Will You Leave Your Job To Do Freelance Writing?

1. 74

   mommyfreelancerposted 14 years ago

   Just wondering. Has anyone left their day job and concentrated instead on freelance writing? I'd be very much interested to learn how it went. Thanks!

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      Lissieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have been alternating between a "real" job and making money online. Freelance writing is just another job - albeit one based at home  - I now do this full time: this being about 20% freelanceing and 80% building my own sites and hubpages

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      freelance4moneyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Many people I know are overlapping their freelance writing work with their current full time job.

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   Ghost32posted 14 years ago

   I didn't leave my job; my job left me--in the sense that no one in Arizona seems interested in hiring me.  So after about 20 applications I gave up and have been writing full time for about 45 days now.  Made exactly 9 cents yesterday, certainly not getting rich quick.
   
   Must say that writing is NOT "just another job" for me, though.  If I were to put it in religious terms, I'd have to say it's more like a "calling".  So, now to make it a PROFITABLE calling....

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3. 61

   packerpackposted 14 years ago

   My job is paying me a decent amount now and hence would not like to leave it for the writing. No, not that I do not like writing but financially my job is paying me far better then what I am earning out of writing. However if I happen to loose my job then writing will certainly be the option but if I can start making respectful amount from writing then definitely this will become my next career ahead!

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4. 79

   Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

   Left the world of retail two years ago, and don't regret it. I now freelance full time, although the lower cost of living in Greece helps. I would not be able to manage back in the UK on freelance income

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      Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations on your adventurous spirit. That was a very gutsy move, I'm glad it's working out for you!

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      dohn121posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Kudos to you!  I have an aunt that lives in Melbourne, Australia whose now got an empty nest for me to roost.  I'm kind of on the fence about it all.  If I go, it'll have to be for at least one year...

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      1. 79

         Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Go for it, man, or you may regret it for a long time. I have many Greek-Australian friends who lived in Melbourne, and they loved it. Plus, you will be able to find authentic Greek food and Ouzo!
         
         @Nellie: Thanks - it took a leap of faith, although property in this area is cheap. We bought outright, so have no mortgage or rent to worry about - makes life a little easier!
         
         Still trying to master the language, though

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      anjalichughposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Same for NY. Impossible to survive on online income in this city. Got to have a regular job.

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   enderw1gginsposted 14 years ago

   I currently work as a full time writer doing copy editing, marketing and all that jazz. It's decent money i average around $900 a week. The trick is not to work for nothing. If you see those bidding sites you are competing with people who will work for $6.00 for a five hundred word article.
   It's a good way to ruin your portfolio that's for sure. Try doing a practice blog where you just write what you want for the fun of it then work on a professional one. Check out some of the freelancing gigs websites. I sort of had my foot in the door so I started out making a ton of money writing about theology. Another tip is be specific as to who your target audience is. "Jack of all trades" gets no work.

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6. 80

   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   I think a lot of people here would like to do that. I certainly would, but then again I don't try that hard right now to make it happen

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7. 59

   freelanceauthorposted 14 years ago

   If you have a job, stick to it. The best way to have a solid foundation of your career is to have as many source of income as possible without relying only on one source; making you highly dependent on it. Online freelance writing is one way to increase your earnings during your free time.

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   mirandalloydposted 14 years ago

   I've always wanted to be a writer. Right now I'm working on the first chapter of my novel!

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      dohn121posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A few of us do have hubs on writing a novel, miranda.  I too finished a novel last year but am in the process of editing it--all 452 pages!!!  I'm also working on a novella and two other novels.  Writing is the only thing that makes any sense to me in this world, that is besides Buddhism.

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9. 61

   onthewritesideposted 14 years ago

   I already did...and I have written my first novel.  However, it's not due in print until this fall, so the results are still out on the "how it went" part.  I do have to add that I was in a position to do this anyway, regardless of how it turns out.  So I guess what I'm saying is, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have his/her nut covered.

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      mirandalloydposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Really? What's the title, so I can pick it up?

