The Word Wrangler

Mike Sieber

Many freelance copywriters start their writing businesses while employed by someone else, and there are distinct advantages to doing it this way. For one, you get an opportunity to judge if the freelance writing business is your cup of tea while still drawing a paycheck. And then there’s the issue of health insurance being cheaper through an employer than on your own.

Of course, there are significant drawbacks to running your freelance business while working for someone else. It’s tough to meet with clients - even by phone - when you’re employed. It’s also tough to put in a full day’s work and then come home to put in another few hours to get your projects done. Burning the candle at both ends like this - especially when you have a family that demands your attention - will stress you out fast.

But say you’ve been pulling it off for awhile now and you’re considering taking the plunge into full-time freelancing. How do you know it’s the right time?

Here are several factors to consider before making the jump:

Do you have enough money saved? Different freelancers give different estimates about how much you need to have in the bank before you go solo. Some say three months living expenses and some say six. My advice is to go for the maximum you can. There are going to be periods where work is tough to come by and there’s no stress equal to being down to your last hundred bucks with nothing on the horizon. If you have to, take six months before you make the jump and live like a pauper. Put every possible dollar into savings until you build up a nice cushion.

Do you have enough work coming in now? Working a full-time job while freelancing is a double edged sword. You can’t take on too much work because you won’t be able to complete it in time, and you can’t get enough work coming in because you simply can’t devote the necessary time to pursue it. So what’s a good gauge to determine whether you’re going to have enough once you go on your own?

A good rule of thumb is to have a project lined up for every day of the week. If you’re finding that you’re getting enough work now that would keep you busy for a week, then it’s a good indicator that you’ll be able to maintain - and increase - the flow. Remember that you don’t have to have enough right now to keep you busy for eight hours a day, five days a week, but rather something to work on everyday.

What time of year is it? Believe it or not, the time of year really does have an impact on the amount of work you can get. Things slow down for everyone in late winter and then really pick up in the spring. Making the move when there’s an abundance of work will boost your confidence, allow you to sock away some much needed cash, and develop long-term clients who may be able to provide work, or referrals, during the slow times.

Does your gut tell you to make the move? Making the move to full-time freelancing is a lot like being in love. No one can really tell you when it’s right, but somehow you’ll know.

Taking the plunge to becoming a full-time freelance writer is fraught with rewards as well as risks. If you take your time, don’t rush into it, and plan ahead, the transition can be as smooth as going from one job to another.