I know it is so easy to get caught in a rut of no work while sitting around waiting for work to come to you.  This is not productive and will not lead to more work. You need to pull yourself up by the bootlegs and get back into the freelance game!  The game of finding work and keeping yourself busy.

Whenever I find myself twiddling my thumbs if you will, I brainstorm by writing what I want in a circle in the middle of a sheet of paper and then write down whatever pops into my brain around that circle.  From here, I map out steps for achieving whatever the goal was in the circle in the middle of the sheet.  I usually come out with all sorts of crazy ideas and lots of useful ideas!

1.  Clean Up

Time for some much needed Spring cleaning!  I clean out my drawers, getting rid of anything and everything that I have been saving for that day that never comes when I will need it.  I backup and clean out files on my computer that just slow the darn thing down anyway.  I clean up my email inbox folders - I just laugh sometimes when I look through the messages that I have held on to for 6 months!

2.  Smart Up

What is smart up?  Well, it is a little something I like to do when I am really slow…I like to learn new things!  Go online and find out what the latest software for your area of freelance expertise is and watch a webinar, learn it and then use it.  Check out the latest apps for your smart phone or ipad and learn how to use them.  Smarting up will make you more attractive and marketable.

3. Pony Up

Okay, I am getting a little carried away, but that is what happens when you brainstorm!  And, I like to have a little fun.  Pony up means show the goods off!  Now that you have cleaned up and smarted up, it is time to market yourself.  Look at your attempts at marketing and then step it up, update it, make it sparkle if you will.  Show future clients what this freelancer has to offer them! Don’t be shy about bragging about yourself, just make certain you are being honest.

4.  Follow-Up

Remembering your past and present clients is just as important if not more important than finding new clients. Drop your past clients a note from your latest software find.  Let your present clients know about your newly acquired skills…maybe you have an idea of how to incorporate them into their business.  Toot your own horn!  The possibilities are endless and the response is unbelievable.

So, the next time you have nothing to do, think about what you can do to make yourself more attractive to past, present and future freelance clients!  Slow time is the best time to learn new tricks, clean up much needed file space as well as staying in contact with your clients.  Make the most of your slow time, because when you are busy, you don’t have time to clean up, smart up, pony up or follow-up!

photo credit: jonny goldstein