For a lot of us, freelance writing starts out as something we do in our spare time. We write after doing a full day’s work, on evenings, weekends and holidays. We write because we must, because we feel an inner compulsion to see whether the thing we’ve always loved can help us to earn a living. We rejoice over our first commissions and our first earnings, and watch in wonder as they grow. Then we face a decision. Is it time to quit the day job?
Pros And Cons Of Freelancing
That’s a tough question, especially if you’re earning a good salary or happen to be the main breadwinner in your family. The pros of becoming a full time freelance writer are that you will be earning a living while doing something that you love. What could be more fulfilling than that? The cons are that you might not get enough work and could end up broke. It’s not easy to face the fact that your financial responsibilities might be too much for a freelancer.
Taking The Plunge As A Freelance Writer
So how do you make the decision? What makes you decide to take the plunge? Everyone is different, but here’s my story. After five years of teaching writing instead of doing writing, I was ready for a change. Luckily, my husband was earning, and although things would be tight without my lecturer’s salary, we could manage. I left the job because I couldn’t bear not to write any longer – and because I thought that it was important to know whether I could make it as a freelancer. There didn’t seem much point in having a dream if I didn’t try at least once to make it happen.
So I left the cushioned comforts of academia for my own desk and chair and set about trying to make freelancing work. I made sure I wrote every day, even if it wasn’t bringing in money. I signed up with jobs sites, applied for jobs and talked to other writers, making the contacts that would eventually lead to a regular writing income.
No Regrets
It wasn’t always easy. Our circumstances changed a few months in and I wondered whether I had made the right decision. But I got lots of support and I kept plugging away. It took a couple of months to get the first gig, a couple of weeks to get the second and I have been working constantly since then. As it turns out, it was the right decision. Even when deadlines have been tough or the work has been slow (and it hasn’t happened often) I have never regretted it.
Quitting Checklist
Only you will know when the time is right for you. If you have:
- a burning desire to write for a living
- the commitment to cope with constant deadlines
- the fortitude to manage fluctuating income
- good feedback from your current writing clients
- more demand for your services than you can manage part time
then maybe it’s the right time for you. So now it’s your turn – what made you decide it was time to give up the day job?
It didn’t happen as a natural part-time to full-time thing for me. Freelance writing was a wonderful stumbling into kinda thing for me.
I left my full time professional career in the IT industry for maternity leave. We get a year of mat. leave where I live and I decided that when my mat. leave was up I wouldn’t be going back. I had to figure out a way to bring in 55% of my income (which was what I was getting from maternity benefits). I was planning to take a medical transcription course or something like that to be able to wah and be with my new baby (I faced the daycare Mom guilt with my older child and some daycare nightmares so wanted very much to try the WAH life).
I always wanted to be a writer but had no idea to could be a freelance writer. I started blogging for fun while mulling over some possible transcription courses but instead something wonderful happened. I met some great mentors (like yourself) and have never looked back. Reading blogs of other freelancers convinced me through my watching their moves that I could do this and make a living at it. Not only did I make a living, I achieved my goal of doing my dream job.
Great post, Sharon!
Hi Sharon,
This article couldn’t have been more timely for me! I’ve finally decided to take the plunge!
I plan to visit here often, you have some awesome information!
Margie
One thing that has always inspired me to this profession is that you get to learn about myriads of subjects.
The large IT company I worked for got rid of my entire division two months after 9/11. With so many people suddenly out on the street, the youngest people just out of college were the first to start getting hire by the industry again. That fact was enough of a nudge not to look back.
Malcolm
For me, it happened much like it happened with Dana. I was already home and web writing just started growing by leaps and bounds. There have been moments that I’ve questioned my decision, especially since my husband recently came home to do the dad thing. It’s been an interesting challenge living in a reversed role household. But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t change it for anything.
John, yes, that’s one of the things I love too.
Malcolm, sometimes all you need is a nudge and then you wonder why you didn’t do it earlier.
Courtney, thanks for sharing. I wouldn’t change it either.
