If you’re a freelancer, you know that the benefits of freelancing can be amazing: working from home, making your schedule, and not taking orders from someone else are all fantastic things about freelancing.
But sometimes it can get a little boring, especially if you have slow periods when you’re not too busy with work. Here are 20 tips for things you can do when there’s no work to be done:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Learn new skills and expand your expertise. |
| 2. Network and build connections with other freelancers. |
| 3. Set clear goals for your freelance career. |
| 4. Practice time management to boost productivity. |
| 5. Take breaks and prioritize self-care. |
| 6. Offer pro bono work for a cause you believe in. |
| 7. Attend industry events and workshops. |
| 8. Embrace a growth mindset and seek feedback. |
| 9. Build a strong online presence and portfolio. |
| 10. Collaborate with other freelancers on projects. |
| 11. Explore new freelance platforms and opportunities. |
| 12. Create a conducive workspace for maximum efficiency. |
| 13. Attend webinars and online learning sessions. |
| 14. Diversify your income streams and clients. |
| 15. Stay updated with industry trends and news. |
| 16. Volunteer or contribute to open-source projects. |
| 17. Develop strong communication and negotiation skills. |
| 18. Join freelancer communities and forums. |
| 19. Celebrate your successes and milestones. |
1. Wrap Up A Project That You Do Regularly
During your freelance journey, you may find yourself working on something that isn’t necessarily fun or exciting.
Many people find themselves doing this from time to time. If you are in such a situation, then I suggest that you wrap up this task as quickly as possible. There are two reasons for this:
- Finishing something gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes you feel good about yourself (and if not, well at least look back fondly at what was accomplished).
- It helps reduce the stress and pressure of procrastination. Do you know why? Because it is finished!
Therefore, instead of worrying about finishing something later on down the road which can be stressful, you can put some distance between yourself and your current project by simply finishing it now!
Building a successful freelance career requires learning from experience. Check out my 27 Lessons I Learned During My First Year as a Freelancer to gain valuable insights and tips for freelancing.
2. Brunch With A Friend
When you’re working from home, it’s easy to become a hermit. You’re alone all day, every day! It’s tempting to just stay in your pajamas and never leave the house. But if you do that, then what do you have?. Nothing.
No friends. No family (unless they are also freelancers). No social life whatsoever. You literally won’t even have anything worth bringing up at cocktail parties because no one will know what it means when you say “I live alone.” So don’t let this happen to you
Get out of the house and enjoy some social time with people who matter: friends, family members even strangers who’ve been kind enough not to call the police on your weird behavior even though they’re disturbed by it.
3. Learn About Something New
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to become an expert on anything. If you wanted to, you could spend a few hours every day learning about landmines or how to knit sweaters for cats (although we recommend against this).
You might think that being constantly busy leaves no time for self-improvement, but even if your work isn’t going well, there are still ways in which you can learn from it and grow as a person.
Learn about something new each day it doesn’t matter if it’s related to your career or not. You might want to try out some new programming language or take up sports like soccer or tennis. Or maybe learn how to play chess and read about history at night (that’s what we do). There’s so much out there.
The world is an amazing place filled with infinite possibilities.
Staying motivated while working from home as a freelancer is crucial for productivity. Discover 17 Ways to Motivate You While Working from Home as a Freelancer and keep your freelance journey on track.
4. Exercise For 30 Minutes
If you’re feeling like your energy is low and you need to do something physical, exercise can be one of the best ways to give yourself a boost. You don’t have to go crazy with it, but setting aside 30 minutes each day for some form of exercise will do wonders for your mental health and overall well-being.
I recommend finding something that engages both your mind and body, like yoga, weight lifting, or martial arts something that stretches out your muscles while giving you an opportunity for some mindful breathing exercises in between sets. Try new things!
Did you know there are over 300 types of yoga? Or that there are over 500 different types of meditation? There are so many different activities available today and they don’t all cost money either.
Don’t be afraid to break out from doing the same thing every day; try something new instead.
5. Take A Break From The Screen And Read A Book
Reading is an excellent way to relax, learn new things, and get inspired. It’s also a great excuse to escape from the stresses of life for a few hours, especially if it’s one of those books that you just can’t put down.
Whether you’re reading about cooking or business or wildlife conservation, there are countless benefits of reading (especially when combined with some downtime).
