Open Thread: Do You Feel Secure?
Some time ago the folks at Freelance Switch had this survey (I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now), 3,700 freelancers responded and now we get to see the results. If you took part in the survey you probably already received the PDF report, if you didn’t participate you can make a donation (of at least $3, more is better) to get the report.
So since I took part in the survey I got the PDF (55 pages), I read it all, and there’s this one thing that really made me go ‘woah’:
One of the main reason I wanted to go solo was because I didn’t feel secure working 9 to 5 for somebody else, especially after 13 months of being on strike (if you’re from Montreal, now you probably know what company I was working for). I feel much better now that I freelance full time, I do feel more secure (not secure enough to just sit there and do nothing though). Around 90% of freelancers are happier since they started freelancing, I can say I’m definitely in that group.
Why do you think so many people don’t feel secure in their freelance career? Financial reasons, dealing with clients, finding work? Maybe the fact that only 8% of freelancers in North America have business insurance? Do you feel secure? And if you don’t, why? Please take a minute to share your thoughts with us. :)
Jon
14 Rockin' Comments
February 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I’m with you, Jon. I feel much more secure working as a freelancer, rather than having my career path in the hands of a corporation. I can never get fired, I can never be laid off, if I need more money then I just work harder…the list goes on and on. :)
February 19th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever felt secure.
But I feel very capable. I see lots of potential, lots of avenues, etc. So in that way I’m happier and more excited about possibilities than I was at my last job.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I don’t freelance full time so maybe I’m wrong, but I imagine you never feel completely secure even as a freelancer, but you would feel more secure simply because you have your own destiny in your hands rather than being at the whim of some faceless corporation.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Short time reader, first time commenter…
If I wanted security, I wouldn’t have gone freelance. Not that I ever felt particularly secure in my employee job, just that security wasn’t the motivation.
Happier, abso-freakin-lutely. More secure? That never really came into the equation.
FWIW, etc.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I feel secure for one reason: I control my destiny, and almost completely.
I choose where I work and when and for whom. I pick my jobs. I select my rates. I am the only person who can let myself down, and I’m the only one who sets my own standards. I’m the one who pushes myself to do better or who gives myself a screw-off day to go play outside.
I am in control.
But at the same time, I am ever conscious that one day, this may disappear. I may have to polish my resume and bring it to McDonalds. I might have a three-month dry spell that has me sitting through a cold Canadian winter with no heat. I might face international competition that ends up taking over my indus-
Um, yeah right. No way, dude.
I feel more secure than ever, because for 20 years, I’ve worked for people who weren’t secure, from the small B2B to the large international corporation.
The difference is, I’m smart enough to not get too comfortable ;)
February 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I’ve been freelancing for 6 months and gotta say - I didn’t feel secure until four months in.
As soon as I built a client base that pays well…I became less worried about the one or two clients that didn’t seem to return emails. I found value in my work, became confident enough to raise my rates, and probably even established myself as a better writer.
When I read the report I was shocked by the statistic as well…but I can certainly relate to why 45% of freelancers feel that way.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Do I feel secure in the freelance writing industry? Yes. There’s a million jobs out there, just so very many. I feel so secure freelancing because I can reach out of my region, out of any one industry and am never dependent on one thing, person, field for my well being.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I think the major difference is between happiness and security. I am much happier as a freelancer, as I control nearly everything about it. But that singular control is also a source of insecurity. I’m responsible for my financial well-being. I’m responsible for planning for the future. Success or failure are in my hands. That is an alternately exhilarating and terrifying idea.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
As a brand new full time freelancer I can truly say that I’m happier than ever before in my professional life.
Being my own boss. Making my own choices. Taking full responsibility. This is security for me. I alone have the power to choose my next client. This is my freedom that I created with hard work and persistence.
So does this equal security for me? You bet your life it does, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
This is my life and I live it to the max.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:45 am
I’d think it’s a very natural thing to feel insecure. Besides, it could be driving factor, as well.
What really matters is how you take it. Does it make you feel depressed or cause panic attacks? That would be bad.
February 21st, 2008 at 1:21 am
hehe nope no panic attacks (yet), I do feel more secure, probably because my past experience working as an employee for a big corporation resulted in a little more than a year on strike (which actually gave me enough time to also study sound engineering) I can say I do feel more secure, but maybe if I was feeling ‘too’ secure, I wouldn’t do much and things wouldn’t be moving as fast. Balance, that would be the right word I think :)
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
After 13 years as a freelance editor, I feel quite secure that I’m always going to have work.
What I’ve never felt secure about is being able to afford health insurance. That’s a huge issue for U.S. freelancers, especially those older than 35 and those of us with children. It’s doubly concerning for those of us with spouses who are also self-employed.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 am
I have to say I agree with Chad on this one. Freelancig is exciting, we’ve got freedom, passion, a job we love (supposedly). BUT in order to feel secure, you need a good client database and turnover.
I’m a graphic designer (a very good one, you should try me !) and until very recently I only had 2 clients. Fortunately they like me and stick with me, or I couldn’t have made it. Now, some 7 months later, I finally have other clients stopping by, and that makes me feel more secure. It would’ve been quicker I guess if I wasn’t working on some other project on the side, as I would’ve been more active in my client research.
Anyway, I can understand how a freelancer can feel insecure, as I’m not very secure yet myself, although in France I’m lucky to have social security and so on, and a loving husband who feeds me when I need it. But at the end of the day, I am never desperate ’cause I know that everything I need is my posession, in my head, my imagination, my friends and colleagues, and that in the end, how could it really go wrong ?
Good luck to all the other freelancers out there :)
February 26th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I’m planning to go full-time with my business by the end of March. My main reason for doing this is security. I’ve been laid off in the past, and it shocks me when people think a “job” is secure. Everything could be going great for you, but then upper management makes a couple bad decisions and you’re suddenly out of a job.
I can’t say I’m not scared or worried, but I’m confident that once I make the switch, I’ll be on the “secure” side of the fence.
Share your thoughts, leave a comment!