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10. 81

    dohn121posted 14 years ago

    I definitely will consider it, sufidreamer.  Life's too short to dwell on things for too long a period of time (like that?)  First, I HAVE TO finish editing my novel.  Gotta get it done.

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    Shalini Kagalposted 14 years ago

    Well, I left my job to have a baby - then discovered freelance writing. It pays - and pays well if you treat it like any other business. Many writers can't seem to disassociate themselves from their work so it helps to try and concentrate on niches that you are interested in. Ideally, you need to be objective and professional when it comes to time scedules - it goes a long way in keeping clients.

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12. 72

    greeneyes127posted 14 years ago

    Hello! Inspectressgreeneyes127 here. I am appalled at what articles are being paid at some of the freelance sites. With all the research that I put into an article, $5.00 or less apiece does not seem to be worth my timed. What freelance sites do you recommend?

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    1. 79

       Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       We all started off there - it is pretty much the same on all of them, oDesk, Elance and Guru. Sometime, you have to accept that you need to take these low-paid jobs and slowly build up a reputation and a niche. I started off on 1 cent per word and now charge much more than that - it just takes a little work and perseverance, and there are no short cuts.
       
       Good luck with the writing career

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13. 72

    Ultimate Hubberposted 14 years ago

    I don't do a job, so can't say. Although I am trying to make money online and writing being the most important part of it. If making money online clicks I will prefer doing it and wont go for a job, otherwise I'll have to.

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14. 63

    Kidgasposted 14 years ago

    For me, this is just a hobby.  It is something that I can do while being online without wasting a lot of time playing games.  I was participating in forums and writing a lot anyway, came across this site, and thought I would post my thoughts for myself.  Still have a family to feed so won't be quitting the day job.

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       manlypoetrymanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I can easily relate to everything you have said...Kidgas. For me though...I would have liked to pursue writing more when I was younger...so I could be further along in a career of freelance writing by this point in my life...But "as a hobby" will suffice.

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15. 83

    gamergirlposted 14 years ago

    I'm working my way toward making this a living, hoping to catch the eye of a client or five who wants constant fresh content.  It's a process, and I've worked my way up realizing that a lot of my success thus far is due to my (despite what might be seen in the religious forums) personality and the willingness to work hard to get things done.
    
    Best for me so far was $25.00 an article for a 500-word piece.  I'm hoping to keep the pace on that!

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16. 0

    pgrundyposted 14 years ago

    I lost my job at a bank in October of 2008. This year I'm on track to make about what I made when I left my 'real' job--but I worked half-time when I left, not full time.
    
    Freelancing is not easy and the money for most of us is not great at first. My first year I made a few bucks. My second I made a few thousand. This year I may or may not break five figures. Hard to say, but I'm already double what I made for all of last year, and that's from actually writing about four to five hours a day.
    
    Look how long it took though.
    
    I don't know very many people who have walked out of a 'real' job and matched their pay right away. I eased into it over three years and I'm still not really getting rich, but I'm a lot happier.

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       Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       From what I've seen, this is true.
       
       I know a few full-time writers, but even the ones who call themselves "successful" have had to make significant lifestyle changes - moving to the country, growing their own veg, giving up restaurant meals.  Even then, I worry that most of them have no spare cash to set aside for their retirement.
       
       If you enjoy the simple life anyway, and truly hate your "real job", then that solution may work for you. Sufiwriter's life certainly sounds idyllic in theory, but I'm too much of a city girl at heart - I know I'd be bored out of my mind in a week!
       
       I'm lucky - my real life job isn't that bad. I actually enjoy the skills I'm asked to use, which helps offset the irritations of office politics and unreasonable demands.

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          pgrundyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, if I could get meaningful work, or even just work I didn't hate, (or even, this year, just work...) I'd work another job. But there aren't any jobs. Most places around here (MI) are offering buy-outs to people my age, and the $7- $10 jobs won't even consider us, there's so many young people in line.
          
          Luckily, I do have a small pension waiting and a partner with a good job, and a low cost life style. So I'm OK. But it would be nice to have more choices, definitely.

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             Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             The original question was, "Will you leave your job to do freelance writing?"
             
