Freelance Writing: The Cons (Five Things to Watch Out For)

There’s plenty to love about your job when you’re a freelance writer, but what about the downside? Every career has one, and freelance writing is no exception. Yesterday I shared five things to love about this job. Today, I give you five things about this career that will rankle you!

1. It’s all on you. While you might have a network of professionals, vendors, and perhaps even some outsourced providers to whom you turn when you need help, ultimately, it’s your client and the work sits squarely on your plate. The responsibility for everything under sun is suddenly all yours.
2. The hat collection. Being a freelance writer means you wear all the hats in your business office: administration and support, sales, marketing, customer service, finance, operations (that would be the actual writing), and oh yeah, custodial services.
3. No guarantees. Getting work is up to you and you alone. There are no guarantees that next month’s revenue will cover the household bills. That means planning ahead for dry spells and understanding that freedom has a cost.
4. Friends and family. They think that because you work for yourself and spend all day at home, you have tons of free time, when the reality is that you’re putting in more hours than all of them combined. Make it a point to let them know that you’re working and you have a schedule to maintain.
5. Uncle Sam. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to earn considerably more than you ever did at a regular job. Why? Because you are not working for a company, which kicks in part of your taxes and other mandatory fees, you’ll have to foot the whole bill when tax time rolls around.

What else is frustrating about the life of a freelance writer? Don’t be shy! I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences so please leave a comment.

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Freelance Writing: The Pros (Five Things to Love About This Job)

Every profession has its ups and downs. Freelance writing is no exception. As with any other job, there are aspects to this career that will put a smile on your face, just as there are moments and situations that make you throw your hands up and scream.

Here’s a look at five things to love about being a freelance writer. Be sure to come back tomorrow to find out about the downside (cons) of this career!

1. Setting your own schedule. Not everyone is cut out for the 8-5 grind, and who wants to have to ask permission to take a vacation? When you work for yourself, you get to set your own schedule and work the hours that you want.
2. Choosing the work. You don’t have to say yes to every client. Whether it’s a personality issue, or a problem you have with the work itself, you have final say over the jobs that you accept and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
3. Control over your earnings. If you need a little extra income you can just take on a few extra projects. Many companies have limits or outright bans on overtime. Likewise, you can cut your hours back when you feel like it (as long as you have the funds to do so). Best of all, you get to set your own rates and that ultimately determines how much you earn.
4. A sense of accomplishment. Sure, you can get a gold star review at any job and that feels great but when you’ve built your own business from the ground up, the sense of accomplishment that comes with each successful milestone is exhilarating. Nothing matches the feeling of knowing that you’re making it all on your own.
5. Work from anywhere. For some, this is a deal maker. People who love to travel or move around frequently will find that freelance writing lends itself wonderfully to such a lifestyle, just as it works spectacularly for homebodies. You can work from a café, your backyard, the beach, anywhere that suits you!

What else is great about being a freelance writer, or any other freelancer for that matter? Leave a comment and tell me what you love or think you’d love about the freelance life.

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