If there’s one thing I learned from this blog, it’s that every single freelance writer has a different goal or purpose. Not everyone who does this set out to be a writer. For some it’s a way to survive in this economy. For other writers it’s a chance to be heard. For anyone to succeed in anything it’s important to figure out your purpose.
- Is it to earn money?
- Is it to do something you love?
- Is it to teach?
- Is it to share?
- Is it to work from home?
- Is it to become famous?
- Is it to alleviate boredom?
- Is it because you receive PayPal payments once a week?
What is your purpose?
Notice I’m not asking why you write. Whenever I ask folks why they write I get answers like “because I must!”That’s not what I’m looking for here. Share the real reasons you’re doing this – why you started and what you hope to accomplish as a result of your writing. Is it something you want to do or something you have to do? Would you be a writer if you didn’t find yourself without work or wanting to work at home? Would you be writing if there was no Internet?
Discuss…
I enjoy writing and I want to write to share my passion and to help others find their passion and purpose as well. I would write even if there was not an internet BUT I think it would be more difficult to make the same amount of money or to find the opportunities that the internet has provided.
Through the internet I have met people I would never have met otherwise and those connections have led to writing opportunities.
Through the internet I have been able to write about events, topics and locations that would have been foreign to me with out that research tool.
Through the internet I have had the opportunity to share my words with people around the globe.
I started writing to share a story. I continued writing to make some money. I am going to pursue my writing as an avenue to share my heart.
I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for a total of three weeks now. I realized that I craved the freedom and flexibility of working from home/anywhere. I wanted variety in my daily life. Sure, money (and maybe fame) would be fantastic, but really, I want to be my own boss. And I like writing. So freelancing is for me!
I’ve just always wanted to be a writer and before I started journalism school I never realized all the opportunities that are out there for freelance writers! I also enjoy having a flexible schedule and working from home – and I really do love researching, interviewing and writing articles!
I’m only a part-time freelancer right now, but I’d love to make it full-time one day!
My first thought was to blog as part of establishing a consulting business. I began a just-for-fun blog to learn the process and find that for the first time I’m enjoying writing. I’m restricted in my ability to travel and I’m starting to wonder if I could write to supplement my income.
I agree a lot of what @Kathryn Lang has said. I too, write because it’s my passion and because I want to help inspire others to find their own. It’s something I love and something I have to do. I started writing when I was six years old back when there were no laptops or Internet. I used paper and pen and it was just as and maybe even more satisfying than the computer.
On the other hand, the Internet has made it possible to do so much. I think the best part is being able to network with other writers especially since working at home every day can become lonely.
In general, I write not because I want to be rich but because I want a rich experience that in my eyes only writing can bring.
To feed my family, pay the bills, etc.
I write pretty much for reasons #1 and #2 – to get paid for doing something I love. Whenever I try to think of a job I can picture myself doing the rest of my life, it’s not my current job in TV news that I think about. It’s writing.
I’m not a freelance writer but my goal in writing my blog or content on my website is to help others AND make money at the same time.
I began my freelance career 13 years ago. After having a baby (and acquiring the many bills that go along with that) I took a break and later started working retail once my kids were older.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I developed health issues. While I continued to move up at the company I worked for, I missed being home with my kids. So that’s when I began my search for a “work at home” job. I tried party plans and phone work and I hated it all. Then one day the light bulb came on and I said, “Hey, I’m a writer! Why am I not writing?” The rest is history, as they say.
I write because I have a family to take care of. I have health issues that keep me from working outside the home and I’m good at it. I’m still working on building my business so I can earn more for my time, but “writer” isn’t just what I do; it’s what I am to my very core. It makes me wonder why it took me so long to figure that out.
Hmm. Interesting question.
I write because it’s what I love, and I *have* to write. No, really. Sadly, I get withdrawal symptoms if I don’t. So why not make money from doing what I love?
I’m turned off the corporate world after one hellish experience, and I want to be my own boss, control my own hours, and work on the projects that I choose. I also have a passion for English. Freelance writing fits perfectly.
I was a writer during my full-time employment, while I didn’t have internet, from when I was young up until now, and I strongly suspect I’ll be a writer forever. I just can’t kick the habit.
I write for the money and for the lifestyle that freelancing gives me. Although I have a passion for my personal creative projects, the bulk of the work I do on a day-to-day basis is just that: work. That said, I do enjoy it more than any other job I’ve had before.
I started picking up freelance writing gigs when I was at a crossroads in my career. At that point, I considered writing a short-term way to make money until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. After a few months, I realized that freelance writing fit perfectly with my lifestyle.
Without the option of working from home, I doubt that I would pursue a career as a writer. While I prefer jobs that are writing-intensive, I can’t stand sitting behind a desk in an office all day.
When my son was born in 2004, I left my full-time job to stay at home. I started freelance writing in 2005 as a way to keep my brain fresh and my skills current. I also write to earn some extra date and babysitter money as well as help with medical bills related to our other son.
I find that I enjoy the little challenges. Can i write an interesting blog for a self storage company? Can I find something interesting about de-worming livestock? As yet, i have not received one cent for my writing alone.
Ultimately, I would love to see writing take care of my baby’s diapers (due April 21).
After the challenges, and the poo container funding aspiration, writing is a way for me to get things out of my head. A culling of mental function i suppose.
-Matt
My purpose has changes and still evolves. At first, it was to make money. That was my only purpose in freelancing.
Now, it is to inform, to encourage, and to make money. I find I get more personal satisfaction when I’ve written something meaningful that can help another writer, than if I’d gotten a deposit into my paypal.
That isn’t to say I don’t NEED the money. The money will always be important, as my writing supports the household.
I write in order to make money from something I love. I enjoy working from home but it isn’t necessarily why I write. I will continue to write even if no-one reads my writing and I cannot support myself by writing alone.
The real reasons why I’m doing this? Well, money is the #1 reason, of course. I know this doesn’t sound “romantic,” but I have to be honest here.
Working from home would be the #2 reason. Then again, there are other ways to work from home; freelance writing is just one among many other possibilities. As I like writing, I chose this one over the others.
I like to write, so I looked into freelance writing to get some ideas and coaching. I have writing on Helium.com.
I also want to make some money through my blog pages. I will put them out on facebook, when I learn how to do that.