As any other job, the job of a freelance writer has a number of both advantages and disadvantages. The main thing that attracts writers to work on a freelance basis is a relatively flexible schedule, a chance to choose a slot, creative freedom to write on one’s own topics of expertise, at one’s own pace, for a direct share of ad revenue as long as one’s work is on the site.
Once you’ve chosen a position of a freelance writer, you may plan your day according to your own needs. Remote basis of your work can guarantee that you have enough time to devote to your family, friends or hobbies.
On the other hand, such kind of work leaves you far less freedom than it seems to at first sight. Supposed you’ve an order on The Psychological Aspect of the Etruscan Culture Rise and Fall to complete by Sunday. Inevitably, you shall be having Etruscans on your mind starting from Friday night whilst everyone else will be enjoying the beginning of the weekend.
Logically, all your life will gradually start to turn into an incessant mind work, searching for the necessary facts, words, clichés and sources to find them.
The next point contra is that being a freelance means never being sure of your next pay-day. One month you can make some $5,000 while the next one you might not know where your dinner money will be coming from. Your editor may keep on turning you round time after time; there is also such a notion in the field of freelancers as a so-called ‘kill fee’. This term means as editors determines the percent of your fee to be billed to you in case you produce something unsatisfactory. This may vary from 10% to 100% - if you are utterly lucky. If no ‘kill fee’ stated when discussing the terms of your contract you run the risk of ending up unpaid if the editor thinks your work does not meet the requirements.
And naturally, unlike the corporate 9-to-5, one cannot count upon being refunded in case of illness as there is no benefit package in your case.
