Full interviews with freelancers featured in Journalism.co.uk's article 'Freelancing in a recession: is diversifying the answer?' Below are the responses from freelance body, spirit and mind writer Euphrosene Labon.

To share your experiences of freelancing in a recession leave a comment or contact us with an email. Alternatively take the Journalism.co.uk poll.

Euphrosene Labon
Even when I was a commission-only salesperson, I had a good idea when I would see the readies, so I have always found the principle of being paid on publication hard to stomach, especially as a niche writer. That concern is doubled in this current financial climate.
 
However, my model was and remains to diversify, without losing focus. When I wrote my business plan it was always to have a portfolio career.
 
Unless you have regular commissions or are sure of the publications, being paid remains a concern for the journalism element though.

With copywriting, I always get 40 per cent upfront or all if the client is new and the job is relatively small.
 
What are the options for journalists looking to diversify? A lot of the SME [small and medium enterprises] magazines don't pay. It's quid pro quo - I think the only thing I might have secured are some book sales, but I still haven't sold enough of each title to pat myself on the pack - yet.
 
To both diversify and get some pleasure from work, I am in the process of developing a range of motivational merchandise. My USP [unique selling point] is now copywriter/illustrator, which should, hopefully, set me apart when people are looking for something different.
 
But the niche remains the same and this is important. We can lose focus if we bob from one thing to another.