Is A Freelance Writing Business Right For You?
A couple of days ago I published my post How To Find The Best Freelance Writing Jobs. But after publishing I thought about what it REALLY took for people to make it in this industry. Actually, I already know what it takes. The question is, is a freelance writing business right for YOU?
The reason I’m asking is simple. It is so easy to glorify this business and our lifestyle, but to be honest, it isn’t all honey. A writing business has its dark sides just like any other business or job.
For starters, you alone will be responsible to juggle all your commitments. If you are slack, then you won’t find work and conversely not be able to pay bills and or afford a certain lifestyle. I figure you are smart enough to already know this, right?
Plus, self employment doesn’t fit everybody’s shoe either. Just look at a recent post of Vered, where she wrote in defense of the 9-5 grind.
The resulting discussions on Vered’s blog clearly indicates that many people are actually happy with a job. They wouldn’t dream of moving into the realms of self employment.
But what are you dreaming about?
If you seriously consider a writing career you should at least be aware of the downfalls of it as everything comes with good and bad. For me, the good in my writing business always outweighs the bad and that is why I’m still doing what I do.
In fact, I have just come back from a VERY lengthy coffee outing with a good friend. Sitting by the harbor with the sun smiling down on us and seeing the boats bustling about was reason enough to never ever go back to a regular job.
Sure I could do the same if I was working a regular job, but I couldn’t do it at will in the middle of the week either. And let me ell you, I often do. It made me think once again of how lucky I really am and that I was in fact in charge of my own destiny.
It’s an awesome feeling and for those of you who run their own business, you might be able to understand what I mean by this.
Deciding on taking the plunge with a freelance writing career
The decision to move ahead is not really the big deal here, but what is and often gets overlooked by new freelancers is the long term stickiness;
- The passion
- The sheer drive
- The dream
- The why
Each of these play a major role in your business and the way it will develop over time. A journey is started with a single step and to get into freelance writing you just have to take that step.
Interestingly enough, I think most people just rather dream about changing their life and when opportunity knocks, they keep on going with their miserable little lives instead of running into the wind and tackling whatever is coming their way.
I learned a long time ago that we cannot change people though, they have to be willing to change themselves. It is the people in life who take pro-active steps that get to the proverbial rainbow in the end.
Therefore I want to leave you with one question:
Have you taken your own pro-active steps lately? Those steps that bring you closer to your dream?
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Lawrence Miller | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
This is a good post; succinctly written in a powerful manner. Your comments derive their power in part by your avoiding the trap entrepreneurs frequently fall into of claiming entrepreneurs are the superior lot, when addressing the divide between the brigades of 9-to-5’ers and entrepreneurs.
You and I may prefer the entrepreneurial life but, as you imply, it is not necessarily the superior way for all people. Some people, for instance, do not like too much freedom. It makes them uncomfortable. Why freedom might make someone uncomfortable is not so much a riddle as it might first appear. There could be many reasons for perfectly bright, success-oriented people preferring to following orders, rather than having the freedom that comes with following their own orders. Some may simply fear too much freedom for fear of how they might utilize it. Others may prefer the life of being a 9-to-5’er, not so much because they really like it, but because, knowing they have no concept of how to go about starting and running a business, they prefer not to try, for fear of losing what they already have in the process. The many reasons for preferring the life of being a 9-to-5’er are legion.
Your way of painting the entrepreneurial life, with of its pitfalls, is, for those of us who are so inclined, beautiful and titillating: erotic, even.
Thanks for the post.
Lis Sowerbutts | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Good post Monica- thanks for the links – they are interesting blogs too. I must admit I am battling at the moment to get ahead with my freelance commitments as I on holiday for 4 of the next 5 weeks – my fault of course but…
Friar | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
@Monika
“Sitting by the harbor with the sun smiling down on us and seeing the boats bustling about was reason enough to never ever go back to a regular job.”
When I read statements like that, it sounds great and I’m jealous.
But I also remember reading about your putting in 18 hours a day and not taking a vacation in years. (And you’re not the first blogger I’ve read who’s admitted to working this hard….)
I’m not knocking full-freelancing, but when I read that kind of stuff, it scares me off. I don’t think it’s for me.
I’m with Vered, in defense of the 9-to-5 grind.
