My husband and I have been seriously tossing around the idea of relocating our family from Georgia to Alabama this week. My father has not been well so I will be traveling to and fro all summer. A big relocating pro is the fact that I can easily do so without missing a beat since most of my business is conducted remotely. The cost of living is significantly cheaper, so living off my income for a while wouldn’t be a problem. It’s still just an idea being tossed around, but the idea is certainly growing on us all.
Funny, I noticed that the moment I stopped equating security with working full-time for someone else is when I found true security. When one of my children or a relative is sick and needs my help, I can be there for however long I need to and still take care of my family. Sometimes it requires a lot of schedule shifting, but it’s MY time.
I remember nine years ago when my 15 month old daughter had to be rushed to the hospital. As with most unexpected illnesses, there was no real way of telling when everything would get back to normal. I was so offended at the many hoops of office protocol I had to jump through just to be there for her. I couldn’t fully concentrate on being there for her because I had to remain mindful of checking in with my office manager every day in order to make sure I still had a job to return to when everything was over. I can’t imagine jumping through any those hoops now as I prepare to do what I can to help my parents and be there for my own immediate family. Thankfully it’s not necessary.
Someone sent me an email message today with an appropriate quote by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad: “If you choose security, you’ll never have freedom, but if you choose freedom, you’ll always have security.”
Showing posts with label job security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job security. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Is Freelance Writing More Stable than a 9 to 5?
Yuwanda Black shared an interesting post about how aspiring writers can begin taking steps to make their dreams of freelancing come true in 2010. Aside from my obvious jealousy that she’ll be flying off on yet another steamy adventure for five weeks in Jamaica (just, kidding, Yuwanda – have MUCH fun and be safe!), what really caught my attention was a bold headline further down in her post that reads, “Freelancing Provides More Job Security.” I’m inclined to cautiously agree.
What “working for the man” used to mean
My father has worked for the same company for over 35 years. Over the years his job has presented its employees with an absolutely awesome benefits and retirement package, turkeys and hams for every major holiday, bonuses, lavish gifts celebrating 10, 15, 20 and 30 years with the company, company car, beeper (back in the day) which was eventually upgraded to a company cell. You get the picture.
This is what my parents also wanted for me. It's what I was groomed as a little girl to want and go after, and so I did. Two months after graduating from college I hit the corporate jackpot and relocated to Atlanta to accept an advertising sales assistant position at the local paper. Four months into the job, I knew it wasn’t for me.
Leaving a “good job”
Even though I didn't care for my job I stayed because it provided "security." Eight years later when I told my dad that I was quitting what he affectionately referred to as my “good job,” He thought I was crazy. I had a two year old, newborn twins, a mortgage and car payments.
I completely understood his point of view. He had a “good job” that had been there through my mother’s untimely illness and inability to work again, financed my college tuition and allowed him to pay off his mortgage and cars. He wanted the same security for his only child.
But I could see the writing on the corporate wall early on. Even if I was cut out for the cubicle lifestyle, corporate America was no longer what it used to be. Now it’s plain for everyone to see: massive layoffs, cuts or no provision for benefits and furlough days have become the new norm.
The job security myth revealed
Last year many of my dear old coworkers at the paper became victims of a huge department layoff, as did many other newspaper workers across the nation. The Internet has done a lot to fragment advertising media. My “good job” turned out to be anything but. Which brings me back to the point of Yuwanda’s post…
The idea of job security is to a large degree a myth. High unemployment has forced many of us to become much more resourceful and depend on skills we developed in the corporate jungle to survive via freelancing and contract gigs. It’s a win-win situation for us and the big companies who no longer have the funds to maintain creative departments yet still require our services.
I also agree with Yuwanda’s idea that being a freelancer forces you to learn more. Although I worked on a computer eight hours a day for eight years at my old job, I was woefully computer illiterate when I left. Why should they bother teaching me more than they needed me to know to get the job done?
