Comments on: “Get a Real Job” and Other Freelance Buzz Kills

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:12:09 +0000

I think that’s definitely the case. Not everyone thinks they can handle programming on their own, but many people take the mentality that “anyone can write,” without understanding that not everyone can write well. They don’t understand everything that truly goes into a piece of sales copy for example in order to not only get the words down but also appeal to readers and influence conversions. Or they don’t understand the complexities of news writing, conducting interviews for features, etc. There’s much more to writing than slapping words on a page, and unfortunately many don’t understand that.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:07:32 +0000

I’ve recently quit my part-time job in favor of freelancing (programming). I haven’t been experiencing any of the poor reactions from people that you all seem to be.

Could it be that people view different types of freelancing differently, even if really they work pretty much the same way (ex. you write an article, I write a program, etc.)?

Cool article1

By: Cecily

Cecily — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:58:32 +0000

Haha – This is so true and its very annoying in real life.

I have a friend, she was jobless up to a few months ago. Back then she was constantly asking me to help her find freelancing gigs and I did. I didn’t know how she’d work out as a writer so I gave her some of the projects assigned to me so I can edit it before I submit it to a client. She was ok at it, but she was very slow. I was that way when I started out myself. She stopped writing for me after a few weeks and she still says she has plans to start again… she hasn’t yet.

Now, she has a job an 8-5 gig and one day when I was free, I visited her at work. We talked and I told her that I was being offered an 8-5 gig, but that I wasn’t sure I was going to go for it. For one, it paid much lower than what I was earning as a freelance writer. Then she starts saying: ‘Go on, take it. At least we’ll both have ‘real jobs’”.

I must say I was a bit disappointed at her and a bit shocked and even insulted. I never thought that her of all people, her that I who actually earned some money from freelance writing now fails to consider it real… tsk tsk tsk..

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:43:36 +0000

I find that those who have tried freelancing but still don’t consider it a “real job” are usually just the ones who couldn’t cut it. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. But I do get tired of reactions like that. If it didn’t seem like “real work” to them, they quite obviously weren’t doing something right.

By: Recommended Reading for Writers: Linkety-Link List — February 23, 2009 — Inkthinker

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:41:46 +0000

[...] “Get a Real Job” and Other Freelance Buzz Kills [...]

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:59:02 +0000

The comparison between freelancing and artistic endeavors (not that writing isn’t artistic) is actually quite common. If anything, working with musicians for years makes me kind of grateful to be doing what we do. We may not get more respect than a lot of other professionals, but we do get more than many other kinds of artists (why I’d rather work for musicians than as one!). The funny thing is that it’s often the artists who continue the stereotype, assuming that they won’t ever earn a living at it, so they never fully try (although I’ve known a few who really treat it as a business and have a lot to show for it now).

By: On the Money

On the Money — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:08:10 +0000

A very good friend said to me: “A lot of freelancers also have part-time jobs you know. When I was trying to make it as a folk singer, I had to …. ” Hmmmnnn.

By: .Freelancedom* » Blog Archive » Since You’ll Be Home All Day…

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:38:17 +0000

[...] the other day, I read a post over at All Freelance Writing on the misconceptions people can have about the freelance [...]

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:06:24 +0000

“A little bit of money” is cracking me up. I’m so sorry you have to listen to someone patronize you like that, though! “Gee, Wally yes! It’s even more than my allowance! Now I can go down to the dime store and get a Coke for a nickle! “

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:41:36 +0000

LOL I love the “little bit of money” line. Just think about how good it’ll feel when you can eventually say “Nope… LOTS of money… enough that I don’t need this job anymore!” ;)