Another Tuesday, another chance to put my questions to the wise and generous #ContentClubUK.
If you’re not familiar: every Tuesday at 11am UK time, some lucky person gets to ask three questions of an ever-expanding audience of content marketing stars. Over the next 30 minutes, copywriters, designers, marketers, social media experts and others from the content world pile in with their advice, experience and ideas.
It’s tons of fun and I frequently leave with something that changes the way I do business.
Because the sun’s shining and a break might be on the cards, we talked about vacations:
Q1: Are you taking time off this summer? If so, is a full digital detox the key to rebooting your creativity, or do you keep an eye on your inbox and a work-related book?
Q2: What content are you scheduling for yourself and clients over the summer? And do you change your style and strategy?
Q3: How do you prepare your business for time away? How do you keep clients content and the pipeline healthy while you get some headspace?
The crowd didn’t disappoint. Here’s everything you need to know, from mental health to shorts and CTAs.
Q1 | Are you taking time off this summer?
Q1: Are you taking time off this summer? If so, is a full digital detox the key to rebooting your creativity, or do you keep an eye on your inbox and a work-related book?
Don’t forget: start your answer with A1 and add #contentclubuk pic.twitter.com/GWRgmzElkE
— Amy Boylan (@amyboylanwrites) 9 July 2019
Like me, lots admitted that it’s tough to switch off entirely.
A1: Yep – we’re off to Vienna for a week from next Monday. Digital detox? Not me. Hopefully loads of inspiration to come from there, plus I’ll be checking emails periodically. Can you ever fully go cold turkey as a freelancer? #ContentClubUK
— Graeme Piper | Copywriter (@DropCapCopy) 9 July 2019
I find I *have* to be switched on or I go crazy. I do try to limit that switching on, though, just to have a break. #contentclubuk
— Lauren McMenemy (@TheContentType) 9 July 2019
A1 I’m hoping to take a couple of weeks off. I’ll set my out of office but keep an eye out for anything urgent relating to existing client work. By urgent I mean “bankruptcy threatening”. #ContentClubUK
— Megan Rose Freelance Copywriter (@MegRFreelance) 9 July 2019
And are you really a writer if you’re not trailing a pile of books in your suitcase?
Oh, and I’ll usually bring a work-related book (or two), yeah ???? Along with half a dozen fiction, hah #ContentClubUK
— Jake Keane ✏️???????????? (@Jakebrap) 9 July 2019
Several people commented that taking regular breaks is about far more than creativity. Because there’s no surer way of crushing your business than working yourself into burn out.
A1: Definitely! Away for my birthday in Aug 🙂
BUT, I’m trying to manage my energy better as I go, rather than *need* to take a longer period of time off.
eg. exercise & breaks in the day, weekends for family/friends & fun things#ContentClubUK
— Jas(raj) Hothi (@jasraj0) 9 July 2019
A1. Hoping to get away for about a wk; somewhere rural + remote! ????
I feel so welded to my ???? sometimes, that I think it’s starting to cause problems with my neck/shoulders! So I’ve got to think more about my habits – even beyond any summer holiday I take.. ???????? #ContentclubUK
— Digital Drum (@Fi_digitaldrum) 9 July 2019
I know many people find it hard to say no. I’ve always loved my breaks, I’ve never been someone who has worked full years with barely a break. I know my own mental health would take a battering. There’s more to life than working non-stop #ContentClubUK
— Matt Drzymala@Indelible Think (@indeliblethink1) 9 July 2019
I’m with Matt and Dee on this one – my best clients have waved me off with good wishes for my holidays. And it could be an orange flag if they don’t.
Indeed. My clients have always been fab & always say No, go on your holiday’ even if it’s a long weekend. I’m lucky that my regular clients understand. I’d have to consider any client who expected me to work through a summer holiday #ContentClubUK
— Matt Drzymala@Indelible Think (@indeliblethink1) 9 July 2019
Definitely! A good client will be pleased you are taking time off. I was actively told to delay some work when I last went away so that I could focus on getting packed and enjoying my holiday! #ContentClubUK
— Dee (@topcontentUK) 9 July 2019
Alice has her priorities straight on holiday.
A1: I’ve had my holidays already for this year but absolutely took the time off – no laptops, no phones, no work. I love what I do, but I also love my family and want to enjoy quality time with them. #ContentClubUK
— Alice Hollis (@AliceKHollis) 9 July 2019
Ben boldly tried a detox and wrote about it.
A1: I’m taking a couple of long weekends but no big holidays planned. @LeachyOnline wrote a great post about taking a break from screens while on holiday: https://t.co/M255mnPlV2 #ContentClubUK
— Ed Callow – freelance writer (@EdCallowWrites) 9 July 2019
Dominic points out that time off needs to be factored into your rate all year round.
A1. Time off is crucial- a day, a week, a month. Freelancers are often scared to take time off because of income -dwell. This is a sign that your rate needs revising.