6. Finish A Series On Netflix
There are plenty of reasons to binge-watch a series while you work, but I’ll give you one that’s particularly relevant to freelancers: even if you’re not actively working, it’s helpful to have something on in the background to occupy your mind so it doesn’t start wandering and getting distracted.
It takes a lot of discipline and focuses to write an article when there is nothing on TV at all; it’s much easier when something is going on in the background.
I’m not saying that watching TV should become an integral part of your production process (although I’m sure some people do). But if the minute or two between tasks is getting too long, consider turning on Netflix with an episode or two ready to go.
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7. Work On Your Freelance Business Plan
One of the most important things you can do as a freelancer is a work on your freelance business plan.
A business plan sets out what you want to achieve and how you will go about it, helping to guide your decisions and actions. It helps you focus on what’s important and stay motivated when times get tough, as well as ensure that you stay on track with your goals throughout the year.
When starting any new venture, there’s no doubt that some people find it difficult to know where they should start with writing their business plan.
8. Get Some Fresh Air
Whether you’re a freelancer by trade or simply studying at home, spending time in nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Unplugging from your computer and taking a walk outside is good for both your body and mind. You’ll be able to get some exercise while getting vitamin D from the sun, which can help with many health problems like depression.
Also, sitting outside may help your creativity if done regularly enough because it helps relieve stress and increase blood flow to the brain (which is important when trying to come up with ideas).
9. Complete An Online Course
Online courses are a great way to learn new skills, get better at what you do, and stay motivated and inspired.
There are lots of free and paid online courses available so there’s no excuse for not learning something new. You can do it on your own time, at your own pace, and wherever you are in the world.
You will find some of them useful for freelancers like me who work from home, or even if you work out of an office but feel like you could be more productive by doing things differently or improving some aspect of your business or personal life then this is where I would recommend starting with an online course.
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10. Improve Your Presentation Skills
Practice in front of a mirror. If the only person you can practice with is yourself, then that’s fine: Just look into the mirror and run through your pitch. It may sound silly at first, but by practicing in front of the mirror, even if it’s just for five minutes at a time, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t work when speaking in public.
Practice with a friend/coworker/significant other/professional/family member/pet(s)/plant(s).
The more feedback you get before your actual presentation, the better prepared you’ll be to present it well so ask people who’ve seen good presentations before (such as your parents) or coworkers who give presentations regularly to help give feedback on yours!
11. Meet Someone For Coffee
In the office, it was hard to connect with people outside of our team, but now you can reach out to anyone.
You have a lot of flexibility in your schedule, so use that freedom to meet someone new at a coffee shop or cafe. It doesn’t matter if they’re also freelancing or not they could be an old friend from college who moved away years ago, or maybe you had lunch with their dad once in high school and never talked again (we’ve all been there).
The point is that this person has been on your mind lately; now’s your chance to make plans!
12. Pick Up Some More Knowledge In An Area You Are Lacking
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the workload, pick up some more knowledge in an area you are lacking. It could be something as simple as learning a new software program or it could be something more complex like taking a web design course (or even starting your own business).
No matter what industry you’re in, there is always something to learn. Keep learning and growing your skillset so that when opportunities arise, you will have the tools to take advantage of them!
13. Start Learning Another Language
Learning a new language is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It’s not only beneficial for your career, but also your personal development.
To learn a new language, there are many resources available at your disposal: online courses, textbooks, apps and websites that teach you how to speak it (like Duolingo), and apps like Memrise which let you memorize words faster by associating them with an image or some kind of memory trigger (e.g., saying “sushi” in Japanese sounds like “sukiyaki”).
There are also books on how to learn languages without teachers or courses (and yes: there are even YouTube channels that show how to learn languages without teachers).
14. Update your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.
Update your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile. If you’re looking to get hired as a freelancer, it’s important to have a resume that shows off the skills and experience that potential clients want.
That’s why it’s important to update your resume (or CV) when you change jobs or roles so they show off the skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you want at this moment in time.
Create goals for yourself and check them off once they’re done.
You can set these goals based on things like what kind of projects do I want to work on? Do I need new certifications? When do I want my next raise? How much money do I want to make by the end of this year/next year/five years from now?
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16. Reach Out To Clients And Get New Work
Now that you have a few clients, it’s time to expand your client base. You can do this in many ways, but the most effective way is to reach out directly to potential clients and ask them if they need help with anything.
Sometimes all it takes is an email or phone call for new work opportunities to present themselves so don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email asking if any projects need filling.