My dream is to become an author and eventually earn enough income from my book(s) that I dont’ have to work for a shitty company. Then I can do what I want (travel, ski, paint, etc.)
I know that takes time…but I have plenty of opportunity to follow this passion every day, after work. I can write and do my artwork from 5:00 PM till bedtime, every night, if I so wished. Plus weekends.
But because I don’t have to depend on this for a living, I only have to work at it when I WANT to, not when I have to.
That gives more of a sense of freedom and control…it becomes FUN instead of work. Because I don’t have the pressure of deadlines, I’m more creative and more relaxed. And I think it’s actually helping me progress towards my goals FASTER, rather than delaying them.
Friar | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
@Monika
PS. I don’t’ know how that “Freelancing” link got on my comment. (I didn’t do it!) (???)
Cath Lawson | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika – I know many people who’ve gone self employed and it didn’t work out, because they weren’t motivated enough to get off their asses and actually look for work.
Having passion for what you do definitely helps. It’s taken me quite a while to work things out, since I went off track. I began planning another business that would have involved employing a whole heap of people. But I kept getting stuck because I really don’t want to employ folk again yet.
So, I’ve worked out a way to solve the same potential customers problems without having to build a huge business and I’ve got quite a bit done recently. I’m nearly finished two short ebooks that I’m going to give away and I’m also working on a bigger product that I’m hoping will help a lot of people.
But – I’m so stuck on my novel. Since I changed the plot, I’ve written so much stuff that sucks and I can’t seem to get it back on track again. Oh well, I can’t have everything at once, I don’t suppose.
By the way – I emailed you yesterday but I’m wondering if I might have gone in your spam filter because of the links in my signature.
Vered - MomGrind | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Your posts are always so informative and helpful. I just sent someone I know to check your blog out – they’re looking for info on freelance writing and I told them you’re the most knowledgeable person I know.
It’s so important to know what you’re getting into, and to realize that you will need to work very hard – but you will also have flexibility and will not need to report to an obnoxious boss.
SuperSkyRockets | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
This is a very thoughtful post and contains lots of points that those hoping to work exclusively freelance should consider. I think it is important not only to think about these issues before you attempt to begin an online/freelance career but also to remind yourself of from time to time. Thanks for sharing!
Jim | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
> “A writing business has it’s dark sides just like any other business or job.”
No.
“It’s” is a contraction — “it is”.
You meant that a writing business has ITS dark sides. No apostrophe.
I don’t make a practice of going around correcting peoples’ English, but we’re all writers here, right?
Monika | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Lawrence: Erotic hey, LOL. I guess that was mean as a compliment, even though it was the farthest thing on my mind when I wrote the post. I do understand though that there is a divide in opinions about the subject and that is perfectly fine. Gee, if we all wanted to work from home it would be hell trying to get some milk, wouldn’t it?
@ Lis: Happy holidays you lucky thing you. Don’t stress too much, knowing you work will flow to you once you are back in your writing seat. Meanwhile, enjoy your time off!
@ Friar: There is nothing wrong with your dream. And you are 100% correct. I did write about the negative aspects of a freelance writing business and unless a writer learns to juggle work, life and family, it is very easy to fall into that hole.
I had to learn this the hard way too and in my eyes it is the single hardest part of running my business. But when I look at my other options I happily stay where I am.
I’m sure that you will launch your book one day and with the plan you have it sounds like it will be a step by step progress which is the best thing anyway. Just don’t forget me once you are famous.
PS: No, you didn’t put anything in the links. It is a new Plugin I’m trialing to earn some revenue.
@ Cath: I can sympathize with you on working things out. It took me a long while to do that myself. It sounds though that you are on the right track and been VERY busy of late.
In fact, I think you did the right thing by mulling over decision making to assure you make the right ones for the time being. All to often we rush into something only to lose time and energies chasing the wrong dreams. Good on you for being brave enough to NOT do this.
@ Vered: WOW, thank you so much for sending someone here. You are right of course. It does take a LOT of hard work running any business, but so does working for a boss. The benefit of that is that one can knock off at 5PM.
No temptation to stay back and work another 4 hours.
@ SuperSkyRockets: You are welcome, I’m glad you found the info useful.
@ Jim: You are certainly correct and I appreciate your slap on the hand.