by Leo Wiles
09 December 2016
I’m calling it: for freelancers the very idea of downtime in December is a myth as big as flying reindeer.
And if your nearest and dearest have been banging on ad nauseum lately about how much they’re enjoying the upcoming festive season, trading holiday plans, joking about sleep-ins and worrying about how to cram in all their Christmas parties/lunches and social catch-ups, chances are they work in-house.
Because for most freelancers entering the silly season, it’s the busiest time – meeting ridiculous deadlines and trying to earn enough money to see us through til February/March.
On top of the fiscal pressure, there can also be the need to squeeze in some face-to-face networking on top of your workload and start seeding pitch stories for the new year to smooth over the transition.
If you’re not going away, you’ve probably already alerted editors and clients to your availability over the silly season (even though it’s a tough call working during the two-month stretch of school ‘holidays’ and other family commitments).
I find it interesting that some studies point to December as being one of the quietest months for freelancers, but that’s not my experience or that of other freelancers I know, who are generally going Mach II with their hair on fire for the month right up until the 23rd, knowing it will most likely be dead as a doornail until at least February 1.
It’s a totally different vibe from the editorial teams who spent all October November in pull-up, creating enough content to see them through to the new year issues. They’re now enjoying guilt-free long lunches and paid holidays, the lucky buggers.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few hundred deadlines to attend to…
Are you freelance? Do you find December is often your craziest time?
So very true! Best wishes all — think how we’ll celebrate when the deadlines are met (and the invoices paid!!) Cheers!
Cheers to that for sure Heather. With six kids and me at home today I am certainly looking forward to that moment.
I agree with this too Leo – always baffled when I see things saying it’s the quietest time of year for freelancers. When I was doing movie reviews I was literally working around the clock at Xmas (so many movies out Boxing Day!) and even now, I find everyone wants stuff or wants the interviews done at least, before Xmas for early Jan copy. A good problem to have I suppose and hopefully it will see me through the quieter Jan/Feb…
Best wishes to you too Heather, hope you have a great break!
Looking back over the spreadsheet I use to track my invoicing I’ve gone both ways over the years. I’ve had some years where December has been huge and others where it has been quiet. This year it’s quiet but that’s mainly because in October when I would normally have been pitching my ass off I was studying for a certification exam.
I also note that I’ve had more than a few busy Januaries. I think a lot of marketing and PR types forget that freelancers may still be at work because more than once I’ve been asked to do a case study, white paper etc. and there’s been a rush as the word gets out that I’m available.
Thanks Darren for that timely reminder re January. It’s a great idea to touch base in the potential downtime to remind clients that you are around.
Something that we often forget to do in the blur of Christmas and New Years.
This is only my second year December working for myself, and while last year was indeed busy, this time round it does feel manic!! (And I’m based in Dubai currently, so it’s clearly a global phenomenon).
Congrats Sudeshna on making it past such an important work milestone :). Lovely to have your input all the way from Dubai – thank you! and Merry Christmas. Leo