Yes! Freelance writing can be worth it if you enjoy writing, want flexibility, and are willing to build your skills and client base. However, it can take time to achieve steady income, and you must be self-motivated and disciplined to handle the challenges of inconsistent work and varying pay.
Freelancing is a type of self-employment where individuals offer services to clients on a contract or project basis, rather than being tied to a single employer. Freelancers have the flexibility to choose their clients and projects, set their own rates, and manage their schedules independently.
On the other hand, freelance writing specifically involves writing content such as articles, blog posts, copywriting, or other forms of written material for clients across various industries.
In this quick guide, I cover the pros and cons of freelance writing, laying out what it really takes to make a living off your words in a flexible, remote work setting.
If you’re toying with the idea of making freelance writing your next side hustle or even a full-time career, keep reading. You might just find what you need to make that big decision. Let’s get to it!
What Are the Pros of Freelance Writing?
Freelance writing has its upsides, for sure. You just have to know where to look. Here are my notes on the bright side of freelance writing.
Flexibility and Control Over Your Schedule
Imagine starting your day whenever you want. Late night owl? No problem. Early bird? Go for it. You set your deadlines and work hours. Being a freelancer has allowed me to stay home with my children from birth to teenage years.
I have never missed a milestone, never skipped a Christmas concert, and always been available for field trips and volunteering at their schools. I just work around my life instead of living my life around work.
Location Independence
Write from anywhere—the local café, a beach in Bali, or the couch in your living room. As long as you have internet access and a laptop, the whole world is your office. I do have a beautiful, spacious home office that my husband built for me, and I use it as much as I can.
But when life throws me things like a home-sick kid, a puppy in training, and a husband with his back thrown out, I can scoop up my laptop and work upstairs so that I can be accessible to my family.
Sure, it makes my work hours longer because of the distractions, but I’d never be able to do that with a conventional job.
Potential for Good Income
When you land great clients and projects, you can earn more than your previous 9-5 job. The key is to find those clients and keep them happy while constantly honing your skills to stand out in this rapidly evolving field.
I was a professional interior designer before I took the plunge into what I truly wanted (to be a writer). For years, I’d work eight, ten, sometimes even fourteen-hour days, and I’d go home just to collapse on the couch and stew in my hatred of what I did for a living.
The stress, the travel, the rude clients, the horrible bosses… it just wasn’t worth what I earned in income. My life was my job, and it left very little room for anything else.
Switching to self-employment not only gave me flexibility in my hours but also allowed me to determine what I was truly worth. What I could earn as a designer in ten hours, I could earn in just a couple of hours from my kitchen table.
Ability to Pursue Writing Passions
You get to choose the projects that excite you. Love travel writing? Go for it. Have a knack for technical writing? There’s a huge market for that too. I’ve even created a couple of guides for those two particular fields right here on our site!
When I first entered the industry, I had no idea what kind of writer I wanted to be. I had a background in fiction and screenwriting, so I naturally slid into those avenues. I made a name for myself, and when people found out I also had a background in interior design, I started getting offers to write columns and features for magazines and publications.
From there, things just grew. I slowly put myself in a position where I could pick and choose exactly what gigs I wanted—the ones that would allow me to pour my expertise, passion, and personality into them. And you can too!
Opportunity to Build a Diverse Portfolio
When you work on various projects, you can boast a wide range of skills and experiences, making you attractive to more clients. As you grow, you can update your portfolio to reflect only your absolute best work.
I’ve worked on hundreds of projects over the years, from ghostwriting fiction to writing product descriptions for Amazon products and everything in between. However, I only showcase a handful of my favorite projects in my portfolio, ones that I want to round out my brand as a freelance writer.
What Are the Cons of Freelance Writing?
Freelance writing has some disadvantages too, including:
Income Instability
Unlike a regular salary, your income can fluctuate from month to month. Some months, you’re rolling in dough; others, you’re barely scraping by. Like most industries, the writing world has peak seasons and downtime.
I’ve learned that the key to dealing with this instability is to learn to manage your money as best as possible. Always have enough savings to cover at least a month’s worth of expenses. Pay attention to downtimes in the workflow.
Need for Self-Discipline and Motivation
Without a boss breathing down your neck, it’s on you to stay motivated and keep those words flowing. To some, this is a godsend. To others, people who have poor time management skills, this could be a nightmare.
Use things like calendars, planners, and scheduling apps to help keep yourself accountable. Set certain hours of the day to work so that you know THIS IS WORK TIME. I SHOULD BE WORKING.
I’ve learned to pay attention to the hours of the day when I’m most productive, and I assign my most difficult or time-consuming tasks to that block of time.
Administrative Tasks
You’re the boss, which means you’re also in charge of marketing, chasing payments, and sorting out taxes. Fun stuff, right? No, it sucks. But you have to do it! Use Excel spreadsheets and programs like QuickBooks and PayPal to track your invoices, payments, expenses, etc.
Potential Isolation
Working alone can get lonely. Sometimes, the only conversation you might have in a day, or even a week, is with your coffee mug or the dog. I don’t have to deal with this often, as I have a self-employed husband and two kids orbiting me like a bunch of planets.
But I know many freelancers who live alone and tell me stories of how they sometimes forget what their own voice sounds like. Be sure to take breaks, go for walks, head out to a coffee shop, and chat with the barista—anything to combat that feeling of isolation.
Competition in the Market
We live in a digital age—there’s no denying that. But it also means there are so many writers out there, all vying for the same gigs. Standing out takes effort and persistence. My best piece of advice for this is to become an SME (subject matter expert). Pick something you’re good at, something you’re obsessed with, and know everything about.
Maybe it’s a past job, hobby, or some kind of life experience. Either way, take it and run with it. Become an expert on the topic, tailor your portfolio to it, and search for gigs where you can shine. SMEs will always be chosen over generalist writers.
What Factors Can Lead to Success?
Success in freelance writing doesn’t come by chance. Here’s what can tip the scales in your favor:
- Strong writing skills: This is a given. Hone your craft continually.
- Finding your niche: As I said, specializing can make you the go-to writer in a specific field, reducing the competition.
- Business and marketing savvy: Knowing how to sell yourself and manage a business is going to make or break your career.
- Willingness to network and hustle: The more people you know, the more opportunities come your way. Don’t be shy! Join Facebook groups, jump into Slack conversations, hit Twitter, and search for different writing communities.
Is Freelance Writing the Right Path for You?
To determine if freelance writing suits you, you need to:
- Assess your personality traits, such as being a self-starter, adaptable, and disciplined.
- Understand that income can vary widely and may require time to build.
- Evaluate your comfort level with challenges like inconsistent workloads, self-promotion, and client management.
Are You Ready to Become a Freelance Writer?
So, is freelance writing worth it? The answer isn’t black and white, is it? It depends on your personal goals, circumstances, and how much you’re willing to invest in making it work. For some people, the freedom and flexibility are unbeatable; for others, the uncertainty and isolation are deal-breakers.
If you’re ready to take the leap, just remember: with great freedom comes great responsibility. Freelancing can be rewarding, but like any good story, it demands passion and perseverance. If you’re looking to hone some of your skills, we have tons of helpful guides right here on our site, so be sure to check them out!