Freelance writing can be a lucrative profession, but can also have many challenges. People who wish to be freelancers need to possess good time management skills, drive and dedication.
Time Management
Freelancer writers can make their own schedules. While convenient it is important to stick to some type of routine. You need to remember that unlike a 9 to 5 job, if you are not working you are not making money. So although it can be tempting to sleep until 11:00 or spend an afternoon watching movies, your monthly income can suffer from this behavior. Some work-a-holics can also be effected by making their own schedules. Some people become so dedicated to their writing that they don’t know when to take their work hat off and turn their relaxing hat or fun hat on.
Multiple Streams
As a freelance writer it is vital to have more than one stream of income. You are an independent contractor and no one owes you anything besides payment for the work done. If you rely only on one website or one client, you could find yourself in a dangerous bind if that website shuts down or if that client runs out of work for you. Write for multiple websites and a few private clients and your income stream will be steady. It is also good to mix up some clients that pay frequently with some clients that only pay once a month or have a long billing cycle.
Health Insurance
Some new freelancers have trouble obtaining health insurance. If you are fortunate enough to have a spouse who has a plan, that is one of the best and easiest ways to obtain healthcare. If you do not have this option, you will need to budget to join an independent plan. Decent plans can be available for around $250 a month. You will need to budget for this when setting your monthly goals.
