Intro
Freelancing has treated me very well. I’ve been able to make some decent money while doing something that I love to do. Recently, I wrote an article called “Take the Plunge into Freelance Work” on my blog, The Creative Lab. However, freelancing isn’t for everyone; here is a list of reasons why you’d want to avoid it.
You Don’t have a Passion for it
It’s critical that you have a passion for your work. For example, if you’re a blogger you’ll quickly run out of material without a true passion or niche to write about. Running a blog is hard work even when you love it, but it’s nearly impossible when you don’t.
You’ll increase your chances of success when you love and believe in the work that you do. Your passion will be clearly seen in the work that you produce, and other people will take notice.
You’re in it just for the money
Have you ever seen a blog with so many ads that there is no more white space? Blogs like that make their message clear: “I’m in it for the money”. Their purpose isn’t to help their niche, nor to polish their skills, but it’s to make money. Unfortunately, these people miss out on what is really important as a blogger: faithful readers that not only comment and create interesting discussions on your blog, but also value you and what you offer them. Freelancing isn’t a get rich quick scam. It’s for hard working, dedicated people that love what they do; not the money it can make them.
You’re a procrastinator
If it weren’t for the last minute, I wouldn’t get anything done.–Unknown Author
I know that there are a lot of us that identify with this quote. I had an extreme case of procrastinitis and sometimes still do. If you’re a procrastinator you’ll find out that freelancing is difficult. Freelancers, are supposed to manage their own schedule. However, “procrastinator” means you’re unable to do so. How do you solve this? Simple; make a schedule and follow it. I admit that it’s easier said than done, but the truth is the solution remains simple. Remember, time is money and most of us don’t have much of either.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing can be very rewarding, but you have to do it with the correct motivation. I hope this article is useful to you and that it helps you become a better freelancer.
What are your thoughts? What are your biggest challenges as a freelancer?
If this post was helpful to you, please consider sharing it with others, it's a great way of saying thanks.
Contribute
Athena Emily
July 13, 2009
I think the biggest challenge for me as a freelancer is setting the price where I can satisfy both the client and myself. It happens every time.
I think in most of the time, I am seriously underpaid, and still expects to me do more (which I think they should really think about it), although I am not the most experienced designer here, still… to an extend its quite insulting in my opinion
.-= Athena Emily´s last blog ..A possible redesign of the website =-.
Jason
July 13, 2009
Good points, I am currently considering the switch from inhouse to freelance. I am really looking forward to the freedom to work when and where I want. It really is more about honing a craft than making alot of money, although the money helps. Great article, I will definitely retweet this.
Tim Smith
July 14, 2009
@Athena – I totally understand how you feel! I think we’ve all been there at one point. The advice I can give you is: don’t feel insulted, instead make it clear to your client that more work also means more money from them. Your time and effort have a value; make them see it. Thanks for your comment.
@Jason – That’s great! I’m sure you’ll love freelancing. However, I can’t stress enough having some type of schedule. It’s the hardest thing to maintain when you move from a 9-5 to freelancing. Thanks for the RT!
Simon
July 14, 2009
Great article, although I have to disagree with the procrastination point. As an individual that has ADHD I’ve managed to freelance just fine. Procrastination is part and parcel of ADHD and I can honestly say that it is something that can be managed very easily. The benefit of working as freelance over being an employee is that the actual work can be done on your terms, rather than a manager ot authority figure barking instructions at you because you are deemed to be ‘lazy’ and demanding ridiculous deadline. If I feel a bout of procrastination coming on, I’ll go for a bike ride, or take a walk to my local coffee shop, library, or book store – I find it helps with any design blocks that I may have too.
Jake
July 14, 2009
I’m a austrian freelancer for almost 2 years now and have never regret it.
I think the most difficult thing to manage as a freelancer is the time you have (or not). I often find myself struggling with my timetable, and getting things done in the last minute IS one of the most stressfull experiences you have to do as a freelancer, theres is no way around that. And what I stil havent managend til now is how to take a time off. I’m always on duty, the business never sleeps. You have to be clear of that before starting as a freelancer. For me, there is no such thing like a weekend or a holiday, but there IS the freedom of working late at a friends house near the water while enjoying a drink and listening to good music. Totally worth it!
