A lot of freelancers I talk to tell me they’re just freelancing temporarily until they can find a full-time job. Hogwash me says (dang I missed pirate day). Freelancing is the best thing ever and way better than any job in the world – even lead programmer of Apple.

Some are scared to freelance and they never do – which might be a good thing because you have to be a strong warrior to survive the online war. But if you do, a lot of rewards are waiting for you! Need some convincing? Here’s why I enjoy freelancing:

  • A lot more money – What full-time job is going to pay you $100+ an hours??
  • Freedom to work when, where, with who and how you want.
  • Time off – Not feeling like doing work today? Take off!
  • Ability to have and do things you normally couldn’t – I just bought my dream car today (when this article was written). No way I would’ve been able to afford it with a regular job.
  • No wasted time – Forget stupid meetings, office drama or intimidating bosses
  • Tax write-offs for anything with the Apple logo on it šŸ™‚
  • No traffic!

I’d thought I’d ask some of the readers as well why they like freelancing…read on!

Why Twitter Readers Freelance

  • @herzinger for an excuse to do something different of what I do in my regular job and for extra cash o/”
  • @whochrisporter I hate coming home from the 9-5 and do nothing and I love to make the web a more beautiful and functional place.
  • @lz430 It helps me stretch creatively and also let’s me brush up on my people skills.
  • @danoprey Number 1: Flexibility. Fiancee lives across the Atlantic, so we couldn’t be together if we were both geographically tied.
  • @shikeb Freelance gives me freedom to do everything according to me. Like opting projects, amount, work schd & the client it self.
  • @AndrewChamp Money, boredum, enjoy doing it.
  • @travisro Freedom and flexibility. Also, income is only capped by my willingness to be creative. šŸ™‚
  • @myFootPath The ability to address/write about additional topics in addition to those I write about in the workplace. And of course the extra $ doesn’t hurt either!
  • @seanheilweil I can work from anywhere in the world, provided I have an internet connection.
  • @scottdot I work full-time in another field and freelance on the side to earn a bit of extra dough
  • @astarkdan I freelance because 1) I like being my own boss, 2) It’s fun as hell and 3) I’m constantly learning šŸ™‚
  • @joshhemsley easily the #1 answer for me is being home w/ my family. The other is control over project selection. Can filter out BS easier
  • @ldpDesign So that I don’t have someone breathing down my neck scrutinizing my every move! To go after projects that I find interesting.
  • @RajDole It’s fun and I can take time out to learn something new everyday + I can continue my studies/college while working šŸ™‚
  • @John_A_Clarke flexibility, work on the things that I want to šŸ™‚
  • @nicholaswyoung The ability to choose my own lifestyle. I decide when to work, and when to spend time with friends and family…not to mention, I have the option of workshifting. šŸ™‚
  • @remixcreative I get to speak directly to the clients and find out about them and get a good idea of what they want and how best to achieve it. Working through account managers always gets in the way of this dynamic
  • @george_elias I want to freelance for the possibility of making my own decisions, receiving the rewards of my hard work, freedom time mgmt
  • @pixiegirltweets I enjoy choosing the clients I get to work with. It makes a huge difference working on projects you’re excited about!
  • @indycoding Why do I freelance? Get to choose who I work w/ and how, not embarrassed by incompetent co-workers, feels great!
  • @nathanielks it allows me to have a life away from work. I love being able to be involved in different ministries, as well as my own =D

Why Facebook Readers Freelance

  • Dan Denno Get away from the corporate red tape and being able to say no and not getting fired.
  • Nicole Amber Foster I wanted the freedom to jump right into web design and learn everything I could about it. Freelancing was naturally the best choice because it allows you to do that on your own terms.
  • Edward Labuschagne Have more freedom to explore my own creativity,and then there is of course the satisfaction of dealing hands on with the final product.
  • Eric Zentner I freelance because I don’t think I could work any other way any more. Freelancing is the ultimate leap of faith in your own abilities, and everyone should try it at least once in their lives. It lets you choose the type of work you think will make you most happy (eventually) and simply go after that work. There’s very little politics to deal with, like in an office, but all of the possible success and prestige that can come with doing great work. It’s really the way of the future for designers!
  • Melissa Rogers Ek Freedom to choose the projects I want to work on. Freedom to set my own hours (even tho I normally work 8am-6pm). Freedom to take the dog to the park in the middle of the day or take a 1/2 day off spontaneously.
    So, I guess I’d say “FREEDOM”!
  • Dennis Campos Lozada I’m from venezuela, design industry its totally down here, and people don’t want to pay enought for an iilustration, logo or maybe a web siten so I live better selling my work for the rest of the work. Dennis Campos Lozada from Madrockstars.com

Your Turn

Why do you freelance?

Amber Weinberg

Amber is a freelance front-end developer specializing in semantic and accessible custom WordPress themes. She works with agencies and other freelancers to bring their designs to life using custom ACF flexible layout builds - making them more performant and less buggy while allowing the client easy customization without breaking the design system.