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2001

Abstract

rtfolio, and this client found me through LinkedIn so I thought, “let’s go for it.”They, and I, figured I could produce similar results for them — an article about technology.I got through the assignment okay. I made it clear that I’m the writer, not the subject matter expert. They said that was fine; they had someone for me to talk to about their technology. What they needed was a great writer to produce an article for them.So, I did. But I didn’t enjoy the process because I honestly don’t care about technology. I mean, I use technology every day, but I find it a boring topic of conversation.I wasn’t passionate about it. So, what were my options as a freelance writer?I could choose a different high-paying niche; besides technology, there’s:<ul><li>healthcare (but not wellness)</li><li>finance</li></ul>And... that’s it. Healthcare, finance, and technology are the top three high-paying niches in freelance writing.If I’d known that about freelance writing before I’d started, I probably wouldn’t have bothered.You can get paid to write on other topics, but it is nowhere near $150 an hour. And keep in mind, this is for a self-employed freelance writer, who has to pay self-employment taxes and cover things like health insurance (if we can get it).Plus, that$ 150 an hour isn’t for every hour I worked; it’s for every hour I worked on that particular assignment. Most of my working hours were devoted to marketing my services, so they were, you guessed it... unpaid.<h1 id="5a0f">The Other Problem I Have With Freelance Writing</h1>There’s plenty of advice out there telling freelance writers to treat their writing like a business. I think that’s good advice, but it’s a little misleading, at least in my experience.As a freelance writer, I was an entrepreneur in the sense that I set my own hours, w

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orked from home, and determined my niche. (Keep in mind that my first choice, education, failed the produce a sustainable income for me.)But take another look at those top three niches (healthcare, finance, and technology). That’s all corporate work. And my highest-paying (read: a living wage for a self-employed person) gigs were from corporate clients.My point is this:If you want to make a living as a freelance writer, you’ll be working for corporations.So if you, like me, go into freelance writing thinking you’ll be doing something different from corporate work, think again.I felt like a corporate employee at times because I was writing on topics I didn’t really care about, for other peoples’ profit.Not my idea of a dream job. At least, not anymore.I’m not saying I’ll never freelance again. There are definitely opportunities out there that still appeal to me.But I’ll probably never rely on freelancing as my sole source of income again.These days, I write online about topics I’m passionate about (especially self-improvement) and I’m planning on adding eBooks to my business next year. I’m also open to other opportunities that come along and I love meeting and collaborating with other writers.While I don’t know what the future holds, I’m sure I’ll continue to make money writing because I’m committed to being of service through writing. It’s my hope that every story I write is helpful to at least one person. (<a href="https://entrepreneurshandbook.co/i-sat-down-with-a-6-figure-blogger-and-this-is-what-he-told-me-8ed473ff0db7">I learned that from Tom Kuegler.</a>)I love writing, I love connecting with other writers and readers, and I’m in this for the long haul. That’s why I’m confident in my continued success. And I’m cheering you on as well. Let’s do this!</article></body>

My Big Problem with Freelance Writing and Why I’ve Stopped

It’s Not My Idea of a Dream Job

Look, I’m not against the idea of freelance writing. It’s pretty cool to think about earning a living from home, determining your own clientele, and making a living from writing.

And I’ve had some great experiences as a freelance writer.

My first freelance gig was in 2009. I covered a national convention for Presbyterian women. (This was a great fit for me because I attended a Presbyterian (U.S.A.) church at the time.)

I loved it.

I showed up ready to absorb the experience, talk to the presenters, and share my story in a newsletter for the attendees. I had a great time talking with people. I felt like a reporter with my steno pad and ballpoint pen at the ready.

I was a professional writer. I got paid $100 for the article. It was awesome.

Since then, I’ve written blog posts, thought leadership pieces, and articles for educational organizations, small business owners, and large corporations.

The most I’ve earned for a freelance assignment was $750 for a 500-word article that took me five hours to do. That’s $150 an hour, folks.

But that was several months ago. And I haven’t freelanced since. Let me tell you why.

The Problem: The All-Powerful Niche

That $750 assignment was for a tech company. I know next to nothing about technology, but I had a successful (pro bono) assignment and testimonial from a similar company in my portfolio, and this client found me through LinkedIn so I thought, “let’s go for it.”

They, and I, figured I could produce similar results for them — an article about technology.

I got through the assignment okay. I made it clear that I’m the writer, not the subject matter expert. They said that was fine; they had someone for me to talk to about their technology. What they needed was a great writer to produce an article for them.

So, I did. But I didn’t enjoy the process because I honestly don’t care about technology. I mean, I use technology every day, but I find it a boring topic of conversation.

I wasn’t passionate about it. So, what were my options as a freelance writer?

I could choose a different high-paying niche; besides technology, there’s:

healthcare (but not wellness)
finance

And... that’s it. Healthcare, finance, and technology are the top three high-paying niches in freelance writing.

If I’d known that about freelance writing before I’d started, I probably wouldn’t have bothered.

You can get paid to write on other topics, but it is nowhere near $150 an hour. And keep in mind, this is for a self-employed freelance writer, who has to pay self-employment taxes and cover things like health insurance (if we can get it).

Plus, that $150 an hour isn’t for every hour I worked; it’s for every hour I worked on that particular assignment. Most of my working hours were devoted to marketing my services, so they were, you guessed it... unpaid.

The Other Problem I Have With Freelance Writing

There’s plenty of advice out there telling freelance writers to treat their writing like a business. I think that’s good advice, but it’s a little misleading, at least in my experience.

As a freelance writer, I was an entrepreneur in the sense that I set my own hours, worked from home, and determined my niche. (Keep in mind that my first choice, education, failed the produce a sustainable income for me.)

But take another look at those top three niches (healthcare, finance, and technology). That’s all corporate work. And my highest-paying (read: a living wage for a self-employed person) gigs were from corporate clients.

My point is this:

If you want to make a living as a freelance writer, you’ll be working for corporations.

So if you, like me, go into freelance writing thinking you’ll be doing something different from corporate work, think again.

I felt like a corporate employee at times because I was writing on topics I didn’t really care about, for other peoples’ profit.

Not my idea of a dream job. At least, not anymore.

I’m not saying I’ll never freelance again. There are definitely opportunities out there that still appeal to me.

But I’ll probably never rely on freelancing as my sole source of income again.

These days, I write online about topics I’m passionate about (especially self-improvement) and I’m planning on adding eBooks to my business next year. I’m also open to other opportunities that come along and I love meeting and collaborating with other writers.

While I don’t know what the future holds, I’m sure I’ll continue to make money writing because I’m committed to being of service through writing. It’s my hope that every story I write is helpful to at least one person. (I learned that from Tom Kuegler.)

I love writing, I love connecting with other writers and readers, and I’m in this for the long haul. That’s why I’m confident in my continued success. And I’m cheering you on as well. Let’s do this!