Over and over again, I hear about the low barrier to freelance writing. Many folks, it seems, have the opinion that just about anyone can become a freelance writer.
I think this popular opinion is a misperception.
While it is true that nearly anyone can purchase a web domain and start blogging, that doesn’t make every blogger a freelance writer.
There are definitely some people who shouldn’t ever become a freelance writer. If you’re wondering whether you’re one of them, here are some signs that you shouldn’t take up freelance writing:
- You don’t like to research. While some assignments may allow you to write about what you already know, many freelance writing assignments require a great deal of research. The topics that you must research aren’t always interesting either.
- You’re not trained in the field you want to write about. One of the reasons that I rarely outsource my large projects is because they require very specialized training. That specialized training allows me to qualify for jobs where otherwise I wouldn’t even be considered.
- You have no ideas. While it’s usual to have an occasional writer’s block, most successful freelance writers are able to eventually overcome those blocked periods. After all, good ideas are the foundation of good writing.
- You detest deadlines. Most freelance writing projects involve deadlines. Some of those deadlines can be pretty challenging. If the idea of having a deadline stresses you out, then freelance writing may not be for you.
- You can’t stand any kind of rejection. Eventually, even the best freelance writers must face rejection. Their application is turned down. The client requests major changes to their work. Or, something that they write just isn’t well accepted.
- You’re not reliable. A freelancing business must be built on trust. For a client to trust you they must know that you are going to do what you say that you will do. When it comes to freelancing, reliability is definitely a must.
- You want totally passive income. Most freelancers that I know work hard and steadily. Even if they receive some form of residual payment, it’s likely that the writer had to work pretty hard to put that residual system in place.
- You want to become famous. Very few freelance writers ever become famous. In fact, in many cases you won’t even receive a byline for your writing. This is particularly true if you write something for a business.
- You hate to write. The very thought of writing anything, whether it be a letter or an email, fills you with dread. (You would think this one would be obvious, but when I talk about freelance writing some people seem surprised at how much writing is actually involved. Go figure…)
I’ve had people tell me before that there are many freelance writers, but there are far fewer really GOOD freelance writers. You know what? I think it’s true.
What other signs that someone shouldn’t be a freelance writer can you think of?
22 responses so far ↓
1 Lillie Ammann // Jun 12, 2010 at
Laura,
So often people think it’s easy to be a freelance writer that anyone can do it, and they’re wrong. You’ve pointed out some important reasons not everyone can do it.
2 Laura Spencer // Jun 12, 2010 at
Lillie,
It seems I’m hearing it a lot these days. I can understand some of the confusion because so many people set up their own blogs.
Most people fail to realize how much work actually goes into freelance writing. Also, there needs to be some ability there as well (native or learned). Finally, there are many writing jobs that require special training in addition to writing skills.
The bottom line is this: it’s not as easy as it looks.
3 Leslie A. Joy // Jun 12, 2010 at
I really loved this post. Posts like this always remind me why I wanted to become a freelancer.
People really do seem to underestimate the work, time, and passion required. I know I’ve been putting as much as I can in it, but it’s definitely still a learning process.
4 Laura Spencer // Jun 12, 2010 at
Thanks Leslie!
People who are willing to work (like you seem to be)and do what it takes to run a successful freelancing business don’t need to worry about a post like this one. (Except, as you point out, to reassure yourself that you’re in the right field.)
Those who are looking for an effortless way to make money, on the other hand, have every reason to be concerned.
5 Ralph Fleming // Jun 14, 2010 at
I totally agree both with @Laura and with @Lillie Ammann. In my opinion, those people who really consider the freelance writing activity as an effortless one, are very disrespectful towards the hard work freelance writers do. Such desrespect is probably due to their lack of knowledge about what it really takes to be a freelance writer, but still it is disrespect.
Very good post.
6 Laura Spencer // Jun 14, 2010 at
Thanks Ralph!
I think you hit the nail on the head with your comment. If someone believes that freelance writing is effortless, they are usually disrespectful of writers as professionals.
7 Jennifer Brown Banks // Jun 14, 2010 at
Laura,
I enjoyed reading this very informative post. Thanks for sharing it. I would add also that people who lack good prioritization skills should not opt for the freelance writing life.
8 Genesis // Jun 14, 2010 at
I think those who are only in it for the money are not good candidates either. My sister, for example, is perfectly capable of writing, but she only wants to make some fast cash and when it takes a bit of effort or something more lucrative pops up, she drops the project she’s working on and moves on.
9 WordVixen // Jun 14, 2010 at
I’ll add “If you don’t want to work for other people.” I wanted to be a freelance writer for quite some time, but when I actually began getting assignments I found out just how very much I hate the idea of clients. I also have horrible panic attacks when asked to write for other people, and so I moved into the internet marketing game. Basically, it’s the same articles, but I’m the only quality inspector that I’ll ever have (unless Google decides to hand review my sites- but that’s not based on writing quality). It’s harder to stay productive without an actual deadline, but there are no panic attacks either! Now I only freelance for friends of mine- and usually only when they’re in a pinch.
10 Laura Spencer // Jun 14, 2010 at
Jennifer, Genesis, and WordVixen.
Thanks for the feedback. Those are excellent additions to the list.
11 Eric // Jun 16, 2010 at
I have hired several freelance writers in the past and it is definitely not a line of work for everyone. You need to be skilled and able to work with the client. It’s definitely an art form that I wouldn’t suggest as a line of work for everyone. There are some great freelance writers out there and finding the right one can go a long way in creating a good working relationship.
12 Laura Spencer // Jun 17, 2010 at
Thanks Eric!
You are right to point out that customer relationship skills are an important part of being a freelance writer.
13 Master Dayton // Jun 21, 2010 at
I think you bring up a really good point on freelance writing. It’s not hard to break into getting at least a pittance for writing online, but finding a real quality freelance writer is much more difficult – and I take pride in being the latter. Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding I run into is how many people don’t realize that to be a good freelance writer, you have to be a really good business person, as well.
14 Frequent Blogging, Book Marketing and Not Being a Freelance Writer | PoeWar // Jun 23, 2010 at
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15 Freelance FactFile // Jun 29, 2010 at
I’d also add: ‘You aren’t self motivated’ and ‘You don’t like working by yourself’ as two other deciding factors.
16 Laura Spencer // Jul 5, 2010 at
Thanks Freelance FactFile!
Those are two good additions.
17 Angie Papple Johnston // Aug 5, 2010 at
One more: You don’t like to ring your own bell. You absolutely must sell yourself in order to get the kind of clients who make freelance writing a dream job – and if you can’t promote yourself with an air of confidence (which is, of course, backed up by skill and talent), you’re not going to get far.
18 Laura Spencer // Aug 5, 2010 at
Angie Papple Johnson–Good point. Marketing is an integral part of running any business. In fact, I’ll posting more on that soon. 🙂
19 Karen Cayamanda // Sep 3, 2010 at
I totally agree. Writing is not everybody’s ball game, but some play it for the sake of earning. Because of this, the quality of the article suffers.
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