Cinco Reasons Why Freelancing Might Be For You
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
You may have noticed that I’ve been posting a lot more than
I have in past months. You may have also
noticed that I’ve starting pimping myself with “Hire Me” links (hey, what else
can I use my own blog for?!).
Why? Because I’ve just ventured into the wonderful (and uncertain) world of freelancing.
Yes, I’ve left the old nine-to-fiver and made the leap into that great big unknown chasm of freelance copy writing.
To be honest, I didn’t plan it. Not long after I left my job, I just…well, decided to try freelancing. I mean, why not, right? I have the experience under my belt, and I feel that I can add value to the websites of businesses everywhere by providing them with my services. What’s more, I really enjoy it.
So could freelancing be for you? Here are 5 reasons I came up with (based on my experiences thus far):
- Low Startup Cost: If you don’t have a lot of startup capital, or don’t fancy putting yourself into further debt taking out a business loan, than freelancing is an excellent business to start. You don’t have a lot of overhead (you just need a computer and an internet connection), and you can market your services in a number of places for no or low cost. You can list your services on freelance sites like Guru, Elance, and iFreelance, place an ad on Craigslist, work your network on LinkedIn, approach web design and marketing firms offering your services, approach other (busier) freelancers about working with them…the list goes on.
- Ease in with Part-Time Freelancing: Not quite ready to give up the full-time grind to go all in on your own? You can still start your freelancing career on a part-time basis. This will take extra time on your part, like evening and weekend work; but if you’re willing, able and committed to turning this into a full-time business, then this could be ideal.
- Learn and Work in Other Industries: They say variety is the spice of life, and it certainly spices up freelancing. How else do you get to work on a project for the life sciences sector one week, then in music the next? It’s always interesting…
- Flexing Your Creative Muscles: As a freelance copywriter, this is the most appealing to me. In my previous full-time marketing position, I got the occasional opportunity to use the right side of my brain and do some writing and work with the designer on the website and marketing materials; but much of it was very analytic (as marketing is these days – it has to be). Going full-on into copywriting has brought my creative side out for some fresh air – without my brain hurting.
- Love is Patient…and if you love freelancing, you’ll need a lot of patience. There have been times, even in the short time I’ve been freelancing, that I thought “No one wants to hire me, the competition is too great, I should go back to full-time…” Trust me on this – you need to give it some time before you throw in the towel. If you really want to make your freelancing business work, put in the effort to make it work. It won’t happen overnight; but just keep plugging away, and eventually you will begin to build your business.
Comments