Consider the benefits of a full-time income while pursuing your aspirations of becoming a freelance writer.

A part-time writer with a full-time job.

I was recently asked, “What advice would you give soon-to-be college graduates who want to be freelance writers?” I replied, “Take a full-time job that helps you meet your financial obligations and build your freelance writing business part-time.”

Unfortunately, I’ve known too many freelance writers who quit and abandoned their writing careers for one compelling reason. They couldn’t meet their financial obligations. Building a freelance business takes time, and there’s no guarantee you can sell enough work to meet your immediate income requirements.

If you’ve been selling your writing throughout your student years, you may be ready to “take the plunge.” If not, you’ll likely need a full-time job following graduation. As an editor and aspiring writer, I base my comments on experience and observations.

How does a full-time job help you become a better writer?

As a freelance editor, most of my clients are part-time writers. We’re all working to develop our skills, find our niches, and learn more about the business of writing. Let’s consider the benefits of a full-time income while pursuing our aspirations of becoming freelance writers.

Financial stability:

Making a full-time income provides a stable financial foundation. It ensures you can cover your living expenses, invest in your writing endeavors, and weather many financial uncertainties. Furthermore, having a reliable source of income alleviates the pressure to monetize your writing immediately.

Financial stability allows you to pursue writing projects that align with your passions and long-term goals. Otherwise, you must focus only on projects that provide immediate income.

Time and flexibility:

Balancing a full-time job with part-time writing requires effective time management and prioritization skills.

Juggling multiple responsibilities may seem challenging. However, having a structured work schedule from your full-time job can help you develop discipline and routines useful in your writing practice.

Additionally, part-time writing offers flexibility, allowing you to pursue your writing passions during evenings, weekends, or other pockets of free time. Moreover, you can do so without sacrificing your primary source of income.

Reduced Pressure:

Building a part-time writing career reduces the financial pressure of solely relying on income from your writing.

Without the immediate need to generate substantial income from writing, you can focus on developing your writing skills. This allows you to experiment with different writing styles and niches as you continue learning.

The reduced pressure fosters a more enjoyable and fulfilling writing experience, enabling you to explore new ideas, take creative risks, and grow as a writer without fearing financial instability.

Professional Development:

If you work full-time while pursuing a writing career part-time, you may discover valuable opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.

Your full-time job may provide resources such as training programs, writing opportunities, or networking events. These resources can complement your writing skills and broaden your professional horizons. You may also find that your development and broader experiences give you more to write about.

You can expand your skill set and build your portfolio by continuously investing in your professional growth. You can also increase your marketability as a writer and position yourself for future career opportunities.

Long-Term Sustainability:

Balancing a full-time job with part-time writing fosters a sustainable approach to building a writing career over the long term.

By diversifying your income streams and gradually expanding your writing portfolio, you can mitigate the inherent risks associated with pursuing a creative profession.

Over time, as your writing skills improve, your portfolio expands, and your network grows, you may have the opportunity to transition to a full-time writing career. If so, you’ll have a solid financial foundation to support your journey.

You are a writer.

Admittedly, my comments are based not only on personal experience and observation but also on our inflationary times, which create further financial challenges. Unfortunately, this circumstance will not end when you graduate.

A full-time job offers many benefits, but it will never change one important fact—you are a writer!

If you keep writing, you’ll continue to learn more about the craft of writing and the business of freelancing. I leave you with one last thought: Most startup businesses fail not because they lack talent but because they run out of money before they learn how to achieve success.