Lately, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on my career. After finishing my Master’s, I jumped into a freelance copywriting contract and started my own business (of which this blog is the only thing left), then went into publishing, then sales, then back to marketing. It’s a lot to have tried in a short time, I’ll admit, but I can truly say that all of these experiences have lent themselves to one another and informed how I approach the day to day.
Being a freelancer (specifically, a freelance copywriter) seemed like the perfect job for someone who just finished school and was fearful of committing to a career path. It made sense for me because I love writing, and I love a good story, and this seemed like the perfect marriage. When it came time to truly enter the working world, I was apprehensive about falling into the rigidity of a 9-5. Now, anyone that knows me knows I like a solid routine as much as the next person, but I am genuinely afraid of being bored at work.
The reasons I stepped back from freelancing were many, and I learned a few lessons along the way. Do I miss it? Sometimes. Would I go back to it? On the side of a day job, sure.
My top 3 learnings from my freelancing days:
1. It costs a lot to be excellent at it.
Of course, you want to be good at your craft, but you need to mentally prepare yourself for tax time. If you’re freelancing, keep every single receipt – even for things that you do during that period that aren’t work-related. Auditors can knock at your door at any time, so it’s best to be prepared. If you make over a certain amount, be prepared to be taxed a lot, and also be prepared to owe the government money.
2. It’s only as lax as your lifestyle.
Like any business, you have to be committed to its success. This means long hours, late nights, and sometimes taking on jobs that you aren’t as passionate about because your bills have to be paid. If you’re going all in with it, make sure that you know it’s sustainable. Give your business time to grow, and if you have a “real job,” keep it until you know for sure that you can survive and maintain your lifestyle without it. Be mindful of the difference between a hobby and a career.
3. If you can’t remember why you started doing it, walk away.
With the previous point in mind, whatever you pursue for freelancing work should build you up, not take your energy away. You should do it foremost because you love it, and not just because you can make money from it. As I alluded to earlier, you’re going to be spending far more than the standard 37.5 hours per week feeding into it, so you don’t want it to become something that you resent. If it starts to feel that way, put it down, or put it away.
Khadijah Plummer Consulting 