4 things to help freelancers through Covid-19
The following is a post I put in the Thaducation Facebook group for freelancers during the first week of Covid-19 in the UK:
Hi guys,
Just wanted to share some of the things I’ve done this week with regards to work and clients in the hope it might be useful to some of you. It’s obviously a very uncertain time for us as freelancers but also our clients, especially the smaller businesses.
Here’s some of the things I’ve done:
Speak to your clients. Over the past two days I’ve spoken either on the phone or via Zoom to most of my clients - the others I’ve been in touch with over WhatsApp and Slack. Check in with them, see how they are, what they’re doing, what their plans are, and find out if you can help in anyway (more on that below). In short, let them know you’re there and you’re in this with them.
Use your skills to help. This is probably a little easier for me as a writer, however, as freelancers, we all have skillsets which businesses need - especially if we can be diverse and creative about how we use them. As an example, in the past two days I’ve helped clients including an educational theatre charity, a software company, a dentist, and a group of chiropractors pen emails and blog posts to go out to their customers in a bid to keep them informed of what the current situation is. But I’m also helping them come up with creative ways they can still help their customers even if (when) things get worse. This isn’t about looking for opportunity and exploiting it, it’s about identifying the ways you can help people and still be an invaluable part of their team.
Be open, honest, and transparent. It’s an unprecedented time for all of us. Remember you’re human - and your clients are human too. Great communication is essential at times like this and it stems from being honest, open, and transparent. Have empathy. Listen more, share more, talk more. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to tell your clients - it will build a much stronger relationship in the long run.
Don’t panic. This one is pretty hard! I’ve found myself swinging from ‘everything is going to be ok’ to ‘we’re all fucked’ in the space of a single conversation. However, anxiety for the future, for things we can’t control, and for the unknown won’t really get us anywhere. Yes, the short to mid-term future is going to be one hell of a challenge but panicking isn’t going to help that. Stay calm, back yourself, believe in your own ability, and try to be a force for good - it’s definitely going to be needed.
And, to echo Thad, if any of you guys need support, help, want someone to chat to - please get in touch.
Stay safe, stay strong, and keep the faith.
TT x