If you’re a writer, I’m sure you’ve had this fantasy at some point in your life: staring out the window of a small café in Paris as you watch the rain fall lightly on the cobblestones. Suddenly, an idea for a short story pops into your mind and you can’t help but start writing it down.
You notice that it’s getting dark outside and realize that several hours have passed by unnoticed. With a smile, you close your notebook and order another espresso. A few days later, the finished story is accepted by The New Yorker and will net you enough money to live off of for years!
This is the dream that many writers have and it’s why so many aspiring writers wonder if they should quit their day jobs to go full-time. It sounds nice just to focus on writing all day, but there are several reasons why this might not be smart for everyone. Here are just a few:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Consider the pros and cons of transitioning from a day job to freelancing as a writer. |
| Research different freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to determine the best fit for your skills and goals. |
| Explore comprehensive guides on freelancing sites and tips on becoming a freelance writer to equip yourself with essential knowledge. |
| Gain inspiration from successful freelancers who made the leap from full-time jobs to freelancing. |
| Before making a decision, weigh the financial implications and ensure you have a solid plan and financial security to support your freelance career. |
| Recognize that freelancing offers flexibility, but it also comes with challenges such as managing your own business affairs and dealing with variable income. |
| Assess whether you possess the necessary skills and traits for freelancing, including time management, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently. |
| Market yourself effectively as a freelance writer by creating an impressive online portfolio and leveraging social media and networking to attract potential clients. |
| Seek advice and insights from other freelance writers who have navigated the transition from day jobs to freelancing successfully. |
| Embrace change and view freelancing as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. |
I Want To Be There For My Kids
I have a full-time job that I love. The pay is good and the people are great, but it can be hard to leave in the morning when my kids are crying for me, and it’s even harder to come home after a long day at work and find them asleep in their beds or playing in the backyard.
I’m not alone many parents need to work outside of the home because they want their children to have a good life. But working from home isn’t always an option, either because you don’t know how or because your employer won’t let you.
You don’t have to quit your day job just yet if your family depends on those monthly checks from yours! Here are some ways you can still spend quality time with your kids while earning money as a freelancer:
Finding the perfect freelance platform is crucial for success. If you’re unsure about whether Upwork or Fiverr is the better fit for your skills and goals, our guide on Is Upwork or Fiverr Right for You? can help you make an informed decision.
I Want To Work From Anywhere In The World
If you’re anything like me, you have a day job that requires you to be in an office. You work with a team of people and probably have a cubicle or desk of your own. But what if there was another option?
What if you could take your job on the road? What if instead of being tied down because of your 9 to 5 schedule, your career dictated where and how often it required you to work?
Some freelancers choose this route and it’s not just for writers! It’s also an option for programmers, graphic designers, artists, and more.
The freedom is enticing but so are some of its drawbacks: working remotely is hard work and can be lonely at times; finding clients who are willing to hire someone without any physical presence can prove challenging; keeping up with social obligations becomes difficult (or nearly impossible).
I Want To Control My Workload
While you’re employed by someone else, you have no control over your workload. You may have to take on a project that doesn’t interest or challenge you. You can only work at the times that fit into your boss’ schedule and he or she might not necessarily care about how busy you are.
If this happens often enough, it could lead to resentment and an unhealthy work relationship between yourself and your employer.
If you want to use freelancing as a way to escape the monotony of office life while still earning money from writing, then this is another reason why quitting might be right for you:
Control over what tasks come next for them all to be organized properly can help keep things moving forward without any major issues occurring along the way (and having a good team around helps too).
Freelancing sites offer numerous opportunities, but it’s essential to understand how they work. Explore our comprehensive guide on Everything You Need to Know About Freelancing Sites to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge to thrive in this competitive space.
I Don’t Like Being Told What To Do
The last thing you want is to be stuck in a job you hate, especially if it means being away from the people and things that make life worth living. So why not work for yourself? You can decide how much (or little) time you want to spend working, what projects are worth your time, and where in the world or universe you’d like to do your work.
While freelancing gives you more flexibility than a traditional job, it also comes with its own set of challenges. You might have more freedom when it comes to scheduling and where your office space is located, but these perks come at a cost: self-discipline.
I Don’t Like Commuting Or Having A Set Schedule
The great thing about being a freelance writer is that you can work from home, so you don’t have to commute. You can also work whenever and wherever the mood strikes you. If it’s 11:30 at night, and you’re just not feeling up to working on your next article, no problem!
There are no rules here; if your brain isn’t ready for writing yet, then take a break and come back when it is.
It’s important not to get too stressed out by this because sometimes ideas just won’t come and that’s okay! As long as we keep trying new things (and following our instincts), eventually, we’ll find something worth sharing with others
I Want To Spend More Time With My Family/Partner/Friends
If you are a parent or soon-to-be parent, the ability to work from home can be a huge benefit. You can be there for your children when they need you and you can take time off if they need it.
You might even be able to help them with their homework, which is always something I tried to do as much as possible during my school days.
