How to prepare yourself
With the rapid expansion of the virus, it’s been increasingly difficult to tend to our daily routines. Many of us are unable to go to our workplaces or have security for sick pay.
If sick pay isnโt an option available to you, you can apply for Universal Credit. The amount you receive will depend on your combined earnings or any applicable Minimum Income Floor. For more information check out the GOV.UK website.
Allow yourself the opportunity to get financially literate during these times.
๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ, ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐
Do you remember that online course you signed up to many weeks ago – the one that you never got round to? I bet you have all the time in the world for it now! Reed, SkillShare, and Future Learn are all platforms that can have you pick up a new skill in no time. There are plenty of Youtube videos to check out too – one that explains how to set up a preset on Adobe Lightroom, for example.
This is a great opportunity to stay up to date within your chosen field too. See whatโs currently trending, learn techniques and decide if itโs something you would want to apply to your work. EXPERIMENT!
BBC News, Apple News and LinkedIn are all great sources to stay up to date with news in your chosen field. LinkedIn is great when wanting to catch up on news that your clients are sharing.
๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฝ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
Social media is an essential tool at your disposal. Share your work on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Engage with your followers, share a tip or two!
With Instagramโs Live feature you could put together mini DIY webinars for your followers. This opens the door to further exposure for future clients or collaborators.
๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ผ
Thereโs nothing wrong with a tidy up. Make sure your work attracts the type of clients you want to work for in the future. Ideally, it should only reflect your BEST work.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ
Use this time to get your admin together. Answer and chase up on those emails. Make sure that youโve sent those invoices. You want to have a look at your contract and protect yourself a little better. An essential tool that many freelancers neglect is bookkeeping.
Even though handling numbers can be daunting, always stay on track. Document how money flows in and out.
Things like:
- Travel expenses
- The hours you have dedicated to projects for clients
- The software you use
- Bills
Having things in order will prepare for tax season. Use this time to have those essentials ready.
๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ
Allow your mind to relax and have some fun. Discover new things that may inspire you. Watch a TED Talk video on Youtube, read the latest novel that has everyone talking, catch up on your favourite shows or check out the latest webinars based on your field.
๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ!
Connect with those who are in a similar field as you. This would be a little difficult since weโre technically on lockdown, but this is where technology comes to play. You can reach out to other creatives on the Wishu app. Donโt be afraid to discuss collaborations or wanting some advice. Create a group and keep each other updated on the ongoings in the industry. Create a haven with people who can relate to some of the similar things you may be experiencing. Starting a mailing list for your existing clients is a great way to stay connected.
๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ
If youโre yet to start a website, go ahead and put one together! Challenge yourself to see how you could change your personal branding. Start branding on platforms you havenโt yet explored. Write thought-leadership pieces, or start a podcast. Think hard about why people would take the time out to listen to you. Push yourself to try new things!
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