It wasn’t until I began working for myself that I forced myself out of my comfort zone to learn new skills. When you work for yourself, staying on top of small business, technological and Internet trends is a necessity.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
I think the success of working for yourself depends largely on not putting all of your eggs into one basket. This is certainly the case for freelance writers where you must constantly market your services to build up a roster of clients who will supply steady work.
Depending on just one client would be career suicide. When you have 10 or more clients sending you work, you won’t feel the sudden departure of one client as much. One might consider relying on a “good job” in this economy to be the same as putting your eggs in one basket. What will you do if suddenly that job is no longer there?
Start with a plan of action
Now I don't suggest that as an aspiring freelance writer you should just run out and quit your job. You have to have a plan for any business to work. Start freelancing for clients as a side gig, or work to set aside 12 months of savings before you make the leap. I recommend the information from these sites to help get you started:
Inkwell Editorial
All About Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing Jobs
About Freelance Writing
What “working for the man” used to mean
My father has worked for the same company for over 35 years. Over the years his job has presented its employees with an absolutely awesome benefits and retirement package, turkeys and hams for every major holiday, bonuses, lavish gifts celebrating 10, 15, 20 and 30 years with the company, company car, beeper (back in the day) which was eventually upgraded to a company cell. You get the picture.
This is what my parents also wanted for me. It's what I was groomed as a little girl to want and go after, and so I did. Two months after graduating from college I hit the corporate jackpot and relocated to Atlanta to accept an advertising sales assistant position at the local paper. Four months into the job, I knew it wasn’t for me.
Leaving a “good job”
Even though I didn't care for my job I stayed because it provided "security." Eight years later when I told my dad that I was quitting what he affectionately referred to as my “good job,” He thought I was crazy. I had a two year old, newborn twins, a mortgage and car payments.
I completely understood his point of view. He had a “good job” that had been there through my mother’s untimely illness and inability to work again, financed my college tuition and allowed him to pay off his mortgage and cars. He wanted the same security for his only child.
But I could see the writing on the corporate wall early on. Even if I was cut out for the cubicle lifestyle, corporate America was no longer what it used to be. Now it’s plain for everyone to see: massive layoffs, cuts or no provision for benefits and furlough days have become the new norm.
The job security myth revealed
Last year many of my dear old coworkers at the paper became victims of a huge department layoff, as did many other newspaper workers across the nation. The Internet has done a lot to fragment advertising media. My “good job” turned out to be anything but. Which brings me back to the point of Yuwanda’s post…
The idea of job security is to a large degree a myth. High unemployment has forced many of us to become much more resourceful and depend on skills we developed in the corporate jungle to survive via freelancing and contract gigs. It’s a win-win situation for us and the big companies who no longer have the funds to maintain creative departments yet still require our services.
I also agree with Yuwanda’s idea that being a freelancer forces you to learn more. Although I worked on a computer eight hours a day for eight years at my old job, I was woefully computer illiterate when I left. Why should they bother teaching me more than they needed me to know to get the job done?
It wasn’t until I began working for myself that I forced myself out of my comfort zone to learn new skills. When you work for yourself, staying on top of small business, technological and Internet trends is a necessity.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
I think the success of working for yourself depends largely on not putting all of your eggs into one basket. This is certainly the case for freelance writers where you must constantly market your services to build up a roster of clients who will supply steady work.
Depending on just one client would be career suicide. When you have 10 or more clients sending you work, you won’t feel the sudden departure of one client as much. One might consider relying on a “good job” in this economy to be the same as putting your eggs in one basket. What will you do if suddenly that job is no longer there?
