The seven-month-run-up

Be prepared for a six to seven-month setup. It takes that long to find the work, do the work, and get paid for the work. Either have some savings in place or, as a contingency, find part-time unrelated work to tide you over.

Aged 28, when I first went solo, I’d lined up a retained client at a set monthly rate — and I knew I could fall back on temping to make up any shortfall on my previous salary. (Alas temping seems to be a thing of the past — unless you’re a lorry driver!)

But once I was out there, more work quickly followed — and the rest is history. Only once was I caught short, and that was recently, because I put my faith in someone else.

The Holy Grail

Picking up on the retainer thing — for any freelancer, this is the Holy Grail.

If you can negotiate to support clients over a set period, on a set number of days per month, for a set fee — then bloody marvellous. You’re all set to enjoy a bit of peace of mind when it comes to your base earnings.

I lived through the global property crash of 2009 — lost two big retainers overnight. I honestly can’t remember how I survived. It was the same year my marriage ended too. I guess I must have just dug deep and kept going.

Being self employed certainly builds character and resilience. Sometimes, having no choice is the greatest impetus. And — important to remember — if you’ve opted to work for yourself, when shit happens (like a divorce, family trauma or an economic disaster), you’ve no safety net. You must be fully accountable for the decision you made to go it alone, which means no whingeing.

As one door closes…

Over the past two years, while looking at “what’s occurring” on LinkedIn — and very occasionally reaching out — it has been useful to observe how people are winning business.

I’m yet to try the many jobs boards but what I do know is that good old-fashioned networking still works whether it’s in person or jumping into online group chats.

Revisiting old clients and suppliers works too – they’ll have their own networks – reminding them that you’re still around and what services you offer. Don’t assume they know what you’re up to just because you do!

Wave (not waive) your flag up mount ego

It’s also a no brainer to ask current ‘happy’ clients to refer you and write a testimonial, although writing it for them with the option to tweak it a little always speeds the process up. Then push that review out on your blog and/or LinkedIn in all its ego-waving, ‘see, I told you I was good’, glory.

If you’re an introvert, then leaning into the discomfort and blowing your own trumpet online helps get you noticed (take it from me, pushing out these ‘look at me’ blogs hasn’t been easy). I also find being nice — genuinely nice — to other writers helps raise your profile too. Kindness and encouragement are free, and you never know, others might need your support if they are all out of capacity.

Do all the above and you’ve a good chance of keeping that funnel topped up (another irritating B2B term but which visually says it all). Then, as one door closes, another is sure to open — and you get to keep a modicum of control and a little peace of mind.

To niche or not to niche?

Probably, possibly, maybe. Who knows?

I’m sort of niche — in that I’ve naturally gravitated towards and attracted homes and interiors and property clients (residential and commercial) — probably because it interests me.

But I’ve also been a generalist — which goes back to me saying yes to everything that came my way. If you’re a good writer, you should really be able to write about anything.

Currently I’m niche and thanks to some great clients, the font of all knowledge on cloud-based software, range cookers and franchising! Next month — it could be something completely different.

What I’m seeing now — particularly when it comes to PR (I was as much a PR consultant as a copywriter) — is that those who positioned themselves as specialists are reaping rewards. They have a USP to present to the market.

A long-standing contact of mine, Alison Davidson, has just announced her appointment as editor of The English Home magazine. She’s been a stylist and interiors writer all her career — so it’s brilliant now to see her land this new role, which is clearly a reflection of her ongoing commitment to and passion for a particular sector.

Interestingly, a new contact of mine Lucy Banwell, has also operated in the same interiors space for a couple of decades and all three of our paths have crossed at some point — proof that certain business arenas stay small and warmly connected.

Trust no one! Seriously

No matter how much you think someone likes you — how well you get on, how long you’ve worked together — have a contract. Even an email setting out your Ts & Cs or a “what happens if” trail will do.

I remember watching Damages with the ever-so-scary Glenn Close. She said: “Trust no one.” At the time I thought — that’s a bit harsh. But when money is involved, she’s spot on.

Look after number one — not everyone shares your moral and professional values, and there’s a risk you may get your fingers burned. I know I did.

As to getting paid on time? An age-old problem as four decades on, we’re still issuing invoices and crossing fingers. LinkedIn’s full of rants from frustrated freelancers ghosted by finance departments while trying to figure out when they’ll next be able to afford dinner.

The worst offenders? Big organisations. They love ghosting the little guys. Though — hats off to the Welsh Government — they pay freelancers within five working days. More of that please.

Freelancers have rights too

Covid reminded us just how vulnerable the gig economy is. Since then, governments and courts — especially in the UK and EU — have started scrutinising freelance arrangements more closely.

If you’re working full-time for one client, integral to their business, and they control your workload and deadlines, then you might have rights under the “look beyond the label” principle.

This is especially true if you were once a full-time employee and then your remuneration method switched to freelance status — no matter the reason — and you’ve been flat out supporting that company for at least three years.

They’re ‘avin a laugh

In addition, if they’ve given you a company email address, or flaunted you on their site as Head of PR or One of the Team — that is a red flag too. They are using you to add heft to their brand.

You see, it’s not what you call the relationship — it is what it looks like in practice which is why you may be entitled to compensation if they suddenly decide to drop you.

There is clearly a huge lesson to be learnt from putting all your unbroken eggs in one flaky, vulnerable basket. So spread yourself out – even thinly – particularly at the start of your freelance journey as each client contact and project has the potential to develop which goes back to the ‘as one door closes’ thang.

Oh crap! I forgot to get a pension

Age creeps up on you — especially when you’re busy, working hard, and juggling family life. I sound ancient now — but it really does.

I tend to think in decades. And if you’ve got kids, you’ll know those years of nappies, school uniforms and trying not to throttle teenagers just whizz by.

Before I knew it, I was dropping mine off at Uni, sobbing quietly in the car — and wondering why I hadn’t been more organised when it came to snacks and school lunches.

Most of my mates are retired now — playing golf and tennis, decorating, travelling. And they look and feel fantastic. I’m happy for them. In our 20s, I remember them all getting up at the crack of dawn, commuting, committing to big companies — and jostling for the best holiday dates.

I knew I could never do that. But if I could give any advice to my younger self, it would be this: chuck as much into your pension as you can. Or into something tax efficient — anything — while you’re earning. Because no one else is going to do it for you.

Still Got It

So that’s it — the last blog in my mid- (or is it two-thirds?) life ramblings and advice series.

Get in touch if you like my style. And if you value experience over ‘young and hungry’ — I’ve a fine palate, rather peckish and crave good clients.

Please drop me a line at bron@broncomm.com.