Whats Next ?

COVID 19 pandemic and lockdown have completely shaken up the business landscape and economy. Several people have lost their jobs, businesses have lost equilibrium, and the worst impacted remains the solo-preneurs, creative professionals and freelancers.

Freelance professionals – from stylists to fashion photographers, copywriters, cinematographers, social media managers to makeup artists, and daily wagers everyone is struggling to find their footing. As these professionals get paid project-wise, and with no inflow of new projects or income are forced to dig into their savings if there is any. Anyone who had a rented office or space are already letting go of it.

We are all faced with a big question

When most people think about earning money, they assume they need to work exactly like they were working before the pandemic with the same comforts and same billing. But with the changing landscape to expect similar projects may not be ideal.I know what you’re thinking:

“Niddhish, I’ve heard a lot of people tell me how to cut down my fees , save money.”

That’s not what I’m talking about. We’re going to talk about how to make use of creativity to make more money as well as save money in a way that actually makes sense and makes a difference in difficult times, like a pandemic.

Specifically, we’ll discuss:

• What you can do to increase earning?
• How to approach freelancing differently ?
• How to operate more effectively utilizing digital and social media.
• What’s the effective psychology behind surviving and succeeding during a pandemic situation.

Now, you may notice your psychological rejection statements starts to form in your head.

• I don’t have another skill to make money
• It will take a lot of time and hard work to start and focus on new business ventures
• This wont work for me.

Ask your inner parts to wait, and consider if it’s worth trying.
As a freelance film maker and a life coach and creativity performance coach, I am going through the same challenge and I have also seen my clients overcoming their exact same current situations and problems with such a model , why can’t you ?

The Process can be simple and effective if you utilize this “Model” . Today I want you to start this powerful model and not only survive the pandemic situation but have financial growth moving ahead in life as well.

Before we begin, let me make this clear for you:

Using freelancing in smarter and creative ways, you can start earning immediately by rapidly utilizing your unique offerings – what could you offer can be beyond what your core area of business or related to it as well.

We are going to focus on how you can turn any skills you may possess into freelancing work for the rest of today’s article.
Almost The simplest of skills can become a revenue-generating.

For example:

• Graphic designing
• Copywriting, blogging, and editing
• Web developing and programming
• Crafting
• Make up
• Stitching
• Acting & Performing
• Whatever you can do better.

The opportunity to use these skills have never been better, no matter how much value you give to these skills – there is always someone out there who may find it valuable. So don’t shy away from pursuing it. You can make a lot of money if you’re willing to devote little bit of time to it. Or if you get busy in other areas of your life, you can also choose to scale it back or stop it.

The question then will be how to know what additional skills could you make business and how to start? How to filter it out to understand that this is something the market is in need of? In order to find an answer to this, you need to answer these 3 simple questions.

Now, I am not talking about your primary business -which is already established, in addition to that what additional skill do you have ? what do you know well? Well enough that you could demonstrate it step by step? Those people will want to pay you to get it done for them or to teach them, including things you may consider hobbies.

Some examples include:

• Making compelling presentations
• Fluency in a foreign language
• Ability to edit images in photoshop or videos
• To use Excel effectively.
• Can cook well
• Can write well.
• Making tik tok videos
• Posting on social media

Now I want you to think about this have you ever considered turning your basic social media skills into a business offering? My client was not sure in the beginning of this will work – However, was pleasantly surprised to learn the truth that there are several people out there willing to pay for it. There is a need (demand )for fresher content on social media and ways of engagement. A lot of brands and clients prefer working with a freelancer than an agency because of the ease and simplicity of the working – and this worked brilliantly for my client.

You may laugh at this question, because we never take it too seriously. But it can also be incredibly revealing. Our minds often ignore the comments our parents or friends make about our abilities because we believe that they would find anything I do great – and might not be really so

Some Example :

• You loved ones may have told you how your fashion sense is great
• Or How well you cook
• Or How you have a unique gift in the way you present things across
• Or how you decorate your home
• Or how you keep your garden

All of those things can be turned into profitable businesses.

It would be great to speak to your family and friends now and check what are the few things they thought you’re great at. WhatsApp them or pick up the phone and call NOW!. I can guarantee you that they will give you a good list of things which may kick start an idea for you.

People need to see what you are good at to seek advice, and to be willing to listen to you and pay you to learn from you or to hire you for a gig.

You need to create avenues to showcase – the best place to start this on social media. Your Facebook , Instagram and Twitter can be a great place to Showcase the work whether it is through, posts, images, videos or the product itself. Share your offering and state that you are open to hiring or for teaching. Meeting users / Clients where they are and communicate uniquely for catching their attention.

This is also the place where you have to apply your creativity .

1. Make sure the post is interesting
2. Ensure the key benefits are highlighted
3. Make it personal and what value you can add
4. Highlight your experience and expertise to be able to cater this offering
5. Make sure it is not sounding scammy or pushy.

Once the strategies were made, it also immediately became clear for the client which medium to focus on and will be most effective to reach or to cater to the client – whether it is social media, an event, a blog, or a course.

Right this moment, you already possess several numbers of skills that people will be more than happy to pay for. Just that you have viewed it in that perspective or positioned or planned it for utilizing the same.

No matter what that skill is can be converted into a revenue-generating stream and could be surprisingly more satisfying and happiness producing activity as well.

–       If you Like dancing–  Teach awkward and shy guys how to feel at ease while dancing
–       If you can do yoga – share your expertise – teach a housewife or older people how to get fit with Yoga.
–       If you like pets – (Provide dog-walking or petting services for people who have dogs cooped up at home during this lock down)

COVID 19 Pandemic and the lockdown does not have to be a time for hopelessness and suffering but could be a time for re-evaluation, to ignite new opportunities and to build passion projects and to create additional revenue.

Understand you are in control of your life, no matter what the situation is you can always find a way to survive and succeed.

I wish you good health and best of luck in your new venture. I would love to hear how it went for you.