Freelance Writing: All You Need to Know
The idea of being your own boss and determining your own working hours while doing what you love is one of the many reasons why writers decide to start freelancing. Increasing numbers of people are ditching their 9-to-5s to pursue a career in freelance writing.
You might be considering doing the same - and that's great! You deserve to earn a living while doing something that you're passionate about. Still, every job has its pros and cons, and freelance writing is no exception to that.
Before you drop it all and start your career as a freelance writer, this article will delve into what it's really like to be a freelance writer. Whether it be good or bad, you'll find it all here.
The Good
Let's start with the good (because we're adults and dessert before a meal is perfectly acceptable). The following are all reasons why being a freelance writer is super rewarding:
1. Your office is wherever you want it to be. Whether you prefer working from home, at a local coffee shop, or in an office environment, your office is wherever you put your laptop down. The flexibility of remote work is one of the greatest benefits of being a freelance writer.
2. You determine your own rate. No more having other people decide what your work is worth. YOU decide what your rates are and how they will be calculated. Feel like charging a client per hour? Do it. Want to be paid according to the number of words you write? Go for it. Your rates are entirely yours to set.
3. You're the boss. If being told what to do and when to do it by superiors frustrates you to your core, freelance writing might also appeal to you. Since you're the one in charge of the work you take on, there's no need to ask for permission to take leave, or sick days or simply finish your work day a bit earlier. The type of projects you accept from clients is entirely up to you. If you don't like writing about sports, you don't have to.
4. You're doing what you love. The saying goes: "Choose to do a job that you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." If you love writing and have a passion for texts, freelancing is a great way to live by these famous words.
The Bad
Inevitably, one has to consider the bad side of any career when deciding whether or not to take it on. So, without further ado, here are all the not-so-nice things related to being a freelance writer:
1. Work isn't guaranteed. Especially when you're just starting, there is no guarantee that you will always have work to do, which also means that you won't always have a stable income
2. Maintaining a work-life balance is hard. Since the amount of work you do directly correlates with the income you receive, it becomes very easy to justify working "just a bit more" or "just a bit longer" every day. If you don't set clear boundaries for yourself, your personal life may be negatively affected by your work.
3. Benefits? What benefits? This is a big one. No one ever tells you that becoming a freelancer also means giving up certain work benefits that you typically receive when working for a company. Things like holiday entitlement and statutory sick pay won't apply to you when you're self-employed. The general statement of "no work, no pay" applies to freelance writers and is something that you should be aware of before deciding to pursue this career.
If you adore writing and are feeling lost in your current work situation, you should consider a career in freelance writing. Just be sure that you are ready to accept both the pros and cons of this job before burning all of your bridges to pursue it.
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