Summer is upon us and that means freelancers everywhere are up to their eyeballs in projects, scrambling to get as much done as possible so they can enjoy a few weeks off when the time comes.
While it’s important to keep an eye on the calendar and make sure you’re not taking on more than you can handle, freelancing during the summer shouldn’t be difficult.
It all comes down to a bit of careful planning!
There are many advantages to freelancing during the summer.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Balancing Summer Fun: Discover tips to enjoy your summer while effectively managing freelancing commitments. |
| 2. Time Management: Learn how to schedule freelance work around vacations and leisure activities during the summer. |
| 3. Seasonal Opportunities: Explore potential freelance gigs that align with summer themes and demands. |
| 4. Embracing Flexibility: Understand the advantages of freelancing during the summer and adapting your work schedule. |
| 5. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care and work-life balance during the summer months to avoid burnout. |
You Can Work On Your Own Schedule
You can make some extra cash.
Sometimes it’s not easy to get everything you need done in one day, especially if you’re working from home and have other responsibilities, like caring for small children or pets.
You may have to turn down social opportunities because of this but keep in mind that if you freelance, there’ll be times when you won’t be able to do this anyway!
You’ll learn a lot of new things and gain new skills as well as making money on the side and sometimes that’s worth missing out on some fun nights out with friends (or even just an evening at home).
Balancing work and summer fun can be a breeze! Learn how to make a good living freelancing on a part-time basis, and you’ll have more time to soak up the sun. Check out our guide on making a good living freelancing part-time for valuable tips and strategies.
You Can Make Some Extra Cash
If you’re like me, and most of the people I know, summer is a time to relax. You probably don’t want to be working throughout those warm months.
But there’s something inside all of us that says: “I should be making money.”
And while it may not seem like the best idea at first glance, freelancing can actually provide some extra cash during this season.
In fact, if you’re able-bodied and have Internet access (which is pretty much everyone), then there’s no reason why you can’t take on some side hustles to supplement your income for these months when demand for services drops off.
You can make some extra cash by doing things like editing or proofreading essays or articles from students who are going back to school soon; writing articles for websites;
Creating content for businesses; taking pictures; designing YouTube videos; selling items on eBay/Amazon FBA (fulfilled by Amazon); etc., etc., etc…
There are many options available! You just have to get creative about how exactly how much time each opportunity would require from each person based on their individual situation.
Whether they’re retired seniors living day-to-day off Social Security checks or young professionals who live paycheck-to-paycheck while they build their career path(s).
You Can Work On Your Own Schedule
As a freelancer, you can work on your own schedule. You don’t have to listen to your boss or anyone else tell you when and where to do your job.
You can take breaks when it’s convenient for you and even if it isn’t convenient, because sometimes life gets in the way.
That doesn’t mean that working from home is necessarily easier than working in an office environment, but at least this way there are fewer distractions (and less opportunity for someone new on the team who shows up late every day).
Embarking on your freelancing journey? The first steps can be daunting, but fear not! Our comprehensive guide on freelancing for the first time offers 11 invaluable tips to help you kickstart your freelancing career with confidence.
Sometimes It’s Not Easy To Get Everything You Need Doing
So, how do you make sure that you’re getting your work done? You might think this is a silly question, but it’s not. Sometimes it’s not easy to get everything you need done.
As a freelancer, I know this all too well. I’ve had days where my inbox was overflowing with emails from clients that needed work done ASAP and then there were other days where I was struggling to find work at all!
One thing that helps me get through these rough patches is setting goals for the day.
For example: today I’m going to get three articles finished and edited before lunch time so that later on in the afternoon I can focus on catching up on any emails that are due by tomorrow morning without worrying about anything else (except maybe eating dinner).
You Will Have To Turn Down Social Opportunities
In the summer, you will have to turn down social opportunities. When you are a freelancer, it’s easy to work on your own schedule and do things on impulse but this isn’t always good for your productivity.
While freelancers may be able to take time off during the summer, they have to be disciplined enough not to stress out about whether they’re getting everything done in their schedule during that time period.
If you’ve never been self-motivated or organized before, this is even more important in the summer because you’ll be working on projects alone.
You’ll also need flexibility if any clients want changes after deadlines have passed (and most of them do).
You’ll Learn A Lot Of New Things And Gain New Skills
Even if you’re an established freelancer, summer is the perfect time to try something new. You’ll learn a lot of new things and gain new skills.
Being a freelance developer can be very challenging at times, but I’d like to think that there are many benefits as well.
You’ll get better at being self-sufficient and independent, which will make you feel more confident in your ability to take on any challenge life throws at you (or tech).
You also get a chance to see how your skills stack up against others, which is always good for the ego!
And finally, one thing I’ve realized about freelancing is that it forces me to be efficient in everything that I do…which has made me much more productive overall!
