Where has the work gone?

[Spaceman]

Hello hello hello,

I have been a freelance writer for three years now and have just returned from a nine month maternity break.

When I finished in April I had more projects than I could cope with and worked right up until I went into labour. Three weeks ago I contacted all my old clients and a few new ones as well and there's hardly anything around. Is this because of the recession (is it the same for everyone) or is it because I've been out for the loop for nine months and my clients have forgotten about me (blub)?

Brazen bump

Anyone...? Are all you freelancers too busy? Now I've really got a complex.

Don't want to say it but if you had loads of work on but then weren't available for 9 months, I would think all those clients who were giving you loads of work had to find alternative suppliers to meet their needs.

Maybe they were happy with them and want to keep the consistency of using them? Sorry! Hope I'm wrong. I just think maybe taking 9 months maternity leave is a bit of a luxury for a freelancer and you do risk finding it difficult to get back into it, not having the right to walk back into a job the same as an employee.

Yep all points taken and agreed with, but I'd still be interested in learining if there's a general slump out there. In a way I hope you are right and then I'll just go on a massive new business push. If the market is about the same as it was three years ago then I'll get my project levels up again evenutally (hopefully cracking into some new sectors too).

Anyone know where the lively/buoyant sectors are at the moment?

Mr Bump

Prior to this year, I have only ever had two days without work in 6 years (Pharm industry). I haven't worked since January at all. have called round 4 agencies who I normally work for. They all say I am their favourite and priority freelancer but they are just not outsourcing anything at all for the forseeable future. I've decided to take on a permanent position instead of getting caught out.

I've found that a lot of the people who were interested in giving me some work three or four months ago and said that it would happen in the New Year have now panicked and said they're not doing anything at the moment.

So I've reduced my son's hours at nursery and I work a few less hours per week, and work more in the evenings after he's gone to bed. I've also taken a bit of work with a not-ideal client that I would normally have turned down. My husband is a freelancer too, and has been working on a long-term contract for a client. It runs out in a few weeks, and we have no idea what the market is like for him - whether he'll go straight back into work or whether that will be it for the year [gulp]

Gosh Spaceman - you left your customers unattended for 9 months?

The credit crunch may have made the climate harder but as Callalilies said it may also be the case, unfortunately, that others have moved into your space whilst you've been off.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

I think the market is quieter. I'm trying to see it as an opportunity to move into new markets and get my marketing etc in order. I may be less positive if it carries on for many months.

Sprogmum - for what it's worth I think you are taking exactly the right approach!

Market really slowing. Also having projects cancelled left right and centre and looking at having a work free few months which hasn't happened for years.

Hey thanks all. Hopefully it'll pick up as quickly as it tailed off.
I have lost one client because someone took my place in the time I was away, but I know the others just have less work now. I'm too specialised to worry about much competition but it obviously hasn't helped matters by not keeping up the momentum. I just want to get my £600 a month and I'll be happy!

Anyway learnt today that I've probably got my old double page back in a monthly so that'll keep my hand in.

Good luck to everyone - it's pretty scary.

But what are you supposed to do - not have maternity leave? I had a good 9 months at least, and the work picked up slowly afterwards, but it did pick up. I accepted anything I was offered, and I also sent out a mailshot to potential clients which usually tends to bear fruit sooner or later. Include a CV, samples of work, and a handful of business cards and send this package to 20 possible new clients - at least that will give you something to be getting on with.

Re the crunch, I seem to still be getting enough work for the time being (in publishing, some of it educational) but a friend who does advertising copywriting and commercial brochures etc. says it has really dropped off for her. The more commercial and expensive the contracts, the more they are cutting back on them I think. My friend could command £500/day but her work has tailed off; I make much less but it seems to be steadier which sort of makes sense.

Hi Muffle,

Thanks for that - and also for the new business advice. I've contacted around thirty new prospects in the past three weeks and some of it is hopeful. Although when I did that two years ago I ended up getting snowed under. Re the maternity leave: I went Freelance for a better quality of life and so I was gonna have that maternity leave even if it did mean career suicide!

Without wanting to sound too dim (!) could you explain to my how you get into freelance writing?? Is it a talent you have or is it qualifications you need? I love to write, all i have every done is short pieces in local magazines and i used to be an assistant copy writer...........could this lead anywhere????

I run a business with one other person. I've been on maternity leave, but still involved with the admin side, supporting her/ editing her work etc. Because there are two of us she has been able to keep up contacts with clients etc and there is noticeably far less work around in our sector- we had more work than we could cope with until about 6 months ago, and now just there are just bits and pieces. The contacts I've spoken to have said that they've had to cut right back on freelancers as they're making staff positions redundant. We're hoping that things will pick up in the new budget year in April... it's really tough though.

I do freelance marketing and PR and have actually seen more work from some clients as they deal with recruitment freezes by outsourcing the work the permanant staff would have done. However, I have also had a lot less work from others so its a bit swings and roundabouts. I also run training courses and we have seen less interest than this time last year but still enough to make it viable.

spaceman, good for you for putting quality of life above your career. I know that option isn't available to everyone but I don't think you should feel bad for wanting to spend that time with your baby.

I'm a freelance journalist and had my dd2 in April 2008 - I took the decision not to have a mat leave or even tell my main work contacts that I had had a baby so that they couldn't go elsewhere; I fit work around naps and my dh fills in in mornings as he doesn't usually leave house until afternoon. I think the work is out there in my field but it is getting more competitive and everyone is trying to cut rates etc. Don't feel bad for taking a mat leave but, if you plan more children, I wouldsuggest trying to keep your hand in with some small projects etc until you can return full-time or additional hours.

I agree with twofalls, in the area I work in there has been some increase in freelance work because people would rather contract out a project than employ an new member of staff.

I think we just have to keep adapting to changing circumstances, but then that is the way that most small businesses keep going.