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From: Lisa Date: April 5, 2002 4:30 PM Well, I think we're about ready to wrap our discussion up. I'd like to finish with Alyssa's suggested question: Would you recommend this lifestyle to others? 
From: Alyssa
That said, one nice thing about freelancing is that it doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal. So if people are interested in trying it out, I'd suggest that they begin by building their businesses on the side. As long as they are careful not to jeopardize their employment situations, they can test the waters with one or two clients and see how it works for them. Some may find that the "cons" we discussed earlier in this forum outweigh the benefits. Others may discover that clients come easily to them and they take easily to the lifestyle. To this second group I say good luck, and welcome to the fold. Alyssa Diamond From: Gavin Date: April 7, 2002 9:21 PM Would I recommend the freelancer's lifestyle to others? Hmm. The most obvious answer is that it all depends. A freelancer is really a business person with only one employee - themself. Businesses either grow or founder, and change over time; and freelance business people are no different than any other type of enterprise in this respect. I recommend people try out their business ideas, providing they are thoroughly developed and clear in establishing goals. Many freelancers start off their businesses as sidelines to their "day jobs," and the most successful of these eventually cast off their mooring lines and work entirely for themselves. Others freelance out of necessity, due to lack of alternate job opportunities, or a desire to work while looking after children and other family members. Businesses are started by a wide range of individuals, with varying degrees of education, work experiences and capacities. I do not consider myself any different from a close friend who bought foam insulation equipment that had been owned by his former boss at an auction; and which he now uses to earn a decent living by working as a contractor. He does not possess a post-secondary degree, but when an opportunity arose he was confident enough to reach out and grab it. To be a successful freelancer you should have some experience in your field of business, sufficient resources to get started, confidence in your abilities, and secure enough to ask the right questions. I am currently moving from one area of freelancing - journalism - to the new business of book publishing. I had never published a book, but have published newspapers. I established a business plan, and am sticking to it. I believe this plan will allow the business to earn steady revenues over a period of years. The first book has been printed, and an official launch is scheduled for late April, with a second book set to follow in November. I now feel the same enthusiasm for this new business that I felt for journalism in the mid-'80s and early '90s. I hope it continues. Gavin Will From: Richard Date: April 9, 2002 7:24 PM Would I recommend this lifestyle to anyone else? No. It's too up and down. You've really got to love what you do and you've really got to be determined. I don't think anyone really sets out to be a freelancer in the first place. As Gavin and Alyssa have pointed out I think many freelancers start out doing side jobs while working at a "day job." And if you're good then you might "go all the way." But if anyone's got a romantic notion of the freelancer's lifestyle, I'll set them straight. You have to be business savvy, you have to be all networking all the time. Yes, there are "lifestyle" advantages in terms of making you're own schedule and having lots of freedom but it comes at the expense of hard work and anyone thinking about freelancing should know this. You still have to work hard. Even though I wouldn't recommend freelancing I wouldn't tell anyone not to do it if that's what they really wanted. It can be a good game but I would also recommend to look at all the pros and cons carefully and ask yourself determined questions before quitting that day job. Fulfillment can come many ways, look at every other option first and if you're ready then do it. My advice also: develop a business plan. You're a one-person business. Make sure you plan. Well that's my two cents. I've done some cool jobs and it's been fun that's a great side benefit. Richard From: Maidee Date: April 9, 2002 8:48 PM Hi Guys I'm r-e-a-l-l-y sorry I'm so late. Not only have I been busy and tired, but this is, quite honestly, the hardest question of them all for me. I've been having trouble approaching it. Everywhere I work, I end up talking to somebody about freelance life. Every time I meet someone new, we talk about freelancing under the "and-what-do-you-do?" category. If I'm in a good mood, I'll tell them about all the good parts. If I'm in a down mood, they'll hear all about the cons. This is definitely the life for me, but would I recommend it? I just don't know. For someone who had a lot of chutzpah and no trouble networking and contacting potential clients, it could work out wonderfully well. I know people like that who are doing gloriously well and always too busy to breathe. For someone who has difficulty with the business promotion end of things, it's probably not a good idea. I fall into this latter category but I have the benefit of heaps of optimism and so, even though I could do better, I feel I'm doing well enough. I imagine it would be best for someone who had an at-home support system; someone to share the bills and expenses with. If one partner has steady money coming in, at least that would cover the basics when the cheques coming to the freelancer are delayed. So I'd be careful who I recommend the freelance route to, but I'm happy to tell others how much I love this life and how I'd have to be dragged back, kicking and screaming, to full time work. I've enjoyed reading all the input from everyone, and it's helped me to know that others go through many of the things I often face. I'll miss you all. Maidee Round 1: About us Round 2: Challenges: Instability, insecurity Round 3: Benefits: Being in control Round 4: All alone: Isolation Round 5: Networking Round 6: Managing money Round 7: Technology: Edible or the enemy? Round 8: Work-life balance Round 9: Recommendations
Photographs All Rights Reserved © CBC, 2002
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