If you have existing clients who are happy with your service, ask them for referrals.
A referral from a happy customer is one of the best ways to find new clients as they are already familiar with your work and trustworthiness which means they will likely give glowing reviews when asked about their experience working with you (and your company).
Another great way of finding more work is by asking current clients for testimonials/reviews on websites like Clutch and Glassdoor which can help build credibility among potential employers looking into hiring freelancers such as yourself.
17. Do Ten Hours Of Work In One Day To Have Time Off Later In The Week
It’s possible to do ten hours of work in one day. You can do it by working in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can also do it by working on a project that you have to do in a few weeks. Or if you prefer, you could work on a project that needs to be done in just a couple of days instead.
If bad weather is holding you back from going outside and enjoying your free time (like we see here in Seattle), then maybe this idea isn’t for you but if not, then I’d encourage you to try it out!
18. Read Some Freelancer Blogs To Learn More About The Craft And To Stay Motivated And Inspired
There are a ton of blogs out there, but finding the right ones can sometimes be difficult. When it comes to freelancers’ blogs, you want ones that are in your field or at least close to your field.
You also want blogs that are at the same stage of their careers as you (if not further along). For example, if you’re just starting as a freelancer, I’d recommend reading blog posts by freelancers who are just starting too.
You can learn so much from how they did things when they were first starting. It will give you some great ideas on how to approach things yourself. If someone has been doing this for 10 years and has amazing advice then go ahead and read those too. They may have some insights that could help with whatever problem or task you’re facing now.
19. Do Chores Around The House So You Can Ignore Them Later When You’re Busy Doing Work
While you’re working, the last thing you want to do is clean your house and do chores. However, doing these things while you’re freelancing can be helpful. For example, if it’s laundry day and clothes are waiting in the hamper or on the floor that needs to be put away, then do them now before getting started with your work.
It may seem like a waste of time but after being focused all day long on writing or editing documents, coming home and having to put clothes away will feel like such an inconvenience that it will take away from your productivity.
Do as much as possible before starting work so that when those tasks come up later in the evening (or early morning), you won’t end up spending too much time doing them because they didn’t get done earlier in the day.
Other household chores include cleaning around the house (vacuuming rugs/carpeting), washing dishes (dishwasher), making beds, etc., which are all easy tasks that can be accomplished while creating extra income through freelance writing jobs!
Final Thoughts
This is not a complete list by any stretch of the imagination. There are many more things you can do while freelancing than this article covers. The important thing is to find things that work for you when it comes to freelance life and make sure they are sustainable in the long run so they don’t burn you out.
Further Reading
Benefits of Freelancing: Discover the numerous advantages and perks of freelancing, from flexibility to potential income growth.
Freelance Ideas: Looking for freelance career inspiration? Check out this article for creative freelance ideas to explore.
Guide to Part-Time Freelancing: If you’re considering freelancing part-time, this guide will provide valuable insights and tips to get started.
People Also Ask
How Do I Get Started Freelancing?
The first thing you need to do is find a client. Once you’ve found them, you’ll want to make sure that they’re legally able to hire you for the job in question. If you’re not sure about this, ask them!
What Should I Charge?
This is a very important question! You want to make sure that your clients are getting the best value possible from your services, but at the same time, they should be paying what they can afford.
It’s important, to be honest with yourself about how much work you can do in a given period but also remember that some people may pay less if they know it will take longer for them to complete their project/assignment.
How Do I Communicate With My Clients?
Communication is key when working with clients! You should have an email address that is dedicated only for work purposes (so no personal emails), and keep all correspondence professional.
If possible, use a phone number instead of emailing back and forth if there are any questions about what needs to do next or clarification on something previously discussed.
What Are Some Things I Can Do To Make My Freelancing More Productive?
There are a lot of things you can do to make your freelancing more productive, but the most important thing is to stay on top of your projects. If you find yourself falling behind with a project because of other commitments, don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can always take a break and come back to it later.
How Do I Stay Motivated?
It’s easy to get bored working from home, so you must find ways to keep yourself engaged and excited about what you’re doing.
One way we recommend is creating a routine whether it’s a morning routine or an evening routine that will keep your mind focused on the task at hand without feeling like work.
How Can I Make Sure My Clients Are Happy?
The best way to ensure that your clients are happy is by communicating regularly with them throughout the process of building their product or service. Make sure they know what’s going on at every step along the way, and be honest if anything unexpected comes up that might impact their timeline or budget.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.