Since November 2018, I have worked as a Freelancer in marketing and design.
I am one of the businesses that has been unable to source funding relief and have lost 3 clients from an already small client base, since the beginning of lockdown.
Some have had to temporarily close their doors due to restrictions and are now working hard to get back on their feet. Others have had to prioritise their budget on other areas and to sacrifice marketing their business for other needs.
I am fortunate to run my business from a home office, therefore having fairly low running costs. However, there has been an increased demand for higher internet speeds and more reliable connectivity due to the new norm of ‘zoom meetings’ and the nature of my business.
Even with lower business running costs, I face the same expenses as any married South African with children of school age and the erratic income has proven difficult at times.
Having to home school two children, one having special needs and run a business from home has proven very challenging and work hours are blurred in between lessons, playtime, household chores, not to mention severe lack of social interaction, especially for the kids.
It’s completely obvious that COVID19 has changed the world that we once knew, and the parameters of business have been redefined. Each business now needs to find its new normal. We need to clarify how the needs of our clients have changed and how we need to change our business offering to meet those needs.
Businesses, now, more than ever need to stand above the crowd, however with severely stretched budgets we are not able to pay for marketing services.
This has led me to consider charging less for services and to look at additional means of income in order to try and provide for my family. With some new business relationships, I have had to offer a business trade of services rather than receiving a monetary payment.
Some of the specific challenges I have faced are not being able to photograph one of my client’s beautiful menu items due to lockdown, continued health restriction as well as their now severely stretched capital.
For another client requiring video interviews, travel restrictions and health concerns led us to think a bit out of the box and conduct interviews via zoom meetings and cell-phone recordings by the interviewees. This has led to a less than optimal quality of end-result for our client; however, we were left with no other option.
No public events have led to a drop in income from photography and videography services as well as the spin-off that can come from such events.
Who knows when we will return to “business-as-normal”, or will this ever be the case? We try to remain positive and optimistic. Some days are easier, others, not so.
I know, I am not alone in the challenges I face, and my prayer is that we as South Africans will learn the value of life, the value of local business and the value of empathising and supporting one another in this journey called life.
Here’s to all of the Solo’ and Entrepreneurs of South Africa! Ryan
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