Assumptions People Make About Freelance Writers: Part II

When it comes to freelance writing, outsiders are quick to make their assumptions. In Part II of APMAFW, Robert Kurzban peels away at another common misconception about the profession.

Welcome back to another installment of Robert Kurzban’s Assumptions People Make About Freelance Writers. (Or APMAFW, for short… maybe it will catch on. Maybe it won’t.) Before diving into this common misconception about freelance writing, be sure to check out Part I!

The assumptions are in abundance when you tell someone that you’re a freelance writer. Most are intrigued -- some are confused. But in between the ooo’s and ahh’s, misconceptions are abound. One in particular is as confusing as it is incorrect. That misconception is the idea that being a freelance writer means you’ve got all the freedom in the world. Number one, you don’t have a boss. (We already scratched that lie off last time…) Number two, you work less than the average professional.

You Work Less

If you’re a freelance writer yourself, then you might get a laugh out of this one! Some professionals outside of the freelancing realm actually believe that as a freelancer, you work less!

Now, while this can be true for some freelancers who’ve already established their expertise… this isn’t typically the case. Even for the experienced professional, there were times when there weren’t exactly days off!

As a freelance writer, completing gigs is only half of the battle. After the task itself is complete, there’s often additional pitching and other checkpoints to scratch off your list.

When you’re just starting out, your gigs often pay modestly. This translates into more work just to make ends meet. While being paid per project may make it seem like the potential of your earnings is limitless -- you’re still trapped by the limitations of time! Breaking free from an hourly wage may sound fantastic. (And once you’ve paid your dues, its benefits are endless!) But while climbing that ladder, expect to work largely on your own time.

Grammarly: A Freelance Writer’s Perspective

Advertisements for Grammarly are everywhere. For inexperienced writers, the software is a God-send! But the actors in the videos who claim to be professional writers present more questions than answers. Robert Kurzban asks: who is Grammarly for?

You may not know exactly what it is. But if you’ve spent any time on the internet in the past year, chances are, you’ve heard of Grammarly. The actors in the advertisement videos claim that they’ve experienced dramatic improvement in their writing -- all thanks to Grammarly! In a recent article from Nick Perry for Entrepreneur, the contributor claims that Grammarly has drastically improved his freelance writing career. Perry even goes as far as to claim that it is due to his use of the software that he is able to be a freelance writer in the first place.

I know what you’re thinking… yikes.

Freelance writers who craft unique content on a daily basis are talented individuals. While a little fine-tuning in the grammar department never hurt anyone… what does it mean when a professional freelance writer credits software with his freelance writing success?

Quite frankly, I think it’s a bit ridiculous. A professional freelance writer should maintain a natural writing ability. He/she should not have to rely on software, like Grammarly, to properly perform the duties of his/her profession. Personally, I think that Grammarly should be a tool for inexperienced, novice-level writers. The idea that it’s being marketed to professional freelance writers is not only ridiculous -- it’s insulting.

Why work on your skills as a writer when you can just turn to Grammarly to do it all for you? Why seek out your unique voice as a writer when Grammarly can just create one for you?

I certainly hope that this does not mean that creative industries will be reconstructed to embrace a human-less touch. Freelance writing is the last industry I ever envisioned to be automated. Sadly, only time will tell!

New Year’s Resolutions for Freelance Writers

Welcome to 2020! New year. New decade. New resolutions for the new year! Haven’t decided on a new year’s resolution for 2020? Don’t sweat it! Robert Kurzban has you covered with his top four new year’s resolutions for freelance writers.

Rework Your Portfolio

Out with the old -- in with the new! Rework that portfolio for the new year. After all, we are in a new decade. Now’s as good a time as any to get in there and shake things up! Start strong with a brand new piece hot off the press. Then, evaluate what represents the work you want to pursue in the 2020s -- and get rid of what no longer fits.

