August: 7 ways to use your freelance time while the world seems to take a break

From desk spaces to tax returns via 'that big project'...

Ping! There goes another email in my inbox saying that someone is away. Or an instagram post to say that they’re taking a break for August.

I’m sort of one of them, changing the hours of a Facebook group I co-admin to ‘office hours only’ for August so we can all have a bit of an admin break. I’m also away for a week in August, but I’m sure I’ll end up making a note somewhere of something to do with the business, and popping some stories on insta…

I’m not having a whole month off, but I am sure many people are. And if not on holiday, many are setting the out of office. Business, it seems, will resume in September. But what if you don’t want it to - or can’t afford to wait until then?

When the out of offices come thick and fast, the noise of social media quietens down, and those enquiry emails go unanswered, it can feel like this is a tumbleweed month, with nothing to do but wait for the ‘back to work/school’ vibes to kick back in.

People are either on the beach, in a field, at a festival or taking some time out - and that’s all great! But if you aren’t, and want to keep working, it can feel like the lack of other people is a problem. If you want and need to work, what now?

It can feel like doing admin, planning, thinking about things, having chats or ‘away from the desk time’ can feel like a waste. Is that really working on your business? How many times have I sat reading a magazine or scrolling a website thinking I’m time wasting, when really I’m doing research, thinking of ideas, seeing what the press is doing and who I might pitch to.

It’s HARD though, right? Because all the things we can do for our freelance business that help it develop, like all of the above, don’t feel like work. so we don’t commit to them. But when we do, magical things happen. When we do some admin, our brain feels clear and new ideas fall into place. When we take a step back, or address that too-full inbox, we can often feel lighter, and more ready for new business when it does come.

Here are 7 things you can do in August if things feel quiet but you still want to be productive…

1. Do your tax return I KNOW. How could I go in first on this one? Well, it’ll make September #smugseptember, that’s for sure. Give it a try. I was always one of those 'last minute in January’ tax return people. Then, last year, I had to get my return filed for a mortgage application. There were tears. There were tantrums. Then, when it was done, there was elation. The feeling of getting your tax return done ahead of time is amazing. And that’s a sentence I NEVER thought I’d ever write or say!

2. Update your website, bios and LinkedIn page. Along with this, you could also consider a blog refresh. Check your bios are showcasing exactly what you offer. Is your ‘link in bio’ doing its job? What does your LinkedIn banner look like? How about your insta highlights? Check your website has keywords and up to date info on your September/Autumn offering.

3. Update your CV or make one if you don’t have one! I have a one page portfolio CV that I send to potential new clients and upload to LinkedIn. It has a paragraph about me, some info on my skills and training and then selected projects and collaborations. If you don’t have a CV as a freelancer I urge you to make one - it can act like a shop window to anyone who wants to know more about you in an instant.

4. Consider a course (or two). Not just mine (although details are at the end). There are loads of different things to sign up to. Why not spend some time on a course or workshop, getting to know some new freelancers and learning some skills or information about business? I’ve never signed up for a workshop and regretted it.

5. Catch up with freelance friends. Has it been a while since you had a phone call with a freelance mate? Or a coffee? If things are quiet for them, too, why not connect and meet up. Throw some ideas around, talk about freelance life, reboot your freelance feels.

6. Focus on your desk/office space. This is something I’ve done - for the first time in 15 years of being self-employed I have given my business a real space. One of our spare rooms is becoming my office (I was in the attic room with my partner but I realised I don’t want to share!). As I’d often do in-house work as a freelancer I never gave too much time or thought to where I worked at home. That’s changed, so it’s time to re-think my space, where and how I work and how it looks. Perhaps you could do the same, having a clear out, making your desk ready for the autumn ‘term’.

7. Is it time for the ‘big project’?! So things are quiet. And one thought keeps coming into your mind.. the ‘big thing’. ‘THE’ project. Podcast, newsletter, new branding… you know what I mean. That idea for a book… why not work it out now, while you have the time and space? Begin a plan, make a moodboard about it, brainstorm and think DEEP about how it could work. Then you might enter September as one of those ‘look what I did in my summer holidays’ people…

Read, listen, subscribe…

Read - I’ve just come across the book ‘Some kids I taught and what they taught me’ - this Guardian piece is a wonderful interview with the author, Kate Clanchy.

Listen - Female Leaders on Fire is a new podcast from Nicola Buckley, who I met on my coaching course.

Subscribe - I’ve launched another newsletter! This one’s called The View from Coaching Corner and is a weekly missive all about the coaching side of my work.

News and upcoming events…

There’s still time to enter the IPSE National Freelancer Awards - entries close on August 6th.

I have availability for coaching in September as well as beginning the next group for ‘Relight Your Freelance Fire’. Click the insta image below for more info or check out info on my LinkTree.

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