Freelance Writing: Not Everyone Can Do It
Today I came across a blog about freelance writing. The headline for the lead post about making a living as a freelance writer was entitled “Anyone Can Do It.”
I beg to differ.
Here’s why not everyone can be a freelance writer:
Writing takes skill. Believe it or not, there’s skill involved with this here job. I know, I know, all we do is sit at our word processors typing in silly little words, how difficult can that be? The reality is, you have to know about writing. I’m not talking about proper grammar. I’m talking about being able to string words together to form a cohesive sentence. I’m talking about engaging your readers and painting a picture with your words. It’s not enough to write, it has to be interesting enough for people to want to read. No, not everyone can do this.
You have to be able to work well alone. Again, not everyone can do this. While it sounds nice in theory, being home alone all day can be lonely. Many people can’t tolerate the solitude. Also, not everyone can work without direction. The idea sounds lovely but actually sitting down and doing something without the input of your superiors doesn’t work for everyone.
You have to be able to find enough work to survive. Work doesn’t magically appear on your desk. You have to set aside time each day to look for jobs. Also keep in mind you’ll be competing with thousands of other writers. Really, writing is only part of the job. Up until a few months ago, I trolled the job boards for two hours a day.
You have to have people skills. Do you know what I once read? “You don’t even have to deal with people to be a freelance writer.” Hello? How will you know what your client wants? How will you get any feedback? You absolutely have to deal with people and you have to have the ability to listen and communicate.
You have to be willing to network. Most of us got to where we are thanks to hard work and shameless self promotion. It’s not enough to write a piece of content. You have to take that piece of content and make into something potential clients will drool over. You have to make the world aware of your work and that’s not easy. You have to find clients, schmooze clients and also other writers. Don’t underestimate your fellow writers, they’re the ones who know all the important contacts and bits of advice. Network.
So let’s see that’s an hour or two of job hunting, an hour or two of networking and then four to six hours of writing each day. Still think it’s so easy anyone can do it?
I’ll be honest, when I read that post today it kind of p’d me off. It’s not the first time I saw an “anyone can be a freelance writer” article, but it was the last straw for me. No, not everyone can do it. You need to have the right skills, the right mentality and the right work ethic. Without all of them, you’ll just be another person who throws a few words into a paragraph only to get a dollar for your efforts.
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Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 1:14 am under
I’m with you Deb. I get what they’re trying to do in a piece like that (I think)–to encourage those who are on the fence about freelance writing to give it a go. But it does seem that they tend to leave out the most important part, though, of actually being able to write and have the other characteristics that you mentioned above.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d never tell anyone that they *couldn’t* do something, but at the same time, just like everyone can’t be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, dog walker, etc., not everyone can be a writer. Sure everyone is free to try it, but it takes more than a computer (or even pen and paper) to be a writer.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:38 amMethinks they are confusing the term “freelance writer,” with “blogger/seo copywriter for 2 bucks a pop,”
November 29th, 2007 at 2:45 amThanks for writing this post! It’s possible that a few non-publishing companies feel the same way. Although they need a writer to create print content and web copy for their company, they don’t want to cough up the cash because they feel that anyone can do the job.
November 29th, 2007 at 2:45 amWell said, Deb!
That attitude ticks me off, too!
Incidentally, I’ve been teaching a small writing course in my industry (paintball) and this week, I’m directing my students to your blog. I was linking to it practically every week in my course for some tidbit or another. This time, I just suggested they visit regularly.
And this week’s lesson is a great one!
November 29th, 2007 at 3:06 amI’m with you 100%. I do this for a living and I make a good living at it, but I’m pretty cautious about encouraging people into it. The insecurity itself could drive you nuts–not to mention, hey, even when you’re making good money, it doesn’t always show up when you want it (or need) it to.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:16 amBravo Deb. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:27 amWell, there you go again. (Unnamed, dead politician) You’re stuck in that realistic world-view edged with personal drive and flavored with optimism. Seems like that could be a formula for all work arenas.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:31 amYou (and successful writers of every genre) are talented AND diligent.
I will miss your balanced take on discerning the finite roads that lead to success for each person. A side thought: Everyone may have the talent to be a CEO of a major corporation, to live lavishly, and to watch the stock plummet on his or her watch. Could a CEO’s job be the easier path to vocational enlightenment?
