If you have any health insurance carrier recommendations, I’m sure that the group would LOVE to know who you are using. I’m lucky – I’m covered under my hubby’s insurance. When I was single, I used to say that my insurance covered being put in a broom closet. That’s if I was lucky…

Good point, @Kevin. Having a part time job (even one you know is temporary,) will certainly help you make different business (and client) decisions. Plus, some people like having the “best of both worlds.” They like having a stable gig – even if it’s part time. But they also get to spread their freelance wings and have fun building their business.

I completely agree with your “unemployable” statement. I think I’ve been that way for a long, long time… :)

I’m sure loads of us find a freelance career very much game of brinkmanship in the first few years. And I know I certainly feel like I’m continually teetering on the edge.

But no way would I contemplate giving up now. For a start, I think working for myself has now rendered me completely ‘unemployable’.

I particularly like your suggestion of exploring part-time options in the event that times did get tough.

A few months stabilising your financial position may actually be a good thing. With a bit more cash in your pocket and a stable background income, you may be able to bat away those low paid gigs that you might otherwise have taken in desperation.

@Peter – I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Ah yes, office politics. I’m not a big fan of them. That’s the nice thing about self-employment. Your boss (you) may be dysfunctional…but at least you understand the dysfunction and can deal with it much easier!
:)

A mistake. The work was ok – at first. But my other clients got neglected, and I had forgotten how corrosive office politics can be, especially in an agency going downhill, as this one was. After two years I left and went back to freelancing. Much, much better in every way.

Truth is, there is nothing I love to do so I have to make do with making a living from what I am good at. Tech writing comes easier than copywriting, but both can be draining in different ways. You’re right, having the copywriting as a “side gig” is always going to be a bonus.

And at least in the UK, I don’t have to fork out for medical insurance. :)

@Craig – would you work in-house as a technical writer? Or would you still freelance?

I’ve found that my business focus has morphed quite a bit over the last 15+ years. Sounds like yours has morphed as well. That’s one interesting thing about being in business for awhile. You learn what you love to do, what you’d rather not do, and how to focus your energies.

You can always have copywriting as your “side gig” and focus more on technical writing. If nothing else, it’s an additional profit center – and that’s a wonderful thing!

Keep us posted! :)

@Suzanne – that’s a good point about health insurance. It’s hard enough to pay for your own insurance – but if you have to insure children as well, it gets incredibly expensive. That is one “real job” benefit – free (or cheap) insurance!

Good luck with the job opportunities! Do you know if they’ll let you freelance on the side?

Keep us posted!