Working from home also means that you can avoid rush-hour traffic and all of the other things that go along with commuting every day (including paying for gas). If your partner has an office job but doesn’t want to take any time away from their family life, this could be a good option for them as well!
I Want To Be Able To Take Time Off Whenever I Want To
If you’re not good at taking vacations, chances are, you’ve been putting off a lot of things. You might be afraid that if you take vacation days, they’ll be gone forever. But once the money is in your bank account and the paperwork has been filed with the HR department, there’s no going back.
It’s important to remember that even if something bad happens when you’re on vacation (like your home burns down), it’s not going to matter because it will all be over soon anyway. A lot of people don’t get this.
They think: “Well if I go on vacation for two weeks now and my house burns down during those two weeks…then…I won’t have enough time with my family after the fire.” But what would happen then? Wouldn’t they just move forward from that point onward?
Because let’s face it after everything is said and done (and everything always gets said and done), there will always be more ahead than behind us!
Becoming a freelance writer can be both exciting and challenging. To kickstart your career on the right foot, delve into our informative guide on How to Become a Freelance Writer and discover valuable tips and insights from seasoned writers.
A 9-5 Job Is Boring And Doesn’t Suit Me
You want to be able to work whenever you want. You’d like to do your own thing, on your terms. You might think that working from home or a café allows for this kind of flexibility but it doesn’t not really.
Sure, you can set your schedule but once you’re sitting in front of a computer screen, it feels like work no matter where you are or who else is around (or not).
If I’m being honest, this has been one of the hardest parts about going freelance: figuring out how much time I should spend writing and when those hours should come each day.
My Work Isn’t Challenging Enough Anymore
If you’re feeling bored at work, there are some ways to make it more challenging. You could ask your boss to give you more responsibility or take on a side hustle where you can learn new skills.
Or maybe it’s not a matter of being busy maybe you’re just bored with your job in general and want to do something else entirely! If that’s the case, I hope this post has helped shed some light on why becoming a freelancer might be right for you.
I Want To Make More Money Than I Do Right Now
As a freelance writer, you can make anywhere from $15 to $500 per article. The pay is often a function of the type of company that hires you and what they need. For example, if it’s a big corporation like Amazon with an internal blog, then the pay will be higher than if it were just some random blog on WordPress or Tumblr.
However, many freelancers get paid by check or PayPal which means that some people are working for less than minimum wage (and thus earning money off taxes). If this sounds like something that interests you, read on!
My Boss Is Unbearable
I wish I could say that my boss was the only reason why I wanted to quit my job. But it wasn’t. My husband had a good job, too a steady paycheck, benefits, and all of that but he didn’t love it either. He was always stressed out about work and had been working crazy hours for years with no end in sight.
So we decided to start working from home together on freelance writing gigs at our own pace instead of slaving away in an office or factory somewhere with other people who don’t care about you or your family’s well-being because they’re too busy trying not to get fired themselves (or just getting fired).
It can be hard to make this decision because there are so many unknowns when you go out on your own as a writer: Will people pay me? How do I even start? What if no one wants my services? But once you’ve made up your mind that this is what’s best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY NOW (and not later), then there’s nothing stopping
Sometimes, the best freelance opportunities arise from unexpected sources. Learn how one freelancer managed to secure a job without prior acquaintance in our inspiring story on How I Got a Freelance Job Without Knowing the Person.
I Want To Work On My Terms
You’re probably wondering what exactly a freelance writer is. Well, freelance writers are people who write articles, blog posts, and scripts for money. They don’t have set hours or set locations they can write from home or at a coffee shop! Why would you want this kind of freedom? Because you get to work on your terms.
As opposed to an employee who has set hours, takes orders from their boss (or maybe several bosses), and works in an office with other people, freelancers have more control over their schedules.
But that doesn’t mean they work in isolation; many freelancers enjoy working together on projects with other freelancers because it makes them feel less like they’re alone in the world of writing–and it gives them more opportunities for collaboration as well!
And if you do decide that working with others isn’t for you…well then there’s always Google Hangouts so that remote teams can still meet face-to-face from time to time without having everyone relocate themselves across town!–but we’ll get back onto this later 🙂
Working Freelance Will Allow Me More Flexibility And Freedom With My Lifestyle/Routine
As a freelance writer, you can work from anywhere. This means that the only thing holding you back from writing is yourself. If you’re in Hawaii and need to write about local restaurants, there’s no reason why you can’t do that.
Or if there’s a new restaurant opening up in your neighborhood, you can write an article about it while enjoying a meal at home on your couch or while eating at the table next door!
You have freedom over when and how much time will be spent on each project as well. If one client wants their project finished quickly because they’re running behind schedule, no problem! Just get moving on it and meet their deadline without sacrificing the quality or quantity of content produced!
Additionally, freelancing allows writers to collaborate with other freelancers or clients through email/messaging platforms such as Slack or Google Docs if needed saving time by not having to track down who needs edits done next among groups of writers working together remotely (which could also save money).
My Current Employer Doesn’t Provide Financial Incentives For My Efforts, Which Is Disheartening
It’s important to keep in mind that in the long term, your employer benefits from your writing efforts. You will become a better writer and a stronger asset to their business when you are working on these projects.
