Comments on: Poll: Why Did You Start Freelancing?

By: Hesster

Hesster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:26:58 +0000

I’m going to say ‘all of the above’.

By: astrosaurus

astrosaurus — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:48:20 +0000

I just want the freedom to pursue whatever project interests me at any given time. If I wanted to start a new site I can, if I wanted to be passionate about a new interest and find a way to monetize it I can. I have so many interests and tend to get “burnt out” quickly that the only way for me to live is to be able to move onto something new all the time. I don’t want to work a job where I’m doing the same thing for a decade or two.

By: ChrisH

ChrisH — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:08:09 +0000

I fell into it. I studied graphic design (finished last year) and thru that started getting a few freelance jobs. Would rather work for someone else and learn more about design that way, but am in a small town with jobs scarce so have continued doing the freelancing to help build up my portfolio and keep my experience up to date.

So, I guess I should really say, I fell into it and to keep my skills up until employment comes along.

By: Takingweb

Takingweb — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:52:12 +0000

i totally quote Craig Scott….even if if I’m trying being freelance since 2005 but here where live this mean only advtange for companies: they pay less taxes, leave you at home when tehy wanna do it but we must going to office, working from 9 to 6 pm (or more), and of course they make exclusives contract….etc.

By: Craig Scott

Craig Scott — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:42:38 +0000

I’m still in the process of ‘getting started’ as I still work full time. I started for a number of reasons; earning extra cash (partly through necessity) and also to allow me to do more creative/less limited work than my day job (as a graphic designer) lets me.

Also I like the idea of running my own business and what better business to start in than one I already have experience in?

By: Meinaart

Meinaart — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:00:45 +0000

My reason for starting my freelance career is that I wanted to know if I could make it on my own. My parents are entrepreneurs and I guess it’s in my genes . So my reason was mainly because of the challenge .

Earning more is a really nice bonus . Risk should be rewarded . I started in august 2008 and so far I am earning twice as much as when I did as an employee.

I really like the responsibility that comes with being a freelancer. I take the blame for my failures but also the rewards of my successes. I like that (especially because there has been more succeses than failures so far ).

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:53:47 +0000

Freedom. Independence. Passion. Explore my creativity. And of course, have the ability to earn more compared to a 9-5 job.

By: David Conlisk

David Conlisk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:28:04 +0000

I started freelancing because I wanted more control over my life – I couldn’t live with the 3/4 weeks of holidays a year! Now I am stretching my location-independent freelancing to the limit to see how it works out.

I’m currently working from Bali and improving my surfing. Before that I spent a season in the French alps learning to snowboard when I wasn’t working. It makes me a more relaxed person, and a more relaxed developer. I spend a lot of time on career development, learning new technologies, etc, while still getting to experience living in a foreign culture.

There are issues involved in remote working, but with good communication with the client these are kept to a minimum. My clients are happy with my work, and I am very happy with my lifestyle.

Living the dream!

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:55:51 +0000

I originally started freelancing because I was skint and had no experience in the industry. I was self taught and I thought the best thing to do was just to dive in. I had mixed results but after a year I started to turn in a steady wage.

Now I freelance because I can choose my jobs, work my own hours and generally be in control of everything.

By: Mau

Mau — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:12:40 +0000

I started freelancing because design jobs in my country are not well paid, and usually companies and studios “hire” interns that stays 4 months with the promise of contract, then they let them go, and hire another intern. The same for advertising agencies. The work of the creative industry is not really understood and you can see in tv or printed ads that most of them are copies or adaptations of foreign campaigns for similar products.

Being a freelancer here is an opportunity to raise the bar for the competition, and a way to keep learning and stay up to date with trends. Living in a country where 80% of the business are SoHO and medium sized, the little income they have, makes them look for cheap service providers, and the market answers on that with websites in Joomla for under $100, hosting included (with templates pirated from other sites, or sites poorly designed). Another thing is the competition from design schools, there are like 20 design schools in the city where I live, and each year at least 1400 designers graduate from those schools, so there is no regulation on the market for that.