You may be at that point where you want to quit your full-time job and try your luck at entrepreneurship. This maybe a new area to you completely especially if you are venturing into a freelancing career. This is a life changing decision which may impact you either in a positive or negative way. Let us look at the Pros and Cons of being a freelancer.
Pros
You are the boss
You are not under the management of anyone other than yourself and your clients. You are responsible for all the tough decisions. To say the least, you are in control.
Flexible hours
You can work whenever you want. You get to choose your own hours-the working hours don’t have to be the regular business hours.
You collect and Keep all the cash from various Jobs – You have no restrictions when it comes to collecting the payments whether the projects are big or small. You can allocate or keep all the profits from your large and small projects and clients. This gives you the freedom to decide how to use the money on either improving yourself or expanding the business.
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You can work from anywhere
You are no longer stuck in an office or even in your home. You have the freedom to find a place that you can work best from.
Control over Jobs and Clients
Being a freelancer gives you the freedom of choosing who you would like to work with unlike in fixed job, in some cases you will have to work with unprofessional or rude clients.
Cons
No employee Benefits
Health benefits are expensive. Depending on your current health, switching to a freelance lifestyle might not be in your best interest. Besides, starting your own freelance business means you no longer have paid sick days or vacation time to use. Each day you don’t work is a day you won’t get paid.
No steady or reliable workloads
Freelancing may mean unstable income and workload that is inconsistent. In most cases you won’t be able to depend on any regular project, client or profit whereas in normal full-time job, you are sure of a salary.
A lot of Legwork
You are in charge of finding all your own clients and projects. In a traditional job, you might get projects or clients being handed to you. This means that, you do everything by yourself.
Not Getting paid
Being a freelancer also means that you run the risk of not getting paid or pushing people to pay you. Their maybe ways to protect yourself from non-paying clients, but sometimes you may not realize the risk until it is too late.
You may overwork without realizing
Being a freelancer, gives you the freedom to be your own boss and even work from home, this may make it difficult for you to distinguish between your work time and your personal life.
Related: Over 20 sites that offers opportunities to make money online
Bottom Line
Freelancing means having the freedom to decide which work to do and who to work with but it also means instability. You have to evaluate all these, and decide if it is worth you leaving the traditional 9-5 job.
Some really good things to think about!!
Hi thanks for dropping by.
This is something I have been thinking of getting into. Thanks for sharing all the information! Very helpful.
Welcome.
I can so relate to your article – but you articulate it much better than I ever could. This is a ‘must read’ for anyone contemplating becoming an entrepreneur.
Hi Stephanie I appreciate your visit and feedback!
Your post provides someone a realistic view on building a stable income. I also believe it’s important to set goals for your business and knowing your – “why?” A true entrepreneur solves problems and enjoys serving others; the income naturally follows.
Hi Rebecca, I totally agree with you on settting your goals. Thanks for dropping by.
As an entrepreneur I know these pros and cons all too well! Great post.
Thanks Nicole.
Good advice. There definitely some pros and cons to being an entrepreneur, but I guess that is the risk you take. While I would like to eventually become my own boss, I do like the benefits working a 9 to 5 brings.
Hi, thanks for visiting.
many think that being a freelancer is easy and fast money…
That is why you need to learn the pros and cons.
My mummy has often thought about freelancing (she’s a graphic designer) but a steady salary is too appealing especially with a family and the need for stability. One day maybe…
Glad to hear that. The best way is to start freelancing while still at your day job.
So true. Lots and lots of work without any employee benefits. But you are on your own clock. What is Better than working towards your own vision?
Yes, it is always about finding what works well for your goals.
I enjoyed reading the pros and cons to freelancing. I honestly never knew how big it was until now. Good points that you make here.
Thanks Danielle.
Being your own boss can definitely be a challenge, but can also be awesome. These are some true things you pointed out! Totally worth it!
Thanks Shannon.
Being a freelancer lets you have flexibility in your life, but it is a lot of work too. Thanks for sharing this – it is helpful to know these things.
Welcome.
Such a gerat and very informative post. This can be very helpful for those wanted to start freelancing jobs.
True, thanks for visiting.
Thanks.
This is such a great post. What a useful resource especially for those wanted to e a freelancer.
Good points in this post. And yes, there are so many cons to freelancing, but the pros outweigh them.
Yes, getting the balance is key.
Such a great list of pros and cons for freelancing. My biggest thing working for myself is sticking to a schedule.
Thanks for the feedback.
You made an excellent list of the pros and cons of freelancing. So many things to think about and consider!
Thanks for the feedback.
I always enjoy your advice; very clearly thought out and discussed! Thank you!
Welcome.
Being a freelancer has always been such a huge deal to me. It was like I hit my late twenties and realized that that’s what I was doing owning a business. The tips you’ve been sharing on your blog that i’ve gotten to check out have been helpful to me, as a freelancer and as a content creator!
Hey Jasmine, thanks for that insightful feedback. All the best.
