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Who here is freelancing while working full time?
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Freelancing is harder now than I have ever seen it. Even established freelancers are slow.
2024 was BRUTAL. 2025 looking a little better, but a lot of catch up to do.
The best time to start freelancing is when you already have a job. Also, with everything as crazy and unstable as it is right now, I would take on EVERY income-generating opportunity you can and drop NOTHING. I’m literally working five clients at like 300% of my bandwidth right now.
Yes. Unless you have something solid lined up and a good base of contacts, it’s insane to leave your full time job for this.
Freelanced steadily for 15 years. That all ended in 2023. Up to you.
Contract for big tech. I’m earning 3x more than ever. Low stress. Definitely roles out there
It depends on your network if it’s a good idea or not. And yes it’s harder as a solo, unless you are specialized. For example, I have no issues bringing on a solo experiential focused creative.
Although not a creative, I’m in the same position, and honestly I’m tired of being fearful, there’re success examples out there as much as failures; but the amount of fear in our industry is depressing! I don’t want to subscribe to it, even if I have to stay at my 9-5 for a bit longer, that’s such a depressing view on the world that I’m seeing everywhere
Don’t do it. Freelance market is equally tough, if not harder.
Unless you’ve got a solid network. I’ve been freelancing steadily for years.
YES! It’s f’ing crazy. Keep your FT job!
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Hold onto every job you can competently handle. Unless you don’t like to eat.
Thanks for the response, I think I have a reasonable amount of contacts but whether they would come through for me, I have no idea. It concerns me that most of the freelancers I’ve heard about getting regular work are big name ex ECDs/CDs with incredible books of greatest hits. No way I’ll ever compete with them, so wondering if there’s much demand for those of us with decent but less remarkable accolades.
I agree with ACD2. What you have to realistically take into consideration: how set are you financially? Do you have extra that can tide you over when calls aren't coming in? What is your time like, if you have a significant other are they going to fell left out if 500% of your time is constantly working or hunting for new clients? Health insurance is really important. And really expensive if you can't buy into a group plan. That said, there is a group out of NYC that started Freelancers United back 2010-ish and they do have a group block for buying insurance. Can you swing your rent/mortgage etc without dipping into savings? Do you live in a big or medium size city? If not you need to test the pool for remote jobs. How much do you like a dependable paycheck/pay period? Can you start or rollover a 401k or open a Roth IRA and consistently contribute to it? Do you have a financial advisor you trust that can help you build for the future? It's all stuff Ive learned the hard way. Not trying to kill your dreams.
Anyone here generate investment income to subsidize the freelance lifestyle?
More gigs would be great it's a hard market at the moment.
Unless you have a very solid base of clients, I would highly recommend holding onto your FT job until the dust settles. The only freelancers staying afloat are the ones with established repeat clients. Marketing budgets are getting cut everywhere, and the only folks being hired are ones with the trust already established. The freelance market is very noisy right now, and LinkedIn is over saturated with people trying to get work.
dont do it, freelance on the side.
Section 8!