Ditto to most above (Bill’s comment confuses me). Some people have the talent for writing, others develop it. But running a business is a whole additional ball of wax.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:04 amAmen Sistah Deb! Can’t agree more. It makes me think of something from my past. I taught special education for a number of years. People often said that that was a “real gift” and that they couldn’t do it. It got me to thinking about other occupations for which I have no talent or “gift” at all. At the time, I was having car trouble. I marveled at the mechanic who worked on it and how he was so well trained and just knew absolutely everything about that complicated hunk of machinery I drove everyday. When he finished the work on it, I thanked him and used the line that I’d heard so often, “You are so gifted,” I said. “I could never do what you do.” He looked completely baffled, as if it were a trick. Funny. And a bit sad too. Anyway- Thanks for the post Deb! ~Karen
November 29th, 2007 at 4:22 amOh, the timing. We wrote about this very topic yesterday, as my business partner was getting so sick of people saying, “You’re a freelance writer? That’s cool. I should do that!” Between this and the need for a writer’s strike I suspect that people just really don’t get what we do and how it truly affects their daily lives.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:24 amDeb, you sum up the thoughts of many of us so succinctly and accurately that it’s just awesome. I field the question, quite frequently, from uninformed and fairly well-meaning friends, of “but can’t everyone do what you do?” My usual response is that if they feel that way, they can go ahead and try for themselves! Writing is only 1/3 of my income (I work as an HR professional full time) but it doesn’t make finding the next job any less important or my ability to contribute that extra third to my household budget any less meaningful. And, having “edited” the writing of others more than once when people realize that $1/100 words gets them what they paid for, I firmly agree that no, everyone canNOT write.
Thanks, Deb! I’m going to post a little intro on my blog and link back to you here. Great message.
Tiffany
November 29th, 2007 at 6:25 amRight ON! Its hard for people to grasp all the different and dymanic elements required to make a successful living as freelancer. They would rather fantastize about how great it COULD be, and complain about how they hate their own work because that is easier.
And yes, as a professional writer I also find the “everyone can write” statements irritating. I consider writing my “talent”, not something as benign as flushing the toilet or brushing my teeth.
So…one way writers can view this lame generalization is to acknowledge that everyone can write (its a basic requirement to function as a human being in society). However, it takes talent to write well and earn a profit–and not everyone can do it. You can market your heart out and network your butt off, but a bunch of words and malformed sentences on a page doesn’t make you a “writer.” It makes you a dabbler…its as simple as that.
Cheers and good luck from a fellow freelancer…Peace!
November 29th, 2007 at 6:37 amYou know, when I first started I thought that anyone could do this. I find it very easy; I guess writing is a natural talent for me. However, I have since tried to teach three people how to do what I do, and they really CAN’T do it. Partly because of lack of determination and motivation, and partly because of lack of skill. So I have learned that it is not something anyone can do, that’s for sure! But I guess I could understand why someone would think anyone could do it, because I thought that way until I tried to teach others to do what I do.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:47 amAmen, Deb! I think most freelancers hear this on a fairly regular basis. Most of my work so far is proofreading for a major textbook publisher, which I enjoy–plus it provides me with needed income. Many people have told me, “I’d love to do that–I read all the time. I can’t believe you get paid to read!” Hello! Do you read grade-school intervention math books for fun? I’m sure there are many people who could be doing this, but just because you can read, it doesn’t mean you can proofread! Only those who have never freelanced can think it’s a life of ease. You said it so well!
