Are you Comfortable with a Fluctuating Income?
For many, one of the most difficult parts of being a freelance writer is dealing with a fluctuating income. Unlike a more traditional job, working as a freelance writer means that your income will change from month to month. While it may stay in the same range, it will never be identical. Believe it or not, this is one of the main reasons that many people avoid freelancing. Personally, I do not see this as a bad thing but instead a benefit.
As a freelance writer you control your income. Yes, it will change from month to month but you have the ability to more or less control how much you bring in. The harder you work and the better you become the more money you will earn. This is not always the case when working a traditional job. Instead, you will find that your employer only wants to pay you so much no matter how much time you put in.
Even though you will have a steady income when you work for a company, you may reach your peak soon enough and find it hard to advance your career. There is no denying that it can be nerve racking to deal with a fluctuating income. This is particularly true if you have a family, a lot of expenses, etc. But remember the benefits as well. You do not have anybody capping your income. It may fluctuate monthly, but if you work hard you can increase your income over time.Â
If you are not comfortable with a fluctuating income you may want to reconsider joining the freelance writing industry. Even though this can be a drawback, the potential to control your own income should be enough to keep you interested in a career as a freelance writer.
