Comments on: What I Hate About Freelancing

By: Alexis

Alexis — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:45:28 +0000

So true! When you’re in business for yourself, it’s all about the results rather than the number of hours you actually work… which, after you’ve become established, can mean fewer hours while income remains stable. That’s what we’re aiming for at TheSavvyFreelancer.com.

By: Niall Harbison

Niall Harbison — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:34:53 +0000

Good for you to balance out the good with the bad! I don’t freelance but I do have my own business so I guess it is pretty much the same thing. The big win is that you have all the time in the world to do what you want including sleeping all day if that takes your fancy but the big worry is getting the work in the door to actually pay the bills! That has to be the biggest worry…paying the bills. Still no better feeling than doing it all for yourself though!

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:47:14 +0000

@Parka – Oh yes, I can imagine giving up on freelancing and finding employment if I were the sole breadwinner of my family. Thank God I have the option to stay self-employed. But I know many freelancers who support their families on their freelancing income alone, and some who make more money than employed people. This is what we’re trying to accomplish at TheSavvyFreelancer.com – finding the combination of skills and business savvy we need so that freelancing brings in a full-time income.

Thanks for your comments, everybody!

By: Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:45:38 +0000

@Kimberly – You bet it’s easy to forget about marketing when we’re swamped with work… and then we suddenly find ourselves twiddling our thumbs with no work to do, and no income to look forward to! This is advice I need to follow myself.

By: Parka

Parka — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:48 +0000

Hi Lexi,

Thanks for this. I personally don’t mind the fluctuation too much, but then I’m single and supporting a family is no issue. I imagine if you’re the sole bread-winner it could be a bit stressful though. Like Chris pointed out, you’ve got to take the sweet and the sour together, like anything in life. The trick is to see whether the pros outweigh the cons and whether or not the job description fits your personality.
.-= Parka´s last blog ..Internet Marketing – What Is It? =-.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:19:21 +0000

Lexi, I’d have to say I agree with this list. Thank goodness the good far outweighs the bad. :~)

Marketing my services consistently was so overwhelming in the beginning, especially as I began accumulating more clients. I admit I still slack off from time to time (when I’m booked with projects), but I can honestly tell a big difference. Marketing consistently is the way to keep work coming in.
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..Setting Limits with Clients =-.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:07:35 +0000

You said it, Chris! However, for some people these reasons are enough for them to give up on freelancing. Some people just aren’t cut out for independence or too much instability (such as when it comes to income).

Lexi

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:56:30 +0000

You can’t have the good without the bad I suppose. But like you pointed out, these are all things that can be overcome. They just aren’t always comfortable. But that’s a good thing, in that it makes you grow. If you don’t stretch yourself at all, you’ll never get anywhere.

Cool posts
.-= Chris´s last blog ..How Do You Motivate Yourself? =-.