A new year often brings with it a chance to sweep the slate clean and make healthier choices when it comes to the work we accept and the work we don’t. Indeed, it could be argued that the perpetual curse of the freelancer isn’t so much looking for work but choosing which work to take, which is going to become an even more complicated matter in 2024 as AI starts to make its presence truly felt and we all have to start reconfiguring our roles around it.
For me, however, 2024 is going to be a year not so much about growth but about consolidation and that’s going to require making a few subtle but notable resolutions. I’m not promising I’ll stick to all of them but if you’re a fellow freelancer looking for some inspiration this cold Tuesday afternoon, you could probably do a lot worse.
1. Embrace Continuous Learning
The realm of creative work is always evolving by its very nature, with new tools, technologies, and trends emerging daily that we need to keep on top of. Because if we’re not using them, everyone else will be and we’ll be the ones left in the dirt as a result.
Mitchell Derderian
Yes, you might have to bite the bullet and enrol in a few online courses (the paid ones, as trust me, the free ones are always garbage) but for many of us it could be something as simple as dedicating a little more time every week to reading up on industry news and trends. As a creative you should never stop learning and, thankfully, unless you live to be a thousand it’s unlikely you’ll run out of things to learn.
2. Expand Your Network
At Creativepool, we’re pretty big on networking for obvious reasons but while it might seem like a bit of a cliché at this point it’s at least one that rings truer every passing year. Networking remains a cornerstone for freelancers and as a sole trader you should always be looking to expand your network both online (we’re here for that) and offline.
Break out of your comfort zone this year and actually respond to those industry event invites you routinely delete and join a few webinars (and actively participate rather than having it on in the background while you eat lunch). Building a diverse network can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and valuable exchanges of ideas and, ultimately, that means more money in your bank account.
3. Prioritise Your Well-being
Healthy eating, exercise, blah blah blah. I’m not talking about that here because it’s a pretty redundant point to make. I’m talking about finding down time and this one is easier said than done, particularly if you work from home as you never technically leave the office. The freelance lifestyle can often blur the lines between your personal and professional life, and I can pay testament to the fact this often leads to burnout. Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks to the freelance life and perhaps the largest drawback is the lack of safety net.
Zoe Stark
We don’t get paid days off for sickness and holiday, that’s just a part of the job and that can make finding time for yourself a frustrating cycle of guilt, resentment, shame and stress. I myself ended up literally taking my work on holiday wit me last year as I didn’t want to drop the ball. But we all need a break so I for one am going to give myself at least 10 work free weekdays this year. Because if you work yourself into a breakdown, whose going to pay the bills then?
4. Enhance Your Online Presence
Regularly updating your website, social media profiles and Creativepool portfolios is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your online presence healthy. It doesn’t have to dig into your paid work time either as it’s something you can do while sat on the sofa watching TV at the end of the day or even at the weekend over a few large cups of coffee.
This year, maybe consider taking it a step further and create a blog or video series to share insights or stories about your freelance journey. You might have to hold your nose while doing it, but maybe even think about starting a TikTok channel to attract a younger client base? A strong online presence is paramount for all creative freelancers and every new avenue deserves to be explored.
5. Pursue Passion Projects
For years now I’ve been putting aside writing a novel, primarily because I spend 10 hours a day writing anyway so the last thing I feel like doing in my spare time is sitting at computer. But this year, with AI lapping at my heels and a thousand ideas clogging up my brain I’ve decided to finally give into my latent desires and not only start and finish my first novel but finish the album my band have been chipping away at for the last couple of years.
Anisa Patel
We are creatives, we create, and sometimes amidst the humdrum noise we can all too easily forget that. Passion projects can be a wonderful source of inspiration and, who knows, you might even end up making it into a new side hustle? You don’t know if you don’t try, and you’ll get so much more out of spending your free time working on something you love than listlessly scrolling through social media or completing Netflix. Trust me. I’ve been there!
