Freelancing Independence: the Trade

Since yesterday was Independence Day, it seems like a good time to address one of the lures of freelancing--the freedom.

There is no doubt that freelancing can free you from the routines and necessities that others (those with regular jobs) must face. You don't have to go to a single place to work, you don't have to follow anyone else's schedule most of the time. Technically, you don't have a boss. In most cases, you alleviate the repetition and the "big picture" demands that cause professional boredom.

What you get in return is (among other things) projects in many different situations, the power to determine and set your own schedule, and an uncapped earning potential.

Pretty sexy.

But it is important to realize that this trade-off has some requirements. It also means that a freelancing lifestyle is not for everyone.

3 Things You Trade for Your Independence as a Freelance SEO Writer

1. Stable Paychecks. Getting paid every two weeks has its perks. I can definitely say, as a full-time freelancer there are times when the money gets very tight, and others when it seems to fall from the sky. But paying your own bills won't wait for you to collect from a hard-to-reach client, so how does a freelancer deal with stabilizing their cash flow?
   Freelance Solution: Scheduling work and billing cycles accordingly. A freelance seo writer should realize that they need to stagger projects and payments to always have work cycling through. Look at pending work, existing projects, and outstanding invoices. You should keep all 3 at a nice steady churn to keep things moving forward smoothly. Also understand that completing a project and getting paid are 2 completely different aspects to a project. If you know it takes 6 weeks to collect from a client, you had better know what you are going to do for those 6 weeks to pay for gas and groceries. It means knowing how to schedule your time and balance your workload, how to save money when needed, and how to follow a personal budget. Knowing that some times are going to be stronger than others, you need to work as much as possible when the work is there and save that money. You may need it later in the year if things slow down. Create a weekly budget, and adhere to it. Be careful--If a client takes 3-6 months to pay for a project, receiving an unusually large check can be very tempting. But remember that larger sums of money represent a lot of time during which you likely had to use other sources of income. This aspect is very hard to understand or manage when you are first starting out, but as time goes on, you will see how proper project scheduling and balancing your budget wisely plays into your overall success rate as a freelance seo writer.


2. Company Sponsored Benefits. One of the reasons you are attractive to a company is they don't have to pay for your benefits like they do with their full time employees. But what happens if you get sick and need a doctor? What about saving for retirement?
   Freelance Solution: Finding individual plans to meet your needs. Talk to a couple insurance agents and find a plan that answers your needs. True, this will create a monthly obligation...but you don't want to get caught in the lurch by something. Nobody plans to get sick, or have an accident. But smart freelancers have insurance plans and leave less to risk. Similarly, planning for retirement is something that a freelancer should take seriously. Talk to a financial planner to investigate CDs, 401ks, stocks, bonds, or other investment opportunities. Freelance seo writing can be a very hand-to-mouth kind of existence, so don't be short-sighted. Take control of your own future, and plan for it. Be realistic, and be aggressive. See part of every paycheck as an investment in your future.


3. Coworkers. A lot of freelancers I have talked to start freelancing as a way to get away from people at work. Though some people can definitely be a challenge to deal with, others make every day more fun. A work environment offers a lot of opportunity to develop new friendships and get to know new people, so what does a freelancer do to increase socializing and relationship building?
   Freelance Solution: Networking. Like I have stated many times, relationship building is a big part of freelancing. Since it is not as easy to make new friends without a structured environment to encourage it, you simply have to be a little more proative and conscious about making connections. Join professional networks in your area. Look into the Chamber of Commerce. Look at industry-specific organizations to which you might belong. Find some bloggers to engage with or forums to join. Reach out however it feels best. Most freelance seo writers are really busy writing and finding work. Make sure to take time to come out from this little shell, and get personally plugged-in--both to your local business community and to the industries you serve. By doing so, you can surround yourself with forward-thinking professionals who are great resources to share with and learn from on a regular basis.

These three things are only some of the trade-offs you'll encounter when choosing freelancing as a career path, and they illustrate the point that this is not the right path for everyone.

The trade-off is something you must welcome or freelancing is going to be tough. The benefits of freelancing certainly look sexy, but contrary to what people think, a life of freelancing is never easy. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of preparing to be able to balance everything properly. But when it feels right to do so and to make the trade-offs necessary for success, you honestly rarely think about the effort you are putting in.

Keep your eye on the target. Research and understand as much as you can before starting something. Don't take things too seriously or too lightly. Relax, and enjoy.