Welcome to the 23rd issue of Expert•ish Freelancer, a newsletter that helps you launch or elevate your freelance business. Every other Friday, get tips, tools, and insights based on my 35⁺ years as a freelance writer.

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Hi Friend!

The new year for my freelance business typically starts a bit slow, then gains steam by mid-February. If that’s the case for you, I hope you’re finding more work now. I’ve definitely seen an uptick in clients reaching out to me with projects in hand now that they’ve got new budgets, new goals, and new campaigns for 2025.

It helps to know the cyclical seasons for your business, which can definitely vary depending on your industry. Spring is historically a busier time for my business, then it typically slows down a bit in the summer. Knowing this, I can plan accordingly (i.e., increased marketing, increased travel, etc.). 🏖️

After 35+ years as a freelancer, I know how to ride the waves of fluctuating income, as well as all the other ups and downs of freelancing.

Let's explore whether the freelance lifestyle is the right fit for you.

Ready to dive in?

Today’s newsletter highlights whether or not you’re cut out to be a freelancer.

🔍 Key Takeaways: 

✅ Assess freelance suitability.

✅ Understand freelancing challenges.

✅ Recognize freelancing isn’t for everyone (and that’s OK!).

Today’s issue is brought to you by Authory. Sponsors help keep the newsletter free, so please click on their link to check out their offer! ⬇️ 

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Freelance Focus: Are You Cut Out to Be a Freelancer?

Picture this: You're sipping coffee ☕ in your favorite PJs, laptop perched on your knees, as you casually type away at your latest project. You’re living the dream, right?

While this idyllic scene might be part of the freelance experience, it's far from the whole story. 

In fact, in this age of “be your own boss” 💼 and an everyone-can-earn-six-figures mentality, freelancing is often painted as the ultimate career goal.

And while I'm a passionate advocate for freelancing—it's certainly given me the freedom and fulfillment I always dreamed of—I've come to realize something a hard truth.

Not everyone should be a freelancer.

Let me share a recent experience that really drove this point home.

One of my best friends (an incredibly talented writer) got laid off from her job last year.

I thought, “Perfect! Time for her to join the freelance world!” Given her skills, I naturally encouraged her to consider freelance writing.

Her response?

“I know myself well enough to know I'm just not cut out for the freelance lifestyle.”

She went on to explain that she hates the idea of constantly marketing 📣 and putting herself out there. And she couldn’t handle the regular rejection that comes with pitching editors and clients. (You definitely need a thick skin to handle that.)

You know what? She's absolutely right.

I commend her self-awareness and her decision to pursue a different path. (Smart girl!) It likely saved her months of stress and potential failure.

I stopped urging her to freelance.

But this conversation got me thinking about the essential traits and circumstances that make someone well-suited (or not) for freelancing.

While skills in your chosen field are crucial (think writing, graphic design, translation), they're just the tip of the iceberg.🧊 The success of your freelance business often hinges more on your personality traits and work preferences than your technical abilities.

The Hidden Demands of Freelancing

What many people don't realize is that freelancing isn't just about being good at what you do—it's about being good at running a business.

This means wearing multiple hats because you're not just a writer, designer, or translator. You're also your own marketing department, sales team, project manager, accounting division, and customer service representative.

The reality is that you might spend only 50-60% of your time actually doing the work you love. ❤️

The rest goes to tasks like:

• Pitching potential clients and following up on leads

• Managing your business finances and taxes

• Negotiating rates and project scope

• Marketing yourself on social media and professional networks

• Building and maintaining client relationships

• Handling administrative tasks like contracts and invoicing

• Developing processes to streamline your business

• Researching new prospects

• Learning new apps, tools, platforms, and technologies

• Hopping on Zoom calls with a client’s team

Who Might Want to Think Twice About Freelancing?

Let's break down why some people might find themselves floundering in the freelance world.

The Structure Seekers: If you thrive on rigid routines and external deadlines, freelancing might feel like trying to navigate a boat without a compass. We set our own schedules and create our own work environments. Sounds freeing, right? (It is, at least for me.) But for some, it's more terrifying than liberating.

