Inspiring videos freelancers will love

Mar 5

Mar 5 Inspiring videos freelancers will love

I love the flexibility of freelancing, the freedom to work when I want, where I want and on whatever stories I want. But of course with all that freedom comes a lot of responsibility. You’ve got to manage the business and the editorial side of things.

Most days are fine, but others get pretty tough to manage both. But knowing that you’re not the only one dealing with typical freelancer problems make them a bit easier to handle.

Sometimes when I’m struggling, I’ll turn to the following videos for a pick-me-up. Hopefully, they'll be helpful to you, too.

When you’re having a hard time landing pitches:

Elizabeth Gilbert, most known for “Eat, Pray, Love” book, gives this TED talk about her time before and after becoming a successful author. She describes working as a waitress and dealing with rejection letters. She also vividly details the weight of others expecting her to create a great book after “Eat, Pray, Love.” Watch this, and you’ll feel better about dealing with rejection. Everyone has to go through it. But keeping the desire to create will carry you until you come up with your next great idea.

When someone pays you late or not at all:

Aside from email and phone reminders, this video, featuring insights from Mike Monteiro, will not only help you navigate pitfalls of contracts, relationships with clients and “legal-ese,” it’ll also leave you feeling empowered to combat clients who don’t want to pay.

When you’re trying to find your niche:

If you’re a fashion journalist, you’ve probably already seen this series on the future of fashion hosted by model and TV personality Alexa Chung for British Vogue. In this particular episode, Chung talks with Leandra Medine, founder of Man Repeller, about how finding (and later monetizing) your distinctive voice in a growing number of internet voices. She also says a few hilarious sex jokes that I’m glad Vogue didn’t omit.