Comments on: 5 Reasons Why You Might Not Want To Be A Freelance Writer

By: irene

irene — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:23:48 +0000

One of the biggest fear that i had when i was barely starting with my writing career was the unsteady supply of job not unlike when i was working in the office. My sisters and friends often discouraged me doing this kind of job because there is no security of tenure especially if you haven’t made a name for yourself.

I’ve been a full pledge writer for 2 months and I kind of adapt to the writer’s way of life. I enjoy the time freedom and this kind of job has taught me enough how to budget my time, how to save and budget money and to rely on myself, others and God’s guidance to lead me to better projects.

For almost five years, I was stuck in the corporate world with no career progress at all, but when i entered the writing world, my life has evolved the way i never have imagined. Friends are coming, doors are opening and i can see myself coming out from a cocoon, like a butterfly with pollens to spread to beautify the surrounding.

By: Kathryn Lang

Kathryn Lang — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:21:47 +0000

Having savings before making the leap is valuable. Continuing to build the savings after the leap is just as important. It makes it easier to take the jobs that you want and love (and not to take it for the money) if you have enough to live off of when times get tough. .-= Kathryn Lang´s last blog ..Write Until it is Right – Building a Better Novel =-.

By: Ron Lewis

Ron Lewis — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:29:47 +0000

How about these:
1. You write like crap.
2. You have the vocabulary of a 6th grader.
3. The desire to be “heard” is a driving force in your life.
4. You have no business acumen or significant career experience that can add value to a project.
5. You write like you talk, consistently using slang, jargon, and cliche terms, and worse, you don’t even know it.
6. You lack the ability to focus and see your writing from another perspective, such that you can’t proof your own work.
7. You don’t agree with the statement, “the customer is always right,” or understand that when they’re not right, they’re still right — they just shouldn’t be YOUR customer.
8. You can’t say “No,” or lack the insight to know when you should.
9. Your self-esteem can’t handle criticism, and you don’t recognize its much higher value than praise.
10. You can’t accept that almost no one values your services as highly as you believe they should.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:31:22 +0000

Add this one, Anne - you don't like marketing. If you can't sell yourself, you're kinda out of luck in t his business. Oh, and add this - you can't separate your emotions from the business. You have to treat this as a business. Otherwise, people will walk all over you. .-= Lori´s last blog ..Bid No More =-.

By: T

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:05:34 +0000

I agree with you, Anne! I love freelancing, even with the uncertain income, buying my own insurance, etc. But I think anyone with a low threshold for rejection and criticism might want to look elsewhere. I was fortunate enough to be raised by a dad who constantly told me not to take things personally, advice which has served me well as a freelancer. A thick skin is an absolute necessity.

By: Rhonda Eudaly

Rhonda Eudaly — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:09:13 +0000

My biggest reason for not wanting to freelance -- I hate collecting money from people. I've been stiffed a couple of times now and others that are just difficult to get money out of. Let someone else do the collecting and give me a paycheck... .-= Rhonda Eudaly´s last blog ..The StrangeWords Article =-.