How to futureproof your freelance business in these challenging times

June 6, 2020
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Paul Petersen
Posted in Business
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The coronavirus has taught us all that preparing for every eventuality is critical. Nobody could have predicted the global pandemic or its effect on the economy, but businesses and individuals with a “war plan” have benefited more, being able to adapt to the changing times and repivot their services to accommodate ever-evolving consumer and business appetites.

With the above in mind, we thought we’d run through some of the best ways to futureproof your business, marketing your services, earning more, and preparing for the years ahead…

Decide on your goals

Right now, with everything up in the air, it can feel overwhelming and talking about the future is tough. But taking a step back and mapping out everything you’d like to achieve in the year ahead will give you time to reflect and reposition yourself. You might be able to look back at your successes and failures up until today and identify new opportunities for growth. Decide what you want to focus on in the year ahead – it might be spending more time working from home, or meeting people and clients by networking when things return to normal – and put an action plan in place. Look back in six months or a year and see what you accomplished.

Upskill

Another way to ensure you’re not forgotten about in today’s competitive/cut-throat market is to upskill. Making sure you’re always developing your skills will help you score deals with your clients and command a higher salary or day-rate as a result. Whether you take on a pro bono contract during the lockdown to level up and add another client to your portfolio, or you take the time to learn a new skill online, like digital marketing or social media management, there are lots of ways that you can get one step ahead of the competition and rise to the top.

Try to save money

Although contracting is preferable for many people, the truth is that it does come with some downsides – and one of those is consistent and regular work. Once a contract is finished, you need to work to win your next one, and that can sometimes take weeks or months. By saving money “for a rainy day” or an unexpected event like COVID-19, you’ll feel confident in turning down work that’s underpaid or doesn’t suit your lifestyle. One way to save is to work with a firm like Evolve Contract Services, the best umbrella company in the UK. They’ll help you by “employing” you as a contractor and paying you via PAYE, saving you headaches in completing self-assessment firms and allowing you to budget with a regular monthly income.

Build your network

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of building a network. The more people you know in your niche, the more likely you are to secure a job in the future. Have a presence on LinkedIn and connect with all of your previous colleagues, employers and clients, and let them know you’re looking for work. Ask for recommendations and referrals and don’t be afraid to pitch your skills and services to a company or individual that’s hiring in your niche.

Though none of us could have prepared for COVID-19, having an action plan for the months and years ahead will allow you to stay focused and motivated. Whatever you decide to get up to, we wish you the very best of luck with your strategy – stay tuned for more from us!