The Time Management Challenged: Without a boss breathing down your neck or colleagues to keep you accountable, it's easy to fall into the procrastination trap. One minute you're checking emails, the next you're doing laundry, running to the grocery store, and then you’re two hours deep into a YouTube rabbit hole watching “Yoga for Stress Relief” 🧘‍♀️ videos. (No judgment. We've all been there.) 

The Social Butterflies: Freelancing can be lonely. If the thought of spending days on end with only your cat 🐈 for company makes you break out in hives, you might struggle with the solitary nature of freelance work.

The Discipline Deficient: Self-motivation is the fuel that keeps the freelance engine running. If you can't push yourself to work when the latest episodes of The Bear just dropped, you might find yourself in troubling territory. (Fun fact: Sydney is my favorite character on The Bear.) 

The Steady Paycheck Devotees: Freelancing often comes with a fluctuating income—especially when you’re just starting out. One month you're living large, the next you're considering whether those 50-cent ramen packets can be a viable long-term nutrition plan. If financial uncertainty keeps you up at night, freelancing might not be for you.

Finding Your Freelance Fit

Before you think I'm trying to scare you off, let me be clear: you can find workarounds for some of these challenges.

Craving social interaction? Schedule weekly coffee dates with other freelancers or work from a co-working space.

Struggle with time management? Download apps (like Toggl and Clockify 🕒) and try techniques (like Pomodoro 🍅 and time blocking) to help you stay on track.

But some issues require a deeper look. Can you handle the constant hustle of marketing yourself? Are you okay with frequent rejection? Can you wear all the hats required, from CEO 👩‍💼 to accountant 📊 to customer service rep? Are you financially able to support yourself with a fluctuating income?

The Freelance Reality Check

Freelancing isn't just about working in your PJs or avoiding rush hour traffic. It's about being your own boss in every sense of the word.

It's about having the discipline to work when there's no one watching, the resilience to bounce back from rejection, and the drive to constantly improve and market your skills.

It's also about embracing uncertainty and finding joy in the journey, even when that journey takes you through some pretty bumpy terrain.

If you can handle all this, then welcome to the freelance lifestyle! 🎉

If not, that’s OK, too. 🙌.

The Silver Lining

Here's the good news: acknowledging that freelancing isn't for you isn't a failure—it's a victory of self-awareness.

There's no shame in recognizing that a traditional job better suits your personality and needs. The most important thing is finding a career path that allows you to thrive.

The most successful people aren't those who force themselves into ill-fitting career paths but those who recognize and embrace their natural working style and preferences.

Sometimes, the bravest decision is acknowledging that a traditional job, with its structure and stability, might be the better path for you.

If you're considering freelancing (or struggling with the freelance lifestyle), take time for honest self-reflection. Consider not just whether you could do it, but whether you should do it.

⬆️ High: A client came to me with a travel guide project worth $5K-$8K.

⬇️ Low: A big project I was counting on got put on hold indefinitely.

When You’re Ready Here’s How I Can Help:

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I share fresh clips and more freelance tips/insights most weekdays.

• Follow me on Bluesky where I have no idea what I’m doing on this new social platform. 🦋

• Ask Me Anything! Your questions and feedback help shape future newsletter content. You can reach me at [email protected]. 

• Turn to Expert•ish Freelancer’s Tools & Resources page highlighting valuable resources to help you successfully run your freelance business. If you’ve got a resource you love, let me know about it.

Thanks for allowing me into your inbox!

I look forward to sharing my freelance journey with you, and I look forward to hearing about yours. I’m just here as your guide. Take what works for you, and tweak it to your needs. Rinse. Repeat.

I’ll be back in two Fridays with another edition of Expert•ish Freelancer.

In the meantime….

Be kind. Do good. Give thanks. 😊

With gratitude,
Lisa Beach

FYI: In yoga, the instructor often closes the session by saying “namaste” as a way of acknowledging and honoring the light, spirit, or goodness within each person in the class. 🧘‍♀️ It’s often used as a closing to convey unity (we’re all interconnected), gratitude (thank you for this shared experience), respect (I respect you and your journey), and peace (may you find peace within yourself). Essentially, it's a way to acknowledge the shared experience and to leave with a sense of peace and connection. 😊