Going freelance after working for 15 years as a full-time employee

If you’re considering going freelance, I know how you’re feeling: scared, intimidated, excited.

From the other side of the equation I only have three words for you: GO FOR IT.

Illustration by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas

Two years ago, I said goodbye to a job I held for more than 15 years. Incidentally, it was my first job ever. I joined the company five months after college.

It was a company I loved, helming a group of talented people to create a monthly magazine that I believed would transform the lives of the tweens it touched.

The short version is that print is dying.

I was given other options within the company, but nothing resonated with me and the type of work I imagined myself doing in the years to come. After lamenting about the state of print, listing down the pros and cons, and chatting with former colleagues who were already doing freelance, I decided to give my notice and dive into the world of freelancing.

I have been doing freelance writing and editing for roughly 18 months. By industry standards, I’d consider myself a newbie.

But in the short amount of time, I’ve grown in ways I wouldn’t have if I held on to my 9-to-5.

All the good things you've heard of before

Imagine going to work in just a tank top and cozy pambahay shorts. This is me at the moment!

You can work from your bed, nap when you want, there’s no boss breathing down your neck, and traffic/commuting woes are kept to a minimum. You can turn a work day into a party and schedule a work group at a cafe (or a bar), and squeeze in a workout in the middle of the day.

The best part about freelancing is getting to keep my own schedule, set my own goals, and work from any part of the world.

Back when I was a full-time employee, travel was limited to just a few days at a time—however much leaves I still had.

Since going freelance, I can and have traveled for longer periods—provided I submit work in advance or finish my deliverables within the given deadline. I’d even wager I’d become more responsible now that I’ve turned freelance.

Real work involved

I would say freelancing is 30 percent networking and getting your work out there, 30 percent securing a steady set of clients, and 40 percent producing consistently excellent work. 

Finding clients is a mix of luck and hard work. Perhaps it works for other freelancers, but networking nights and mixers don’t really work for me.

I realized early on that my 15 years of full-time work is doing the work for me: I’ve established a wide network of people who know exactly what I can do. Clients can be easier to find. Sometimes, projects can land on your lap without you lifting a finger.

The rates are relative, so expect some haggling to ensue depending on the type of industry and the budget they have for a project.

For me, the worst thing that could happen is when clients drop you like a hot potato when their plans suddenly change.

The first time it happened to me (two clients in one month!), I was completely stunned. Self-doubt reared its ugly head and I asked myself, “Was it me? Did I do something wrong?” But then I realized things won’t always go my way, so I plowed through the pain and moved on.

As a freelancer, no one will pat you on the back and motivate you but yourself. So remember: You’re brilliant but sometimes, brilliant is not what the client needs.

Whether or not someone acquires your services, maintain good relationships with everyone because they just might refer you to someone else.

It’s also important to build a rapport with your editors and the people you claim your payments from. They’re the gatekeepers to your future work and hard-earned cash!

Being a freelancer makes me miss collaborating with other creatives. In my previous job, I could always bounce off ideas or get excited over new projects with multiple people face-to-face.

Now, almost every correspondence is done via chat platforms, which is not the same thing even when you add emojis to express your feelings. However, I’m grateful for Viber and Facebook Messenger. They let me keep in touch with my support team—people I get inspiration from and who help me get through trying days.

How to freelance sustainably

First: Register your company (or services) every January (P500), file your own taxes quarterly through the eBIRForms app (the amount depends on how much you earn), and submit voluntary contributions to SSS (11 percent of your monthly salary), PhilHealth (P200 a month), and Pag-ibig (P100 a month) regularly.

If you don’t know how to fill up eBIRForms, don’t have any idea what to write in your Books of Cash Receipts, or don’t have time to pay your fees at accredited banks, here's a pro tip: Hire an accountant. You can find one for as low as P1,500 a month. It’s all worth it.

Being organized also helps you keep track of things. Take advantage of all those productivity apps available on Google Play or the App Store. Make use of your Google Calendar deadline reminders or update a Sheet with all your pending projects and payments.

When I shifted to freelance, I forced myself to come up with a monthly Sheet that breaks down all my expenses, giving me a clear visual of how I spend my money and how much I should be earning to live within my means.

Freelancers must be go-getters in every sense of the word. Market yourself, network at events, ask for referrals, email former colleagues, and try to find work through every possible medium.

As a freelancer, you should also be flexible to accepting different kinds of assignments, time frames, and paychecks you’ll receive.

Small, regular assignments help cover day-to-day expenses. Special, one-time big-time projects with heftier paychecks can be used for luxury expenses.

The freelance life is not for everyone, especially if you crave guidance and/or validation, you need a stable source of income, or you dream of “rising the ranks” within a structured organization.

But if the daily grind is getting to you, and the freelance life is looking more attractive by the day, remember, being a freelancer will require you to ask questions, to write everything down, and to speak up when needed.

Get as much information you can from the client, so you can work smarter, not longer. It also helps to listen to your intuition and know when to say no. Give 100 percent to every project you do, but don’t fall in love with it because it’s not yours to keep. After the work is done, step away from the computer and go do the things you love. — LA, GMA News