You know that commercial where the two girls sit around eating their yogurt and talking about how "it issooo good?" Yeah, I hate that commercial.
But you know what? Freelancing in the U.S. economy has been good to me lately.
"It's like, $4.00 a gallon gas good!"
"No, no, it's like write-off your new laptop good."
Kind of like that.
Thinking of making the freelance switch? Here are a couple reasons why you should buck up and go for it, recession and all.
- Downsizing is good for you. It may feel counterintuitive while you're sitting in your cube farm, but downsizing is actually a good thing for new, start up businesses. Who do you think companies will turn to when all the cubes are empty? That's right- you! The copy needs to be written, and the website needs to be maintained. Someone's got to do it, and a company's number one choice is going to be a former employee. One that's gone freelance. One like you.
- Less gas! Man, doesn't that feel good? While most small businesses grow first from a home or virtual office, those who elect to rent an office or Jelly will still save a few bucks. Even train commuters and Mother Earth benefit from less oil use.
- More helpful handouts. When the economy takes a nosedive, Uncle Sam opens the wallet. Although the government's Small Business Association loans have plummeted recently, the news wasn't entirely unexpected, and lawmakers are already calling for the relief to begin.
- You still get your stuff. Last year, over $1,100 of my expenses went to some form of books or print material. Luckily, many of the books that I buy can be written off on my U.S. tax return as reference or research material. Plus, don't even get me started on the Holy Grail of tax write offs- the home office tax deduction. Rules have recently loosened up a bit, so see if you're eligible.
- Digital camera, digital organizer, digital postman. Whatever it is you need to run your business just as efficiently as the big boys, someone out there has invented it. Your seamless global office is waiting. Need a primer? Be sure to visit the Freelance Switch list of 101 Essential Freelancing Resources.
- Slow is good. I just read the Tortoise and the Hare to my 4 year old, and realized that slow is good for freelancers. Steady, sustainable growth enables new start ups to find their footing without the danger of a fast, violent pop on the other end. If your sector is growing at breakneck speeds, you won't have time to catch your breath and learn from your early mistakes. But the easy growth you'll experience now is a good way to get your contracting feet wet before you dive in.
- Competition is cutthroat. Still. Remember all those panicky companies that were laying people off in #1? They're looking for ways to stand out from the crowd in their sector. They're eyeing new branding campaigns or thinking of upgrading their websites. They're ready to spend their money on certain services that will strategically place them ahead of their competition. That's where you come in.
If you're tottering on the edge of your switch, don't back away because of today's economy. A well-planned start-up has a shot, even today.
Join us…it really is sooo good.
Allena Tapia is a freelance writer and editor based in Lansing, Michigan. After serving in career positions as a marketing writer and an editor, she made the switch to freelance by establishing GardenWall Publications. She leads new and intermediate freelancers through the process as About.com's Guide to Freelance Writing.
