As the digital age continues to take over and more people spend their time online, the demand for content creators has grown exponentially. Prose-oriented people with a way with words often consider becoming a professional writer. However, before pursuing this career path, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of being a professional writer, specifically online.
The Pros:
1. Flexibility: Online writing jobs usually offer great flexibility. Freelancers can work from anywhere as long as they have internet access. This means that writers can work from home, in coffee shops, in coworking spaces, or even from a tropical beach. They only need to make sure to meet their deadlines.
2. Creative Freedom: As an online writer, you’ll have the freedom to create and express yourself creatively. You can choose the topics you want to write about, the style you want to write in, and the tone you want to strike.
3. Additional Opportunities: A career in online writing often comes with other potential opportunities. For instance, you may decide to write books on the side, or create and develop your blog into a full-blown business.
4. Learning Opportunities: A professional writer never stops learning. The industry is constantly evolving, making it essential to stay up to date. Writing for a range of clients and getting feedback from them will drive you to keep expanding your horizons, and your skills.
The Cons:
1. Irregular Income: Unfortunately, online writing jobs aren’t always the most stable or consistent source of income. Freelance writing gigs come and go, and it’s difficult to predict when new projects will come up. This means that writers need to be prepared for potential periods of little-to-no work.
2. Isolation: Writing is a solitary activity, and for most online writers, especially freelancers, it’s a one-person-show. You’ll spend long hours writing, editing, and revising your work that it can often feel isolating, and can be demotivating.
3. Can be Challenging: Writing can be a difficult and trying task, especially when dealing with clients’ work that doesn’t align with your brand or values or when writers start facing writer’s block. The pressure to complete work on time can be draining and can lead to a feeling of burnout.
4. Self-Promotion: Being an online writer not only involves the skill of writing but also the art of self-promotion. You’ll have to constantly market yourself to seek out new clients, and this can be a challenge for some.
In conclusion, online writing jobs have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision to pursue a career as a professional writer needs to be taken with all significant factors considered. If you have a talent for writing, enjoy working from various locations, and love the creative process, then an online writing job may be an excellent fit for you. Even with its challenges, the rewards of this career path can be significant.