A new year brings new opportunities and the same goes for freelancers looking to secure work. Being a freelancer seems glamorous as you aren’t employed full-time and can usually work remotely, but it can also be stressful.
Achieving financial stability as your own boss many factors come into play to ensure you are financially stable as well as not taking on too much work that you aren’t able to deliver.
The latter can be detrimental as you could lose the contract and future work.
One thing that freelancing does allow is flexibility in your work day. Unlike a 9-5 job, you must manage your time to meet your deadlines. However, flexibility comes with responsibility, as deadlines need to be met, sometimes more than one.
We have seen the media landscape change in recent years with more individuals opting to go the freelance route rather than being full-time employees in newsrooms. With the advent of COVID-19 remote working has become more common along with short-term contracts.
Someone who knows all about the world of freelancing is long-time writer Karien Jonckheere, with a career that has spanned 20 years, she knows what it takes to be in part-time work and what one can expect. She some of her precious time with gsport to give some valuable advice to those looking to begin freelancing or wanting to acquire more work in 2025.
As a freelancer, what is the best way to acquire work?
“Reaching out to as many people as possible. Don’t take it personally if it doesn’t pay off straight away, but always be on the lookout for new opportunities, even ones that take you outside your comfort zone or usual area of expertise. I have had to adapt from writing purely for print, to online, to script-writing for TV, etcetera. You have to broaden your skills base to increase your opportunities – and at the same time be willing to learn new things and not think you have it all worked out from the start.”
What are some tips to secure work for the new year?
“Just go for it. Building relationships and fostering a good base of contacts is key to success in securing work, but now and then it’s good to go out a limb and take a chance. I have contacted international sporting bodies out of the blue in the past to offer my services and one of them is now one of my biggest clients – from a random email trying my luck.
Also, be good at what you do. Don’t ever deliver work that is not 100 percent because that reflects on you and future clients will pick that up very quickly.”
As a freelancer, we often have to juggle more than one project at a time, what would be your tips to manage time in order to complete your projects timeously?
“Work out a priority list – whether that is based on financial gain, or which clients will be offering long-term opportunities – and complete your projects according to that list. It’s important not to take on too much though if it’s not going to be possible to finish it on time.”
“Over-promising and under-delivering is a sure way to lose clients. Also, be open to passing on work to others you trust to do the work well if will be too much for you. They will certainly return the favour if they know you are reliable.”
What is the biggest lesson you learned as a freelancer?
“I think what I’ve learned is to be more confident in what I have to offer. I suppose doubting yourself is a natural human trait. Now and then I get reminded that there aren’t actually that many people out there with the specific kind of experience and skill (and work ethic!) I have, so I need to trust that more.”
How do you manage the stress of not being able to find work as a freelancer in media?
“Thankfully I haven’t hit that point yet but it’s always good to have a backup plan – and like I said, to diversify as much as possible so that you’re not stuck when one avenue closes.”
What is your message to freelancers for 2025?
“Keep working hard and producing quality work but make the most of the freedom you have – travel, work from new places, and go and see the amazing wide world!”
Main Photo Caption: Karien Jonckheere shared her advice as to how freelancers can acquire new work in 2025. The long-time freelance sports journalist has extensive experience and shared some key insights and tips. Photo: Supplied
Source: Six Tips for Freelancers to Acquire Work in 2025 – gsport4girls
