There are definitely advantages to taking on only a few clients and supplementing income by working a part (or even full) time job. Working part-time as a writer may be a foreign concept to the freelancers currently starting out, but if a writer reassesses his or her lifestyle and financial goals, the ability to write part-time may fulfill their creative desires.
Part Time Hours Means Less Lower Paying Writing Work
When freelancers are starting out, they often need to take on more menial writing tasks in order to make ends meet. Even seasoned full-time freelancers need to supplement their bigger clients with smaller jobs here and there. By creating a goal to have a part-time writing career, the financial pressure is lifted somewhat. While part-timers still need to send query letters and get clients, they also have income from another source outside of writing.
Part Time Jobs Can Take the Mind Away from Freelance Writing
Getting a break from writing can be a very healthy thing. When a freelancer goes full-time he or she may feel burned out by the long hours and the constant need to be creative all day. Creativity can become a chore rather than a pleasure.
If someone has a part-time job, however, they get a break from writing occasionally. Depending on the type of job they do, freelancers may even think of more ideas while at their second job than they would have if they'd been sitting at their desk all day. This type of schedule can help with freelancer burnout and keep enthusiasm about writing strong.
Part Time Work Can Help With Freelancer Weight Gain and Loneliness
One of the things no one really talks about with freelance writing is loneliness and weight gain. It's easy to gain weight with a five-minute commute. Unless a freelancer makes an effort to keep the weight off, pounds can creep on very easily simply because the writer is not walking to their office, to coworkers desks, to their car at night, etc. With a part-time job, however, writers are forced to be more active.
The same is true for loneliness. While some writers head to the coffee shop when they are feeling lonely, a part-time job would help them connect with other people. That way when they do have time alone to write, it feels like a treat rather than a negative thing.
Every freelancer needs to do what's right for their family and themselves. There is no right or wrong way to run a freelance writing career. Every single person's idea of success is different. Working part-time as a freelancer may suit the goals of some writers.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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