Do you have the right personality, temperament, and skills to become a freelance writer?

If you like the idea of freelancing, I'd suggest simply giving it a go ... there's nothing to lose! But if you're concerned about whether it's going to be a good fit for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself in advance.

#1: Do You Enjoy Writing?

Since you're reading this newsletter, I assume you probably do enjoy writing. If you don't, though it's going to be tough to stay motivated to write thousands of words every week as a freelancer. 

#2: Is Your Writing As Good As Pieces You Read Online?

As a freelancer, you don't need to be an amazing, award-winning writer. You just need to be able to produce competent work. A sign that you're good enough is if your work matches up to other pieces you read online. Or maybe you've even read a blog post, article, or website copy and thought, "I could do better!"

#3: Are You Self-Motivated?

Freelancing isn't right for everyone. Plenty of people need the structure of a regular job to stay motivated and productive. If you're a laid-back type and you find it very hard to push yourself to do things, then freelancing may be a tricky fit for you.

#4: Are You Able to Meet Deadlines Without Too Much Stress?

Freelancing inevitably involves a lot of different deadlines. Clients will usually need work from you by a specific date, in order to edit, prepare, and publish it to their required timetable. You may need to juggle multiple clients' work at once, sometimes with tight deadlines.

#5: Are You Reasonably Comfortable Talking About Money?

Are you happy to raise the issue of your freelancing rates ... or does the idea of talking about money make you squirm? Think about your professional rather than personal experiences here: I have the usual British reticence about talking about money in my personal life, but I've got very few qualms as a freelancer.

#6: Do You Enjoy Working on Your Own?

While you've got the option of taking your laptop to a co-working space or coffee shop, realistically, you're likely to spend a lot of time as a freelancer working alone. You also won't have colleagues who can help out or a manager who can handle tricky questions or difficult clients.

#7: Can You Stay Focused Even When Writing About a Boring Topic?

Not all your freelance assignments will be intrinsically interesting. You'll likely need to write about some topics that are, frankly, a bit boring. And if you want to get paid, that means being focused and sticking with it ... even when there are more interesting things you could be doing. 

I love freelancing: I earn a great rate per hour, my work is really flexible so I can take plenty of time off with my kids, and I have some great and appreciative clients! It's the perfect fit for me, and maybe it's right for you too.

If you can answer "yes" to most of the questions above, or if you simply want to give freelancing a try, then give it a go. It could be life-changing.