What I’ve learned about working from home

I’ve worked from home as a Freelance Writer for nearly a year now and I can honestly say that it’s been great. There have been ups and downs as with any job, but I know that I’m doing something I genuinely love doing and that’s what keeps me motivated. When I first started, there were so many struggles in terms of money as there’s no guarantee how much I will earn each month. I have complete control of my spending. However, with any business, you have to be persistent and dedicated and hope that your hard work will pay off. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

It’s hard work

I knew that becoming a full-time freelance writer would be difficult, but I didn’t realise just how hard the transition would be. It’s not easy keeping track of your money and making sure you are earning enough to see you through the month. It can be stressful and tiring. If you’re thinking about working from home, you need to take money into consideration. It’s probably a good idea to make sure you have money saved up already, just in case you find yourself in a tight spot.

You have to promote yourself

When you have a business, you need to promote it. Social media is great for promoting yourself and you can even find potential clients on there. It’s important to let people know what you do. This can be done through word of mouth, too. Start by telling your close friends and family what you can offer them because you never know if they might be able to help you.

You need to learn the art of saving

Saving is tricky. In theory, it should be easy not to spend money on things you don’t need. In reality, we see something that we like the look of and that’s our money gone. The thing with working from home is that learning to save is essential. Don’t get me wrong, I still have months where I struggle, but I’m definitely getting better at putting my money away for more important things. When you’re working from home, some months will be better than other months in terms of earnings, which is why it’s so important to make sure you have enough money in the bank to see you through the following weeks when you’re strapped for cash.

Research is important

I always approach bloggers and writers for tips and advice, especially the ones who are earning much more than I am. It’s great to have a conversation with people who are in the same boat as I am. Sometimes, they might offer to pass your details on to someone else, which can really help you to grow your business.

Don’t accept low payments

When I first started freelancing, I worked for free. Yes, that wasn’t the best decision I’ve ever made but I was desperate to “get my name out there” and build up a portfolio. And then I finally started getting paid. I was so happy about getting paid for what I loved doing that I was willing to accept very low payments. The problem with this is that you’re not being fair on yourself (or your bank). You deserve to be paid a good wage, so make sure you start setting higher rates.

Photo by Aidan Meyer on Unsplash