November 29th, 2007 at 6:54 amBefore writing I worked at a newspaper in graphics. Management had the attitude that they could hire anyone off the street & have them create an ad - it was really frustrating b/c it not only showed their ignorance but also showed why they didn’t appreciate our efforts that much - maybe why I’m no longer there? Point being that it takes skills to be creative & no, not just anyone can do it - it’s like saying anyone can play basketball, anyone can be the CEO of a company or even flip burgers all day - there are tons of things that I know I cannot do.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:56 amoh yeh - and I just love this - my aunt asked me once - oh so you’re just going to have the kids, write & that’s it? & i’m like - hmmmm, yep probably - nothing to any of that or worth being called a life i suppose - lol.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:59 amAny broad-sweeping generalizations about a profession tend to be bad… while we do live in a day and age where just about anyone can write and find some place to get what they write published, that obviously doesn’t mean that anyone can be a professional writer. The same goes for statements such as “Any writer should be able to write about this niche subject” or “Any writer should be able to keep up with a blog”… by those definitions, anyone who can’t do those things isn’t really a “writer”, even though they might make a living from what they’re doing. To quote an old English teacher of mine, “You should always never use always and never”… there’s no job on earth that just anyone could do, and there’s not just one way to be successful in a field as broad as ours.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:09 amI really liked this post as well; maybe you write best when wired up, Deb?
A prime example is my sister-in-law: she has a Masters in Journalism, has worked internationally with the UN, and maintains a head reporter’s position at a newspaper. Yet, she would never freelance, not for the enjoyment nor for the freedom or money. Whereas I, who have a background in creative writing and local underground magazines, am the one freelancing.
My point is, and she will readily admit, that she cannot live with the idea of an unstable work load and therefore paycheck. I, on the other hand, thrive off the idea and find it motivating and exciting. Some people need the security of 9-5, while others find fulfillment in the endless bounds freelancing can provide.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:44 am“Some people need the security of 9-5, while others find fulfillment in the endless bounds freelancing can provide.”
That hits the nail on the head. Even good writers sometimes cannot handle the insecurity of this line of work. I know I couldn’t if mine was the only income in the home, but I am fortunate to have a wonderful spouse who works full time to bring home about half of our income.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:58 amOkay, first my disclaimer: I’m not a writer. I mean, I have a blog for my own professional use and reasons, of course, mostly promotional and not in itself a source of income. And I haven’t written even a bad, unpublishable novel in about 30 years. But a lot of what’s wrong with this “Anyone can write their way to wealth” attitude is true of about any work connected with publishing.
As a book designer and page comp artist, I see it in the way people try to sell their “can’t miss” ideas for designing, editing, publishing, and marketing books. I think the truth is that the author’s of all the books touting these “how to succeed in publishing plans” are th ones who really make out.
And while the ideas are mostly harmless and, at worst, a waste of time and money, they encourage a whole slew of unprepared, undisciplined, and sometimes untalented people to enter the market and increase the supply of freelancers in all these areas to the point that decent rates often never need to be offered.
Of course, those that hire from this “slew” I described above usually get what they pay for. But all that seems to serve to accomplish is to make them suspicious of the next person who comes along and asks for realistic rates in exchange for professional work.
Okay, rant over.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:36 amMost of the sites/blogs I’ve seen those types of statements on are ones trying to promote a $40+ ebook on how anyone with a fifth grade education can be a freelance writer, or some equally deceptive rubbish (sort of like the old data entry and survey scams).
Maybe anyone can do it, but not everyone can do it and succeed. I could say I’m going to be a web designer and design some websites, but I’d never make a sale because my web design skills are that of a fifth grader’s.
If paying business people wanted a fifth grader to write their copy, they’d skip posting job ads and wading through hundreds of responses and just let their teenagers do the job.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:36 amAck…Thanks, Deb. How timely! A couple of days ago, my cousin came over to tell me that his friend’s sister wants to meet me. He was wondering if I could give her some leads or contacts, at least, because she wants to write. It drove me nuts!
When I started, I asked no one for help. I achieved financial stability without anyone helping me out. I NEVER worked a day job before so I started off without contacts, without connections, without anything. And secondly, not anyone can do what we do! So it really irks me when people look at my job like something they could accomplish during their free time.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:55 amGreat post, Deb — and great comments from everyone, too!
I’m with everyone else on this — it makes me mad too when I see people claiming that anyone can write. Like Stephen said, I think what these comments ultimately do is drive down rates — not only because lots of wannabes flood the market, but also because clients start thinking they shouldn’t have to pay well if “anyone can do it.”
I also like Amy’s comment. She’s right. While anyone can “write,” not everyone can produce professional quality work. I can throw a ball, too, but that doesn’t mean I should be on the team.
