August: What season is your small business in?
Hello Freelance Friends!
In the UK, summer is in full swing.
There’s been talk of the heatwave, school holidays, end of term photos….
But I know for some of you it’s winter! Readers and freelancers in another hemisphere, another continent. Maybe it’s autumn or spring - yep, we’re all in a different season, depending on where we live.
For many, summer isn’t their favourite season - either IRL or in business. The heat, the humidity, the brightness, isn’t for everyone. And it’s the same with our businesses.
My favourite season is Autumn - I love the colours, the feeling of calm, and the sense that the world is softening. The colours inspire me, the vibrancy of the reds, yellows and oranges like fireworks on the tops of the trees.
I love the coolness that comes with autumn, the refreshing breezes and the promise of cosy food and warm socks.
When it comes to business, I love Spring: Seeing the seeds I’ve planted sprouting, the things that have been hibernating, plans and ideas, starting to come alive again.
I’d say at the moment, Freelance Feels is in Spring. Things are beginning to grow.
Our businesses go in cycles, like the seasons.
You might be in Winter right now, things are quiet, they seem frosty or even dead.
Or it could be autumn for you - shedding off things that aren’t working any more.
Perhaps you are in Summer, things are blooming, the freelance sun is out and you’re feeling the joys of it all!
Or are you in Spring, with plans you made in the depths of autumn and winter beginning to grow and take root?
The key thing to remember is that we are all in different seasons - no two businesses will ever be at the same stage. It’s easy to compare, of course, but your autumn planting is never going to be comparable to someone else’s summer blooms.
And, when your business is blooming, you might see someone else who is dormant and wonder if things are ok. They might just be planning, planting and preparing.
It’s also good to lean into the season your business is in.
If things are quiet, a winter hibernation, what can you do with that? Can you use the quieter time to make plans that will bloom in the summer?
If it’s summer, and things are busy and blooming, should you be gathering fruit and harvest for the quieter months ahead?
It could be you’re in a different stage of a season, too. Late summer, early winter, mid-autumn, and so on…
If it’s spring for your business, what needs to be done before the heat and perhaps the exhaustion of summer?
I’d love to know what season your business is in, and how that works for you - let me know!
Coming up in August…
A CV workshop for freelance writers, copywriters and journalists: Tomorrow! Tuesday 2nd, 11.30am. Tickets are £25 via Eventbrite.
‘How to be a media friendly coach and see your coaching business in the press’ - a workshop for anyone who is a coach and wants to see their name, words and business in print! Friday 5th, 11am. Tickets are £65 - this is a 90-min workshop blending my experience as a journalist of over 20 years and an ACC coach.
Read, listen, subscribe…
Read: Freelance Parents share their advice on managing work and family life in the school holidays
Listen: The 15-minute freelancer by Louise Shanahan focuses on different topics - all in short, sweet 15 (or so) minute episodes. And… I’m the latest guest! Talking all about freelance CVs. Louise is also coming up this week on the Freelance Feels podcast.
Subscribe: Designer and friend of Freelance Feels, Ange Lyons, has launched a new newsletter all about design and freelance life called ‘Font Love Friday and other designery things’. Subscribe here.
