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This is a blog dedicated to writing -- both professional copywriting and creative storytelling. It will explore freelance writing, communicating to different audiences, creative writing, publishing, book reviews, and how to create a life surrounded by words that matter.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~GoldLightMedia

Freelance as a way to thrive in current economy
Contributed by: Cristina Willard   on 11/11/2008

In the past year, several interesting things have happened in my work life. I decided to pursue my lifelong goal of becoming a freelance copywriter, I took on contract jobs...and the economy crashed.

At first, I thought that my timing was completely off, but now I'm not so sure. The last two office jobs that I held -- the "secure" jobs -- both would have been downsized into oblivion by now. At one recent company, an entire department of professionals now finds themselves without work (15 people). At the other job-that-got-away, I would have found myself in a restructured department with a high likelihood that I would be without a job again. (I was the most recent hire.)

This generation of entrepreneurs seems to understand that freelance or contract work, might in fact be the most stable work. It's only those who were career employees (from the 1950s to now) who are urging me to go out and get a job, one with a monthly salary and benefits -- and a cubicle with no windows.

My closest friends (mostly women in their 30s) are happily starting successful businesses working from home. Often this more free-form work is combined with a part-time, modestly paying job that "covers the bills."

I'm interested to see where our new president and our changing economy will take us in the next few years. Maybe it will make more sense to work closer to home in a world driven by an energy crisis, maybe health care will be readily available to everyone no matter what job they hold, and maybe people are going back to small-town ideals of working with smaller companies on a smaller scale.

I know that I'm giving my new business a chance to survive even during these chaotic times. I am working steadily and drawing new clients, so some of the panic from the "leap" into freelance is fading away.

I'm curious to hear from others about this subject. How are you working in this economy? Are you feeling fearful about losing work and money, or hopeful about new opportunities?

Please write me at goldlightmedia@gmail.com

Thanks,
Cristina Willard
GoldLight Media
303.817.0423


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Showing 1 of 1 comments
Submitted By: Crawford Clark
posted on 11/12/2008 @ 9:22:55 AM
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Cristina Willard

Boulder , CO

Cristina Willard has posted 1 blog entry and 0 comments since joining on 11/12/2007. Cristina Willard 's average blog rating is 0.
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