Struggling with the feast-or-famine cycle in my freelance work. Some months are packed, others are crickets. I’ve tried budgeting, but it’s not enough.
Anyone else deal with this? How do you smooth out the income rollercoaster?
Been there, done that. It’s a tough gig, especially when you’re starting out.
Here’s what worked for me:
I set up a separate savings account just for slow months. Every time I get paid, I put 20% straight into that account. No excuses.
I also started offering package deals to my regular clients. Like, ‘book me for 3 months and get a discount.’ It helps even things out.
Another thing - I diversified my skills a bit. Now I have a mix of long-term projects and quick turnaround jobs. Keeps the money flowing more steadily.
Oh, and I got better at predicting my slow seasons. For me, it’s usually summer. So I plan bigger projects for spring and fall.
It’s not perfect, but it’s way better than the constant stress I used to have. Took me a while to figure it out, but it’s doable.
I keep a buffer fund for slow periods. When work’s good, I save extra.
During downtime, I update my skills or work on side projects that might bring in future income.
Also, I try to line up work in advance. Reaching out to past clients or pitching new ones helps fill the gaps. It’s not foolproof, but it helps even things out.
Eh I don’t sweat it too much. Work comes work goes.
Just save a bit when things are good. Helps later.
I just wing it. Some months are good, some ain’t. When it’s slow, I take on odd jobs or fix stuff around the house. Can’t really plan for it, you know?
Look, it’s simple. You need a cushion. Every job, take 30% off the top and stick it in a separate account. That’s your slow month fund. Don’t touch it unless you have to.
Get some retainer clients. Offer them a deal if they sign on for 3-6 months. Steady work, steady pay.
Learn to read the patterns in your business. Figure out when it’s slow and when it’s busy. Plan ahead. Line up jobs for the quiet times.
And don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have a mix of quick jobs and longer projects. Keeps the cash flowing.
It’s not rocket science. Just takes some planning and discipline.
Yeah, the income rollercoaster is real. I’ve been there too. Here’s what I do:
- I keep a ‘rainy day’ fund. Every time I get paid, I stash away a chunk.
- I offer discounts for long-term commitments. Clients love it, and it gives me some stability.
- I mix up my project types. Some quick wins, some longer hauls.
During slow times, I:
- Reach out to old clients. Sometimes they’ve got work they forgot about.
- Work on my own stuff. Build skills, update my portfolio.
- Network like crazy. You never know where the next gig might come from.
It’s not perfect, but it keeps me afloat. The key is to always be thinking ahead, even when you’re swamped.
Remember, feast or famine is part of the gig. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just plan for it.