Do You Have to Be Full-Time to Freelance?
If you’re anything like the freelancers in Remote ID, you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You take on multiple clients, offer various services or products, and don’t rely on one client for more than 30% of your income. You don’t freelance full-time.
Society says you’re unfocused. We say you’re smart (you think so too!). The main benefit of freelancing is the flexibility it provides, so why would you tie yourself down?
If you need a pep-talk to remind you that freelancing looks different for everyone, this blog is it. Whether you work full-time, part-time, or only sometimes… you’re still a freelancer.
Why Freelance Life is Appealing
There are many reasons people decide to freelance. Here are just a few from our own members.
They say it:
Is flexible
Connects them to their community
Helps them create an impact
Better supports their mental health
Works according to their lifestyle as a low-energy entrepreneur
Gives them the freedom to travel, pursue passions, and focus on different projects
But this doesn’t mean you need to freelance full-time to get these benefits. We interviewed our community members about their experience as freelancers over the past few years so you can hear real people’s perspectives and how they approach this career choice.
Jana’s Story – Brand Manager, Travel Blogger, UGC Creator
Jana built her freelance business during her MBA program while working a job at her university. After freelancing full-time for a bit after graduation, she accepted a role as brand manager for a real estate start-up. Her “work outside of work” consists of her blog, UGC partnerships, and brand partnerships.
What tip(s) do you have for returning to freelancing (part-time or full-time) after scaling back, taking time off, or working 9-5?
“Create a plan so you feel confident stepping back into freelancing. A lot changes in the freelancing world from year to year. Study the landscape, look at what has changed (or not changed), and use that to inform your business model.”
What tip(s) do you have for scaling back on/preparing your freelance clients as you pursue a 9-5, a part-time job, or other passion?
“Communicate and set expectations. Clear communication early on can help clients plan for how they will shift the workload if you’re stepping away from projects.”
So… do you think you have to be full-time to freelance?
“No, you can freelance as much or as little as you’d like to. Being organized with your time, having a clear boundary around when you can and can’t work, and communicating clearly with clients are key factors if you’re freelancing part-time. It is very doable. In fact, tons of people are freelancing part-time, and it is possible in many different work scenarios.”
Nailah’s Story – Content Strategist, Copywriter
After five years in corporate, Nailah had enough. She did a bit of freelancing when she worked full-time back in Canada, but felt it was tough to make time for both. After moving abroad, she now does freelance copywriting and picked up a part-time gig to help with cash flow management and add more structure to her day during slow seasons.
What tip(s) do you have for returning to freelancing (part-time or full-time) after scaling back, taking time off, or working 9-5?
“Get organized when it comes to your scheduling and what and how much work you take on. You’ll necessarily have less time, especially if you’re going back to full-time work, so creating automations, systems, and processes to streamline your work and communications is going to be essential to help prevent burnout and overworking. One thing I took too long to do was create a more rigid schedule of what work gets done when each day. Now, I dedicate part-time work to the early morning and work in my business in the afternoon.”
What tip(s) do you have for scaling back on/preparing your freelance clients as you pursue a 9-5, a part-time job, or other passion?
“I always believe in transparency, so being super forthright with your clients about the transition, how you’ll support them, and any new communication boundaries will always land well with clients. Many of my peers have gone back to full-time or part-time work, so I think most clients get it and are willing to be flexible, given what's been going on in online business recently.”
So… do you think you have to be full-time to freelance?
“It depends on your own individual goals. At one point, to me, being a successful freelancer meant doing this work full-time and consistently bringing in lots of clients and, by extension, money. But when that didn’t happen to me after four years, it was hard not to feel like an absolute failure.
As I navigated one of my slowest years in business, I spent more time writing, and coming out of writing a novella was clarifying. I have a lot of interests and goals, even within writing, that are unexplored. So much of the dream of freelancing is framed around other people’s goals, dreams, and expectations. Ultimately, I want to write books full-time and recognize that freelancing is just one income stream to help me do so. This realization has been freeing.
I encourage folks to untether themselves from online business expectations. Dig deeper into your goals and dreams. What you really want to achieve might surprise you, and freelancing could be just another way of getting them closer to their ultimate goal.”
Lotte’s Story – Remote Work Consultant, Copywriter, Coach, .NET Developer
Currently, Lotte works a 9-5. She also freelances on the side as a copywriter and a coach for an online magazine. She typically works on different projects simultaneously and often switches between full-time freelancing and part-time freelancing.
What tip(s) do you have for returning to freelancing (part-time or full-time) after scaling back, taking time off, or working 9-5?
“Do it step by step, don’t expect miracles, and don’t take too much on in the beginning. You will have to find your rhythm again.”
So… do you think you have to be full-time to freelance?
“No, I think you have to see what best fits your situation. It can be helpful to have a full-time or part-time job to have more security for example. Or some people want to have a team with colleagues. Other people want to have the freedom full-time to decide how and where they want to work. It depends on your situation and what you feel comfortable with.”
Make Freelancing Work For You, Full-Time or Not
We hope you can relate to at least one of these freelancer’s stories. Freelancing does not have to be a full-time job. Sometimes you freelance for a season, sometimes longer. Either way is valid… so go do your own thing and feel good knowing that others are forging their own path too.