Personally, I make sure everyone is aware that I am not available Friday afternoons. #ContentClubUK
— Dominic Kent (@DomKent) 9 July 2019
And Sian talked of those magical things we hope to reconnect with after a break.
A1 Still haven’t mastered the art of truly letting go and not checking my inbox at all during holidays but I do notice a big uptick in energy, creativity and remembering why I love what I do when I take a day or two away from my notifications ???????? #contentclubuk
— Sian Maynard (@youpreneursian) 9 July 2019
Q2 | What content are you scheduling for yourself and clients over the summer? And do you change your style and strategy?
Q2: What content are you scheduling for yourself and clients over the summer? And do you change your style and strategy?
Don’t forget: start your answer with A2 and add #contentclubuk pic.twitter.com/0X0ScPdaKk
— Amy Boylan (@amyboylanwrites) July 9, 2019
For some, the summer content they’re creating is business as usual.
A2: Summer doesn’t really pose any impending changes for me or my client’s content requirements. No need for a change in style or strategy. Although, it’s holiday season, so sllight delays in fresh work (and payments) are to be expected. #ContentClubUK
— Graeme Piper | Copywriter (@DropCapCopy) 9 July 2019
A2: No big change in style or strategy (aside from the subjects for certain clients possibly changing). Might be a change in tone for some of them.
In terms of strategy, sure, post times or other minor factors might change when planning campaigns. (1/2) #ContentClubUK
— Jake Keane ✏️???????????? (@Jakebrap) 9 July 2019
A2. None for clients – I tend to provide all copy upfront so clients can schedule/share it as they see fit. I wouldn’t say my strategy changes very much, although there might be more of a laidback feel. #contentclubuk
— Steph Garville (@GarvilleSteph) 9 July 2019
Others voted for letting a little bit of the beach vibe into content creation, with Fi revelling in the chance to change things up.
A2 this would make it seem like I have a masterplan for my own content. I don’t. I have an overall idea of the mix I post but otherwise it’s flexible. Clients will be different. A little more light-hearted in some cases, or summer-themed. #ContentClubUK
— Megan Rose Freelance Copywriter (@MegRFreelance) 9 July 2019
A2: My client requests have largely been summer-based to keep them relevant, e.g. ‘Keeping your pet safe in summer’, ‘Can dogs wear sunscreen’, ‘Checking yourself for moles’, ‘Cosmetic procedures to void in summer’ #ContentClubUK
— Dee (@topcontentUK) 9 July 2019
A2. If there’s any opportunity to be topical or seasonal with content, I’ll be grabbing it with both hands! Changing it up can be a breath of fresh air. ???? ???????? #ContentclubUK
— Digital Drum (@Fi_digitaldrum) 9 July 2019
And Alice wasn’t alone in pointing out that summer is often the busiest time for her business.
A2: no massive changes here. I tend to find the summer months a lot busier so take on more client work – evens things out in the quieter winter months! #ContentClubUk
— Alice Hollis (@AliceKHollis) 9 July 2019
Q3 | How do you prepare your business for time away? How do you keep clients content and the pipeline healthy while you get some headspace?
Q3: How do you prepare your business for time away? How do you keep clients happy and the pipeline healthy while you get some headspace?
Don’t forget: start your answer with A3 and add #contentclubuk pic.twitter.com/1r0LIxCFAD
— Amy Boylan (@amyboylanwrites) 9 July 2019
Consensus is that giving your clients plenty of notice you’ll be away is vital to keeping them happy.
A3. Communication with clients = KEY. Give them as much notice as you can.
It shows you’re organised + that you’re thinking of them. It gives them a chance to plan for those days + to feed you any extra work which may need doing! #ContentclubUK ????
— Digital Drum (@Fi_digitaldrum) 9 July 2019
A3: I think communication and plenty of advance notice is the way forward. Good clients recognise that you need some time out, and appreciate being told in advance so they can plan around it #ContentClubUK
— Ed Callow – freelance writer (@EdCallowWrites) 9 July 2019
A3: being organised! I usually tell my clients I’m going away as soon as I book my holiday (mainly because I’m excited!). But then a month before starting booking in extra bits and pieces so they’re covered while I’m away. #ContentClubUk
— Alice Hollis (@AliceKHollis) 9 July 2019
A3. I just let them know a couple of weeks ahead that I will be gone, and I will have taken care of any deadlines or requirements before I leave. My clients are all generally happy with this arrangement. #ContentClubuk
— Andrew Monro (@AGMonro) 9 July 2019
A3. Give as much notice as possible that I’ll be away. Get in touch as soon as I’m back and keep everything crossed. I’m a shambles! #ContentClubUK
— Jonathan Wilcock Freelance Copywriter (@Jonathan50Wh4t1) 9 July 2019
You might want to take on some extra work before you go away to boost your wallet and increase your chances of returning to a calm inbox.
