In my latest blog, I spoke to Luca Rosi, to find out more about life as a freelancer writer. This is what he had to say…
Why did you decide to become a freelancer?
In my case a redundancy made me reconsider my options. I had planned to take some time off and wasn’t ready for another permanent role, so I started to look around to see what was out there. I wanted more freedom and not to be tied down to the office 9-5 grind!
Flexibility is a major plus…
Absolutely. I think that more and more companies have realised that they need to offer their staff flexible options to help them strike a better work-life balance. Working as a freelancer gives you control, both in terms of the work you choose to accept and when you want to take time off. If you do a job like mine, you have the added benefit of being able to work remotely anywhere in the world.
Compare working for yourself vs. being a full-time employee?
The main difference is that you won’t be able to rely on the security blanket of the regular monthly salary and employee benefits that a permanent job offers. Therefore, you need to plan your finances, taxes and administration, think about pension provision etc. You don’t have the luxury of holiday or sick pay either! However, working as a contractor for example means that you can earn more given the benefits of the limited company structure, plus there’s lots of variety working for different companies.
Anything you miss about office life?
I work part-time three days a week and the rest I focus on my freelance writing. I’m a bit of a hybrid! Working from home as I do part of the week, you need to be disciplined and make the most of your time. You don’t have the interaction and the banter of a full-time job, so it can get lonely. You can also switch off at weekends, a luxury you don’t necessarily have as a freelancer. But you can organise your working hours around your commitments and can decide when you work. And it’s goodbye to office politics!
What do you specialise in as a freelancer?
I trained as a journalist and now I’m a marketing copywriter, so all forms of business writing, from blog articles and emails to brochures and case studies. I also advise companies on their content and social media strategy. I write articles on a range of business topics, with a focus on careers, HR, recruitment, management and leadership. I really couldn’t see myself doing anything else. You’re always learning and honing your skills.
How do you find work?
This is the difficult part! Use your networks and spread the word about your new venture to friends, family and colleagues. You’ve got to think like a big business, so PR, marketing, digital/web, advertising etc. are all areas you need to consider. Go to networking events or meet up groups with fellow specialists in your field. Take any opportunity to promote your business and sell your services. If you’re a contractor, then approaching specialist recruitment agencies is a good option.
What about social media?
You must have a presence on all the main channels, such as Twitter and Facebook. LinkedIn is an excellent platform to keep in touch with colleagues, so make sure you’ve updated your summary and included all relevant keywords. You should also share and post articles – blogging is a very effective way to raise your profile and industry expertise. Aim to post at least one update a day and look for relevant industry groups. Join the conversation!
Any advice to those thinking of freelancing?
Freelancing can be daunting and it’s not for everyone. It does depend on your personal circumstances and responsibilities as to when the best time is to take the leap. If you’re thinking of quitting your job, make sure you’ve got enough savings to see you through those first six months (at least). Contact and connect with people in your field who’ve successfully set up their own businesses. There are also many good books out there such as Steven Baker’s ‘101 contracting tips’.
Finally, persevere and don’t beat yourself up. If things d’t work out, you can always back to permanent employment. Adopt the mentality of an entrepreneur!
If you have any questions, Luca would love you to connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also follow him on Twitter.
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