From the EditorFrom the Editor

Is Freelancing During a Recession Smart?

Whether we're in a full-blown recession are not, we're all battling higher prices, from the gas pump to the grocery store to household utilities to retail purchases... you name it. Everything seems to cost more now.

Which begs the question, does it make sense to freelance in recessionary times? I believe so. And here's why.

Freelancers Are Agile

Unlike most business types, freelancers can remain agile, quickly adapting to changing times. Since most of us work by ourselves, we can pivot much more easily than large companies or even small employee-based businesses.

Freelancers Are Fearless

You wouldn't be freelancing if you weren't. It takes guts to step out on your own with a willingness to face whatever comes. But you aren't improvident. If you've been in this game for a while, you've counted the cost and determined freelancing is worth pursuing as a career.

Freelancers Are Pro-active

We don't sit around and wait for something to happen; we make it happen.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the Netflix series House of Cards: "Freddy believes if a fridge falls off a minivan, you better swerve out of the way; I believe that it is the fridge's job to swerve out of mine."

Get out of the way fridge — a metaphor for the circumstances life throws at us — freelancer coming through!

Freelancers Are Optimistic

I can't say that I'm an optimist by nature, so perhaps "faith" is a better term (at least in my case). I believe that I will survive (and even thrive) in spite of the circumstances. At the same time, I'm not "pollyanna-ish." I realize times are hard, but that doesn't sway my desire to forge my own path, and it shouldn't yours.

Freelancers Are In Demand

Sadly, companies are laying off staff in droves, but many are hiring freelancers to help them stay afloat.

For example, I write about the gig economy for a client in the contact center industry and "GigCX" — gig-based customer service workers — comprise a substantial and growing part of the the workforce.

Freelancers Are Resilient

Rev. Robert Schuller wrote a book entitled, "Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do." He could have penned it with freelancers in mind because we are tough, resilient, never-say-die, doggedly-determined to make it. We may not refer to ourselves as entrepreneurs, but we do share that mindset.

I'm not the only person who feels that way, either. A quick Google search revealed several articles that reinforce my belief. I list a few in the Top Pick and Opportunity sections below.

All I can say is hang in there, fellow "greypreneur." And if you need a freelance friend to lean on during these difficult times, I'm always here.

Paul Chaney  

Top Pick

Podcast

Resources

Opportunity





Jobs

Marketing

Quote

Trivia

And Finally...

I would love to connect with you via social media. LinkedIn is where I hang out mostly. Also, check out the Freelancing After 50 website, podcast, and online store.

If there's a topic you would like to see covered in the newsletter or podcast, reply to this email and let me know.

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Paul Chaney