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HTML <html> <head> <title>Should You Become a Freelance Writer</title> </head> <body> <h1>Should You Become a Freelance Writer</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="author_1_4416.html">Donovan Baldwin</a></div><div class="body">You would think that writing is writing. You would think that just because you are doing it in freelance mode rather than under contract to a publication or advertising firm, for example, that it's the same thing. You would think, huh?<br /> <br /> Well, like many things in life, when you step away from the beaten path and eschew the warmth and comfort of schedule, office, guidelines and are forced to do all that that implies for yourself, things change.<br /> <br /> Anyone who is good at their job and decides to go out on their own...start their own business...very rapidly learns a bitter truth. Along with all the obligations to the boss, the kowtowing and dog and pony shows, the J.O.B. did provide some things that it can be hard to get along without.<br /> <br /> Take that scheduling thing a couple of paragraphs ago. For many people striking out on their own, including freelance writers, a first dash of cold water from the fountain of freedom is the realization that they are not as good at scheduling their own time as their boss or office was.<br /> <br /> Oh, it's great not to hear the clock go off in the morning, but at some point, if you want to be successful, you have got to get out of bed and go to work. There were good reasons why the boss set a time for you to start work and expected you to stay for a given period. Requiring a certain amount of time out of your life insured that a certain amount of work got done. With no boss to stand over you or glare at you as you come in late, it can be easy to cut the routine and suddenly find that your output has dropped off.<br /> <br /> For a freelance writer, low output can mean low wages.<br /> <br /> Certain jobs had to be done to certain rhythms and in specific cycles as a part of the office routine. Most of the time, the rhythms and cyles we deal with at a job are already in place, and we just step into the process of following the steps painted on the floor. You may have modified them somewhat, but there is a chance you did not create them. As a self-employed individual, i.e. freelance writer, you are going to have to discover and create the cycles, rhythms, and schedules which will help you be successful.<br /> <br /> At your job, you had to develop and grow. Maybe they provided training for you, maybe they didn't, but at some point you probably realized that if you wanted to advance, or at least keep your job, you would have to figure out how to work the new machinery, fill out the new form, or placate the new boss. A freelancer has to stay abreast of what's going on as well, only now, there is no one standing by to make sure you get the message.<br /> <br /> Additionally, your job provided incentive for you to keep working even if things weren't going well. As long as you came in and did your work, you got your paycheck. That, and the prospect of losing their job, can create a great incentive to be creative. When a writer decides to try going the freelance route, he or she may find that their creativity dries up in the absence of outside expectations and guidance. Then, it is up to them to force themselves to produce.<br /> <br /> Bosses also set expectations, and you knew as an employee what those expectations were. It would be nice if it were always true that deciding to become a freelance writer really gave the writer the option to call the tune. However, often what they want to write is not what others want to read, and they find that the boss had certain expectations because he or she knew what the market was demanding. Many a freelance writer, and others who take the self-employed route, find themselves doing many of the same things they did, but for less money and with no benefits.<br /> <br /> The list can go on. There are a myriad of things that anyone leaving the work force and striking out on their own will realize need to be done. They will also realize that usually somebody else did them when they had a job. Being self-employed and masters (and mistresses) of their fate, again i.e. freelance, they are responsible for it all...from bookkeeping to sanitation. It is their responsibility not only to be a good employee but a good employer as well.<br /> <br /> Going freelance in any profession can be daunting, and sometimes the rewards are not monetary. Many self-employed people make less than they did at their last job, but would never go back now that they have made the break. After all, where else can you quit work to watch the game or play with your kids, take a couple of days off because you feel like it, and do your work with a beer on the desk?<br /> <br /> <br /> ------<br /> <br /> Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. He also offers <a href="http://1classified.8k.com/" >free internet advertising</a> services at <a href="http://1classified.8k.com/" >http://1classified.8k.com/</a> </div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/article_142760_50.html">http://www.articlealley.com/article_142760_50.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorOccupation"><strong>Occupation:</strong> Writer/Internet Marketer</div> <div class="authorBio">Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University of West Florida, Pensacola (1973), member of Mensa, and retired from the U. S. Army, he writes essays, articles, poetry, and product reviews for use on his own website, and for other webmasters. His blog on internet business and marketing, and related subjects, can be found at <a href="http://www.donovanbaldwin.blogspot.com">http://www.donovanbaldwin.blogspot.com</a>.</div> <div class="authorUrl"><a href="http://www.donovanbaldwin.com" target="_blank">http://www.donovanbaldwin.com</a></div></author> </body> </html>
