In our first post of this series, The Truth About Freelancing: Dollars and Doubt, we talked about making money and how to handle doubt as a freelancer. In this second installment, we're going to talk about risk and resiliency.

As we change what work looks like, we must rethink how to classify and categorize it in a way that serves people better.

The "free" part of freelancing can seem inviting, but you might find yourself with less freedom than you think if you decide to professionally fly solo.

Ever thought about quitting your nine-to-five job? Did you feel at some point that you can’t take any more of your boss’s whines? It happens. As a freelancer myself, who has been in formal employment before, I will give you some insight on what to expect if you decide to go down that road.

Do you want to know the real truth about being a freelancer?

For those considering freelancing work opportunities, there are several questions you will need to ask yourself in order to best determine if Freelancing is appropriate. This is important because there are several pros and cons to freelance work. One of the biggest factors to consider is personality- you need to ask yourself, are you a determined and ambitious person? In order to be successful with freelancing you will need to be a go-getter as you are responsible for pursuing your own work opportunities. You will have to build a client base and seek temporary gigs in order to be a successful free agent, and create a steady income from freelancing.

An increasing amount of people, like myself, are turning their back on the traditional 9-5 workday and the lifestyle that goes with it. At this point in time, there is no guarantee that working full time in a grey and beige office will provide a steady enough income to buy a house and support a family. The rise of zero hours, contract temporary positions, and static wages not matching the increased cost of living are all disenfranchising people of all ages and experience. Why work in an office according to someone else’s rules, being sapped of creativity and enthusiasm, when you don’t even have the benefits of a nice lifestyle to show for it? It’s no surprised in the present climate that unorthodox careers are increasing, and appealing to the masses.

Freelancing is a job that is both rewarding and beneficial to me as a writer. Even though finding projects/gigs can be a very strenuous task, the work put into finding them helps you must become an incredible writer to find work. It is crucial to be actively looking whenever you can. I strongly believe that there are many amazing things freelancing can offer to each and every writer—although downfalls also come with this. I hope every writer explores everything that freelancing offers, because it is most definitely worth it. 

Freelancers know this as the age of the Gig Economy. It’s not uncommon to see people walking out into the streets, tired of working for the man, and starting off fresh. I’m no stranger to this myself, as I was one of the many who decided that I could use my skills to start a business. I’ve talked to other freelancers about how their gigs are going. A friend of mine drives for Lyft and once told me that he makes over $400 a day driving people to and from the airport! It’s people like him that are all in, and I love seeing my fellow freelancers excel at selling their services.

Look at this carefully.  $20 for 1000 words.