Four Gems to Surviving Freelance
Working in freelance scares a lot of people, and for good reason! I’ve had many colleagues and industry friends ask, “how can you deal with all that uncertainty in your career?” And quite honestly, I’ve never had a solid answer besides, “God got me!” Which is totally still valid.
I received my initial dose of freelance life once I up and quit my first on-air job in Lawrence, Kansas. I moved to Chicago to work as a freelance sports reporter for a year, then found myself exploring the entertainment industry once that opportunity came to close. Luckily, I was able to land a host position for BET Networks right after my contract ended, however, in that transition period I learned A LOT about what it takes to survive in the world of freelance.
For all my glow-getters out there considering a life in freelance, or who are already exploring, here are a few gems that helped me along the way!
HUSTLE
The words freelance and hustle should be synonymous in the dictionary. As a freelancer, if you don’t hustle, you don’t eat. I learned that you almost have to have your hand in everything if you want to be successful as a freelancer, especially in the entertainment industry. Coming from the traditional news side, I knew nothing about freelance hosting, because by trade, I am a journalist. I pitch, create, research, and tell stories. Working as a freelance host in the entertainment industry really shifted my mindset and upgraded my hustle! Being on the traditional local news side you can sometimes find yourself falling into a rut and getting comfortable. Freelancing definitely keeps me on my toes and gave me a whole new set of skills that I now can apply to every area of my career.
Network = Net Worth
I know you’ve heard this before, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” For a freelancer this is a biggie! Your network of colleagues is where you’re going to find your next job. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been referred and referred people for a job through an industry relationship. Without building and nurturing my network, there’s no way I would be where I am today. Now, that doesn’t mean to just connect with everyone, but really focus in on building genuine connections at all levels. Most times people think you have to connect with the big bosses to land opportunities, however, that is far from the truth. If you’re in media everyone from researchers, producers, writers, and production assistants are important!
Stay ahead of the game!
Always be three steps ahead, and then some. I learned this lesson the hard way as a freelancer. During my first freelance role I have to admit, I got comfortable and thought, “surely, this will turn into a permanent position!” Well, it didn’t. The network I worked for at the time informed me that the position I was in would be collapsing and I panicked! I needed to pick up work to keep my reels fresh, and to get as many reps as possible in front of the camera. Luckily, I landed another opportunity not too long after, however, that experience taught me to always be working on my next opportunity!
Become invaluable!
Make yourself invaluable! Create content, pitch new ideas, give a fresh perspective. All of these things help when companies are deciding who they want to continue to work with. Also, taking control of your opportunities doesn’t just benefit the company you’re working for, but your resume as well. Imagine building an idea from the ground up, finding success, and then being able to point to that for your next opportunity! That not only displays your work ethic, but also creates some competition for what you bring to the table.
Bottom line is, freelance life is far from easy and it’s huge leap, but if you’re willing to put in the work and grind it out then you’ll find your way! What’s your experience been like in the freelance world? Share your story below!
