Freelance writing is a great way to make money on your own terms and work from the comfort of your own home. However, there are both pros and cons to freelance writing that you need to consider before diving in head first.
Below, I will explore the various advantages and disadvantages associated with freelance writing so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right career path for you!
The 7 Pros Of Freelance Writing
1. Financial Freedom
One of the biggest benefits of freelance writing is that you get to set your own rates and work with clients who fit your budget. This type of financial freedom can be especially appealing for those looking to start their own business or supplement their current income.
I started as a freelance writer alongside my studies at university and I had a part-time job at the time too. It served as a great way to replace that part-time job’s income.
2. Flexibility
Freelance writing allows you to create your own schedule and work whenever and wherever you want. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for individuals with busy lives who need to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.
It’s also ideal for those that like to travel while they work, or that simply want to enjoy working from home.
3. Variety
Working as a freelance writer also lets you explore different writing styles and topics, giving you the opportunity to expand your knowledge base while making money. This freedom makes it attractive for those with a wide range of interests that don’t want to be tied down to one industry.
4. Independence
Freelance writing is a great way to work independently and without the structure of a traditional job. You’ll be able to manage your own projects, deadlines, and clients without having to follow someone else’s rules.
5. Personal Satisfaction
Writing is an incredibly rewarding profession, as you get to see your work come alive on the page and receive recognition for your efforts. Whether it’s blog posts or technical writing, there’s something so rewarding about seeing your writing make a difference!
6. A Large Market
Freelance writing can provide you with a steady stream of income if you’re able to find the right clients and projects. This job security is especially beneficial for individuals looking for more stability in their career, and while it’s not as secure as traditional employment, it is a wide and diverse market.
7. Creative Control
As a freelance writer, you have a lot of control over your work. You decide what projects to take on and how to approach them, allowing you to express yourself creatively without the restrictions of corporate environments. You’ll still have to adhere to client guidelines, but there’s no doubt you get a lot of control over the projects you take on.
The 6 Cons Of Freelance Writing
1. No Guaranteed Pay
One of the biggest drawbacks of freelance writing is that you never know how much money you’ll make from month to month. You could get lucky and land a steady stream of projects, or you could struggle to find any work at all.
This is a con of freelancing in general, and so you need to be comfortable with this fact before jumping down this career path.
2. Low Pay
Many entry-level freelance writing gigs pay less than minimum wage, making it difficult for you to make ends meet. You may also have to compete with other writers who are willing to work for lower rates.
However, as you improve your skills and take on more clients, you’ll gradually be able to increase your rates.
3. Difficult Clients
Working as a freelance writer often means dealing with difficult clients who don’t understand the process or have unreasonable expectations. This can be stressful and time-consuming, and it can lead to arguments between you and your client.
Learning how to deal with difficult clients is just part of the game, and you’ll hopefully deal mostly with pleasant clients during your freelance writing career.
4. Competition
Due to the large number of people entering the freelance writing field, it can be difficult for new writers to stand out from the crowd. You may find yourself competing against more experienced writers in order to get projects or higher pay rates.
AI writing tools are also emerging that can do a lot of the basic work and low-skill writing jobs that many beginners take on to enter the market. This can make it difficult to compete unless you offer unique expertise.
5. Lack Of Benefits
Freelance writing does not typically come with any benefits, such as health insurance or paid vacation. This can make it difficult for freelance writers to stay healthy and take much-needed breaks from work.
6. Unpredictable Workload
Finally, freelance writing is an unpredictable profession, as you often don’t know when a project will end or when the next one will begin. It’s important to plan ahead and prepare for lean times in order to remain financially stable.
How To Know If Freelance Writing Is Right For You
It’s important to consider both the advantages and the hidden downsides before taking the plunge into the world of freelance writing. If you’re looking for financial freedom, flexibility, independence, and job security then freelance writing may be the perfect career path for you.
However, if you need more structure or can’t handle difficult clients, then it might not be the best fit.
Some questions to ask yourself to see if freelance writing is right for you include:
- Do I have an interest or background in writing?
- Am I comfortable with researching topics and working with tight deadlines?
- Can I manage my own workload without direct supervision?
- Are the pay rates for freelance writing proportionate to the amount of work involved?
- Am I willing to take on difficult clients and handle disputes if necessary?
- Do I have a reliable support system (family, friends, savings) that can help me through the ups and downs of freelancing?
Answering these questions will give you a better idea of whether it’s right for you and whether you should become a freelance writer. If you think it is, check out my guide to low competition freelance writing niches to get started! For more things to be aware of, we also have an article debunking freelance writing myths.
Chris is the creator of Freelance Ready. He originally started freelancing (on Fiverr) while at university, writing and editing website content. He created this website to share his freelancing experience and help others on their own self-employed journeys. He is now a freelance SEO consultant and content editor. You can learn more about Chris here.
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