Text Should You Become a Freelance Writer Author: Donovan Baldwin You would think that writing is writing. You would think that just because you are doing it in freelance mode rather than under contract to a publication or advertising firm, for example, that it's the same thing. You would think, huh? Well, like many things in life, when you step away from the beaten path and eschew the warmth and comfort of schedule, office, guidelines and are forced to do all that that implies for yourself, things change. Anyone who is good at their job and decides to go out on their own...start their own business...very rapidly learns a bitter truth. Along with all the obligations to the boss, the kowtowing and dog and pony shows, the J.O.B. did provide some things that it can be hard to get along without. Take that scheduling thing a couple of paragraphs ago. For many people striking out on their own, including freelance writers, a first dash of cold water from the fountain of freedom is the realization that they are not as good at scheduling their own time as their boss or office was. Oh, it's great not to hear the clock go off in the morning, but at some point, if you want to be successful, you have got to get out of bed and go to work. There were good reasons why the boss set a time for you to start work and expected you to stay for a given period. Requiring a certain amount of time out of your life insured that a certain amount of work got done. With no boss to stand over you or glare at you as you come in late, it can be easy to cut the routine and suddenly find that your output has dropped off. For a freelance writer, low output can mean low wages. Certain jobs had to be done to certain rhythms and in specific cycles as a part of the office routine. Most of the time, the rhythms and cyles we deal with at a job are already in place, and we just step into the process of following the steps painted on the floor. You may have modified them somewhat, but there is a chance you did not create them. As a self-employed individual, i.e. freelance writer, you are going to have to discover and create the cycles, rhythms, and schedules which will help you be successful. At your job, you had to develop and grow. Maybe they provided training for you, maybe they didn't, but at some point you probably realized that if you wanted to advance, or at least keep your job, you would have to figure out how to work the new machinery, fill out the new form, or placate the new boss. A freelancer has to stay abreast of what's going on as well, only now, there is no one standing by to make sure you get the message. Additionally, your job provided incentive for you to keep working even if things weren't going well. As long as you came in and did your work, you got your paycheck. That, and the prospect of losing their job, can create a great incentive to be creative. When a writer decides to try going the freelance route, he or she may find that their creativity dries up in the absence of outside expectations and guidance. Then, it is up to them to force themselves to produce. Bosses also set expectations, and you knew as an employee what those expectations were. It would be nice if it were always true that deciding to become a freelance writer really gave the writer the option to call the tune. However, often what they want to write is not what others want to read, and they find that the boss had certain expectations because he or she knew what the market was demanding. Many a freelance writer, and others who take the self-employed route, find themselves doing many of the same things they did, but for less money and with no benefits. The list can go on. There are a myriad of things that anyone leaving the work force and striking out on their own will realize need to be done. They will also realize that usually somebody else did them when they had a job. Being self-employed and masters (and mistresses) of their fate, again i.e. freelance, they are responsible for it all...from bookkeeping to sanitation. It is their responsibility not only to be a good employee but a good employer as well. Going freelance in any profession can be daunting, and sometimes the rewards are not monetary. Many self-employed people make less than they did at their last job, but would never go back now that they have made the break. After all, where else can you quit work to watch the game or play with your kids, take a couple of days off because you feel like it, and do your work with a beer on the desk? ------ Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. He also offers free internet advertising services at http://1classified.8k.com/ Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_142760_50.html About the Author: Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University of West Florida, Pensacola (1973), member of Mensa, and retired from the U. S. Army, he writes essays, articles, poetry, and product reviews for use on his own website, and for other webmasters. His blog on internet business and marketing, and related subjects, can be found at <a href="http://www.donovanbaldwin.blogspot.com">http://www.donovanbaldwin.blogspot.com</a>. http://www.donovanbaldwin.com
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