Mariella, I generally don’t mind when people want some pointers or advice on where to look for freelance work. I usually just tell them which job boards I like to check, and once in a while I’ll send a job posting to someone whom I think it fits. However, I won’t recommend a writer to anyone unless I really believe in their work.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:53 amMaybe a more appropriate title for that article should have been “Anyone can TRY to be a Freelance Writer”, same as anyone can try to be a fashion model.
Damn I’m pretty.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:34 amKatharine>> I don’t really mind too. I forgot to mention that my cousin showed me a sample of the girl’s work. And well, it wasn’t pretty. I’m not even being an elitist. When the mistakes are as simple as they’re and their, you’re and your, you know someone is better off doing something else.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:45 pmI have been freelancing since May and I have found it to be a lot harder than going to work and getting a steady paycheck. It’s also tough to stay home day after day– I find myself calling friends to go out to lunch just to have someone to talk to.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:32 pm[…] but it relates to writing in general so I think it applies here. In her post, Deb said that everyone cannot be a freelance writer, […]
November 29th, 2007 at 6:54 pmWow, I think you struck a cord Deb! I am fairly new to all of this; even though I have wanted to write for a long time; I just didn’t have the courage. It is a lot of work. Even though I have a couple of gigs currently, they are still not sustaining gigs; so I spend a good deal of time looking for more work. Saying that anyone can be a freelance writer is like someone claiming anyone can become a professional basketball, football or baseball player.
@Phil: You are just confused because of the “big words” Bill used. LOL
November 29th, 2007 at 7:15 pmOh, so right! It makes writing sound like one of those ‘great’ and ‘guaranteed’ money making schemes…like stuffing envelopes or something.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:15 pmGet this - a few months ago, I was at a family function and my aunt asked me what I was doing for a living. I explained that I was a freelance writer and that I was doing really well with it, yadda yadda yadda.
She then turns to her 20-year-old, drop-out son who has never worked a day in his life and says, “Did you hear that, honey? Amy makes money on the Internet writing articles. Maybe you could do that!”
Oy vey.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:49 pmI love all these comments!
If anyone can write, why aren’t these people who think that writing themselves? Perhaps they have more important things to do, huh?
November 29th, 2007 at 10:05 pmAmy, that’s so funny you said that. One of my neighbors with a drop out son asked me this morning if I could teach him how to make money blogging. You know, because I’ve got a lot of tutoring time on my hands.
Like Katharine, I certainly have no problem helping people out, hence my website for beginning freelance writers. If someone wants to learn, I’m happy to point them to a book or a website, but I’m not suited to be a personal tutor, and I don’t think just anyone can succeed freelancing.
Karen, I know what you mean about the isolation thing. Took me a while to get used to.
There are a lot of factors people don’t consider. They see online writing or blogging as easy money, and they don’t see the rest of it.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:16 pmI blogged about this very topic a couple of months ago, right after someone gave me the “oh writing must be easy if you can do it” line. Then I met some people who have the idea that if you can write you deserve to be published. Ugh.
I remember being at a party one time and someone gave me the line that writing was so easy and any dolt could make a living at it. I couldn’t stand this person anyway and by then I’d had enough. I handed him a piece of paper and a pen and I said, “Here, you write me a 500-word article on Topic X, and when you’re done, I’ll edit it and hand it back.” He was smarmy, wrote the “article,” and handed it to me. I found a red pen and gave it a good solid edit. The guy fumed. “How dare you do that!” Everyone else laughed.
In addition to all the things Deb wrote, I’d say this isn’t a career for people with thin-skin. You have to be able to handle rejections and having your words edited.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:02 pmI’m with you Deb. Some people think they can write, but can’t. I though long and hard before I went freelance. And it’s not as easy as most people think. I work my butt off everyday.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:09 pmAmen, Deb!
It really does anger me when people view my job as something less than what it actually is - hard work!
A friend of mine has a co-worker that found out about what I do. Since then, she’s been hounding my poor friend to death asking if I could tell her the website I go to in order to write.
In her mind, it seems she believes that freelance writing is nothing more than hopping online, going to a web page, and writing away. Hello! It takes a lot more skill than that, I’m afraid.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:43 pmHear, hear… I guess when someone writes ‘Anyone Can Do It’ they just don’t get the freelance writing world.
