15 Pros and Cons of Being a Freelance Writer

In this post, I’ll be discussing the main pros and cons of freelance writing. Whether you’re considering a radical career change, or simply interested in earning a bit of extra money online on the side, this one is for you.

I’ve been doing freelance writing for a couple of years now. While I absolutely love the benefits of being a freelance writer (and there are many – which is why I do it), there are definitely a few downsides as I’ll explain below.

If this is a career you’re considering, make sure to check out my post on the best freelance writing courses online, and my review of the Knowadays course (which is currently offering a 25% discount using this link and promo code GOATS25).

For me, the biggest advantages of freelance writing include the flexibility to choose when and where you work, as well as the ability to decide exactly what kind of work you want to do. However, on the flip side, there is no job security and no guaranteed paycheck each month.

It’s important that you bear these things in mind when deciding whether or not this is a career (or side hustle) that will work for you. Overall, I think the disadvantages of being a freelance writer are vastly outweighed by the numerous benefits. But, you need to consider what’s right for you.

Pros of Being a Freelance Writer

Here are some of the key advantages of being a freelance writer. This list reflects my own personal experience, as well as the experiences of other people that I know who work as freelance writers. There’s quite a lot of overlap between each point, but I’ve broken them down for the sake of clarity.

Remember that every job is different, and every freelance writer is unique. So, the specific pros and cons of being a freelance writer will vary according to each person and their individual circumstances. However, the following are some general advantages that are likely to apply to most people.

1. Flexibility

One of my favorite things about freelance writing is the huge amount of flexibility it offers. As a freelancer, you have total control over your schedule, including when, where, and how much you work. This flexibility can be especially helpful for people who have kids or other commitments.

It’s hard to overstate quite how much of a game changer this flexibility is, particularly when compared with a “traditional” job – i.e. full-time, in-person employment….