Nicholas Z. Cardot
July 14, 2009
I like your point about passion. That is the key to it all. If you have no passion about what you are doing then you are only wasting your own time!
.-= Nicholas Z. Cardot´s last blog ..Looking Back at the First 30 Days =-.
Barbara
July 14, 2009
My biggest challenge is definitely being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Being very passionate about what you do is a great advantage if you want to be a freelancer. On the other hand, some of us will have to watch out that we don’t become workaholics.
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..WordWeb Traffic Report #1 =-.
David Singer
July 14, 2009
So are you in it for the money. I turned off ABP just to see your ads. I counted 20. Seems a bit high for one page!
Andrew Houle
July 14, 2009
@David – This article was written by a guest author (Tim Smith) and not by me. That being said, I do whole-heartedly agree that you shouldn’t freelance if you’re in it just for the money. Tim is not suggesting that you work for free, he is making the point that if you are driven only by money, your blog is not likely to be successful. The cost of hosting, paid articles and personal time lost, result in a small profit for this blog. If it weren’t for the fact that I enjoy doing it, and enjoy giving back to the design community, it would not be worth it. It also should be noted that the advertisers on this blog are all well respected and provide potentially very useful services to the readers of this blog.
Freelance Unbound
July 14, 2009
I’ve been freelance for some 15 years now and, you know, I really do do it for the money. I mean, there are other reasons for being freelance, but doing it for the money is certainly not to be decried. In fact, having a clear idea of your value and the value of your work in monetary terms is a big help in focusing your work and satisfying clients…
.-= Freelance Unbound´s last blog ..iPhone – the saviour of journalism =-.
Tim Smith
July 14, 2009
@Simon – I wasn’t trying to imply that if you’re a procrastinator, it’s impossible to freelance but, it is a lot harder. I’ve been through the all-nighters; something that I could have avoided if I didn’t procrastinate.
@Barbara – I think that we all have that problem. When you love something, it’s also very easy to get carried away. However, we’ve got to struggle against that, because freelancing is great but, there is more to life than just our line of work.
@Freelance Unbound – I agree. Knowing the value of your work and effort is very important. If you don’t have that clear, people will take advantage of you.
Lindsay K.
July 14, 2009
Unfortunately, I think something completely unrelated to any of those is what’s going to keep me from freelancing (full time, at least)…insurance. I just got diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder (chiari malformation) last year that puts me at a big risk for brain surgery. There’s NO way I could be accepted for and purchase insurance on my own. :( Absolutely no chance. Unless there are loopholes I’m unaware of… Guess it’s design firms for me.
Fred
July 14, 2009
I think I procrastinate with a lot of things in life, but when it comes to my freelance work, knowing that about myself, I dive right in and get it done while it’s hot on my mind. Another thing I do is to literally force myself to get one thing done on the project. Doing that one thing will usually cause me to do a lot of work or at least keep the project fresh in my mind so that when I sit back down, I’ve been thinking about it.
I think I am about 1.5 – 2 years from being completely on my own, so when I feel lazy, I remind myself that I am adding time to my sentence.
Nick
July 14, 2009
As I do both inhouse and freelancing, I can easily say there are times I would rather not have the crazy deadlines that freelancing gives me.
Mostly because the clients have left it too late before calling me.
The only drawback I find with freelancing is at the moment the work is just not consistent. Without a steady income, the mortgage doesn’t get paid. (which is why I still do inhouse work)
Aside from the drama’s with getting clients to pay their bills in a reasonable timeframe, I love freelancing as it gives me the chance to work my own hours at home so I can see the wife and kids. If only I was able to shift to full time freelancing, I would be much happier with my life/work balance.
Louis
July 14, 2009
Another very good reason to avoid freelancing is “You’re not a good salesperson”. I’m too honest, and don’t like to aggessively “sell myself”, so I have not been successful as a freelancer. I much more prefer to work for someone else and collect a regular pay check.
