Freelance writers, have you had this conversation before?
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a freelance writer.”
“Oh.” Oh, you’re between jobs. Oh, you can’t find another one. Oh, you work from home.
Oh is a subtle judgment, isn’t it? This response usually comes from people with “real” careers who make assumptions about freelancing careers. It’s not because these people don’t support you — they’re likely close friends, partners or parents — they just don’t understand freelancing.
Technically, all of these beliefs could be true; freelancers are often in-between jobs, looking for more work, and more frequently than not, working from home. But it’s still frustrating to have to explain to people that freelancing is not the latest hipster, Boomerang generation development. It’s the future.
About one in three American workers — 42 million people — are freelancers, and their numbers will swell to make up half of the American workforce by 2020, according to Forbes. Freelancing is real, full-time meaningful employment.
[bctt tweet=”Freelancing is real, full-time meaningful employment.“]
Here’s how to explain to the skeptics what you do for a living.
Freelancing is a legitimate business model
Convincing people that freelancing is a viable career option is all about how you frame it.
While “freelancing” can have negative connotations, “running your own small business” has positive ones. Compare freelancing to running a small business, with you as the CEO, CFO, account manager, marketing department, office manager and intern — in addition to being the writer. You pay taxes, you negotiate with clients, you sign contracts: you run a real business.
Establish your professionalism
Once you’ve explained that you run your own business, you’ll want to erase the lingering negative feelings (or jealousy?) about you working from home in your pajamas.
Stress how you much you work — whether you’re a full-time freelancer or building a part-time writing business around other commitments, you’re likely working more than 40 hours a week.
Explain where you work, whether it’s in a home office, at your kitchen table, at a cafe or a public library. (Maybe don’t mention those times you do a little work from your couch.) You want to convey that while freelance writing lets you work from anywhere, you’re still working.
Stress your expertise and your understanding of your field
Be prepared for people to ask you about what’s next. “Where’s your promotion? Where do you go from here?” are common questions, especially from concerned friends or relatives unfamiliar with freelancing.
If you have an answer that works for you, give it (and please share it in the comments!). If not, prove your expertise in your field. You know your market’s demands and pay attention to new trends. Move the conversation to a place where you can show off your knowledge and skills — perhaps talking about a recent acceptance or publication, or a developing opportunity.
If you’re comfortable, share your hourly or per-word rate to demonstrate that your business is viable. You could also point to pay information such as the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate guide, Who Pays Writers or The Freelancer’s upcoming rate guide.
If all else fails, use your sense of humor
If these strategies don’t satisfy the skeptics — you know the ones who are least likely to understand your career — you might try responding with some good, old-fashioned sass. For example:
- Q: But what do you do all day?
- A: Run a business. My business.
- Q: When will you get an office job?
- A: I have one. It’s just working from my house — a home office.
- Q: How do you take time off?
- A: (What time off?) The flexibility of freelancing allows great travel opportunities; I can work from anywhere. Also, many people who get to take time off don’t.
- Q: Is it lonely?
- A: No, I get to work with my dog all day!
Show off your legit-ness to friends with a top-notch Freelancer Website!
Freelancers, how do you explain your career choice to people who don’t understand?