How to Make Freelancing in Fashion Media Your Full-Time Gig
It’s no secret that ever since COVID-19 hit almost a year ago, the job market across varying industries has changed… a lot. According to a study from Upwork, a platform for freelancers, 36% of the workforce has turned to freelance in 2020, an increase of 8% since 2019. In fashion media, brands and publications have had to come up with innovative ways and formats to create content and make money, asking freelancers for their expertise.
While relying on freelancing as your main source of income may seem intimidating (and honestly, confusing), MIIM chatted with Kendall Becker, a full-time freelancer in fashion editorial, trend forecasting, styling, and creative consulting for brands and media companies. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make freelance work your job, and make bank while doing it.
Network, Network, Network!
As a full-time freelancer, there’s no time to be shy. Pre-pandemic, events were a freelancer’s go-to for making new connections and forming relationships with editors and brands. Now since in-person activities are put on pause, the internet is your best tool. Send a cold email, reach out to someone on LinkedIn, or even connect with people through social media. We’re all at home staring at our screens anyways, so you might as well take advantage.
Build a Schedule and Hold Yourself Accountable
While being your own boss comes with many benefits, you’re the only person responsible for holding yourself accountable. Becker recommends building a schedule for the week and to “evaluate risk and what is more time sensitive.” If you have an on-going project with a client spanning over a few weeks and you’re on a deadline during fashion week — we think you know which one to prioritize.
How Are You Different?
While the increased need for content since the pandemic has benefitted freelancers in a lot of ways, this is a double-edged sword. Becker explains that much of the fashion media industry has started investing in affiliate-based stories, so if you’re pitching to a publication, you need to think of ways you can stand out. Craft pitches with more in-depth angles, be timely, and add some kind of personal expertise that affiliates can’t offer. The same goes for marketing, consulting, styling, or anything else you can think of—let your client know what kind of valuable skills and experience only you can bring to the table.
Stay Connected and Maintain Your Relationships
After you’ve worked with an editor, brand, or client, don’t let your relationship fall through the cracks. According to Becker, “Staying connected is super important and showing that you’re interested and invested in that relationship.” You can keep in touch through social media, by commenting on recent work, or send your old boss an article or podcast you think they’d be interested in. Don’t forget, you’re working with human beings, and it’s always nice to show someone that you care.
Diversify Your Revenue Stream
According to Becker, choosing new clients to work with or to pitch to is all about finding a balance between where your passion lies and where the money comes from. Pitch stories to publications or brands, help a client with email marketing, offer copywriting services or consulting experience—the possibilities are limitless, so get creative with what kind of expertise you can bring to different projects.
Happy job-hunting!