Currently expecting a baby and have no idea what to do with your freelance business? You’re not alone. Pregnancy can be as overwhelming as it is wonderful for any expectant woman (whether she’s pregnant or preparing to adopt), let alone when she’s also got to decide how she can nurture her work alongside her new arrival.
After all, let’s not beat around the bush here: you’ve worked hard to get to where you are today, securing clients, pitching services and creating relationships that have allowed you to build your brand and expand your business.
So what happens when you’re supposed to put all that on hold?
Fundamentally, there are four business options that any freelance parent might find themselves facing:
- Put your business entirely on-hold while you’re on leave
- Pass over work to a colleague or trusted peer
- Get work prepared and scheduled in advance
- Carry on as best you can, how you can
Of course, the feasibility of these scenarios varies hugely according to the industry you work in and the kind of business you run, but hopefully they give you a rough starting position to begin with.
Much like anything to do with pregnancy, maternity leave won’t look the same for any two women. Whether you’re planning to take two weeks off or six months, factors such as the wellbeing of you and your baby, your finances, your support network and your perhaps deep-down desire to get back to work will all have an influence over how long you have away from your business.
However, while your set-up might be different, there are certain fundamental principles that every freelancer can apply to get their business ready for maternity leave. Whether you’re planning to have your ‘out of office’ on for months or will be checking your emails from your hospital bed, make sure you’ve taken these points on-board as you countdown to welcoming your new arrival.
