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Disadvantages to Working as a Freelance Writer

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As a freelance writer you are not assigned a project, you must go out and find your work. You must learn how to market yourself and do a lot of networking to find the jobs.

You must be very self-disciplined to work as a freelance writer. It is easy to get caught up in household distractions when you need to focus on your writing projects. The television can also be a distraction. It is best to set aside some time while you have lunch to sit down and watch a program and get away from your work, just don’t let that little bit of time turn into an entire afternoon of wasted time. It is also imperative that you convince you friends and family that even though you may be at home, you are working. People tend to feel that since you are at home, they can stop in to visit at anytime or call throughout the day. You must make them understand that you are working and need to stay focused on your project.

While freelance writing can be very profitable, your work and pay maybe be inconsistent. You may have a period of time that you are not working and you must plan ahead for these dry spells.

There is a lack of respect for writers who work from home. Often, people do not look at you as having a real job if you work from home.

There are no company benefits when working as a freelancer. You will not receive medical and life insurance, vacation pay, 401K, or any type of retirement benefits. It is up to you to establish a savings plan and pay for your own medical and life insurance. Taxes are not withheld from your pay. You must be disciplined to pay your taxes quarterly or you will be paying them all at tax time. It is important that you keep up with any business expenses you encounter and keep good records for tax purposes.

Some people find the isolation of working at home difficult to handle. At times writing from home can be lonely with no one in the office to talk with or with whom you can go to lunch. It is important for freelancers to take some time to get out during the week for adult interaction, schedule lunch dates, attend conferences or classes, and get some physical exercise.

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