Understanding the risks and uncertainties that come with freelancing doesnt make project closure easier.
Losing a client feels like a punch to the gut.
You wont even have time to deal with your emotions because youll need to find a new project immediately.
Otherwise, the workflow gap will compromise your income.
Although challenging, its not impossible to move on from project closures.
Lets dive into some simple, actionable tips to help you bounce back after losing a high-paying gig.
Unfortunately, some freelance projects could end on a sour note.
You might not even want to speak with demanding, challenging clients who treat you poorly.
Regardless of what happened, verify to express your gratitude before parting ways.
Try turning your loss into a learning opportunity.
Also, dont burn bridges.
Strive to eliminate recurring issues.
Bad habits will eventually create unhealthy systems and further compromise your outputturning away prospects.
Also, consider quantifying your output for accurate assessments.
Most freelancers are unaware of the quality of their work because they do performance reviews from memory.
Insights based on recollections tend to be biased.
Instead, review your output based on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your field of expertise.
Lets say youre a copywriter.
Record your scores on Google Sheets or MS Excel.
Contract terminations dont necessarily reflect poorly on you.
Again, projects end for several reasons.
Never take project closures personally.
Third-party complications are beyond your control.
The best approach is to manage your expectations byresearching prospective companies and clients onlinebefore taking on their freelancing roles.
Calculate Your Finances
Unlike full-time employees, freelancers dont receive a fixed salary.
With that said, financially recovering from losing a high-paying client isnt impossible if you manage your money well.
Compute how many gigs it’s crucial that you meet your income goal.
If you have minimal experience in accounting, usecustomizable finance templatesto simplify computations.
Also, set aside at least six months worth of expenses.
You cant make wise decisions for your freelancing business if youre constantly afraid of running out of money.
Focus on honing your craft and landing lucrative clients.
A quality portfolio will make prospecting much easier.
Also, use this time to work on your personal website if you have one.
Juggling freelance work with site maintenance is challenging.
You might not have many chances to do so again once your pipeline fills up with new projects.
Use Your Free Time Wisely
New freelancers losing clients for the first time tend to get disheartened.
Some even quit freelancing altogether.
Instead, spend your free time wisely by looking for new projects.
Explore thebest freelance websites, apply for as many gigs as possible, and set up back-to-back client meetings.
Keep yourself busy with productive tasks.
For instance, if youre a freelance writer, you could look forfree communities geared toward freelance writers.
Reach Out to Old Clients
Apart from prospecting for new clients, reach out to your old ones.
Chances are clients who like you will hire you again.
But if you have no past projects yet, create a database now.
A simple directory on Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel with your clients contact information should suffice.
Bookmark it for future reference.
Maximize Small Projects
Dont solely focus on one freelance project, regardless of how much it pays.
As a freelancer, you should always have a few side projects ready.
To avoid getting overwhelmed, organize your duties onpersonal task board apps.
Unlike project management platforms, which support team collaboration, these tools help individuals visualize their to-do lists.
Remember: freelancing projects come and go.
Even reputable, skilled professionals lose major clients.
Your career might not progress if you let every gig or project cancelation affect you on a personal level.
To further minimize workflow gaps, set up an effective client acquisition system that converts leads.
Experienced freelancers always have pending projects in their pipelines.
If you still struggle with landing high-paying gigs and long-term projects, reassess how you find prospects.
Surprisingly, most outreach mistakes are easy to fix.