A3: I have a few clients that I’d tell in advance — long enough that they can get things taken care of before I’m away. But more importantly, I clear the decks as much as possible. A huge to-do list for when I’m back would ruin the whole thing, for me. #ContentClubUK
— Stephen Marsh (@smcopywriter) 9 July 2019
A3: I often go into a writing frenzy before going away. I feel the need to clear as much as possible and come back to a cleanish plate. Rarely happens ???? Beyond that, I tell clients, set me OOO and do my best to not answer clients/new leads #ContentClubUK
— Rose Crompton (@RoseC_Leic) 9 July 2019
Jake offered us his 4 point plan for getting set.
A3: Preparing for time away involves:
– Going over my diary 50+ times
– Taking on a little extra work beforehand
– Tactically invoicing so they drop like dominoes
– Making sure everyone knows what dates I’m unavailable (unless it’s ultra-super-mega-urgent).#ContentClubUK
— Jake Keane ✏️???????????? (@Jakebrap) 9 July 2019
And Gareth reminds us that a small delay is probably not the end of the world.
A3: If I’m going to be off I let clients know in advance and work is scheduled around that. The important thing to remember when taking time off is that nothing is ever as much as a rush as sometimes even clients think it is. #ContentClubUK
— That. Content. Shed. (@thatcontentshed) 9 July 2019
Ben, James and Glenn have plenty of ideas to keep their sales pitch going while they relax.
A3: For me, automation is key.
Schedule tweets and blogs to go live, and any content to go live, so it keeps working whilst I’m away. It’s also about planning it ahead of time and making sure it’s all planned. #ContentClubUK https://t.co/PvF7T0GWA2
— Ben Leach (@LeachyOnline) 9 July 2019
And you can get quite creative with the out of office as well, which I find can be a talking point upon return.
— James Tennant (@JamesConverge) 9 July 2019
Indeed. I’ll always include a CTA of some kind in mine so it’s doing a bit of work for me while I’m off ????
— Glenn Fisher (@allgoodcopy) 9 July 2019
Bonus Q
Bonus: Are there any vacation-friendly digital tools you love? And please drop us a link to blogs and articles (your own or someone else’s) that help with the holiday juggle.
Don’t forget: add #contentclubuk pic.twitter.com/4BfF8LN76d
— Amy Boylan (@amyboylanwrites) 9 July 2019
Hootsuite, Buffer, Later and Slack are on Tracey’s list, Jas recommends @adiosHQ to limit the time you spend checking mail, and then there are those keeping it simple:
Digital Scmigital. No alerts on your phone. Get a good book, pair of shorts and flip flops. Have a bloody holiday! (Shouting at me as much as anyone else here.) x #ContentClubUK
— Jonathan Wilcock Freelance Copywriter (@Jonathan50Wh4t1) 9 July 2019
Bonus: #ContentClubUK no digital tools advice. But I do find it essential to have a notebook & pen about my person whenever I’m in holiday mode. Just being in a diffferent place shakes out some of the more creative thoughts hiding in the far reaches of my brain.
— copycontentwriter (@copycontentw) 9 July 2019
Jake takes the time to get creative for himself.
BONUS #ContentClubUK: I’ve nothing too valuable to contribute, sadly. Vacation-friendly tools (for me) consist of my phone, paper, pencils, and Chromebook.
I am, however, a big advocate of using seasonal downtime to take on yourself as a client and do something creative and fun.
— Jake Keane ✏️???????????? (@Jakebrap) 9 July 2019
And, finally, some excellent posts to find more holidays tips:
- @RebeccaSpelman’s ‘A Freelancer’s Guide To Going on Holiday’
- @nifferesty’s ‘Summer holiday? Tips for B2B marketers leaving the office’
- @FiPhillipsCopy’s ‘Freelancers – how you can prepare for the summer break’
- @EJCownley’s ‘Freelance holidays | Tips for taking time off’
- @TalentedLadies’ ‘How to survive the summer holidays as a working mum’
Massive thanks to everyone who took part. In conclusion:
- Time off is vital for your health and your creativity, and probably more than a fortnight once a year.
- Only you know if a total digital break or the odd, time-limited check-in with your inbox will leave you calmer.
- Give clients plenty of notice you’ll be away and squeeze some extra work in if you can.
- Spot your best clients because they’ll be the ones happy for you to take a holiday.
- Schedule content while you’re away and let it pitch for you.
- See your Out of Office as a chance to show off your creativity and drum up a little more business.
- Maybe grab the chance summer offers for a lighter tone and some fresh inspiration.
Come on and join us for #ContentClubUK
#ContentClubUK will be here all summer, so don’t miss out on the chance to meet lovely people and pick up some winning tips. Follow the hashtag from 11am UK time every Tuesday, and get stuck in.