In the short term, however, it may not seem like your current job is benefiting from your freelance career. The fact that they don’t provide financial incentives for your efforts can be disheartening at times especially if you just want to make money now!
Becoming A Freelance Writer Would Allow Me To Pursue Other Interests And Passions Alongside My Career
A freelance writing career would allow me to pursue other interests and passions alongside my career.
I could finally start learning how to play the guitar, or take up chess. I could start a blog about my favorite topic: World War II history. And because I would be making money from writing, I could afford a private tutor or join a local chess club (if one existed).
I could also use the time and energy I saved from not commuting every day for an office job to volunteer at my church or work in their community garden program; doing something that gives back is important to me.
It’s A Big Decision But Sometimes You Should Go For It If It’s Going To Make You Happier!
If you have the skills to do the work and are interested in this type of career, then yes, it would be a good idea to pursue freelance writing. But keep in mind that there’s a lot of competition out there for this type of job.
You may have to spend some time learning your way around the business before you can make a living as a freelance writer.
Other factors could influence your decision such as how much money you want to make and how much time you want to devote to your new career.
If working full-time is important for your life right now, but freelancing sounds like something worth trying at some point down the road when things get less busy at work, then maybe it’s best just not to rush into something until everything else has settled down first!
Leaving the stability of a full-time job for freelancing can be daunting. Gain valuable perspective from someone who made the leap in our compelling account on Why I Quit My Full-Time Job to Start Freelancing, and learn how embracing change can lead to personal and professional growth.
Conclusion
We hope this post gave you a clearer picture of the pros and cons of freelance writing. You should do your research before embarking on this journey, but when you’re ready to take the leap, be sure to take it slowly and deliberately.
Start by getting some experience in the field (or relevant fields) you want to write for, then start building up your portfolio and applying for jobs. And remember: there’s no reason why you have to quit your day job immediately.
Many successful freelancers start small and gradually build up their client list over time. Whenever possible, try not to burn bridges with past employers you can never tell who might refer a future client your way!
Further Reading
Peak Freelance: Quitting Your Job to Freelance Short Description: Explore the insights and experiences of freelancers who took the leap and left their traditional jobs to pursue freelancing full-time.
Medium: Freelance Writers – Read This Before Quitting Your Day Job Short Description: Before making any hasty decisions, freelance writers can benefit from reading this article, which offers essential advice and considerations for transitioning to full-time freelancing.
Creatibly: Should I Quit My Job to Start Freelancing? Short Description: If you’re contemplating the freelancing path, this blog post provides valuable insights and practical tips to help you make an informed decision about leaving your job to start freelancing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Choose A Freelance Writing Niche?
You should choose a freelance writing niche that is both in demand and one you enjoy. For example, if you love fitness and health topics, but don’t want to write about them because they’re not in high demand, then maybe it’s best to look for nonfiction topics that are more popular right now.
How Do I Choose An Online Platform For My Freelance Writing Business?
The easiest way to get started with your website is through WordPress or Blogger (formerly Blogger). These platforms are free and easy to use yet powerful enough for most writers’ purposes.
However, if those platforms aren’t your style or don’t meet all of your needs, there are plenty of other options out there as well, for instance, Squarespace offers both free and paid plans depending on how much customization you want from their platform.
Just be sure whatever platform(s) you select will allow people who want to hire writers like yourself to find them!
How Do I Find Clients?
There are many ways to find clients. You can market yourself online, through networking, or by simply reaching out to people you know. The best way is to try all of them and see what works for you.
How Do I Get Paid?
Almost every freelance writing job includes some sort of reimbursement for expenses (e.g., food, travel), but how much depends on the type of project and company that hires you as a freelancer.
At some point during your career as a freelance writer, someone will likely ask if they can pay in cash instead of issuing checks or credit card payments and this is where things can get tricky because cash payments aren’t always legal!
Always make sure your client has invoiced their company before accepting money directly from them in any form other than checks or credit cards issued directly through their business bank account (which should have been provided upfront).
What Is A Freelance Writer?
A freelance writer is someone who writes content and articles for money. Usually, they work remotely and set their hours. It’s possible to make good money as a freelance writer, but it takes time to build up your clientele and income stream.
How Much Does A Freelance Writer Make?
This depends entirely on how much experience you have, the type of job you take on (i.e., writing for blogs vs newspapers), and what kind of clients you’re working with (i.e., big publishers vs small startups).
Most people start out making between $15-20 per hour, which translates into roughly $30-$40k/year if they work full-time hours (40hrs/week).
Some people do well enough that they can quit their day jobs within six months while others struggle to find good-paying clients after three years of working full-time hours.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Freelance Writer?
Pros: You get to write about whatever interests you! No one will tell you what subjects to cover or how many words should go into each article or blog post.
Cons: If you’re not careful about managing your finances and marketing yourself effectively, it can be hard to grow your client base quickly enough so that eventually turns into a steady income.
Are there any skills required by writers who work as freelancers? Yes! Here are some things writers should know before trying this career path:
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.