Freelance Writing Questions: Going Back To A Job
Posted on 25 January 2008 by Sharon
Here’s another in the series of questions on freelancing. Rachel asked me: Do you ever think about going back to being an employee? She also asked about the benefits of freelancing. While the benefits are different for different people, here’s what I get from freelancing:
- I work for myself. That means I don’t have to answer to bad bosses or sit next to colleagues with BO (yes, it really happened).
- My hours are flexible. I can take time off to have coffee with friends, hit the shops, go to the beach.
- I can pick my daughter up from school every afternoon and get her first impressions of her day. I can sit with her while she does homework and play with her in the afternoon.
- I love to write, so I can’t think of a better job.
So the short answer to whether I would think of going back to employment is no, but I also enjoy teaching, so I would consider doing part time teaching (no more than a day a week).
Finally, although freelancing has many benefits, I don’t see it through rose tinted glasses. Although I work for myself, I also work for my clients. If I don’t do a good job, that harms my reputation. I am more responsible for both my successes and failures than I was when I was in a job. That also means that sometimes those flexible hours aren’t so flexible when I have deadlines to meet.
Have you ever thought of going back to being employed?
Got more freelance writing questions? Ask them here.
Technorati Tags: freelance writing,get paid to write,writing
All posts in the Freelance Writing Questions series
- Freelance Writing Questions: Setting Rates
- Freelance Writing Questions: Why Go Freelance?
- Freelance Writing Questions: When Should You Go Freelance?
- Freelance Writing Questions: Going Back To A Job
- Freelance Writing Questions: Creating A Writing Business
- Freelance Writing Questions: Dealing With Difficulties
- Freelance Writing Questions: Starting Out In Freelance Writing
- Freelance Writing Questions: Avoiding Scams
- Freelance Writing Questions: How To Bid Successfully
- Freelance Writing Questions: How To Say Goodbye
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Tags | freelance writing, get paid to write, work at home, writing
January 26th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I started freelancing in early spring of 2006 and I almost gave up in the spring of ‘07. I was fed up with working 12 hours a day and making such little money and I’d had a few client nightmares bringing my spirits down. I’d been turning down invitations from old colleagues and recruiters to go back to my old profession in the IT software industry but actually interviewed with a company for a job in the spring. Half of me wanted the benefits and the good salary again but I had in my head I would still work p/t writing just because I loved it so much.
The fact that I didn’t get a callback for the job was very very good because shortly after, my writing career improved significantly and I’m really happy that I stuck with it.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
It can be tempting when the bills are mounting up, Dana, but it’s always good to look back and know that you made the right decision.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:36 am
Very informative for people like me who just entered in this area of freelance writing world. your answers are very useful.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Glad you like it, PV Ariel. Feel free to ask more questions using the link in the post above.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Thanks a lot sharon. All the best
September 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I really liked this post as it tells it like it really is. Kudos to you for being honest and giving a heartfelt reply to a difficult question.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:48 am
It’s not a simple issue, Toni, as there are so many variables for each person. Once you weigh up the issues, then you can see which option makes more sense. I’ve come across a couple of people recently who have gone back to a day job, albeit a job where they can work remotely and set their own schedules.