I think it can be a great option as long as you get some reliable and steady work.
I am a freelancer myself and know it can be difficult relying on freelance work alone to pay the bills. I have started a new thing on my blog “Freelancer For Hire” where I feature various freelancers. I make a post with a bio about that particular freelancer that has links to their work. If you would like, I would be happy to do one for you. It is free. I just like to help other freelancers and hey, it gives me something to write about
I do ask if possible for some kind of link back to my blog although it is not required, just appreciated. Shoot me an email if you would like your bio featured.
P.S.- there are also many freelance jobs to browse through on my blog so take a look while you are there. You might find the perfect job for you!
I’m one of those, stuck at home with the kids anyway so thought I’d chase my dream, freelancers. I’d wanted to be a writer since I was about five years old and had been writing all my life. When my oldest was born I was staying at home to raise her since the cost of daycare went far and beyond the value of working.
I’ve tinkered on and off for years since then but have finally reached the point where I have to be serious about this opportunity or lose it completely. I have two years to turn my tinkering into a full time income so I’m going in with guns blazing.
Thanks for the inspirational posts and advice, Sharon! I always love my visits here.
Thanks for sharing your story, Rebecca. I’m sure a lot of readers will find it inspiring. I’m sure that with your positive attitude you’ll make a success of writing for a living. I’ll be rooting for you.
Hi Sharon and all,
I found your site when I “Googled” about paid blogging and ran onto one of your posts reviewing Payu2Blog.com.
You’ve got a great resource here. This particular post really resonates with me. I quit a decent (for where I live) day job in early October, sort of intending to find something else — but getting involved with paid blogging instead.
I’m having the time of my life, but it only works for me because my wife is able to bring in a substantial amount of the income we need to pay the bills and keep the our old cat fed. (She’s too old and cranky to neglect. Uh, the cat that is, NOT my wife.)
I’ve been involved in part-time freelance writing for many years. I have a professional writing background in religious publications, religious journalism, and newspaper copy editing.
I’m excited to see the freelance income from blogging and Internet affiliate marketing start to take off. It’s what I’ve wanted to do and tried to do off and on for years. Looks like this time it’s going to work.
Thanks for the insightful, informative blog. I’m bookmarking you and looking forward to coming back.
Hi Gary
Glad you stopped by, because that means I’ve found a new writing blog to check out. It’s no wonder my RSS reader is overloaded!
I’m excited about blogging too, and all the other opportunities for freelance writers. It’s a great time to be a writer.
Thank you SO MUCH for writing this post, Sharon. I’ve been “preparing” for several months now, so I’m giving it a confident go, on at least a part-time basis. I realize that sounds barely committed but unfortunately, the hubby is self-employed and so I’m a slave to the health benefits (since I’m the health challenged one). Nowadays, to a new writer, it almost seems like it’s not enough to just be a writer. You must also be proficient in personal marketing and technically advanced.
Here goes nothing!
Good luck, Grandy. There’s nothing wrong with starting part time. I was lucky enough to be able to dive right in, but many writers go the part time route until they’re sure it works. And yes, you have to market yourself or no one will find you.
Great article! I truly enjoyed reading it!
For me the giving up the day job moment was when I realized I was hitting snooze 5 times before stumbling out of bed at 7:15 to get to work, but gladly woke up at 6:30 on weekends to start writting (or mountain climbing!). I only felt tired when I had something I dreaded in store for the day. But writting… yes please! If only there were 30 hours a day!
Thanks for the great article!
– Matt
Yes, it’s great to really love your job, Matt. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Sharon,
I’ve been reading your articles…they’re great informative/motivating pieces…I’ve spent the last month off work/only income to concentrate on my freelance writing…gotten a few gigs, but, month almost up…so dreading it! Won’t give up my dream!
clara.
Glad you like them, Clara. No, don’t give up!
It’s funny how the urge to spend more time with your kids is such a powerful motivator for freelancers, Dana. It’s great that you achieved your goal.
Congrats, Margie – and good luck. It can be tough at the start, but it’s definitely worth it.