| To balance my articles titled "10 Advantages of Writing | | | | 7. I have to buy my own office supplies, which can get |
| Nonfiction" and "10 Advantages to Being a Freelance | | | | expensive, especially paper and cartridges for the |
| Writer and Entrepreneur," I've come up with nine | | | | printer, since I print out a lot of stuff. And I can't sneak |
| disadvantages to the freelance life, some tongue in | | | | any of the company-paid supplies home because they |
| cheek but with some serious points, too. Here are nine | | | | are home. |
| disadvantages to being a freelance writer: | | | | 8. I can't slide or mess around while still getting paid. In |
| 1. I don't receive a steady paycheck, guaranteed each | | | | most companies, productivity isn't 100% all the time. It |
| week or month. Any money coming in is from my | | | | isn't for freelancers either, but since freelancers are |
| direct efforts as a writer, writing coach or consultant | | | | working for themselves, they must be productive, or |
| (oh, or from the sales of my books and products and | | | | they see their income drop. In a company, employees |
| a few other income streams I've developed). While | | | | can screw around, and they still get their paychecks. |
| building a freelance business, this situation creates | | | | Of course, this behavior can't be too obvious, or the |
| some tense moments, but eventually I can produce an | | | | paychecks stop. |
| income stream that pay the bills and allow for some | | | | 9. I am not "being taken care of" by a company. The |
| large purchases, like furniture. | | | | key advantage of working for someone else, besides |
| 2. I don't get any paid time off: no vacation or sick | | | | all the freebies and benefits already discussed, is that |
| days, no personal time off or "mental health" days. | | | | the employees are taken care of by the company, |
| While everyone else is enjoying a paid holiday, I'm at | | | | until they get laid off or fired or something else |
| my desk working. | | | | happens. Then the stranded employee is lost. Who's |
| 3. I have to buy my own medical insurance, which is | | | | going to take care of him now? |
| expensive. | | | | So there are my nine disadvantages to being a |
| 4. I have to buy my own coffee, tea, hot chocolate, | | | | freelance writer, some offered tongue in cheek. Being |
| and birthday cakes. | | | | an employee offers its advantages and |
| 5. I miss out on the water-cooler activities: the group | | | | disadvantages, as does being a freelancer. |
| birthday parties, fellowship with other employees. | | | | You need to decide the advantages that are most |
| Human contact is important - in the flesh, face-to-face | | | | important to you and the disadvantages you can put |
| stuff. Freelancing means working at the computer, | | | | up with, whether on the job or as a freelancer, and |
| talking on the phone, or emailing, but with little human | | | | pick the one that suits your needs and situation the |
| contact unless you initiate it. That's one of the reasons | | | | best. With proper thought beforehand, the chosen |
| networking is so helpful for freelancers. It's takes a | | | | route should work out -- unless the economy falls |
| scheduled meeting to make that contact. | | | | apart, blowing apart many a plan. |
| 6. I have to make contributions to a retirement fund if I | | | | Good luck. |
| want one. | | | | |