Summer is the season when it feels as if anything is possible. The days are long, the heat shimmers from the pavements, and the worries of winter seem a long way away. It’s a time for self-improvement and elevating your career – but this is often easier said than done for freelancers.
After all, conventional work guidance doesn’t really seem to fit for freelancers. There are no workplace politics you have to learn to navigate or interesting new concepts as to how you can impress your boss – instead, freelancers need dedicated advice that is specific to those working for themselves, obtaining clients, pitching, and everything else that working as a freelancer entails. Thankfully, with the popularity of freelancing on the rise, there’s plenty of articles dedicated specifically to those who work in the field. So if you’re still seeking your summer reads for self improvement, here are four articles you’ll want to consider…
1) Don’t Take It Personally: The Art of Dealing with Rejection
Rejection is part and parcel of the freelance lifestyle. You can spend hours crafting a pitch or client approach, only to – at best – receive a kindly-worded rejection letter. Don’t Take It Personally focuses on healthy ways of coping with rejection. It’s not aimed at freelancers specifically, but this is actually to its benefit, as it allows you to take the base theory and then apply it to your specific industry experience. With your fear of rejection reduced, you should be able to pitch more freely, and thus increase your chances of receiving beneficial commissions in future.
2) The Anti-Procrastination Mindset: The Simple Art Of Finishing What You Start
Books on freelancing are ten-a-penny, with most making the same points over and over again. This book, however, focuses on one of the biggest problems that freelancers face: procrastination. If you want to increase your productivity and ensure you have more time to enjoy those long summer evenings, then this book – which is full of actionable guidance – could be just what you need.
3) Thriving In The Gig Economy
The gig economy gets its fair share of bad press, which can be disheartening for those who enjoy the freedom and flexibility this way of working affords. Thriving In The Gig Economy focuses on the benefits of this new marketplace, and how you can achieve the best possible results when working in it. Its positive attitude is refreshing, and there’s plenty of useful hints and tips that can really help you to make the most of a way of working that is becoming the “new normal”.
A freelancer can only ever be successful if their marketing game is on-point. After all, you can be the best in the world at what you do, but if no one knows about your skills, your freelancing career will falter. If marketing is something you have always struggled with – or you just want to ensure you’re doing everything you could be in this regard – this handy guide discusses freelance marketing concepts in a way that everyone can understand.
In conclusion
Summer is the season of positivity, of looking on the bright side, and of making the most of the opportunities in front of you. If you choose one of the above as your summertime poolside reading, you’ll soon be ready to take your freelancing to the next level by utilising a wide variety of different strategies.
