Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

Just a quick reminder that you don't have to "finish the year strong". I'm planning to let it fade out in a fog of mince pies and mulled wine.

In fact, I'm basically WISHING it away at this point. I'm exhausted and desperately need a break, and I'm pretty sure a lot of you feel the same!

P.S. This week on Instagram, I revealed how I manage to work 20 hours a week as a freelancer. See it here.

Here's what I've been up to this week work-wise:

👉 I wrote 3 pieces for clients (including Whop, Klaviyo, and a workforce management tool)

👉 I refreshed 2 pieces for Shopify

👉 I edited a piece for a new client

👉 I drafted 2 LinkedIn posts for a new client

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~22

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~2

💰 Total revenue this week: £4,950

​
Check out my three practical courses that have helped 500+ people get more clients, earn more money, and create better content.

Friday Freelance Tip​​ ✨ ​

Look, I’m not going to bang on anymore about how weird this year has been.

We’ve all felt it, right?!

But what I will say is that, while I don’t necessarily buy into the “new year, new you” spiel, I am planning on doing things a bit differently next year.

Here’s what’s on my radar.

Warm pitching—every week

If there’s one thing 2024 taught me is that you can’t ever take your foot off the gas—not when it comes to looking for new work, anyways.

If you read last week’s newsletter, you’ll know that a client dropping a contract in March basically left me up sh** creek without a paddle. I was left SCRAMBLING.

Why? Because I’d got too comfortable.

I hadn’t really had to pitch for work in a while and I certainly hadn’t applied to any job boards or postings in a good few months (maybe even years?!).

So when that client left with basically no warning, it felt like I was back to square one. Honestly, I felt like a newbie freelancer all over again. I felt silly, if I’m being honest.

I’ve now learned we can’t get comfortable—especially not at the moment when things are so up in the air.

So, in 2025, I’ll be warm pitching ALL THE TIME.

That means:

• Joining Slack channels and communities filled with my target client
• Interacting and engaging with content leads on LinkedIn
• Starting conversations with brands I want to work with
• Generally building out my network of potential clients AT LEAST once a week

​
​Regular check-ins with my network

Do you know who came to the rescue in March last year? It wasn’t unknown prospects or strangers. It was the people already in my network. I’m talking past clients, existing clients, and my fellow freelancers.

They’re the ones who saved my bacon by assigning me new work and referring me to other people they knew.

In 2025, I plan on really nurturing these relationships because they’re SO important. So, I’ll check in with them regularly and keep communication going so I’m not just popping up when I need something!

Tightening up my boundaries

I often find my boundaries start to slip a bit when times are tough.

I’m a bit more lax with my rates, and I say yes to things that I might otherwise not have (particularly scope creep from existing clients).

In 2025, I’m planning to get back in control and re-tighten my boundaries so I don’t feel the inevitable resentment when a client asks me to do something extra.

Spending more time with fellow freelancers

This year has really shown me how valuable it is to have other freelancers in our corner. They provide a safe space for us to vent, share wins, celebrate, commiserate, and everything in between because they GET IT.

Next year, I’m planning on widening my circle of freelance friends and continuing to build even deeper connections with people who are in the same position as me. This will probably look like more freelancer work and play trips with Happy Freelancers, more coworking, and more social events with other freelancers.

We need more Freelance Money Diaries entries! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has contributed so far, it's been a huge success. If you're on the fence, remember that you can share your story anonymously!

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

Interested in sponsoring Friday Freelance Tips? Get your brand, product, or service in front of 5,800+ freelancers, entrepreneurs, and founders. See sponsorship options here.

Follow me on Instagram and on Linkedin, where you can see the behind-the-scenes of my business.