Try a New Style or Genre

This one is the ultimate way to shake things up. Trying out a new style or genre can introduce you to strengths (and weaknesses) that you never knew you had. Exercise that imagination muscle and try something completely different from what you’re used to. If you’re a realistic nonfiction writer -- dive into some horror. If you’re a short story writer -- roll up those sleeves and give a full-length novel a try.

Start a Blog

Starting a blog is a great way to make sure that you create content regularly. It’s also a fun way to learn new things and teach others along the way! Dare to dive into something unfamiliar by creating a blog focused on something you aren’t an expert in. From post to post, you’ll find your footing. And soon enough, you really will be an expert in whatever subject you please!

Publish a Piece

Whether you’ve never published something before, or you’re looking to publish to a new format, now’s the time to do so! Publish an eBook, editorial piece, full-length book -- or whatever your artistic heart desires. Robert Kurzban recommends this one to freelance writers who are new to the game… especially those who have yet to step up to bat.

Good luck and happy new year!

Freelancers Fight Back Against AB5

The government of California announced California Assembly Bill 5 in early December. Targeting ride-share companies, AB5 aims to require employers to categorize workers as employees, rather than independent contractors. With their income on the line, freelancers are in a frenzy over the announcement. Freelance writer, Robert Kurzban, discusses how they're fighting back against AB5.

In last week’s blog post, I discussed the recently announced California Assembly Bill 5. Specifically, I represented the freelance writers across the nation whose livelihood will be jeopardized by this blatant attack on the gig economy. But with the battle lost, freelancers across multiple industries are rolling up their sleeves and fighting back. As far as freelancers are concerned, it isn’t over until it’s over!

California truckers, writers and photographers aren’t surrendering their freelance freedom without a fight. On November 12, 2019, the California Trucking Association responded to California Assembly Bill 5 with a federal lawsuit. The American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Press Photographers Association followed suit with their own legal backlash against AB5 on December 17, 2019. Ride-sharing companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart (the widely discussed principal targets of AB5) are also gearing up to fight back.

Each party affected by California Assembly Bill 5 is assembling at their own angle. Freelance writers and photographers are alleging that AB5 is unconstitutional. According to the freelancers and their representing legal team, the Bill violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. As a freelance writer myself, I respectfully agree with this stance. Although indirect in approach, AB5 most certainly impedes the freedom of the press notion entailed by the First Amendment. Left and right, freelance writers are being informed that they will no longer be able to contribute to the publications they’ve represented for years. Undoubtedly, this silences versatility by limiting voices from contributing to California news sources and publications as they once had.

With freelancers and other contractors devising their plans of attack, things are certainly heating up in regards to California Assembly Bill 5. Who will prevail? The people or their so-called representatives?

The War on The Gig Economy

California legislators have set the gig economy ablaze with California Assembly Bill 5. Going into effect on January 1, 2020, AB5 will reshape the concept of freelancing in the state of California. Freelance writer, Robert Kurzban discusses what this means for professionals in his industry.

After a resounding push for employee classification from workers of Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash, California legislators have responded. The response is California Assembly Bill 5. At the surface, AB5 aims to protect ‘exploited’ workers in the gig economy. The law pushes rideshare and food delivery app-based corporations to classify their workers as employees rather than independent contractors. This move entails quite a bit for workers in the gig economy. Ideally, it entitles these now employees to benefits such as a minimum wage, health insurance, paid time off and vacation time.

Freelance writers, who are also considered independent contractors, are receiving the short end of the stick as a result. For decades, the freelance route has provided writers with seemingly endless opportunities. Free from the restrictions of a ‘typical’ writing position in the publishing world, ‘freelance’ has been a synonym for ‘freedom’ for creative types for quite some time.

Now thanks to gig economy workers and the politicians who claimed to represent them -- the world of freelance just might come to an end. AB5 prohibits writers from being classified as freelance writers or independent contractors if they publish more than 35 articles per year for a specific publication. With freelance positions representing the bread and butter for many writers -- this is a devastating blow.

