You know what sucks? Getting the 'it's not you, it's me' email from a client. That's the way it goes sometimes, but when a (big) client emailed me this week to tell me there was no longer any budget for a freelancer, I went into HARDCORE PANIC MODE.

 That gut-wrenching moment when you realise one of your biggest sources of income has just disappeared feels like a punch in the gut. I have financial goals to meet, bills to pay, and the end-of-financial-year target looming large. But through the panic and self-doubt, I found a way to bounce back—and I’m here to share how I did it.

Spoiler alert: this article is also the topic of my latest podcast episode of Six Figure Salary. So if you’re a fellow freelancer or someone navigating the ups and downs of self-employment, grab a cup of coffee (or in my case an extra strong gin*) and read on.

Step 1: Embrace the Freak-Out (But Don’t Linger There)

When I lost the big client this week, my first reaction was to freak out. I’ll admit, there was a solid day of panicked thoughts swirling through my brain like “How will I replace this income?” or “What if I can’t find new work?” It’s important to let yourself feel those emotions, but don’t stay stuck in the panic. I gave myself about 5 hours to wallow and feel a bit shit, and then it was time to put my business hat on.

Rejection is part of the game, baby! My lovely Edit Your Novel tutor, Bernadette, says that when you're pitching your novel to publishers and agents, and you get a 'thanks but no thanks' email from them, you're allowed to feel sorry for yourself for ONE DAY before you need to dust yourself off and keep at it. I embraced this mentality and enjoyed marinading in my own stress, before coming up with an action plan.

Step 2: ChatGPT to the Rescue – My New Business Strategy

Enter ChatGPT. Yes, I’m talking about an AI chatbot. I know, I KNOW, controversial!! But stick with me. When I found myself feeling overwhelmed and directionless, I turned to ChatGPT for guidance. I started by asking it simple questions like, “How can I replace a major freelance client?” From there, I began mapping out a business strategy using its suggestions, adjusting them to fit my specific goals.

I asked ChatGPT to help me break down my financial target into weekly goals. I knew I needed to make around $8,300 AUD per month to meet my end-of-year income goal, but turning that number into actionable steps was another challenge, especially now that my regular income from an SEO client. It suggested dividing that monthly target into smaller, bite-sized chunks. We mapped out a plan that included pitching a set number of new clients each week, updating my Fiverr gigs (more on that later), and applying for local jobs that could provide steady income while I built up my freelance work again.

The beauty of using ChatGPT was how it distilled my goals into clear, actionable tasks. Instead of being overwhelmed by the big picture, I had a weekly to-do list that made the process less daunting.

This is stuff that I SUCK at on my own. I don't know where to start, I have no idea how to distil big ideas into actionable tasks. And I know there's a lot of far around AI taking creative jobs - heck, both my skills are being affected by AI in a big way. But treating it as an assistant has been incredibly beneficial for me. I have saved SO MUCH TIME by letting it do all the admin stuff that is not in my wheelhouse, letting me focus on the stuff I'm good at - writing, voice acting and pitching.

Step 3: Applying for Local Marketing Jobs

With my weekly plan in place, I realised I needed a bit of financial stability while rebuilding my freelance empire. I’ve always loved the Northern Rivers area, and I knew local businesses could benefit from someone with my content writing and voice-over skills. So, I started applying for local marketing jobs that aligned with my experience. The process of applying was like a refreshing change of pace -I didn’t have to pitch for every job, and the roles offered consistent income, which felt like a safety net while I pursued more freelance clients.

These jobs were also a chance for me to form relationships with new people in the industry. I was no longer just a lone freelancer; I was building a local network, which can be hugely beneficial when things get slow. If you’re in a similar boat, I’d highly recommend looking at local opportunities as a way to stabilise your income stream.

And look, while getting employed isn't technically freelancing, I'm not looking for a 9-5 office job, y'know? I'm applying for roles that still allow me to freelance that align with my values. 

Part of this was also getting ChatGPT to put together local business bundles that I could offer. Again, stuff I really struggle to formulate on my own, but together 'we' mapped out 5 content packages that I can offer to local businesses.

Step 4: Pitching New Travel Articles to New Publications

Travel writing has always been a passion of mine, so I decided to use this as an opportunity to really start pitching to publications I hadn’t worked with before. I do it on and off, but this week has been a very targeted focus.

 With some new angles in mind, like focusing on hidden gems in the Northern Rivers, hiking trails, and nature-centric experiences, I reached out to publications like Australian Traveller and Escape Magazine. Watch this space!

The rejection rate can be high in travel writing, but persistence is key. 

Step 5: Reflecting on My Journey via Six Figure Salary

If you’ve been following my podcast Six Figure Salary, you’ll know I’ve been chronicling my journey as a freelancer trying to hit six figures in income. This latest episode dives deep into everything I’ve learned from losing my main client and how I bounced back with the help of ChatGPT, job applications, and pitching new articles.

Sharing this experience through my podcast has been a cathartic process, and a reminder that freelancing is far from linear, and it can often be feast and famine, and sharing the famine part is just as important as celebrating the wins!

**A good friend of mine says drinking should be for celebrating, not commiserating. I'll save the extra strong gin for when Escape tell me they're going to publish an article, ha.