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“It’s not like we’re Carrie Bradshaw, typing away into the wee hours a couple hours a week,” said freelance writer Emma Johnson, referring to her job’s glamorous makeover at the hands of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character on HBO’s Sex and the City. Although Johnson is quick to acknowledge the many benefits of full-time freelancing, she also points out that it undoubtedly requires a 40-hour work week.
“Number one, you have to realize you’re a business owner,” Johnson said. “You work on a newspaper, you have one client – the newspaper. Now, I have a dozen clients. If the thought of that scares you, maybe this is not for you. You’ve got to hustle, get out there and stir it up.”
Break into Freelancing with or without an advanced degree
Those who are undeterred to find a job freelancing can opt to enter in a variety of ways. When freelancing in most media fields, a pedigree education is rarely as important as real-world experience, and that experience can come from many different backgrounds. Like Johnson, whose resume includes employers like the Associated Press, many professionals work through the ranks of a media company before transitioning into full-time freelancing. However, media experience is not always necessary in niche fields.

Professionals with a background in medical or legal fields, for instance, may be able to pick up extra work writing about their area of expertise. Qualifications are highly valued in these cases, so advanced degrees or an Ivy League education could serve a person well. However, with the traditional print, broadcast or online journalist, it is quite a different scenario.
“Why would you spend that much money on an education?” Johnson said. “Journalism is a trade. Are you going to spend a lot of money on a formal education if you’re going to be a plumber? Maybe, but it’s probably for your personal fulfillment, not because it’s going to contribute anything to your earnings potential.
“If you want to write intellectual stories about high-brow topics or write about classical composers, maybe you should get a PhD in that, but most of us can’t figure out how to make a living doing that.”
Find a job part-time before you quit your day job
Making a very comfortable living is something most freelancers strive for. The vast majority of freelancers spend their first year or two freelancing part-time for side income and building up their clientele before quitting their full-time job.
“It’s not like you quit your job and pick up your income overnight,” Johnson said. The potential of making a very comfortable living is a perk of being self-employed. Last year, Johnson experienced the thrill of setting and meeting what she referred to as an “insane” financial goal.
“It was really exciting,” she said. “I was the only one who could decide that. I wasn’t relying on a boss to give me a raise.”
In addition to goal-setting, a successful freelance career requires a strong work ethic, thick skin, and a practical strategy.
Network to find a job and new clients
The process of recruiting new clients is continual, because freelancers never know when a client will decide their services are no longer needed. Johnson networks through several writing groups, a tool of professional development that also offers socialization with like-minded people who truly understand her career. Constantly seeking new clients is the most likely way for freelancers to avoid a “feast or famine” financial situation.
“It’s like Murphy’s law – when you think you can’t be any busier and your business is going to be awesome forever and ever, the next month you won’t have any work,” Johnson said. “You have to stay on top of trends, keep networking with other writers and keep marketing yourself.”
Structure a proper work schedule
Johnson makes time daily to visit the coffee shop in the lower level of her New York City apartment building. She also structures her work schedule around that of her husband and friends, so evening dinners and parties are always an option.
“Freelancing can be isolating, but some people are really bothered by that,” Johnson said. “But obviously, the benefits outweigh any disadvantages,” she quickly added. “I love owning my own time. I’ve had desk jobs before and the thing I hated about it was that you had to clock in your time. If you were really efficient, you still had to sit there and act like you were busy. Now, if I get my stories done and I want to go get my hair done at the salon while it’s not busy, I can do that.”

However you find a job freelancing and whatever specialty you choose, keep in mind that it is not at all about Manolos, Gucci, and late-night whimsical musings. There are perks, but there is also plenty of work for the dedicated and success-oriented professional.

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