Comments on: Freelance to Fulltime: Two and a Half Months Later

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:21:23 +0000

My goal in life is to enjoy every minute of it. Would I take a full time job? I don’t know, it depends on how fulfilling the job is.

When it comes to writing, it’s not about “full time” or “freelance” for me. It’s about the intoxicating thrill of doing what I love for a living.

You’ve found your inner happiness, Deb, and for that I say, “Go You!”

By: Mark Terry

Mark Terry — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:47:50 +0000

Interestingly (to me, anyway), I had a situation similar. I’ve been freelancing full-time for about 4 years. This summer I was offered a contract writing/editing job that was essentially full-time, go to work out of my house. It paid really (really, really) well and even offered health benefits if I had wanted them.

I lasted 2 weeks before I told them it wasn’t working out.

It was mostly mental, but I worked too long and too hard to get to where I could freelance for a living to chuck it all and go work for someone else. Do I regret it? Well, I regret not having the money and I’m back to being more nervous when work is slow rather than cocky (versus confident) that work will come along. But I don’t think in 2 or 3 years I’ll look back and wish I’d kept it, although I might. It’s always possible that I’ll actively pursue something similar to it in the future. In this case it fell in my lap when I wasn’t looking and I shrugged and said, Well, let’s give it a shot.

But there are certainly days when I think steady, good-paying work would be nice.

By: krista

krista — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:24:27 +0000

If the right offer came along, I’d work full-time. The one thing I’d worry about is that boredom would set in. That’s probably one of the things I like most about freelancing – the variety of projects I get to work on in a given week. However, for the right amount of money, and the option to work from home, I’d definitely consider it.

By: Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:36:01 +0000

@Deb –

Good to be here.

By: Jenny B

Jenny B — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:54:01 +0000

@Deb,

Thanks Deb. Actually my husband jokes about having worked his share of 20 years and now it’s my turn. I’ve worked half of that between part time or full time. I did appreciate being home with my girls when they were young. Family is important to most of us that hope to/ or do work from home.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:36:32 +0000

One of my lawyers recently offered me a full time (telecommute) position. I like him, but after giving it serious thought I offered a part time compromise. I already work daily part time for another firm and didn’t want to give that job up. Plus I earn about three times more not working on an hourly/salary basis. Mostly though I get bored too easily to spend 8 hrs a day doing just one thing. I like being able to take frequent breaks to blogsurf, go for walks, play with the rabbits, write at my own blogs, etc. If I was on a full time salary or hourly pay, I would feel tied down and feel guilty for taking those frequent breaks, even though they make me more productive. So my answer is no. At least for now. But we are all different. I can see how it works for you, Deb, and I am happy for you.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:03:03 +0000

@Katherine – there are so many full and part time jobs available for working at home now. Bet you find something great when you’re ready.

Jenny B. – I wish you like in finding your dream, full time writing job.

@Karen – You’re very welcome. This blog is a success because I’m honest with my community. I’ll always give you that.

@valencia – We make the choices that work best for us, I think. What works for me, might not work for you and vice versa. I wouldn’t have considered taking on this full time job if the hours weren’t some what flexible and I could work at home.

@Dave – Thanks! And I’m so glad to see you here more often!

@Dawn – I was very secure as a freelancer too. I had some good steady clients and I knew that I always had at least *some* money coming in. And you’re right, whenever I lost a gig I never had trouble finding a new one to make up for it. I still freelance here and there, but it’s for fun now.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:45:34 +0000

Thanks for another update Deb. Is this what Dave meant yesterday by being “transparent?” This is why you will always be my favorite blogger. You show all sides of the coin.

Thanks for keeping it real!

By: Jenny B

Jenny B — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:37:06 +0000

I do work full time and write part time. For now, I don’t have an option as my husband is still looking for work, or a scholarship for graduate education. We also have a teen graduating from high school this year. Ideally, a full time writing position that incorporates teaching, writing, learning, editing and variety0 would interest me. Who knows what may happen in the future.

Deb, I’m so glad that you are enjoying your family time with your new full time position.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:44:47 +0000

BlogTalkRadio seems like a great gig – I am looking for some steadier work like that, too. (After the summer is over!) But, I would definitely miss freelancing. A lot. A good compromise for me would be to go part time with a steady salary.