Christmas Contracts: Six Tips for the Season
🎵 It’s the most frustrating time of the year… but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Whether you’re wrapping up contracts or taking on new ones during Christmas and New Year, there are strategies to stay organized and focused. Here are six tips for the season, to make the most of the holidays while setting the stage for a successful new year.
Managing Client Expectations
The holiday season presents its own, unique stresses for freelancers and contract workers in the creative and tech spaces. Clients can sometimes be eager to get things done quickly before the year ends. Other times, they themselves need to close off more projects than they initially thought. As a contractor, you may be happy for the extra work for the holidays. This also means you have to manage multiple portfolios and expectations.
Communication is Key
Be upfront about your availability and capacity to meet deadlines. Many clients may assume that business is still operating at full speed during the holidays. In some cases, it is! Make sure to adjust expectations and timelines as needed. Be firm about the scope of your work to avoid clients piling on extra tasks without appropriate compensation or timeline adjustments.
Holiday Payment Issues and Delays
Many businesses experience slower payment cycles over the holidays due to their own cash flow issues or holiday breaks. What can freelancers do to be prepared for potential delays in payments or longer approval processes?
- Early Invoicing: To prevent cash flow problems, it’s a good idea to invoice early or set up payment schedules that account for holiday delays.
- Client Communication on Payment: Be transparent about invoicing dates and follow up respectfully on payments that are due but delayed due to holiday closures. Talk with your clients up front and request payment upon completion of the job, as opposed to the end of the month/ start of the next. You may find that your clients are in the spirit of understanding and ease during the festive season… at least we can hope so!
Reconnect with Past Clients and Contacts
The holiday and post-holiday season are great times to send a friendly check-in email to past clients, collaborators, or employers. You can briefly express well-wishes for the new year, update them on any recent work or projects, and mention your availability for upcoming projects. A gentle reminder of the good work you’ve done with them in the past can keep you top of mind for new contracts.
Pro tip: Following up is a game-changer! It keeps you top of mind well beyond the initial contact.
Refresh Your Portfolio or Reel
If you find that work is still slow and you have more time on your hands than you’d like, don’t despair. Use this time to update your portfolio with highlights from recent projects. If possible, include photos, videos, or snippets that demonstrate your versatility and what sets you apart from the rest.
Try to keep it organized, showcasing work that aligns with the types of contracts you want to attract in the new year. If you have a website or LinkedIn profile, ensure they’re aligned with the latest updates as well.
A little admin and auditing never hurt anyone.
Research Companies and Production Houses
Create a list of companies, venues, organizations or production houses you’d like to work with in the new year. Research their recent projects, trends, and company culture, so you’re ready to reach out with personalized messages. Demonstrating genuine interest and understanding of their brand can set you apart from more generic inquiries. It’s also a great use of free time during slow periods.
Just because you’re not booked, doesn’t mean you cant be busy!
Pro tip: Stay Updated with Job Boards and Industry Sites!
Industry-specific job boards and sites like StageLync are useful for finding open contract positions. Set up alerts for new job postings that match your skills and interests, so you can respond promptly when a relevant opportunity arises.
Set Clear Goals for the New Year
Consider what types of projects or contracts will advance your career in the direction you want to go. Are you looking to specialize, work in new venues, or take on different roles? Setting clear, realistic goals can help guide your networking, portfolio updates, and job applications in a focused way.
Conclusion
Closing out the year with multiple contracts can feel overwhelming, but clear communication keeps the chaos at bay. Discuss invoicing and timelines openly with clients—you might be surprised by how accommodating they can be during the holidays.
Landing new opportunities after the holidays means staying sharp and proactive. Use the downtime to refresh your portfolio, strengthen your network, and set goals for the year ahead. By leveraging digital tools and strategic planning, you’ll enter the new year prepared for success in the dynamic world of live, entertainment and technical contract work.
I hope these six tips for the season were helpful! Wishing you good luck, and a great festive season!
Photos from Unsplash and Canva
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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