Hearing I’d been laid off felt like a dream. Not the kind you intentionally visualize before falling asleep, but the kind where time moves hazily, and you can’t speak. “Unfortunately, your role has been eliminated,” my ex-general manager told me. Before I had a chance to get a word out, she left me on Zoom with a man from HR whom I’d never met before. I immediately followed the standard post-layoff protocol: wallowing (crucial), calling my mom crying, and literally going to touch grass at my favorite park. But amongst all of this, I sensed something I didn’t want to admit: relief.
As a Zillennial, growing up during the Great Recession and then graduating from college amid a pandemic taught me that you can never get too comfortable—and that you should be grateful to have any semblance of a career. This made me feel stuck at my job, like I couldn’t voluntarily leave to pursue something that better aligned with my interests and values. (I had benefits and unlimited vacation time, can you imagine?!) But getting laid off actually solved that “stuck” problem for me. I was free, and to me, that always meant freelancing. But still, one problem remained: I had to make an income, and I had no idea where to start.
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Why I chose freelancing after getting laid off
Initially, I intended to freelance on the side while working on landing another full-time role at a magazine, but I quickly gathered that wasn’t as reasonable as it sounded. I hadn’t applied for a job in over three years, and while I heard that job searching had morphed into a humiliation ritual overrun by robots, the shift still slapped me in the face.
The job market is more cutthroat than I remember. Entry-level jobs are growing scarce, hiring rates are at a 10-year low, and almost every single LinkedIn job post reads “Over 100 people clicked apply,” with the platform reporting that an average of 11,000 applications are submitted every minute. With this in mind, it wasn’t shocking to me to discover that over half of Gen Z-ers are choosing full-time freelance work over the traditional 9-to-5, according to Forbes. Self-employment seemed like a faraway fantasy before learning this, but as the data indicate, people—especially young people—are making it happen. So who’s to say I couldn’t do it, too?
Instead of fully overwhelming myself by immediately going after my dream client or doing the math on how to earn six figures in my first year as a freelancer, I decided to dedicate myself to getting through the transition period. You know, going from reporting to a manager and getting a reliable salary to mapping out my own schedule and supporting myself. It took a few therapy sessions, hours upon hours of research on freelancing tips, and a little inspiration from my favorite publications, but eventually, I felt ready to start making progress (and an income) as a freelancer.
How I finally started to make a freelance income
Making any sort of life adjustment, whether it’s going from a middle to a side part or changing careers (godspeed if you attempt both at once), takes courage and time. I had only ever worked as an in-house magazine editor, so being on the other side of that (pitching stories to editors) is extremely intimidating. I mentally prepared to hear crickets after sending out an idea I loved, but actually waking up to a dry inbox for days in a row was uniquely taxing, disheartening, and lonely.
“Rather than seeing peers as a desperate means to an end, I leaned into my genuine desire to forge relationships and trusted that the right opportunities would follow.”
Entering a new field, whether you were laid off or made the jump of your own volition, can quickly become isolating—and that’s how I felt. In work and beyond, I know that building a community in our increasingly individualistic society has never been more important. So, rather than seeing peers as a desperate means to an end, I leaned into my genuine desire to forge relationships and trusted that the right opportunities would follow. Focusing more on befriending and relating to others rather than nitpicking how I was falling short and getting ghosted did wonders for my progress as a new freelancer and my mental health. It also felt much more attainable and tangible than the faceless process of sending pitch emails into the void. This is when I started getting responses, which led to face-to-face meetings, which led to referrals, which led to exciting commissions.
How I created connections that resulted in freelance opportunities
Once I adjusted my mindset, I adjusted the way I reached out to peers and potential clients, and it has made all the difference in my success as a new freelancer. These six steps are what have actually helped me create opportunities that result in real income. So, if you’re interested in freelancing or are looking for a new, more human-to-human approach to landing work, here’s how I made (and continue to make) genuine connections that naturally result in opportunities:
1. I heavily researched the people I wanted to connect with
If you were applying for a traditional full-time position, you wouldn’t write a cover letter without digging into the company. As a magazine journalist and aspiring freelance writer, this meant scouring the sites of my favorite publications and taking note of who wrote stories that truly hooked me. For you, this could look like finding a few people who already work with your dream client. Once I had a list of people whose work I admired, it was time to do a bit of investigating (read: creeping, respectfully) to learn more about their background and discover a way to reach out. In doing this, I look for their personal email, but I’ve also found success with DM’ing on social media.
2. I looked for common ground with them
Via a LinkedIn post, I learned one of the editors whose articles I loved had just moved to Los Angeles (where I live) to pursue freelancing. In my note to her, I made sure to mention that I was also just starting and could give her some recommendations on things to do in the city. Another writer I met with realized we had both gone to the same Harry Styles concert, which obviously sparked a long conversation re: our outfits and speculation about a new album. Just like sending a message on a dating app, introducing a topic to bond over rather than a “heyyy wanna meet up” made each interaction more personable and less transactional. I learned quickly that even if the detail is small, it can start building the foundation of a relationship.
3. I asked for their wisdom
If you’re reaching out to someone, are a fan of what they do, and therefore can learn from them, say so! Instead of sending over a bulleted list of my skills or explaining how they could help me make my next career move, I told them I wanted to hear any insight and wisdom they could share. People generally love the chance to help and positively affect someone else’s life, and framing it this way shows that you’re looking for an inspiring peer relationship or mentorship.
“Focusing more on befriending and relating to others rather than nitpicking the ways I was falling short did wonders for my progress as a new freelancer.”
4. I exchanged stories
Some advice I got that’s proven successful: Tell people you were laid off upfront (if that’s the truth, of course). On the note that people want to be helpful, they also tend to be empathetic, and many can relate to going through a job loss. With that in mind, opening up and actively listening to other people’s stories has proven to be crucial in forming my connections. Asking thoughtful questions, leveling with them, and, honestly, just being a genuine, kind human is all it takes.
5. I expressed my goals and availability
Instead of slipping into elevator pitch mode, I chose to be authentic, curious, and vulnerable. Expressing my goals meant putting myself out there, which felt like the equivalent of letting someone go through your notes app (if you use it as a diary, like me). But for me, this meant candidly admitting that I wanted to write about culture, Gen Z, and entertainment, even though such topics haven’t historically been my niche.
Now that they know what I’m looking for, if they see a related publication post a callout looking for a contributor, they think of me. I want my face to pop into people’s minds when an opportunity that aligns with me comes up, and expressing exactly what you want, and the fact that you’re ready and able to take it on when it comes, is really the only way to do that. This step has already resulted in a few really exciting opportunities for me!
6. I stayed in touch
To maintain any kind of lasting relationship as an adult, you have to consistently show up. There’s nothing easier than meeting with someone, saying “Let’s grab coffee again soon,” and then never speaking again. Whether it’s going to an event, sending a check-in email, or commenting on someone’s work, I’m continuously putting in effort to keep up with my community so they are constantly reminded of me, my skills, my enthusiasm, and my availability. By engaging with my network and continuously staying top of mind, I have been able to turn my freelancing dream into a career. Obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but if I’ve learned one thing along the way it’s this: Your network can take you much further than a resume refresh.
Bryce Jones, Contributing Writer
Bryce is an LA-based journalist and freelance writer. She formerly worked as an editor at Better Homes & Gardens, covering topics ranging from lifestyle and food to entertainment and mental health. Her words have also appeared in Polyester, Cosmopolitan, Apartment Therapy, and more.
