OP,
Ah so you've freelanced. What do you think will be different with this?

Anonymous wrote:I have been. The pluses are all the ones you'd think. The minuses:
Work is variable but childcare has to be steady (pretty much any paid arrangement will be hard to scale up or down) so you're either paying for more than the business justifies or working without enough (story of my life).

The health insurance thing didn't bother me when I was younger, but I continue to buy insurance privately and as I get older and unhealthier I long for a nice corporate policy, maybe with dental.

It's lonely. At first it was fine, but over the years it got old.

This x100. I'm a freelance web editor/writer. The best part is the flexibility. I don't have to clear it with anyone if I want to take an afternoon off to pick my kid up early. On the other hand, the work load can be difficult to control, especially if you have several different clients.

OP here, I am interested in doing some freelance genealogy work. I have been a freelance writer for many years. This would be an interesting challenge but I think the pros outweigh the cons in my case.

"In retirement freelance photography and writing are doing very well for me."

Really, OP? Did you do either one of these professions prior to retirement? How did you build up your business in such difficult fields? Do you have a niche for either writing or photography?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

In retirement freelance photography and writing are doing very well for me.

OP,

What are you thinking of doing?

I have been. The pluses are all the ones you'd think. The minuses:
Work is variable but childcare has to be steady (pretty much any paid arrangement will be hard to scale up or down) so you're either paying for more than the business justifies or working without enough (story of my life).

The health insurance thing didn't bother me when I was younger, but I continue to buy insurance privately and as I get older and unhealthier I long for a nice corporate policy, maybe with dental.

It's lonely. At first it was fine, but over the years it got old.

Freelance communications writer here. I like the freedom from inter-office bullshit -- or at least the ability to charge my clients for the time spent responding to it. I come in, produce the necessary pieces, and leave. A solid sense of "I solved their problem, made them look good and created something tangible."

I hate nagging people to pay their bill. And I loathe having to negotiate with people who want to know why I'm not charging $15/hr. like the person they saw on Craigslist.

I've been a freelancer for a decade, work in TV production. Best part - relative flexibility and ability to choose the projects I want to work on (unless there isn't much around, then you take what you can get!). Also, it's very concrete - you're contracted to complete a project, and you do it. Worst part - the constant haggling over rates, and chasing people to pay my invoices. Just because it is "artsy" doesn't mean I work for free, or for reduced pay. I have to pay a mortgage just like anyone else (and for independent health, liability, and life insurance, self employment tax, etc).

I really love being freelance, but it has been much more enjoyable mid career, where people know me and my work, and I'm in demand. Embarking on a freelance career requires patience, you'll spend lots of energy building up a network, doing self-promotion/marketing, and interviewing for gigs. It's a lot of work. It can take years, and like the freelance writer said above, you won't get rich. But if you like what you do, it's worth it.

No, I'm not.

I am. Freelance writing has gone down the tubes at every level. Lower rates, few to no outlets. Whether it's journalism or marketing. Content work can be a bear, depending on the project, with a lot of coding and production. On my current project, I'm holding my mouse more than I'm hitting the keyboard.

What's your line?

What type of freelance work? Best and worst parts?