| With the serious strain on the economy, everyone is | | | | there are still projects available and many clients will |
| worried about losing their jobs. People have been laid | | | | post their projects at freelance marketplaces, like |
| off in record numbers, and many individuals fear it will | | | | Elance. Most of these sites even offer free |
| reach them next. For freelancers, things are very | | | | membership options where you can submit proposals |
| difficult too. The amount of work available has | | | | on a limited number of projects per month. You can |
| significantly lessened, as people have less money for | | | | even keep the free accounts or reinvest the funds into |
| projects and are unsure of starting new ventures in | | | | a paid one once you land your first project. |
| this kind of situation. However, there are ways for | | | | 4. Contact Your Past Clients - Say hello to them, let |
| freelancers to get work, if they are persistent. Below | | | | them know you haven't heard from them for a while |
| are the top 5 ways to get freelance work in a bad | | | | and ask if there is anything they need. You might |
| economy. | | | | remind them of something they need to get |
| 1. Lower Your Prices - While you still want to be sure | | | | accomplished or a project that needs to be started. A |
| that the pay is worth the work, lowering your prices | | | | huge amount of work usually comes from repeat |
| can help you grab jobs that you might not otherwise | | | | customers, so don't neglect this area! |
| get. If you can bid under the competition and still make | | | | 5. Partner with Others - Find freelancers or companies |
| money doing so, it might be the perfect way to ensure | | | | that complement your work - web designers if you're |
| that there is food on the table and that the bills are | | | | a copywriter, or vice versa. The partnership can be |
| paid! | | | | beneficial to you both - you refer your clients to him or |
| 2. Advertise Effectively - Do everything you can to | | | | her while they do the same for you. This can be a |
| advertise your services - and not just online. Leave | | | | great way to find work because many clients will use |
| your business cards in books about business or web | | | | a recommended freelancer before taking the trouble |
| design - whatever is related to your talents. Pass out | | | | to find their own. |
| flyers; hand out discount coupons, etc. Get your name | | | | By using the methods above, you can find work in a |
| out there and you'll get the work! | | | | bad economy, and you can continue to make money |
| 3. Visit Freelance Marketplaces - These may not be | | | | that will see you through until the economy is in a |
| the first choice for many, but even in a bad economy, | | | | better position. |