             Your post reminds me that there will be even more people trying to "make money online" in the next few years because they've lost their jobs and have no alternative.  Competition will intensify and rates will get even lower.
             
             Even more of an argument for NOT leaving your job, mommyfreelancer, while you have one.  By all means write in your spare time.  You can still build your portfolio and gain a reputation, so that if and when you have to write full-time, you're already well set up.

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17. 0

    pgrundyposted 14 years ago

    I just wanted to add that I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it, I'd just say, be realistic. Don't think you'll get rich quick. Most don't.
    
    The biggest misnomer of all is 'passive income' which actually takes tons of work but in the long run probably pays better than straight freelancing. (That's the impression I get from talking to people at HP who are successful with it like Mark Knowles and Lissie.)
    
    But it's like real estate--for the first year or two you'd starve if you had to live off it.

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18. 72

    Maddie Ruudposted 14 years ago

    I did the opposite, really.  I left my job as a freelance writer to work in a "real job"... for HubPages!

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       pgrundyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Maggie, that is so awesome. We're all glad you did too!

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       gamergirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I want a job with you, Maddie.  Porn is for the birds.

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19. 70

    Beth100posted 14 years ago

    Yes.  I am currently working on feelance writing, online and off line, and I'm very happy about it.  It doesn't pay as well as my previous job, but hey, I'm happy and lovin' it!!!

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20. 74

    mommyfreelancerposted 14 years ago

    Yes, am working with oDesk, too. Though I don't apply for jobs anymore. I retain my old clients so I don't have to research much on the articles, and they are blogtypes so less stressful.
    
    I worked for Guru for sometime, through another provider who was an American. Sadly she became ill and while the guru buyer was happy to keep me, my being outside USA restricted them from hiring me directly. Sad, because it was also a steady contract.
    
    I'm actually happy with my job, but I'd love to spend more time at home with my kid. So am building up a career towards that. For now I retain 2 buyers who give me regular jobs then do hubs.
    
    Sufidreamer, what sites do you recommend working on (aside from hubpages, of course)? Or should I post that in another thread?

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       Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I have always been happy with oDesk, although Pam Grundy swears by Elance. To be honest, most of my work is private and I rarely use the freelance boards. For me, Hubpages is a good place for an online portfolio, and I have received work through the site.
       
       I have no idea about the best site for adsense, because it is not a route that I want to go down. Some of the folks on here, Misha, Relache, Darkside, Lissie and Mark Knowles are great sources of information - well worth looking at their Hubs.
       
       I also have no idea about the article selling sites - Marissa Wright is the Hubber to visit for that!
       
       Hope that helps - all that I can suggest is to decide which route you wish to go down and concentrate upon that mercilessly. The beauty of Hubpages is that it has room for all approaches.

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21. 61

    Randy Godwinposted 14 years ago

    I already have too many jobs now.  Writing is just a recent hobby, although I have sold a couple of mystery stories and could sell more if I would just write them.  Not enough time.

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    Jarnposted 14 years ago

    I left my job and went on to do freelance writing. It was one heck of a learning curve for the first three months or so, but then the work started smoothing out. Demand Studios snatched me up as one of their stabled writers. I typically make about 2 grand a month out of them, but it requires a lot of technical and mechanical knowledge; computers, electronics, mechanics, etc. Aside from that I've really not had a lot of lcuk finding legitimate work. The revenue sharing sites are pretty hit and miss, and I tend to miss more than hit. Also I was taken in by scam artists more than once, that's the danger of the job, since you don't meet with your employer in person, they can take advantage of you pretty easily. I did about 5 thousand dollars worth of work for free when they up and split on me.
    
    I would say that freelance writing isn't a bad thing to do on the side, but I wouldn't suggest it as a way to make your living unless you've got no other alternative like me.

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    emievilposted 14 years ago

    I've been in freelancing and online writing for only 8 months. Although I earned more than a thousand dollars total, it is still not enough for my daily needs. So right now, the answer is no, I still have to keep my day job. But if you ask my sister, who misses me and lives in Manila, she'd rather I quit my job, go back to Manila, do freelance writing and teach part-time so that I can be near her . What can I say, I'm her baby sister .

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