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> > Where the rub is, if you
> > are really going to run your freelancing operation as a business
> > rather than a lark, you are probably going to be overpriced as far as
> > the market is concerned. Not fair, not just, just real.
>
Although my hourly rate has evoked gasps from project managers, I can show
them how my experience can result in cost savings overall for the project.
They didn't have to train me or pay me when they didn't have work.
> > As a freelancer you can do anything you want, except work a 40h/week,
> > take a vacation and get sick. You also will be working for the
> > biggest "jerk" imaginable - yourself.
>
I worked as a freelancer for over three years. I stopped only because one of
my best sources underwent a restructuring and I waited too long to look
elsewhere. As a freelancer, I worked many 40-hour weeks, some 60-hour weeks,
and some no-hour weeks. I loved it, and I would choose it again. I
ultimately took an employee position with a company because I really like
the technology and because they would not hire me as a freelancer.
The concept of "permanent" has no meaning for me. I have been laid off from
my last four computer-software tech writing jobs after periods varying from
8 months to 6 and 1/2 years. In contrast, my contracts almost always go
longer than the original estimate, and I sometimes wind up juggling two or
three jobs at once. In fact, I found this to be much more common than having
no work, and I usually had to turn down a couple of projects each quarter.
While you might find several sources who call me a "jerk," I've had mangers
who far outstripped me in this category.
Freelancing is a great business. I had a chance to work for varied and
interesting people on numerous projects. I greatly enhanced my technical
abilities, and I'm told I provided a great service to many clients. The
accounting and self-insurance issues should not keep you from investigating
this opportunity if you have the technical writing skills. I got an
accountant and a couple of books on being self employed, and I joined the
self-employed guild. (I can't now recall the name and website information,
but I found their newsletter and services worth the investment.)
