Own Your Own Time as a Freelancer

By Francine L. Huff
Learning & Life Columnist

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Working from home as a freelancer means you can take time off for holiday shopping or your kids' activities whenever you want. You can work on assignments from home or your favorite café, and answer emails while vacationing at the beach. If you're good at scheduling your time and promoting yourself to potential clients, freelancing may help you achieve a better work-life balance.

Beyond Magazine Articles: Technical Writing

Freelancers can be found in a variety of fields, including business, journalism, child care, web design, and graphic design. Many people automatically think freelance writers only work on books or magazine articles, causing them to overlook lucrative technical writing jobs.

Technical writing involves putting technical information into easy-to-understand language for operating and maintenance manuals, catalogs, assembly instructions, and parts lists. Technical writers in many large cities earn about $40 to $80 per hour depending on the project, according to Writer's Row. A degree in writing, journalism, or technical writing can help you break into this field, but a background in technology or engineering can also work to your advantage.

Know the Law

Another area of demand for freelancers is the legal profession. Freelance paralegals give support to attorneys by resolving routine legal issues and researching information. The average salary for a level-one paralegal is $41,516, according to Salary.com. To become a paralegal you can enroll in an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree program online. Certificate programs are usually available to people who already have another degree.

Child Care Is in Demand

About one in three child care workers is self-employed, and many work from home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Training and qualifications can vary from state to state, but a high school diploma can usually get you started in this career. However, learning about child development issues is important, and a college degree can give you more credibility with parents.

Family care providers work in their own homes and may care for one or several children at a time. People will always need good child care, so the outlook for these jobs is good. While the pay can be on the low side (median hourly earnings were $8.06 in 2004, according to the BLS), having a home-based child care business can allow you to set your own schedule, take time off for vacations when you choose, and care for your own children.

Freelancing isn't for the faint of heart. Getting work requires persistence and the ability to showcase your unique skills and talents. But having a successful freelance career can be rewarding and offer you more quality time with your family.

Sources

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.

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