For freelancers, the end of the year can be a challenging time. Friends and relatives want you to join them in holiday festivities at the exact moment that you need a little extra cash for Hanukkah presents, airline tickets to fly home for Diwali, or reservations at that fancy place for New Year’s Eve. The last thing you want to do is spend your holidays stressed out and broken. Even if you don’t personally celebrate traditional holidays, your income can still be affected by the year-end plans of others. This year, plan ahead so you can actually make more money during this time of year with these simple tips.
Work on Holidays That You Don’t Celebrate
When the regular staff is off sipping champagne and eating hors d’oeuvres, there’s still work to be done. That’s where you can pick up some extra cash. Many companies are happy to outsource work to freelancers so that their employees can have special days off. If you won’t be spending certain holidays celebrating for whatever reason, look for opportunities to take on an extra client or two that needs you to pitch in. Then plan your week to make sure you can accomplish what you’ve agreed to and still have time for yourself.
Let Your Clients Know You’re Available for Extra Work
If you’re prepared well in advance, you can check in with your clients and find out what they need before the holidays begin. They’re busy too. They’d love to get that extra project finished up so they can focus on family. Many clients will be thrilled to give you some extra work so that they can take time off, and if you’re making time to complete as much of it before the holidays begin, you might even get a nice break too. Make sure that your invoices are all they need to be so you’re getting paid on time for the work you’re doing.
Offer Special Holiday Promotions, Contests, or Giveaways
‘Tis better to give to receive – especially when it brings in new business. The holidays are a great time to offer a sale or discount on your ebook or online course, or even to host a giveaway. You can time these to end just before Black Friday or to begin immediately after Christmas. It depends on what you specialize in and who your customers are. Consider creating a promotion or contest with a special holiday theme. Everyone likes to celebrate, and your clients or customers are no exception.
Join a Freelancing Community to Find New Clients
If you’re struggling to find clients who need you to work during the holidays, look no further than a freelancing community. It’s a great way to find people who are looking for all different kinds of work. Some of these jobs can even turn into long-term relationships. If you’re diligent in making great pitches and checking back frequently, you’ll land some new gigs in no time. With that, you’ll be well on your way to padding your holiday wallet.
