Friday 22 May 2009

Freelancing... the pros and cons

As most of you know... I work mornings at a small company and then freelance in the afternoons. The goal is to go full-time freelance one day.

Here's some thoughts on that. The good and bad of freelancing...

Pros:
  • Working for yourself - no boss, no office hours and no office politics (unless you suffer from multiple personality disorder or are taking vast quantities of hallucinogenic drugs).
  • Choosing your own projects. If you don't like it, you don't have to take it on.
  • The potential to earn damn good money.
  • Working at home. From your bed, if you like. With your cats and cup of Milo. Or a bottle of Jack, if that's your preference.
  • No "15 days of leave" nonsense. It's all your time and you can take a holiday whenever you feel like it.
  • No team-building sessions!
  • Variety - the spice of life.
  • All the money the client pays for the job (apart from tax) is yours.

Cons:

  • Working for yourself... Nobody but you to take the blame when things go pear-shaped.
  • No choice but to take all the work that comes your way - there's no set salary to rely on.
  • The potential to earn absolutely nothing if you don't get work in for any given month.
  • The potential to turn into an unprofessional slob because you work, eat and sleep in your bed. With your cats and Milo. Or Jack.
  • Having to deal with clients outside of office hours and during "holiday" periods.
  • No friendly office banter.
  • No stability or routine.
  • You ARE the boss, accountant, tea lady, receptionist etc.

Remind me why I'm chasing this again ;-)

5 comments:

Saaleha Idrees Bamjee said...

Nice roundup:)
I have just gone freelance and I admit it's a struggle for me to stay productive. But I think once I've cracked that and unearthed my inner drill-sergeant, it's going to be the best decision I've ever made.

AngelConradie said...

I want to be my own boss too.

Laura said...

The pros outway the cons 1000000 times over!

Seriously I will deal with the downside if I dont have to deal with office politics!

po said...

Sheesh Tamara, my blogger following thing only updated with this post now, two days late! The thing is crap.

I think, if you have the guts, the ability to work without supervision, the drive and the discipline, then working freelance will be really rewarding for you and the pros will outshine the cons! I totally admire you, because as much as it appeals to me I don't think I would cope.

Helen said...

You have my complete admiration for keeping yourself motivated as your own boss! I like the level of freedom I have as a postgrad, but I also like that at the end of the day someone is waiting for me to produce something.

Although that sucks.

Maybe I'll go freelance!