Work ethics

It’s a funny game this freelancing business. When I think back to this time last year at my last agency… I was so overloaded with work, I didn’t get home before 9/10pm most nights. Well, every night. And I’m not slow either. In fact, I thrive under pressure and can write at a rate of knots when it’s down to the wire. On the rare occasions I had nothing to do, I’d water the plants, get the teas in or clean out the library*. I have a low boredom threshold. Or ADD.

I think that’s why one of the few issues I have with freelancing is… boredom. A lot of the time, I’m sat around waiting for something to be briefed in. I’m usually pretty honest about it too – if I have nothing to do I’ll openly let people know in the hope they’ll chuck me something else.

But if I’ve only been at a new gig for a couple of days, I don’t know the agency or the clients well enough to do ‘something’ proactive to fill the time in – or they’re unable (or unwilling) to give me access to info or systems to dig around in, in case I do a runner and take their information with me. Likewise helping out on pitches*.

So, I try and fill these pockets of time as constructively as I can. It’s not exactly good form to curl up with a book… I read industry blogs and news. Check out agency websites. Catch up with the latest creative reviews. Chip away at the corporate website of the client I’m working for. Seek inspiration/new ideas/art/culture/anything. Think about other jobs I’m working on for friends. Or failing that, I update for my blog...

* Apart from the place I was at before Christmas who would cheer and chuck a brief – any brief – at me, including their agency Christmas card and new biz work. I think that’s one of the reasons I like them so much. Trust works both ways…