The Pros And Cons Of Becoming A Freelancer
There are a multitude of reasons I decided to start working freelance.
I have spent the last 15 years working in the digital advertising industry (with 2.5 years out for two maternity leaves and Covid) across agencies, publishers and start ups and there have definitely been a lot of ups and downs. I’ve had some wonderful bosses and some awful bosses but for the most part my colleagues have been amazing.
Having recently been made redundant I decided to re-evaluate my life and what mattered to me.
Turns out I matter to me.
Pros of being a freelancer
I get to work for myself.
I don’t have to read minds anymore. I left telepathy off my list of skills because I wasn’t that good at it.
I decided I wanted to work to fund my own retirement rather than someone else’s.
I decided I actually wanted to see my small children before they turned 18 and left home and started calling me Rachel or something, and this gives me the freedom to do that. Even working from home or hybrid, my mind was utterly consumed with work. I felt like I was only ever giving my children a portion of myself.
I want to be around to see my child stick her bum in the air and run on all fours for sports day. I want to be there for the pirate afternoon and for the dinosaur exhibition or for the swimming match. I don’t want a career dictated by someone else’s priorities.
Reduced stress which is spectacularly refreshing. I can work when I want to and on what I want to. I can take a random Tuesday afternoon off at the last minute if work is quiet and binge watch True Blood while eating prawn crackers.
Cons of being a freelancer
Honestly, I don’t think there are too many.
Obviously the biggest drawback is the lack of regular income and stable work which, I appreciate for some people, is just not doable.
There is also the lack of benefits, sick pay, holiday pay, private health care and pensions etc, (although my experience of pensions throughout my career is pretty woeful anyway).
It’s a very competitive space so it can be hard to find your niche and welcome on board regular clients. The ground work you need to do to get noticed is intense.
The work isn’t just there, at least not for everyone. In the early days you may find yourself continuously pitching for work. Even so there will always be an element of this no matter where you work. All businesses have to grow and all businesses have to make money.
In my experience to date, the pros outweigh the cons. The above is by no means an exhaustive list but they are some of the key highlights I would say.
I get up in the morning and go to work (my dining table) with a smile on my face for the first time in years. I represent the work I do for my clients and only me. I’m not representing an organisation. I want to succeed and to do well for my clients because they have put their trust in me and me alone.
I am working for my clients and for my family. There is no one else. I am building something for my family and I which I can be proud of.