Thanks for all the advice. I think this post is so helpful and perfect for persons who want to freelance.
Welcome Keisha.
Yes this is exactly a great list of pros and cons of being a freelancer. I have tried having an 8-5 job and I prefer being a work at home mom.
Thanks for your feedback Chelle.
I love your bottom line, it really is a trade off between freedom and security. If you are brave enough to take the freedom it can be great.
True! Thanks for visiting.
Great post a lot to take in. I’d love the flexible hours but I’d be wary of missing out on the employee benefits
Thanks for your insights.
All of these are true, especially the lack of work benefits like you would receive with a typical 9-5 job position.
Yeah, that is why we need to know the facts before we make the informed decision of pursing Freelancing full time. I would advice one keeping a day job and doing freelancing on the side.
I love being a freelancer and find the drawbacks to be minimal.
Thanks for the feedback.
Very balanced post. It’s so important to keep all sides of a decision to freelance in mind.
Hi Kat, thanks again for dropping by. Looking on both sides enables one to make an informed decision.
I agree on both, the pros and the cons, and it’s a big step to take. However, if you want to win you have to risk something. Risk assessment would be a good idea. If you can’t afford to loose, than it’s to risky to invest (meaning quitting your job and so on)
Hi Lena, true but if you have a permanent job, it is advisable to keep the job while you embark on your side hustles or freelancing work. If you succeed in establishing your career as a freelancer then you can quit your day job, that way you have nothing to lose.
Smart advice… There’s one major thing that I think is very important to figure out when thinking about freelancing, is the concept of concentration on tasks. For some people, working independently is great, they can move ahead without directions and feel comfortable having to figure things out on their own. But that’s not for everyone – neither is the discipline of working focused on work, rather than all the other things that calls upon us in life. Self-focused and driven work is great for some, not for everyone. And the key is to really know ourselves to understand this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Hi Hanes, am more than grateful for those insightful comments. I agree with you, that we need to weigh the options to see what works for us, while considering everything on both sides before we make that crucial decision with regard to freelancing.
Awesome post. Thanks for giving the real picture when it comes to freelancing. That is very important
Hi, thanks for dropping by.
Those cons are very true!
That’s the reason I fear leaving the Higher Ed industry to take up Real Estate and Blogging. I’m not sure I will have the income security.
Good breakdown.
Hi, yes, it is always good to weigh the options, and settle for what works well for you. Thanks for visiting.
Good thoughts. Remember to mention that the money you make will need to be responsibly allocated for taxes. Sometimes it’s a huge con to keep track of things like that.
Hi Kat, thanks for adding more information.
Great that you’re being so realistic and show what’s actually going on if you’re a freelancer. Good post!
Hi Sophie, thanks for visiting.
Yes, yes and yes again! Despite all of the disadvantages (which can indeed be very annoying) I still prefer this lifestyle over being an employee working a 9-5 office job. Thanks for sharing!
Most welcomed.
Very solid article and helpful to me as I am just going into freelance work. Thanks!
Welcome.
I have been contemplating quitting the corporate job for a while but the con list is still a bit too strong without a safety net. Great advice.
Thanks.
Hey Thanks for sharing! Fear I think is what’s keeping me from taking the leap ! But working on it.
Thanks for visiting.
Great tips. I love freelancing, you can work in your free hours from the comfort zone of your home.
Exactly, most welcomed.
Very useful post. Many thanks.
Welcome.
I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons 😉
Yeah, but you should weigh all the options, and see what works best for you.
These are all so true and a lot of the same perks and cons can be applied to being a blogger.
I agree with you, in fact blogging is kind of freelancing especially if you work for sponsorship brands.
Been thinking about this a lot. Especially the instability. Lots to consider!
I have been thinking about working from home and freelancing – 9-5 is definitely not for me!
Hi, thanks for dropping by, yes freelancing brings in flexibility and more opportunities that you can’t get in the normal employment. Try to talk to people who’ve made it in freelancing to get some insights into what made them successful, or find a mentor or you can start by maintaining your fixed job while doing freelancing on the sides, that way you can be able to make an informed decision whether to quit your permanent job or not depending on your experience in the freelancing field.
Hi John,
I agree with your pros and cons. Sometimes I think I should retire from my day job and be a freelancer but for the reasons you’ve stated, I do both.
Janice
Hi Janice, yes, sometimes you have to weigh the options, and see what best works for you, otherwise thanks for visiting and taking time to comment on this post.
Being a freelancer or self employed is never an easy decision, but it can be extremely rewarding. You have some wonderful tips for the people thing about it.
Hi Mary, thanks for your insights.
I have just started my freelancing career and it is not easy. I am scared that clients will not pay me but excited that I have my own time now.
Am glad, that you’ve made the big first step, fear will always be there, but should not prevent you from achieving your dreams. All the best.
Not sure if I could be my own boss. Making my own hours sounds great, but not sure if I want the pressure of bringing in all of my income on my own!
