The idea of working as a freelancer in any profession hasmany attractionsbut before anyone takes this step they should really work out the pros and cons of this lifestyle.
Decisions
It's one thing to be able to write a dissertation or good essay but writing commercially is a totally different proposition. The first thing to recognise is that freelance writing can cause havoc with anyone's life. An individual who becomes a freelance writer will have to recognise that their life will be dominated by deadlines, and these won't take family life into consideration. Any prospective freelancer should consider whether they are prepared to get up at any time of the day or night in order to fulfil a commission. Many creative writers have an organised daily schedule and this mode of work may appeal to them, but those who write when the 'spirit moves them,' should take a long hard look at their commitment. If an individual is considering changing from working at a full time job to being a freelancer he or she must assess whether they will earn enough to pay the bills. Organisation is the key to this style of work.
Before anyone considers leaving the day job to become a freelance writer they should contact a variety of companies and send in examples of their published work. This advance preparation will give some realistic idea of earnings, the commitment required and the types of articles that they will be expected to write. It's one thing to be the world's expert on contemporary prose; it's a totally different task to write about any subject that an editor cares to commission. On the plus side, freelancers can finally be free from the daily 9-5 grind and by writing their commissioned assignments they will gain many useful skills. One useful introduction to the world of journalism and commercial writing is to join a team of copywriters at one of the numerous online content writing companies. This will give any prospective journalist/writer the experience of writing to deadline, use of research tools and also to improve their ability to write. These companies don't mind if anyone wants to write in their pyjamas at five o'clock in the morning, however, they will demand a high quality of writing and fully researched articles.
Life
The first step to take is to start assembling a portfolio and to send it out. When the work is offered do the sums and ensure that all bills can be paid, and importantly, that there will be a few pounds left over for a social life. Working at home is very different to life in a busy office, so a good social life is essential. Be realistic. For a writer who has never been published the thrill of obtaining a contract can sometimes outweigh the realities of seeing their work in print.
Once the necessities have been considered then the life of a freelancer can become appealing. Once a few contracts are under the belt, keep on searching for more; there is no such thing as too much work. The personal tax situation will change, which can be beneficial. Car or public transport costs can be reduced as most freelancers work from home and can count these costs (amongst others) against their tax bill. Just remember to record all expenses and keep receipts, and start to enjoy a new role, using your writing to earn a living.