transparent all help build trust over time. And trust is what makes relationships last.
- Be transparent about money. If you decide to work together be ultra-clear about how it works and the cost. Write a project agreement down so you can both refer to it.
- Work out your boundaries. Some people are open to 11.30pm WhatsApps to vent about a troublesome client. Others definitely aren’t! So work out what your boundaries are, where to draw the line and communicate them clearly.
Two wonderful copywriters I met through work over a decade ago (shout out Sarah Myers and Trina Wallace) are now firm freelance friends. I’m grateful for their wisdom, solidarity and enthusiasm every day (although we still have heated differences about commas).
Get some admin and business support
I’m happy that freelancing means I get to do what I love. But I definitely don’t love the nitty-gritty of running a one-person outfit: the invoices, tax returns and liability insurance that keeps this show on the road.
Support starts with a good accountant. Even if you’re not bringing in much income right now, they can give you the support that keeps you legal, solvent and free from scary HMRC demands for the future.
Plus, every long-term freelancer has periods when they’re kept up at night by recurring thoughts: should I start an agency, radically change the way I work, level-up my marketing?
Business coaches to hear your plans and advise are available – but they can be expensive. On the other hand The British Library offers free advice through its Business and IP Centre (available through 70 public libraries in the UK).
Some Charity Comms’ mentors might also be able to talk you through the financial nitty gritty of freelance life.
Remember to get recommendations from your peers. People who’ve been in your position can often provide excellent recommendations for accountants and other supportive professionals.
Source some wellbeing support
Having access to wellbeing support is essential. Because while freelance life can be incredible, it can also be lonely and stressful too.
What this looks like is different for everyone. Some people have regular sessions with a therapist or coach to talk over problems. For others it’s about surrounding yourself with people through a shared workspace – or making a point ‘to go out and touch grass’ for at least half an hour each day.
I really value a regular call with freelance colleagues. For me it’s a great place to vent, share successes and prove I’m not on my own in this.
Tips to support your wellbeing:
- Make a wellbeing plan alongside your to-do list. As 90s chart-toppers M-People almost said: ‘What have you done today to make you feel good?’. Add something small (and preferably free) to your weekly to-do list which does just that.
- Build in rest days. Take it from me – working 24/7, 365 days a year is a recipe for burnout. Make sure you build in days where you switch off – or spend time with (non-sector) friends too.
- Are you reading this blog because you’re really going through it right now? We’ve all been there. Call Samaritans now for free on 116 123 to get some support.
Want some more freelance-related advice from the CharityComms’ network? Find out what freelancers want charities to know, how to communicate better as a freelancer and advice on going from in-house to freelance.
Photo credit: Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
