Freelancing: Economic Forecast?
If you are currently freelancing–or just thinking about taking the plunge, now is probably as good a time as any. Freelancing is maintaining its viability even as other fields slip and slide. CNN ran a piece today that highlights a few of the reasons that freelancers are becoming a more frequently chosen option for some companies, including things such as project-based work and greater flexibility. Companies don’t have to pay freelancers any benefits and they don’t have to take care of taxes for them either. That is attractive.
This is actually a good time to be a freelance writer; but you have to choose your work wisely. Many writers work for next to nothing or find themselves involved in projects that they don’t like or want. While we aren’t always able to pick the very best assignments of the bunch, I would argue that you can be somewhat selective in those projects you take on. Or at least strive for some type of balance so that you are working on projects you enjoy at the same time you are doing ones for the $$$.
From what I’ve seen so far, freelancing should be a good career path to follow in 2009!
I agree that with the current economy, there really is nothing to lose if you have the talent and ability to freelance. I’m wondering if you read the recent article about hottest job skills for 2008. It shows freelance writing skills, particularly blogging, increased by 4 times that of the previous year. I don’t know about you, but I find that very encouraging in this economy.
I hadn’t seen this–thanks for sharing!