survive as a freelancer

With my last day at my job next Friday, I’m about to embark into the uncharted territory as a freelance publicist. I must admit that it is a little scary to think about. But you never know what you can do until you have to do it.

I am now a salaried employee at a dot com, helping to make a cool thing that I am proud of (enigmatic, huh). I do shiny “web 2.0” styley web applications now, and I know I would be damned to the edge of this technology if I was working from a distance, by myself, or contracting.

I had a brief time earning the Big Bucks at a famous Seattle megaCorp as a contractor, and although it was fun in parts I am glad I left. I do regret that I didn’t visit 43 things during my stint and mark this goal triumphantly DONE. I waited and have to mark it a sheepish “I give up”.

since moving out and living by myself, I’ve realised I’d go crazy if i was working at home all day and not seeing any one! I’ll save this one for when i’m fed up with work again and the rest of my life is sorted.

“Survive” is not the same thing as “thrive.”

I would say I have more or less thrived creatively and professionally (in terms of good offers and just being able to do it and good reviews and enough work and a modest amount of well-knowness).

But I haven’t thrived financially. How much is the nature of the busines and how much is my nature, I am not sure, but this check to check living (especially when almost no pyblication or publisher pays when they say they will) is getting SOOOOOO old!

Let’s hear it for thriving rather than surviving.

I only ask for a couple of regular projects each month to be able to continue living and working from my country side home where I enjoy being with my wife and daughter.

damn, I always forget to do that. I am such a crappy business person.

find more clients.