Multi-Jobbing: Freelancing On The Clock
Posted November 18, 2008 in Business, Lifestyle 17 Rockin' Comments »
It can be tempting for freelancers who are employed full-time to slip in a bit of “personal” work during office hours. Whether it’s answering client emails, scribbling some concept designs or writing a full website, attending to your freelancing whilst on someone else’s dime is a risky business.
What I’m going to suggest in this article, though, is quite different.
If you’re a full-time or part-time freelancer in need of a bit of extra cash to make ends meet, look for a job which allows you to freelance whilst earning: taking multi-tasking to the whole new level of multi-jobbing. (Also known as “empty job” freelancing.)
Get Paid For Being There
In order to make this work you need to find a job which basically pays you for being there, rather than for doing stuff. These jobs don’t usually pay very well, but they do give you ample free time — and with little else to do but twiddle your thumbs you can easily get on with your freelancing.
Some examples are:
- Babysitting
- House-sitting
- Receptionist jobs (especially if you’re willing to work the night shift)
- Some sorts of jobs where you’re on call, like technical support
- Medical trials
I currently babysit for a couple of lovely girls twice a week. I’m mainly paid to be there — they’re old enough to occupy themselves most of the time — so I take my laptop along and get an hour or so of freelance work done in between walking them home from school and cooking their dinner. Evening shifts are even better; once the kids are in bed I have several hours in which I can get work done.
There are a few drawbacks to multi-jobbing, though. The first is usually the lack of equipment (e.g. no internet connection, or no computer at all). The second difficulty is the number of interruptions related to the job.
Both of these can be overcome with a little forward planning.
Difficulty #1 — Lack Of Equipment
Some freelancers have it easier than others when it comes to being able to work from anywhere. Copywriters can get away with any old computer and a USB pen (or, in a real pinch, a notebook and an actual pen). Graphic designers and computer programmers will have more problems.
If you’ve got access to a computer (either your own laptop, or a machine at the place you’re working), you can get some useful stuff done — even if you don’t have an internet connection. How about writing those lengthy emails you’ve been putting off (you can send them once you’re online again)?
If you don’t even have a computer, you can still make profitable use of your time. Why not take along some of those books and journals you’ve been wanting to read, or sketch out ideas for your next project in your notebook?
Difficulty #2 –Frequent Interruptions
If you’re being paid to be somewhere, chances are that you’ll occasionally be called upon to do something. These interruptions mean that it’s almost impossible to get into that state of creative “flow” whilst you’re multi-jobbing. The solution is to work on low-brainpower bits of a project instead; those SEO articles you could write in your sleep, or that website redesign that’s mostly a lot of tedious copy-and-pasting.
Alternatively, do some administrative tasks. If you hate fussing around with invoices then this could be a good chance to get through them. If you keep meaning to label/file your emails properly, get it done.
How About You?
If you like the sound of this multi-jobbing stuff (“What, I could get paid to sit and do my accounts?”) then why not give it a try? Try Craigslist or, if you’re in the UK, Gumtree to look for childcare, house-sitting or casual receptionist jobs.
The best thing about multi-jobbing is getting paid twice for each hour of your time. If you’ve never experienced this, try it out some time soon — it’s a great feeling.
And if you’re a multi-jobber yourself, it’d be great to hear about your experience in the comments!
About the author: Ali is a freelance blogger, writer (see www.aliventures.com for details) and a post-graduate creative writing student.
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17 Rockin' Comments
Melissa Donovan, Copywriter
November 18th, 2008 at 7:55 pmI would add that to be safe, let your employer know what you’re doing. At some companies, any work you produce while you’re “on the clock” legally belongs to them, so if they found out and went after you, it could be a big mess (i.e. they own the copy you wrote and sold to another client). Unlikely to happen, especially while babysitting, but for those receptionist jobs, check to see what you’re allowed to do. It only takes one mean-spirited boss or co-worker to go after someone who’s breaking the rules. Oh, and I’ve seen this kind of thing happen at a major U.S. corp. Scary!
Mason Hipp
November 18th, 2008 at 8:45 pm@Melissa — That’s a great point. We actually just covered some copyright issues a few weeks back on FF, and it would be a shame if someone’s work ended up legally belonging to their employer. Best be safe and make sure it’s okay :-)
Frank Lee
November 18th, 2008 at 9:02 pmI agree with Melissa. I would say that if you work at an office, don’t do it. There is too many legal issues involved. But if you’re doing any kind of -sitting, that’s the ideal situation.
wendy w
November 19th, 2008 at 4:16 amYes I have done all this, to exhaustion and into my 30’s//further info is at my radio show I created called DAY JOBS at blogtalkradio.com/punk princess. It is heard every tuesday at 7 pm.. call in and share your stories, too! That is what I created it for. Counting all side jobs, I have had at least 45 jobs.
And for you sppoklovers, blogtalkradio.com/missx every saturday night. BTW: Working in internet radio will pay you via the number of downloads or ads you get, and it leads to many wonderful job oppty’s. I give a seminar on all this so email me for further details if you need help of any kind in your career.
Ali Hale
November 19th, 2008 at 5:23 amMelissa, great point, I’m sure a lot of bosses would be okay with it (I think I recall Leo at Zen Habits mentioning that his boss was happy for him to freelance “on the clock” so long as he got his actual work done) — but it would definitely be best to check first.
Wendy — 45 jobs — wow! That’s an impressive tally. :-)
Sean
November 19th, 2008 at 6:09 amI’m a language teacher in Korea - I work 4 days a week and only 2-4 hours a day. Downside, loads of grading, but I usually have much more time than any other job I can think of - yeah the 20 weeks of paid vacation don’t hurt either.
I need to repatriate to Canada in a couple of years and thus the move to freelance web design - the plan is to be able to live off of full time web development & design work come summer 2011.
Salwa
November 19th, 2008 at 7:19 amDoing these types of jobs during office hours and using the office pc isnt really safe. The computers are being monitored continuously and access to many sites are denied. This type of job is recommended to be done at home only.
But its a good way of getting some money.
Jumping Dog Design
November 19th, 2008 at 9:25 pmI think that you work in your mind. Keep a notebook to jot your ideas. Inspiration is a fickle partner and comes at the most inappropriate time. The idea is to capture the moment when it arises and when you get time to do the thing - you already have ideas ready to go.
Myk Jones
November 25th, 2008 at 2:23 pmI worked out a deal with my current employer to work at a fixed rate of 25 hours a week (sometimes more) i’m here almost a full 40. In that time i’m able to juggle a few side projects while i’m in the office and when work comes i’m able to minimize the side job, knock out the job for the company then go back to my side job. I do touch up work, product shots and sell sheets for a distribution company. I’ve been here now two years and every one seems to be happy with my work plus i’m able to make the side cash. Depending on the workload it worked for me to talk to my employer and work out a comfortable schedule for everyone. It doesn’t hurt to let them know what your doing and lay your cards on the table sometimes it might work for ya.
Ali Hale
November 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pmHey Myk,
That sounds like an ideal system you’ve got in place! It’s great you can get on with freelancing in the down times at work - and I imagine it suits your boss well too, as he has you on site for a 40 hour week but only has to pay you for 25 - rather than paying for you to sit around bored out of your skull.
Myk Jones
November 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pmIt took a little time for them to understand at first cause when i proposed it to them they looked at me like i was an alien (they’re a bunch of older gentleman as well as old school thinkers) but when they realized they could have me for a whole day yet pay me for half they understood. I make more off the side jobs but keep the cushy day job for security when it gets slow. Now if i can only have a separate office and phone i’ll be on my way…lol
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