Nuthin' like it!
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking: “It’s not for the pay!” When you’re first starting out, it can be pretty slow. Hell, I’ve been at it almost a year now, and it’s still relatively slow. Remember that much of freelance writing is all about timing, and working hard to pick up the good gigs.
What I want to talk about, however, is non-monetary reasons why freelance writing kicks butt. Here are my top ten:
1. You can work in your pajamas: For those of us who work from home and do freelance writing—you’ve got the mac daddy of jobs, because you don’t even have to get dressed in the morning. I know I recently did a post on dressing for success for those who work at home, but the fact of the matter is: if you want to be comfortable, you’ve got that option. Can’t say that for my friends who head to their 9-to-five’s.
2. You learn new things all the time: This is probably one of my favorite things about this job. Don’t get me wrong… there are things that I end up writing about that I would rather not learn more about, but overwhelmingly I’m happy that I’m constantly being bombarded with new, interesting information. I certainly wouldn’t know half of what I do about concrete flooring, destination weddings, or architecture if it wasn’t for my writing career.
3. Variety: If you’re anything like me, you get bored easily. Really easily. Freelance writing allows me to take on several projects, all about different topics. This is fantastic for me, because I don’t get stuck wanting to beat my head against a wall because I have to work on the same set of SEO material for motorcycle parts auctions over and over again. Sure, there are crap assignments out there with topics I really dislike, but they’re always offset by the material I really enjoy writing (like my blogs)!
4. Self-set schedules: I’m a student—so having a flexible schedule is really important to me. Granted, having the discipline and skills to practice effective time management will be the only thing to save you when you’re forced to create your own schedule. Thankfully, I’m a badass when it comes to these matters, and I’m all about getting things done. The kicker is, though, that I can get things done at my own convenience. I’m certainly not a late-night person, but if I needed to stay up until midnight to finish an article, I have that option.
5. You can work from anywhere: Again, flexibility reigns supreme here. I work at home. I also work from campus when I’m there all day. I’ve worked from restaurants, coffee shops, out on my balcony in the nice weather, and at my mom’s while I’m doing laundry. Because all of my work falls on this tiny, portable little machine, I’m set. Sky is the limit. I could work from the toilet if I wanted to.
6. You constantly meet new people: I know many people lament the loss of coworkers and social interaction when they decide to leave the office to work at home. Personally I enjoy the quiet, but I also have no lack of social involvement. Effective and lucrative freelance writing careers involve a wide social network of other writers, clients, experts in fields that you are covering, and those people that you interact with through social media platforms that become those awkward connections that you talk to every day but you don’t really know because you’ve never met them. I had the opportunity to speak with a celebrity interior designer and had a fabulous conversation about decorating—which is not only really cool but was really satisfying. I’ve learned to appreciate my (diminishing) social free-time. And I always have my cat for love and affection…
7. Drinking on the job is so much easier: I’m certainly not endorsing getting hammered and writing out that press release for Joe’s Auto Sales—but sometimes it takes a cold one to break up the monotony, and get the creative juices flowing. I think writing is very much like playing an instrument or singing. Having a beer is a great way to lubricate those vocal chords and drop the inhibitions and anxieties about being up on stage. I can sit at my desk and enjoy my favorite beer—and I think my writing is better for it. Regardless, it certainly made me happier!
8. Constantly gaining new skill-sets: As a freelance writer, you’re not just a writer. You are a business professional that gets a taste of everything—marketing, sales, branding, advertising, graphic design, and everything in between. All of us have to start from the bottom and work our way up. Some of us obviously get help along the way, but I’ve learned so much about entrepreneurship and the workings of business by starting my freelance career. It’s pretty intense.
9. You save money: Well, it doesn’t always save you money—particularly if you are a food writer that does a lot of restaurant reviews (grumble grumble). However, I’m thinking more on the work-at-home front. For example, I don’t feel tempted to “go out for lunch” nearly as much. For one, because I am incredibly cheap. But really, because I can head to the kitchen and make myself something. I also don’t do after work drinks out at the bar, because that would require me to get off my lazy butt and go somewhere—and don’t forget that I’m likely still in my PJ’s enjoying a beer at my desk. See? It all ties together.
10. Not gonna lie—it’s a sweet title: In all honesty, when I drop the “I’m a freelance writer” line, not many people really understand what it is that I do. However, it impresses me, and being a writer is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a wee little girl. This certainly wasn’t the way I envisioned it (I thought I’d be a profound novelist hidden in a dingy apartment with a typewriter), but I feel incredibly self-sufficient and proud that I was able to make it this far… and there’s so much farther to go! So give yourself a pat on the back, and don’t worry if the “outside people” don’t get it.
I’m sure there are more. Many more! I love my job, and I hope you do, too. What are your top reasons that being a freelance writer is the bee’s knees?
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Photo by David Brown
