10 Best Reasons to Be a Freelance Writer
May 29, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Customer Service, Freelance Writing
So it’s spring and we’re just on the verge of summer. The weather is warm, it’s beach time, picnic time, barbecue time and the possibilities are wide open. It’s a great time to be a freelance writer.
How much do I love freelancing? Let me count the ways…
Top 10 Reasons to be a Freelance Writer
1. Make My Own Rules
I get to decide who I want to work with and when. I set my own rates, choose the jobs I like and don’t have to answer to anyone but me. While I have my own high standards to adhere to, I don’t have to kiss butts or kowtow to a manager 20 years younger than me. I’m not attending team meetings where my voice isn’t heard, or rolling my eyes or nodding in silence while wasting my time on conference calls. As a freelancer I call my own shots and only answer to my self and my clients.
2. Make My Own Hours
If I want to sleep in or take an afternoon nap, I can. If I want to work early in the morning or late in the day, I can. While I do have a specific time of day I like to work, it’s not set in stone and if I want to meet the girls for lunch or go out and get a pedicure, I can. As long as I meet my deadlines and turn in top quality work, I can do it whenever I want.
3. Have Laptop Will Travel
I can work at the library, the coffee shop, or at piano lessons. My job can be done from my office, my kitchen table or my back deck. If there’s WiFi, I’m there. My clients don’t care where I work as long as the job is done well and I have good communication.
4. Stocking and Heels? I Don’t Think So…
I’m not a work in my jammies girl. I do like to get dressed for work because it puts me in the proper frame of mind. However, I work in jeans, sweats, shorts or a bathing suit. I haven’t worn a suit or stockings in 7 years and I plan on it staying that way.
5. Don’t Like the Gig? Move On…
If I’m working for a client but don’t enjoy the work, I can move on. I would never flake out on a client or leave him with an unfinished job, but if it’s not something I’m into, I don’t have to take on anymore such assignments. I can choose the jobs I want to do and let someone else handle the assignments I’m not into.
6. No Office Politics Here
There is no climbing, backstabbing or politics at my kitchen table. I don’t have to deal with co-workers stealing my ideas or bosses who have their own interests. Here at Deb’s office it’s about me and my clients and I like it that way.
7. Family Time!
Freelancing allows me to take the day off to have a picnic with my family or go to the beach on a moment’s notice. I can swim in the pool at night, read stories with my son, break for ice cream and rock the flexibility in favor of more family time.
8. No One Yells at Me for Being On Twitter All Day
As a freelancer I can tweet to my heart’s content. I don’t have to worry about what I’m saying or who is watching. I can feed my social networking addiction whenever the urge hits. If I want to spend the day on Twitter, I can do so without guilt or looking over my shoulder.
9. No Weekend Supermarket Shopping
You haven’t lived until you’ve gone shopping Tuesday morning at 8:30. No lines. No out of stock items. The first space in the parking lot. It’s heaven.
10.I Can Work On My Own Projects Whenever I Want
If I want to work on my blogs I don’t have to worry about whether or not I’m doing it on company time. I can work on my ebooks when inspiration hits and not feel guilty about taking time out for me. I don’t have to wait until after The Boy is in bed or wake up at the crack of dawn to do the things I want to do.
There are other great reasons to freelance. I can set my own rates, be my own boss and take credit for my own ideas.
What are your favorite reasons to freelance?
10 definitely sounds pretty sweet.
For number 9, trying going to CostCo in Los Angeles. No matter what time of day, the parking lot is always overflowing!
What an encouraging list! Thanks!
i love this entry.. it’s really fun being a writer and working at your own phase.
These are all so, so true. Thanks for a nice thankful post on a beautiful summer day!
You took the words right out of my fingers! I love it!
So true! And if that didn’t convince me to give up the 9-5, I don’t know what would!
What’s great to me about being a freelance writer is that I get to work for whatever money I choose to make that day and I can break to play uno with my boyfriend whenever I want to. I can also see my goals as a writer being accomplished on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. I called myself a writer yesterday for the first time in conversation and that, in of itself, was awesome.
Love it, love it, love it – you are reading my mind! Great post!
No. 11: You can spend time with your small kids during the day. Of course, my son goes to preschool a few days each week, but my freelancing career affords me the flexibility to take him and pick him up myself–and take him to do fun stuff during the week sometimes, too.
Re: Family time…once kids get to be teens, work is an escape, but at home there’s no escape…so sometimes I just have to get out of here.
Great post and all 10 from your list hit home with me. Like #2, I also love the fact that I control my own income. If I need extra money for Christmas, then I start pitching like crazy in October and November. Or I may do the same in April or May to bring in some extra for a summer vacation week (or weekend). In a regular office job you can’t just walk up to your boss and ask him for extra funds on the paystub those two months. As a freelancer you can work to up your income for those ‘little extras’. I love it!
Honestly, I was outside on Sunday taking apart my kids old swingset. It was 65 in the sun, so not bad for labor of that nature. I’d finished up and my husband was outside mowing the area and tidying it up. He came in a few minutes later saying how cold it had gotten. It was 45 at that point, so I decided to cover my tomatoes before cooking dinner. Within 30 minutes, the temperature plummeted from to 38 and it started hailing.
My tomatoes were saved, but the sheets covering them were covered in sleet and hail. In areas nearer Mount Mansfield, they had a light dusting of snow on the ground.
Spring’s barely here and I question if summer will ever arrive.
Yes! Life as a freelancer is sweet!
Good points! Thanks for reminding me of why I love this writers’ life!