Start with a plan of action
Now I don't suggest that as an aspiring freelance writer you should just run out and quit your job. You have to have a plan for any business to work. Start freelancing for clients as a side gig, or work to set aside 12 months of savings before you make the leap. I recommend the information from these sites to help get you started:
Inkwell Editorial
All About Freelance Writing
Freelance Writing Jobs
About Freelance Writing
Friday, October 10, 2008
Find Job Security as a Freelance Writer
Right now there is a lot of financial turmoil taking place around us, but still I say, DO NOT PANIC. Because if you haven't noticed yet, businesses are still looking for freelance writers. Oh yeah, there are a lot of business out there searching for us. In the past month I've had two prospects contact me because both businesses had longtime freelance writers they heavily relied upon to recently freak out and leave them for a "steady," full-time job. These companies did not advertise their positions. I just happened to contact them directly while marketing my services.
I even think that it's possible that more freelance writing work could become available because of the massive layoffs. Heck, somebody has to write the copy, right? One good thing about being a freelance writer amid this financial crisis is that we are survivors by nature. We know how to handle the ebb and flow of income. We create our own job security.
When you need to keep the projects coming, you have to put in some work. It's that simple. Consider the following as you work to create financial stability:
1) Diversify your client base. If you are relying on one or two clients for your income, think seriously about what would happen if those clients suddenly fell to the wayside. If you can't afford it, schedule time each day to search for new clients. You need enough of a variety so that if business stops coming from one source, you're still covered.
2) Market consistently. I was recently on a writer's forum where a couple of writers were complaining about not having enough clients and how much they hated marketing. But this is the easiest way to keep projects coming and increase your bottom line. Don't stop marketing altogether just because you're busy. And create a marketing plan that helps you reach the right clients that are positioned to send more work your way. Consistent marketing pays off in a big way.
3) Increase the value you bring to your clients. Treat them right every time. I'm surprised at how many freelance writers skip these basics: return emails or phone calls in a timely manner, keep clients updated on projects, stick to deadlines, and let clients know about any additional services you offer that could help their business. Keep clients informed by say for instance offering a free report to educate them about the role quality web content plays in sales conversion. And stay educated and up to the minute on any trends and changes affecting your specific niche and your clients' businesses.
4) Keep your eyes open. The Internet and technology in general are always changing, so make sure your business keeps up.
5) Don't be afraid of change. Your business may already be in pretty good shape. But if you are struggling to meet your goals, then it may be time to make adjustments to your business plan. Business is always evolving, so don't get stuck in only doing things one way. The beauty of an online business is that it's easily adaptable.
I even think that it's possible that more freelance writing work could become available because of the massive layoffs. Heck, somebody has to write the copy, right? One good thing about being a freelance writer amid this financial crisis is that we are survivors by nature. We know how to handle the ebb and flow of income. We create our own job security.
When you need to keep the projects coming, you have to put in some work. It's that simple. Consider the following as you work to create financial stability:
1) Diversify your client base. If you are relying on one or two clients for your income, think seriously about what would happen if those clients suddenly fell to the wayside. If you can't afford it, schedule time each day to search for new clients. You need enough of a variety so that if business stops coming from one source, you're still covered.
2) Market consistently. I was recently on a writer's forum where a couple of writers were complaining about not having enough clients and how much they hated marketing. But this is the easiest way to keep projects coming and increase your bottom line. Don't stop marketing altogether just because you're busy. And create a marketing plan that helps you reach the right clients that are positioned to send more work your way. Consistent marketing pays off in a big way.
3) Increase the value you bring to your clients. Treat them right every time. I'm surprised at how many freelance writers skip these basics: return emails or phone calls in a timely manner, keep clients updated on projects, stick to deadlines, and let clients know about any additional services you offer that could help their business. Keep clients informed by say for instance offering a free report to educate them about the role quality web content plays in sales conversion. And stay educated and up to the minute on any trends and changes affecting your specific niche and your clients' businesses.
4) Keep your eyes open. The Internet and technology in general are always changing, so make sure your business keeps up.
5) Don't be afraid of change. Your business may already be in pretty good shape. But if you are struggling to meet your goals, then it may be time to make adjustments to your business plan. Business is always evolving, so don't get stuck in only doing things one way. The beauty of an online business is that it's easily adaptable.
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