A question worth pondering over is why do writers prefer to freelance? In today’s world, writing is a hobby or a vocation for many who are educated. While some write while at work, as part of their key result area, some do it as a hobby to showcase their creativity. There is another section of writers who publish the articles or books written by them. Yet another section uses their creative talents to do the work that interests them while also earning remuneration.
Yes, doing work that is interesting to oneself is the sole reason why an individual writer chooses to be a freelancer. While writing on any topic of interest, it is convenient to choose the area of expertise and join groups which require skills of similar nature. This results in growth of the writer, in the respective area of interest in terms of knowledge, experience, and exposure. Here the freelancer focuses only on a few known and interesting sections of writing.
Choice of language is a criterion which most writers are choosy about. While many are comfortable writing in English, there are quite a few who have flair in writing in their own local language. Translation related work – from one language to another – is one such area which offers real challenges to experts in vernacular language. Here again a writer freelancer who prefers to work on a particular language, as a specialized writer, benefits.
Education is another vast area of where experts in the field, as writers can contribute effectively. The role here is that of a Subject Matter Expert, developing content for curriculum. Good quality educational content will contribute to development of the intellectuals who are capable of creating a better world. Educational content has the power to influence children of a very young age, to mould their character. Imparting lessons and moral stories are a great way to inculcate values in the younger generation. So, here’s another specialized sector for freelancers to choose to work and showcase their expertise.
Opportunity lies in the translation of epics and religious books into languages which are popular. Epics have a lot to convey and someone who understands the complexity of the language used can do a very good work here. Again, the challenge present here, is to capture the accurate meaning of the word in the context of the situation, to deliver an effective translation. Here again freelancers and publishers compete with each other to write and publish abridged versions for the benefit of the readers.
What more can be said on freelance writers and writing? The above and more reasons contribute, to decision of the writer, to choosing freelancing as the preferred area of work. As you can see, if you have the expertise and knowledge to be independent and to contribute effectively, and ample creativity to support these, there are enough and more you can do, as a freelancer.
Some of the other decisive factors for a freelance writer does not concern the area of work as such but contributes to determining what the best option is.
Since a freelancer does not have a regular work schedule, he is free to manage his time effectively to get the best result. He may choose a convenient time to work, even have breaks whenever he feels up to it. All this without supervision and hence he is forced to be responsible for each of his action which directly impacts his creativity, his stance with his clients, and his success as freelancer.
As long as work is completed and delivered, there are no clear check points in this field of work. Complying with schedules set by the writer for self, and delivering quality work is important. But there are no set processes that will tie a writer down, except self discipline.
Talking about discipline, a disciplined worker can easily complete his work without much hassle. Whether he works as a freelancer or as a regular employee does not affect his decisions and determination to excel in his are of work.
Whether you are an accomplished writer or a beginner does not matter when it comes to output that you are creating as a freelancer. In any area, be it writing or development of software or photography etc, a first timer has the same opportunity as a veteran to showcase his abilities.
Hence, the trick is to try to give the best shot in whatever you do. Information pertaining to what needs to go into the output has to be top priority for a writer. The topic of interest of the reader needs top priority in the mind of the writer, as the most important guideline. Now, some readers may be choosy about the information that they are looking for. But as long as the writer is able to keep the interest of the mass, he is termed to be popular and effective!
Are there any guidelines to writing? A freelancer can enquire into this as well. There are guidelines to effective writing. As mentioned above, there are guidelines as to how to keep the interest of the readers. There exists a guideline on effective the communication and how it happens. Well, we shall cover all those topics one by one in the next few articles.
So, if you have chosen to be freelancer, here’s wishing you a great career!