Although AB5 has specifically passed in the state of California, freelancers across the nation are being affected. With many publications, websites and other news sources headquartered in California, thousands of freelancers are being cast aside. Many even believe that this move may inspire a disastrous domino effect across the country.

Will freelance writing come to an end? Only time will tell.

Check back next week for another post in Robert Kurzban's blog series on freelance writing!

Assumptions People Make About Freelance Writers: Part I

Freelance writer, Robert Kurzban, discusses one of the many assumptions ‘traditional’ professionals make about freelance writers and the freelance writing industry as a whole.

When a freelance writer introduces his/herself as a freelance writer, the assumptions start rolling in almost automatically. As a writer, Robert Kurzban has been on both sides of the spectrum. He’s maintained ‘traditional’ positions as a journalist and he’s worked as a freelance writer. Now thriving in the freelance route, he has noticed the assumptions others make about freelance writers more and more.

You’re Your Own Boss

Oh, you’re a freelance writer…  It must be great being your own boss!

Fair enough. As a freelance writer, working from home (or wherever you please) is quite common. This means that no one is looking over your shoulder; or calling you in for a regular meeting with the publishing team; or pushing you to complete your current assignment(s). At first glance, all of these elements sound fantastic. (Especially to the introverted writer!)

But the reality is… technically, you aren’t your own boss. Sometimes, as a freelance writer, you have not one, not two, not three -- but an infinite amount of bosses. And that can make things complicated!

How could this be? With no office to report to and no editor checking in on you throughout the day… how can you possibly have so many bosses?!

Well, for starters, you are your first boss. And in that case, what kind of boss are you? Are you organized and strict? Do you keep yourself on task with deadlines and schedules? Or are you privy to falling behind?

Your next bosses are your clients. Each individual gig is a separate job… and that means, each individual client is a separate boss! Just like a traditional boss in a typical work environment, you must respond and report to your client’s needs and concerns. This puts the client in a position of power -- or client control.

Stay tuned for Robert Kurzban’s next analysis on the many assumptions freelance writers are often bombarded with by ‘traditional’ professionals.

Should YOU Become a Freelance Writer?

For freelance writer, Robert Kurzban, freelancing is the perfect fit. But is the freelance route the right fit for for every writer? Before you dive into the unknown territory of freelance writing, there are a few questions you should ask yourself first!

For some writers, the idea of freelancing seems like a dream. You have all the freedom in the world, right? No boss looking over your shoulder; no one telling you what to do! You are your own boss -- you create your own schedule. For writers who’ve grown comfortable with the structure of a salaried position, freelancing is scary. It’s the unknown. For many writers, diving into that unknown territory just doesn’t feel like it’s worth the risk! Before you take the leap, ask yourself these three questions:

Are you an independent worker?

When working in an office setting, do you gravitate towards contributing to the team? Or are you more comfortable working on your own? Working as a freelance writer requires almost complete independence. For some, this is an advantage. For others, this makes things tricky.

Are you self-motivated?

Many writers are drawn to the ‘be your own boss’ mentality of freelancing. Some even look at this as an advantage that offers a writer freedom. The reality is that being your own boss comes with a load of extra responsibility. Not having a boss looking over your shoulder means that you are entirely responsible for your own successes -- and your own downfalls. You won’t have anyone to ask for help, nor will you have anyone else to keep you on track. Staying on task and completing your work will be entirely up to your own level of self-motivation.

Can you handle rejection?

In many cases, inexperienced freelance writers submit their work to publications without knowing whether or not the piece will actually be published. Most publications maintain an entire contact list of freelance writers. This means that if the editor is unhappy with your work, they’ll be more likely to move onto the next writer, rather than editing or improving your work. This also means that time and time again, your work will be rejected -- regardless of how great you might think it is. This can be very discouraging for newcomers. But it is something that every freelance writer must adjust to!