FFN #82 Dry Spells - your guide to tackling them

Hey friend,

Let’s talk about the thing no one really prepares you for in freelancing:

The In-Between.

You wrapped a big project. Your inbox is suspiciously quiet. You’ve done your pitch rounds. Nothing’s landed yet.

Cue the mental spiral:
"Am I even good at this?"
"Did I price myself too high?"
"Should I apply for a full-time job at [insert random company you don’t even like]?"

Pause. Breathe. You’re not failing—you’re in funemployment.
And believe it or not, that’s not always a bad thing.

Okur FF’s, we know so many of you asked us for more work life balance tips in our latest community survey - so here we are delivering! As freelancers, managing social media can often feel overwhelming, unfortunately, it’s a must for lead gen. But your mental health comes first, so how do we create balance? Well, we’ve partnered with Metricool to offer our FF’s smart scheduling and analytics tools. So you can stay on top of your social content, plan, and track performance—all without the stress of constant checking. Metricool allows you to reclaim your time, avoid burnout, and keep your mental health intact while still growing your brand. Ready to set your boundaries? Get started with Metricool for free today! #partner

Let’s reframe the funk

Freelancing is a rollercoaster. Some weeks you’re booked and busy, other weeks you're deep in existential dread and 47 tabs open on LinkedIn. That lull? It’s not a sign to panic. It’s a moment to regroup, refuel, and reinvest in you.

6 things to do during your downtime (that actually move the needle)

1. Refresh your portfolio or website
You know the "update portfolio" tab you’ve been ignoring since last June? Now’s the time. Add those client wins. Update your bio. Make it reflect the direction you want to grow in.

2. Check in with past clients
A friendly “Hey! Just checking in to see how things are going since our project wrapped” email can go a long way. You’d be surprised how many people have a new project they “just haven’t gotten around to briefing yet.”

3. Build something just for you
A passion project. A personal blog post. A mock brand for your dream client. When you create with zero pressure, magic happens—and it often leads to portfolio gold or new work you didn’t see coming.

4. Set up systems for your future self
Automate your invoicing. Prep email templates. Create that onboarding guide. Make things smoother for future-you when the projects do start rolling in again.

5. Marketing? Who is she?
Okay yes now is the time to start posting on your social media or starting that Substack, because this is where the opportunities hang out! 

6. Rest like it’s your job
Because it kind of is. Burnout doesn't help your business. Take the nap. Walk outside. Watch a show at 2PM. Guilt-free rest is a power move in a freelance career.

Remember:

Periods of pause aren’t dead space. They’re the recharge moments between creative seasons.

It’s not “time off,” it’s time in—to reflect, reset, and get ready.

You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just in the middle of the story. And the next chapter? It’s coming. ✨

✨ The VIC Effect

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