Is a Freelance Career Right for You?

If you haven't gotten as high up the career ladder as you had hoped, or if you feel like your current job is pulling you under faster than a passenger on the Titanic, then maybe it's time to consider a career as a freelancer.

No matter what type of job you hold there's a good chance that right now someone is working that job as a freelancer. Freelancing, which some people call outsourcing, is a tremendous opportunity for many individuals. And as you are about to see, the people who are choosing freelancing as a career are doing so for a number of reasons.

Why Freelance?

Some people are turning to freelancing because they have run out of options for advancement at their current place of employment. Others are tired of the commute or the office politics or they're tired of dressing up each day in business attire.

With news of business owners laying employees off practically every day, some people are simply tired of the uncertainty involved with working for someone who might - without notice - hand them their pink slips (or worse, send them email stating that their services are no longer needed!).

And there are plenty of intelligent and highly talented individuals who simply are fed up with working day and night just so they can make someone else rich. If you are reading this article, you can probably relate to one of these reasons for wanting to strike out on your own.

Are the Claims For Real?

You may even be ready to give life as a freelancer a try. As you ponder whether a career as a freelancer is right for you, keep in mind that life as a freelancer isn't always the way it's portrayed in advertisements. If you've done any research into freelancing, you're probably aware of claims such as:

"Be your own boss!"

"Work the hours YOU want to work!"

"Have the freedom to spend more time with your family!"

"Guaranteed unlimited income!"

All these claims sure sound hard to resist. And they are. That's why so many people have jumped on the freelancing bandwagon. What you don't often hear about though are the people who have given freelancing a try and have failed. It happens. That doesn't mean it's going to happen to you, but there is always the possibility. That's why it's important to know exactly what you're up against as you embark on your career as a freelancer.

And that's just what you'll find as your read through the series of articles we've put together. So take time to read each one and hopefully after you've finished reading this series, you'll know better whether this type of career is right for you.

Freelancing is not for everyone, and that's OK. But for those who are thriving with it, there is no better way to make a living!

Next up, when you're a freelancer, can you really work when you want, wherever you want?