Nothing happens until something moves (Albert Einstein)
Work slumps happen. But sometimes they go on a little longer than we’d like. This happened to me recently and I had to make something move. Armed with determination and the need to survive, I embarked on an aggressive search for new clients. Here’s how I did it and what resulted.
Preparation is important
- I made sure my CV and other professional profiles were updated (I was part of a group that shared this experience very successfully).
- I spent dedicated time performing several online searches for journals and academic editing clients as this was the market I wanted to expand. I also checked in on LinkedIn daily.
- I started a long list of potential contacts. In itself, this was as motivating as it was overwhelming.
Activity breeds activity
My mother always said ‘activity breeds activity’. I know this all too well. The extent of my activity to find new work showed me that it is possible if one is committed to being active. Over a six-week period, I contacted 189 potential clients or sources of work from that long list created at the start. I chose to spend a maximum of two hours a day on this task, but mostly it only took me an hour at a time. This preserved my mental state, made it seem achievable and allowed me time to enjoy a little bit of non-work freedom.
What the stats look like
Of the 189 emails I sent out, I received responses from 31. Of those, I got actual work from four contacts. I was referred on by three of the contacts, one of which led to a quotation and one of which led to actual work. Eight of the respondents who acknowledged my email let me know that they did not use freelancers or were not looking for new service providers. I also wrote two entry tests, one of which was successful. Twelve respondents offered to share my details with staff, students or submitting authors. Two asked about my rates, with one possibility for work in December. Another two asked for quotations. The second was a referral from the first and they accepted and gave me work. One respondent asked about a workshop for students. I haven’t heard back yet, but it’s given me an idea to take forward and a direct contact.
LinkedIn yielded two offers, both of which I declined as the pay was no pay at all (R34 an hour for six days a week and nine hours a day or R1,27 for every 200 words written).
My professional network yielded two work opportunities, one of which has started. I had two requests for quotations with one accepted. And my LinkedIn network brought in a query for potential work, which is looking very promising.
It was all a lot of work, but I’m glad I did it. In fact, I will continue, but at a slower pace now that I have a head start, have secured some work and am familiar with my self-created process. There are still many to work through – and I remain optimistic.
What I learnt about looking for work
- I feel I achieved quite a lot, all things considered: 189 email readers (hopefully humans) have now seen my name (in the email, in the signature or in my CV if they opened the attachment). How do I feel about the more than 80% from whom I heard nothing? I think it’s in their spam and they don’t know what they are missing!
- Social media and an online presence are important for professional presence, work opportunities and marketing yourself.
- Talking to colleagues is valuable as they can help you with ideas, contacts and direct referrals (two of my colleagues helped me).
- It’s good to feel okay about self-promotion through visible profiles, identifiable logos and appropriate posts on relevant platforms.
- There are unexpected returns: I was asking about copy-editing services but have also been approached for related tasks, such as coordinating website copy and ensuring accessibility.
- I even searched for ‘I need an editor’ to see what came up – not advisable: we are competing with R50 an hour! I can’t work out what is worse: paying that or offering it?
Let it not be said that finding work is easy, but it is doable. You just have to keep at it. All in all, I moved and something happened. Thank you, Albert Einstein.
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