So many people have made it in freelancing, maybe you can have a mentor to guide you.
These are all true! My first few months was difficult. There are clients who pay very low because I have no experience back then.
There is always a learning curve in everything. All the best.
Very true. I am a freelancer and have to say it’s either working great with you or completely destroy your life. Freelancer has total control and the way he or she treats the control is key to wellbeing. After starting freelance job I found tons of time I could spend whatever I like.
I like being my own boss, and that is the flexibility I like about Freelancing otherwise thanks for visiting.
I have run into all those pros and cons as a long time small business owner. I’ve learned a few things along the way. I’m still trying to learn not to overwork, though. I think getting lost in your job is a danger when you love what you are doing.
Hi Alicia, am grateful for your insightful comments.
I have a full time job but I am freelancing too through my blog so it’s easier for me, I don’t experience many of the disadvantages
Good of you. Keep the freelancing spirit.
I would love to freelance. I think I will try next year to switch from 8 work hours to 4 and to freelance in rest. This way I can still have a safety net and benefits and do something I like as well.
Hi Cristina, am glad that this post has provided you with the drive to start freelancing. Welcome.
I love the tips in your post. Going freelancer has great pros, but also good number of cons. However, I enjoy creating my own schedule and having time for myself.
Well noted. Thanks.
I love your post. Your facts about being a freelancer sounds great and helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome.
Benefits and no retirement are the toughest cons. But being home for the kids is priceless
Noted. Thanks for visiting.
I would love to be my own boss. It would be so stressful at first to get going. I will have to share this with my friend. She is thinking about being a freelancer.
Appreciated.
Agree with all of the above! In some cases, it’s much more work than a 9 to 5 because you’re out searching for clients and selling yourself. Not everyone is cut out for it. I have a lot of respect for freelancers. It’s tough to be in a volatile environment where sometimes you have work and sometimes you don’t. I honestly don’t think I would be able to cope with that. I like the 9 to 5.
Thanks for your comments on this post. Some people find the 9-5 working well for them while others not, so it is better to invest time where you feel you get the most value for it.
I am on the fence about this myself. I have been going back and forth and with two kids the instability makes me nervous. However, a i also know there is potential to be amazing! It’s a leap of faith for sure. Thank you for sharing this info!
Hi, thanks for taking time to comment on the post.
This resonates so deeply with me as I am in the process of deciding if this is a change that I want to make. With two kids, the instability makes me nervous but the benefits could be amazing! thank you for providing this helpful information
Most welcomed.
I have just started to work as a freelancer for a few clients. I can see all the benefits of course but I also understand the drawbacks now.
Thanks for visiting.
Having to chase clients down for them to pay me is definitely the biggest con of being a freelancer. I do like the flexibility though.
Hi Diaz, am grateful for your comments. I too love the flexibility aspect of freelancing.
Yup, I freelance, and I so agree with this. I love being at home and setting my own hours, but it’s tough having no benefits. Luckily I haven’t had to push many people to pay me–I deal with mostly professional companies.
Am glad that you found these tips useful to your work. Most welcomed.
I would definitely end up being an over-worker – I find it hard to switch off as it is!
Hi Megan, thanks for visiting.
I am Also Freelancer. Thanks For Sharing This Beautiful Informational Article. It Will Help Freelancer Like Me A lot.
Hi Moni, thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for this post! It definitely brought some things into perspective for me!
Welcome.
I was a teacher, but after becoming a mom, i could not continue. Now Kids are grown up and i could get some time but going out side is still hard for me. I planned to become a freelancer, but was still worried about my decision . Reading this now i’m 100%confident
Hi Adiba, thanks for your comments.
Thank you for writing this. People don’t often talk about the cons of freelancing as well as you do! Lots to keep in mind!
Hi April, thanks for your comments. It is good to know the cons too, so that if you are aspiring to be a freelancer you can make a wise decision.
It’s good to know the pros and cons but I still think I want to be a freelancer
Hi Erika, this is just to enlighten you and make you empowered when it comes to doing freelancing work.
Client acquisition is probably the hardest part of having a freelance business. However, with the right spirit and perisistence, having the freedom to work for yourself or other freelancers is worth it.
Yes, getting a reliable client is the challenging task but you have to keep trying until you get it right. Welcome.
Loved your blog: check out mine
https://therecoveryrepublic.wordpress.com
Welcome.
I am willing to have all the cons, just to have my own business. http://elevenoneoneblog.wordpress.com How well do those adsense alternatives work?
Yeah, provided you find what works for you, there isn’t any worry. All the best.
This is a great post for anyone considering freelancing. As a blogger, I consider myself a freelancer. I blog about blogging tips and monetization strategies on It’s All BlogSense (www.itsallblogsense.com) and recently posted about why bloggers make great VA’s.
Hi, thanks for your comments. I Will check out your blog.
definitely taking this advice! very solid & helpful! thank you!!
Hi Riley, am grateful for your comments.