Does that mean I can take the day off to celebrate? Oh if only! I won’t be hanging out the
bunting and baking a special cake because I’m far too busy freelancing. But still, time for a quick shout-out to all my fellow
freelancers and perhaps we can blow our own trumpets for a brief moment (especially if you're a freelance trumpeter.)
Because freelancing is about so much more than what you actually freelance at.
Because freelancing is about so much more than what you actually freelance at.
Me, I’m a full-time freelance illustrator but in order to provide what clients pay me for I also have to be my own unsalaried Bookkeeper / Materials Buyer / Mail Clerk / Credit Controller / IT Manager / Packer / Secretary / Head of PR, Customer Service and Personal Development / Administrator / Building Maintenance Manager, and Office Cleaner. And Boss. (I might have to sack the Cleaner...)
There are of course far harder and much more important/responsible jobs but ultimately it's immensely satisfying to know that you've done it all on your own, in spite of the inevitable precariousness of a fluctuating income and those frequent 7-day working weeks. Plus there's no commuting! So to my fellow freelancers (6% of UK workers) and your devoted self-reliance, whatever your field: toot toot!
There are of course far harder and much more important/responsible jobs but ultimately it's immensely satisfying to know that you've done it all on your own, in spite of the inevitable precariousness of a fluctuating income and those frequent 7-day working weeks. Plus there's no commuting! So to my fellow freelancers (6% of UK workers) and your devoted self-reliance, whatever your field: toot toot!
That picture reminds me of the time I got a row during a conference call when I asked a senior manager who was phoning in from home whether she was wearing her jammies!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you hit a raw nerve there, CC... Next time try it on Skype!
DeleteToot toot to you, C!
ReplyDeleteToot toot Martin; it's only a toy one and I can't play any toons on it but hey!
DeleteThat is such a great image!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? It's a card that's been in my drawer for ages, I bought it to send but ended up keeping it!
DeleteI missed this yesterday - Should have told Mr WIAA who has spent most of his life working from home and in another week will be back to that full time once more, so both of us might still be in our jammies when the postman arrives. Yes you have to be a jack of all trades (and a master of them all too) when you are a freelancer, with no sick pay or holiday pay, yet so often people tell us we are lucky not to have to go to work!
ReplyDeleteWell done you - A bit of well-deserved trumpet blowing. And, if we have another hot summer like last year, at least your shedio attire can yet again be quite different from what you'd have to wear to the office - Bonus.
I thought of WIAA as I posted this too! Indeed, two great misconceptions about freelancing - 1) that you sit around dabbling and drinking tea and 2) that you only do the primary occupation side of things, not all the behind-the-scenes bits as well. It's not for everyone, that's for sure - but it suits me well so I do feel extremely fortunate. Hopefully WIAA feels the same way. And the clothes thing is definitely a BIG bonus!
DeleteCongratulations freelancers!
ReplyDeleteOne of the huge drawbacks to being a freelancer in America is health insurance. Our insurance is linked to our employment and freelancers have to figure that out for themselves. It is against the law not to have insurance. After the passage of Obamacare, we now have what is called a health insurance exchange for those who need a plan to comply with the law, but it's very expensive and many doctors and other providers don't want to work with it and won't accept it. This is a typical call to a doctor:
"I need to see a doctor."
"What insurance do you have?"
"Aetna."
"Aetna through your employer or through the exchange?"
"The exchange."
"Sorry. We don't work with that."
Next time you hear someone knock NHS, remind them there are even worse alternatives... especially for freelancers.
Brian, I had no idea about that side of things for freelancers over there. I found it shocking. We take so much for granted here with the NHS, an amazing service which should be absolutely treasured by us but is being stretched to its limits. Yes, we have to take out our own health insurance as freelancers to compensate for statutory sick pay we'd otherwise get through an employer - but at least we don't have to pay to see a doctor, or be billed for having an accident, a scenario which I couldn't even begin to contemplate.
DeleteThanks for enlightening us as to how it is there. I get a lot of work from US publishers and I've often wondered why they come to the UK for illustrators rather than source them on home turf - well, perhaps this is why - as not so many can afford to take the risks associated with the freelance option.
Thanks Yve and fingers crossed for permanency in your In-House job... after 12 years of your freelancing at home I think your switch is admirable and that you were very brave! So really hope it continues to work well. I'm happy to stay doing this as long as I can, but of course the insecurities and worries of getting ill, etc. do play on my mind from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yve - so sorry to hear how things got for you, I can totally understand how/why that would happen and so glad you were able to make a positive move. You're so right about the social thing - it's the social interactions and yes, sometimes simply just the laughs, that I miss after having worked in a very big organisation for several years before I took this route. I've got used to it but I certainly remember how odd it felt at the start. I'm not sure how well I'd manage at all if I were single - I'm certain that, as you say, it would be very lonely and isolated, and then become somewhat unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteAnyway really pleased you've already noticed such a difference and hopefully you're not working 24/7 either! Long may it continue :-)