Going Freelance
Freelancing is simply another word for self-employment. The term is used primarily in creative communications fields such as journalism, public relations, marketing, graphic design, editing, illustration, and copywriting.
When you freelance, you are working for one or more clients on a temporary or per project basis. For example, the marketing manager of a restaurant chain may hire you to write a series of newspaper advertisements. When that job is complete, you send her an invoice for your services and, eventually, receive your payment.
Then it's on to the next project, and the next, and the next. Assuming, of course, that you have an effective marketing plan in place to attract a steady stream of new business. This topic will be covered later in the chapter.
The idea of being your own boss is actually a myth. As a successful freelancer, you'll have plenty of bosses. They just go by a different name: clients. And clients can be just as demanding to work for as any traditional employer.
Why freelance? There are many reasons why copywriters decide to hang out their own shingle. For example, you might be:
A stay-at-home parent who wants to earn a part-time income on a flexible schedule.
An entrepreneur who yearns for the freedom and challenges of being self-employed.
An independent spirit who prefers to work alone rather than as part of a team at a busy office.
A job seeker interested in copywriting who needs to freelance for awhile to gain experience and build a portfolio.
An established copywriter who wants to earn a higher income. (Freelancers can earn much more than staff writers.)
Regardless of your reasons for considering freelancing, like any business, there are pros and cons you need to consider.
The Pros
There are many advantages to being a freelance copywriter. For example:
Working from home. No more rush-hour traffic. No more business suits. No more cranky bosses looking over your shoulder. There are a lot of comforts when working from home. You can even work in your pajamas!
High-income potential. Freelance copywriting can be very lucrative. It's common to earn more than $50,000 in your first year working full time. Many established practitioners make a six-figure income.
Low start-up costs. As home businesses go, freelance copywriting ranks among the cheapest to launch. All you need to get started is a place to work, business cards and stationery, and an Internet-connected computer.
Control over your schedule. You can work when you want. Quit for the day when you want. Schedule vacations when it's most convenient for you and your family. Walk the dog. Do the laundry. Take an hour off and read a book at your favorite café (as long as you get your clients' projects done on time!).
Plenty of work. The demand for freelance copywriting services is huge. There are hundreds of thousands of advertising agencies, design firms, marketing companies, corporations, associations, government departments, and small businesses throughout North America. These are all potential clients.
Interesting projects. Sure, you'll get your share of tedious writing gigs. But for the most part, copywriting projects are as fascinating as they are challenging. One week you're writing a Web site for a investment advisory firm, and the next week it's an ad for a trendy spa!
The Cons
Freelance copywriting is not without its downside. Here are the most common issues that working freelancers often contend with:
Solitude. If you enjoy the energy of a busy office environment — the meetings, the power lunches, the water-cooler chats — then working from home may seem lonely at times. The cure for this is to stay connected with friends and colleagues via phone and e-mail.
Distractions. There are many distractions and temptations when working from home — the kids, the television, the refrigerator. It can be tough to stay focused. It's amazing how a fifteen-minute lunch break can mysteriously stretch into an hour. When this happens, you might fall behind on urgent client projects. That's why self-discipline is so important for the work-at-home crowd.
No steady paycheck. In the first few months, or even years, as a freelancer, the work flow will be uneven. One week you're buried in work. The next you're chewing your nails wondering if the phone will ever ring again. This feast-and-famine rollercoaster ride is common in freelancing. But if you stick with it, things will eventually smooth out.
Lack of support. When you're employed at a company, what happens when you get sick or go on vacation? Someone fills in for you. As a freelancer, however, there is no one else who can take your place. If there is a problem with a project, you have to solve it. If you're out of office supplies, you have to place the order. That's the nature of freelancing. You wear every hat.
Weigh the pros and cons of freelancing carefully. If freelancing still appeals to you, give it a try. Many copywriters enjoy freelancing immensely, despite the drawbacks. To them, the freedom, control, and, in many cases, higher income they gain far outweighs the shortcomings.