Dreaming of a globetrotting freelancing adventure? With the right approach, it’s possible to fund your travels through freelancing. Check out how one freelancer used their skills to finance a vacation around the world: freelancing to go on vacation around the world.
It’s Important To Set Boundaries And Take Breaks When You Need Them
It’s important to set boundaries and take breaks when you need them. It’s easy to burn out if you don’t make time for yourself, so make sure that you’re taking care of yourself as well as your business.
Make sure that you are getting enough sleep each night 8 hours is recommended minimum, but more is better!
Make sure that you are eating enough food in general. If your body doesn’t have the fuel it needs, it will be harder for it to function properly and more susceptible to illness or injury.
Take some time off every week even if all it means right now is an extra hour on Sunday morning when all the stores are closed and nobody needs anything done yet before Monday rolls around again!
This helps prevent burnout while also keeping me connected with friends outside of work who might otherwise feel neglected during busy times like these (and let’s face it: who wouldn’t want more friends?).
Maintaining your freelance career through motherhood is possible! Check out our insightful guide on how to plan to stay freelance while on maternity leave to ensure a smooth transition into motherhood without sacrificing your professional aspirations.
Freelancing Is A Great Way To Earn Money, But It Won’t Always Be Easy
Freelancing is a great way to earn money, but it won’t always be easy. If you’re going to make it work, you need to manage your time effectively and learn how to budget.
You’ll also have to learn how to manage your stress levels while juggling multiple projects at once.
If you think that freelancing is right for you, then go ahead and give it a shot! Just remember that there will be some bumps in the road along the way and sometimes those bumps can feel pretty rough if they occur at an inopportune moment (like when there’s no other work coming in).
Freelancing during maternity leave: Is it for you? Discover the ups and downs of managing work and family life simultaneously. Read about the pros and cons of freelancing while on maternity leave to make an informed decision for your career and family.
Conclusion
We’ve talked about a lot of different aspects here, and it can be a lot to take in. I think the most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone.
There are tons of people who have also had this problem before, and a great way to get support is by finding them on social media or talking with fellow entrepreneurs at events like conferences and meetups around town.
In addition, you may want to consider hiring someone as part-time help if needed so that your workload doesn’t become too much for just one person.
If there’s anything else we didn’t cover here or if you have any other questions about how Freelancing might affect your life during summer months please feel free
Further Reading
Balancing Freelance Work with Full-Time Employment: Discover strategies to manage your freelancing gig alongside a full-time job and maintain work-life balance effectively.
How to Take Vacation as a Freelancer: Learn tips and tricks for freelancers to plan and enjoy a well-deserved vacation without compromising their business.
Freelancing While Studying: Why You Should Start Now: Explore the benefits of freelancing while studying and how it can enhance your skills and future career prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Travel While Freelancing?
You can travel as much or as little as you want to. Just make sure that your clients understand how long the trip will take, and plan accordingly.
How Do I Set Boundaries For Myself When I’m On Vacation?
This is something we all struggle with at some point, but if it helps, consider not emailing anyone from your office until after noon each day (if possible), or only checking in once a day with your team/clients.
You’ll find that things go more smoothly when everyone knows what’s expected of them and there are fewer surprises along the way!
Do You Have To Be A Freelancer To Do This?
Not necessarily. Freelancing simply means that you’re working for yourself, not just one company. You can work in a cubicle and be a freelancer too!
But if you’re looking to branch out as an entrepreneur, freelancing is definitely the best way to get your feet wet before diving in head first.
Do I Have To Have A Portfolio?
Yes! This is absolutely critical if you want anyone else besides your momma or BFFs momma (and we all know how much they love us) reading our writing or viewing our photos.
Your portfolio should include samples of both written and visual work that demonstrates your abilities as well as what makes them unique from others in their field.
This should include samples from past projects like articles/stories written by hand on paper with pen ink or through typing up emails into Word documents; images taken with film cameras such as 35mm point-and-shoot models or DSLRs;
Infographic design templates created using Photoshop software; video clips shot on smartphones with apps like Instagram Stories; etc., etc., etc….
How Do I Start Freelancing?
First, you need a place to work. An office or coworking space can be helpful for meeting potential clients and networking, but you can also get started working from home or at a coffee shop.
If you’re just starting out, it’s best to wait until after the summer before investing in an office space.
You can also find flexible work hours through companies like Upwork and Fiverr that allow payment by project instead of by hour.
What If I’m Making Less Than What I’d Like?
You’ll want to figure out how much time it takes for each project before accepting new projects so that your income will remain steady throughout the year (or at least until December).
This is particularly important if your main source of income is freelance work because there are no guarantees about how many clients will want their website updated every month or even once per year!
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.