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Don’t leave us
If only you could find guidance in a famous Wieden tagline.
Don’t do it. Guessing you’re in NYC cause there is no where else to freelance in Portland. Market is toooooough. If you do do it make sure you have 9 months saved, you don’t have kids, and a spouse whose health insurance you can jump on would be ideal. Good luck.
I went freelance/contract two years ago and haven’t looked back. I’ve been employed every day I wanted to be employed since Aug 2016, make MUCH more money, and have exactly zero less job security than I did. The only difference now is that my employers aren’t trying to bullshit me about it.
I’m on a contract, they know and I know it, and I can speak in extremely plain terms with them about what I want and what I’m not willing to do.
When I want to take time for myself, I just do. I don’t have to worry about how many vacation days I have, I just don’t get paid for time I’m not working.
The key is in communication. Be the immediate reason your clients’ lives are easier, and over-communicate everything. Use the fact that you’re a contractor as an excuse and don’t feel bashful about it. You are your own payroll/hr/professional development program.
And be ready to be constantly looking for work
I became freelance after being laid off, I want fulltime like it's nobodies business but almost a year later I haven't been able to land anything. I've had freelance gigs but I miss not constantly worrying about if I'll have a job in a week, or even tomorrow. Yeah, you can be let go from full-time, but you don't constantly fear being laid off unless your company isn't doing well
I started freelancing in January and don’t wanna go back. I’ve already made as much this year as I did all of last year. And I had six weeks of vacation
Some addendum’s:
- HAVE SAVINGS before you try
- if you’re able, start freelancing while you’re still working full time. It’s going to take you some time to get some momentum behind you, and having a full time safety net WILL make it less stressful.
- do not ever let any connection get lost. You have no idea who is going to need someone exactly like you four years from now
People are so desperate for freelance they’re charging half. So for example there are ppl willing to take $350 a day for what a $700 day job should be. Award winning ppl take $700 for what should be $1500 day gigs or they suck it up and starve. It’s really messed up. Companies will see your resume and be like nope too expensive Bc you have great experience. If you’ve ever bargained for an item in Mexico or India or Italy on vacay this is what freelance has turned into.
https://youtu.be/37EoRxrqMps
We saturated the freelance pool over the last couple of years. Be willing to undercharge. By a lot!
Best decision ever
Do it.
Don’t do it. I was forced into it after leaving a job. Miss full-time as well. Job market sucks and I’d rather be working than looking for work all the time
You should do it!!! Then... tell us the talent recruiter at your agency so we can replace you.
Thinking of doing the same. Already have a six month gig with ancillary work lined up. I’m just not 100% sure if I should leave. But, THIS place isn’t the same as it was before the merger and I am the last in my domain from the SN days.
I have kids and a spouse whose job doesn’t offer health insurance. If you work at Wieden, you should probably be fine. But yes, freelance in NYC has slowed significantly.
Literally best decision I made was freelance. Making a killi.ng. Just be nice to everyone and take on all the gigs they ask. Get that double OT. you’ll be ok :)
It’s going effing terrible for me
If you work at Wieden, you should be fine.
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