The truth is that as a professional freelance writer, you know that ‘Not Everyone Can Do it!’
November 30th, 2007 at 12:06 amJust reading these posts are making me laugh in agreement. Oh, someone I didn’t know very well found out I write for a living and said, “I used to write” as she strolled pass me.
Oh dear, may be I should have stopped her in her tracks and asked her what novel she had published because let’s face it a lot of people assume that’s what us writers do.
Or, I could have asked, “Really? With what publication and how many articles do you have in print?
I wonder what the answer would have been LOL.
November 30th, 2007 at 12:15 amIf you ask someone, ‘Can you play the violin?’ and he says, ‘I don’t know, I’ve not tried, perhaps I can,’ you laugh at him. Whereas about writing, people always say: ‘I don’t know, I have not tried,’ as though one had only to try and one would becom a writer. (Leo Tolstoy)
November 30th, 2007 at 1:52 amI wonder what Tolstoy would think of the Internet age.
I think today so many people undervalue writing as a profession because “anybody” can blog and “anybody” can start a website and “anybody” can write 500-word comments to an article. A friend of mine likes to tell me how he used to get A’s on his English papers, so of course he can write. I tell him that I can pull together a spreadsheet, so does that mean I can be an accountant? Or I can write simple HTML code, does that qualify me for being a programmer?
It’s like any job — there is much more to it than meets the eye.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:25 amMariella,
Too funny. Yeah, sounds like your friend won’t get anywhere. I don’t know about the rest of your, but I find they’re/their and you’re/your to be some of the most annoying mistakes people make. Maybe it’s distasteful to say so, but I knew the difference in elementary school, so it really appalls me when adults make those mistakes… Particularly when they claim to want to be writers!
November 30th, 2007 at 3:25 amIt takes awareness and knowledge of the market to know if freelance writing career can make a good fit ut ultimately, experience is the best teacher.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:12 amYou are so right! That’s why I’m only freelancing on the side and keeping my day job
Btw, I did get an assignment through an advertisement linked on your blog. Thanks for what you do here!
November 30th, 2007 at 8:57 amDeb,
This was a great article! Not only do I agree with the amount of hard work you need to put in to this, but it’s also brought up an area I need to work on–networking. I’m extremely bad at this aspect, and I really think I could do better as a freelancer if I could network better.
At the risk of sounding like a “me-me-me”er, do you have any advice on networking for dummies?
Chris
November 30th, 2007 at 11:59 pm[…] Ng at Freelance Writing Gigs outlined some of the major problems with assuming freelance writing is easy […]
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:16 pm[…] lately that talk about the fact that writing for a living is not for everyone. Deb Ng wrote that not everyone can do freelance writing. Freelance Parent posted a while back that the ability to type doesn’t make you a […]
December 12th, 2007 at 10:05 amRight on Deb. And thanks for everything you have done for us beginners. And let us also add you can count on a ****load of rejection at the beginning of your career. Like I’m experiencing now. You have to trudge on. It’s hard and it’s nice that that they are other writers like you around. I hope to help other writers also when I get my foot in. Or maybe I’ll just do it now!
December 12th, 2007 at 10:08 pm[…] I don’t think I can pick the best of the top 10 posts about freelance writing! Take Deb Ng’s, for example: Freelance Writing: Not Everyone Can Do It. […]
December 28th, 2007 at 11:18 pm[…] post from Deborah Ng at Freelance Writing Jobs on what it really takes to be a freelance writer. Chaps like Peter Bowerman sometimes try to tell us that it takes hardly any skill to be a […]
January 15th, 2008 at 11:43 pmI agree that writing requires talent, hard work, perserverance, solitude and many other adversities.
This said, more people fail from not trying than fail from trying so I like a post that encourages anyone to get out and do it.
And don’t worry about having too much competition, most people will not do it.
January 16th, 2008 at 12:00 amWhen I tell people that I am a freelance writer they say “Oh how nice.” But then I tell them how much work it is beyond just the writing and I see the stars in their eyes flicker out. “Oh.”
With that said, I love my work!!
January 16th, 2008 at 4:11 amGreat site you have here!
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