Be A Freelance Writer: Its Benefits
Freelancers these days are increasing in number according to the report of Sarah E. Needleman, an SEO article writer of The Wall Street Journal. Many have seen freelancing as a potential source of income to replace their full-time jobs. Sarah reports the stories of women who have been out of their jobs as a result of the recession but can come back earning bigger salaries by freelancing their skills.
The word "freelance" in the old days had an ugly connotation due to its association with "mercenary." A freelance was someone hired to kill. Over time, the word survived its negative meaning and evolved historically and is now understood as synonymous with a self-employed person. Freelancing is gaining popularity in our days, especially in this so-called Information-Digital Age.
Freelancing is generally perceived for its financial disadvantages. The absence of a fixed salary and other financial benefits is sufficient enough to discourage most people from considering the field of freelancing.
Certainly, becoming a freelancer is not easy, particularly for those who are beginning just like me. However, the advantages of freelancing surpass its difficulty. For me, I see at least four benefits in becoming a freelancer:
1. You can take freelancing as an opportunity for you to grow as a person. Here, you can take it as a personal test of courage in coming out of your "comfort zone." Learning new skills is never easy, especially for those who have passed their youthful years. But learning is a must for you to grow as a person. You have to learn a new set of skills to thrive in the new economy. Moreover, in learning new skills, you have to find your specific skills and must keep on sharpening them for you to meet the needed qualifications for the task.
2. You control your time. Not many people have this privilege of taking control of their time. It is up to you how to use your time. Self-discipline here is important to finish your task.
3. You are free to choose the tasks you like. In the beginning, becoming choosy is not advisable. You have to create first your credibility by gaining experience. Even if it would mean freelancing for free, just grab the opportunity for your primary goal at first is not to freelance for money but to freelance for you to learn. After you have proven your skills and with a solid portfolio and work history, employers will be lining up for your service. I see this in the profiles of my fellow oDesk freelancers. This time, it is you who will pick the best jobs you like. This is better than competing with ten or more candidates for a single job.
4. See freelancing as a bridge to entrepreneurship and to financial liberty. If your problem is cash for your entrepreneurial dream, consider freelancing. To me, a freelancer has several good qualities in common with an entrepreneur. Both of them value freedom of time. The advantage of an entrepreneur is that the uncertainty in financial standing is just for a time being whereas, in the case of a freelancer, it could stay permanent. I think it is a good idea to combine the two. Basic to a freelancer is his ability for a specific niche while an entrepreneur is known for good ideas. It is great for a freelancer to acquire the mind of an entrepreneur and thus combine expert skills with visionary leadership and that would be a great mix to a promising future.
