The emergency survival guide for the self-employed
Even the most resilient self-employed professionals can be thrown by unexpected challenges, including power cuts, internet outages, office thefts and more. Find out how you can prepare and cope more effectively for problems like these.
Working during broadband outages
Most of us rely on having constant access to the internet for our lives and work. So, if that’s cut off for some reason, it can cause major problems. Especially if it’s out of action for a day or more.
It’s worth checking your home broadband equipment to rule out a faulty router or broken cable before blaming the connection from your internet provider. But assuming everything is in order, you can find out the service status by phoning your internet provider, or using an alternative method to check the service status page of their website (it’s worth bookmarking this page on your smartphone so you can find it easily).
Assuming the problem is external, there are a few options to allow you to keep working during a broadband outage:
Mobile tethering uses your phone and data network to allow you to access the internet. You can either set your phone as a wi-fi hotspot, or tether it via a Bluetooth connection or USB cable. This applies to Android and iPhone devices, but the limiting factor is often your mobile operator. Some networks are quite happy for you to connect in this way and offer good deals on additional data at short notice, but others can be more restrictive and expensive. So, it’s worth checking your current deal in case it becomes useful.
Mobile dongles are separate gadgets which plug into your computer and connect in the same way as tethering your phone. The advantage is that you don’t need to tie up your handset, and there’s no battery to recharge. But they can be expensive, especially when you consume large amounts of data. And you can only use them for one computer at a time. To connect a larger number of computers and other gadgets to one connection, you’ll need a mobile hotspot device (commonly known as a MiFi).
Shared and public Wi-Fi hotspots are the final option. If you have friendly neighbours who aren’t impacted, it’s possible to connect wirelessly to their network, although walls and other obstructions could impact speed. And they might not be happy if you choose to stream HD films all night via their connection. But co-working spaces, libraries, and a lot of pubs, cafes and restaurants all offer internet connection within their premises. So, it’s good to know which communal offices might allow you to hot desk at short notice, or whether you can connect your laptop parked next to a fast-food drive through in an emergency.
Sudden illness or injury
There are lots of ways to look after your physical wellbeing when you’re self-employed or freelancing. And many people choose to become their own boss for the freedom to manage a chronic illness or disability more effectively. But a sudden illness or injury can impact anyone.
One simple preparation is to take out illness and injury cover, included in IPSE Plus membership (along with life insurance and other useful policies). This can help your financial pressure by compensating you up to £2,000 if you’re unable to work for three or more weeks.
Many freelancers are reluctant to outsource or delegate tasks. But having a network of qualified self-employed professionals able to step in during an emergency will lift some of the responsibility, and allow you to focus on recovering more effectively. Especially for longer-term injuries and illnesses.
You can find suitable people from within your network, or via groups including our own IPSE Community and Creative Freelancers UK.
The majority of clients will understand that life can impact your ability to work, but only if they know what’s going on. Giving them a realistic update, along with providing a back-up plan for someone to cover your absence may mean your income is reduced in the short term. But it also makes it more likely you’ll still retain that project in the future.
Being able to control your business and career is a major attraction of becoming self-employed. But life can often offer challenges which are outside of our influence. By planning and preparing for the aspects you can impact, you reduce the overall effects on both your clients, and yourself.
And there is plenty of support available to help you through the majority of emergency situations. From IPSE membership to solar-powered generators, the self-employed community are the best-equipped to overcome anything and deliver quality work for their clients or customers.
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