If you aren’t outgoing enough to sell your skills, and if you’re too honest (e.g. saying to a client “Your umbrella stand isn’t going to get busier if you build a website.”) then you shouldn’t freelance.
Just my thoughts.
.-= Louis´s last blog ..A Consideration of Variable and Function Scope in JavaScript =-.
Tim Smith
July 14, 2009
@Louis – You make an excellent point! I should add that to the post!
.-= Tim Smith´s last blog ..Welcome to the Team! New Staff Writer, Garry Aylott =-.
Luis Lopez
July 15, 2009
Ok thanks to this post I think I’m not wrong at freelancing mys services, instead of working in a graphic agency or something related, I love what I do, I’m not for the money even if i have to pay my bills, and the procastination part of me is almost over, I keep working on it.
.-= Luis Lopez´s last blog ..Tilt Shift Effect- How To Make Your Own Effect With Tiltshiftmaker =-.
Dollar Buddies Ragu
July 18, 2009
In freelancing world, passion follows money..thanks for the great article
.-= Dollar Buddies Ragu´s last blog ..6 Figure Freelancer. =-.
Olivier Turbis
July 20, 2009
@Athena Emily I so agree with you.
Jonathan Glapion
July 25, 2009
As a freelance inker in the comic industry for over 9 years now it’s tough to stay motivated sometimes. I usually try to find inspiration in other artist to keep me focused. But the hard part is a feel disconnected from the world, it’s just me a bottle ink and a brush [iTunes helps]. I work traditionally so it can be a bit challenging to pack up and work at a coffee shop. With all that said i couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
.-= Jonathan Glapion´s last blog ..Batman & Robin #5 =-.
Ellen C. Buchine
July 29, 2009
I love my freelance copywriting-publicity career! I agree with much of what’s been said, above. Certain scheduling perameters have been foisted upon me because, in my other life, I’m running a household and constantly entertaining. It forces me to do the sales and networking thing, which, I’m actually starting to like!
Ironically, while many freelancers (especially the writing variety) often complain of writer’s block, the other creative endeavors I enjoy actually spawn ideas! My blogging is only sometimes promotionally related. At other times,it’s just pure inspiration or humor which, I like to think, has the propensity to get all us humans on one level plane, right? Those who drop by see the range of writing I can do, which seems to help sell me. Also, it’s so much cheaper than therapy!!! ; )
Tim, Thanks for your post!
Do drop by!
writeontarget.wordpress.com
Twitter! @standoutcopy
Saro
July 29, 2009
Why the hell are you bringing up ‘Blogging’ all the time. What has that to do with freelancing?
.-= Saro´s last blog ..Notethatbook =-.
Tim Smith
July 29, 2009
@Saro – Blogging is one of the aspects of freelancing. Personally, blogging is something I know and have experience with.That’s why I talk about it.
.-= Tim Smith´s last blog ..Some facts about colour =-.
lhoylhoy
August 4, 2009
i agree with the comment above regarding pricing, i often end up just giving it for free, coz i don’t know how to price, i feel guilty everytime someone ask how much for the job, i mean i do it out of passion and i don’t feel like it costs me time or anything…
.-= lhoylhoy´s last blog ..Text and Green =-.
Kaplang
August 7, 2009
really good post, I have been a freelancer for a few years now and liked how casual I could keep it. This year though I have left my job to go all out at it and make it in to a career :)
Bryan - After5PC
August 18, 2009
Freelancing is the way to go! To be honest with you, even in todays economy, I still get clients! It’s definitely recession proof, in my opinion.
khost
August 21, 2009
This is great information. I’m starting to get story ideas zooming in my head.
.-= khost´s last blog ..Работаем дома =-.
M Smith
November 12, 2009
Interesting article!
And it’s true – don’t freelance if you’re not passionate about it…because if you’re not, it will be a drudgery. It will be difficult to be focused.
Here’s an interesting read as well :
http://www.freelancesupermarket.com/news/2009/11/9/the-3-qualities-of-a-brilliant-freelance-contractor.aspx
If you’re going to be a freelancer, you might as well be brilliant at it, right? :)