To jack it all in and become a freelance writer?

[Elsia]

This really.

I’m a solicitor. My job is awful. I hate it. It has completely and utterly taken over my life. The stress and anxiety has been terrible for the past year and I am utterly done with it. I am a crap parent and a crap wife because of it.

I have been looking for a new job but opportunities are thin on the ground. My skills and experience are fairly niche and nothing seems to be the right fit.

I’m also struggling for time to apply for jobs because all I do is work. Lots of late nights and missed opportunities.

Anyway. I’ve seen a few adverts on Indeed for freelance writers. £25-35k (although from looking into it a bit further I think you pick jobs you want and so your earning capacity is in your own hands - I would guess you’d have to write a LOT for £35k!)

I’m a good writer (when I set my mind to it). It’s probably the only thing I’m good at really. I’m seriously thinking about jacking in my job, applying for a £20k receptionist job in the NHS (or whatever) and doing freelance writing to supplement my income and build experience.

Is this a terrible idea? We have just reached a place where we are financially secure, we’ve just moved house and my husband (while very supportive of my need to find a new job) is concerned about a big big drop in income.

I’m just getting to the stage where I can’t do it any more.

I'm a freelance writer and to be honest when I started it was all about who I knew rather than what I knew. I was lucky enough to know a lot of people personally who needed articles writing, marketing material and website copy. Doing all that for them gave me a good portfolio and it was mainly word of mouth until I got established. I don't really know how I'd have got started if it hadn't been for those contacts.

I accidentally went freelance last year when I was suddenly made redundant. I'm basically seeing how long I can get away with it for! My situation is quite good, because I write in a very specific field and have a LOT of experience - this enables me to get work from people after one conversation because I know the industry inside out and can see exactly what needs doing. I'm actually earning more at the moment than I did in a full time job.

My thoughts (in no particular order):

If you can be a freelance writer using your law knowledge, DO THAT. When they say "write what you know", they really mean it! You need to bring knowledge and experience that others don't have.

Loads of people think they can write, but most really can't. ARE YOU SURE? Do you have relevant qualifications? Do you have a good understanding of the mechanics of language, and how words really work? Have you had any training? If not, you'll struggle.

I'm a freelance writer. I have been working for myself for about 15 years and agree with what posters are saying upthread.

It's not easy finding clients, and separating out those who are prepared to pay decent money for a proper job. Lots of clients just want any old nonsense, as cheaply as possible. Half of Asia is prepared to work for under $1 an hour, irrespective of their English skills, or lack of them.

On the plus side you have a niche - law - and could potentially pick up work blogging or creating articles for a law firm or brand. When you have good knowledge you might be able to make a better hourly rate. For example, a former conveyancing lawyer would be able to bang out 800 words on freehold/leashold or how the Land Reigstry works in 30 minutes.

I'm not saying don't do it, but "jack it all in and become a freelance writer" seems a little idealistic and not thought through.

Writing blogs for law firms would a good gig to grow your experience - I do that on a regular basis. They are reliable, pay decent rates and your knowledge of the law will help immensely.

Loads of people think they can write, but most really can't. ARE YOU SURE? Do you have relevant qualifications? Do you have a good understanding of the mechanics of language, and how words really work? Have you had any training? If not, you'll struggle

I disagree. I haven't got 'relevant qualifications' or training. I've never struggled for work, and neither have two other freelance colleagues who gave up their 'other' careers to write (not law).

If the OP believes she is good writer, then there's no reason for me to think otherwise - I would hate to baselessly undermine someone's confidence in themselves or their abilities without reason.

I've learned an awful lot while growing my client base, but being a good writer, always meeting deadlines and being an awesome proofreader puts the OP in a decent position. In my experience, clients are often so relieved to find a good writer who turns in excellent work, on time, without drama, that they're keen to hold onto them.

I could have written your post 3 years ago. I did loads of reading, research and thinking about what I could do instead of private practice. Here are some suggestions:

1. Freelance proofreader
2. Freelance or employed legal trainer eg at BPP or University of Law
3. Writer
4. Social media marketing
5. Business development in other law firms
6. Consultant lawyer for eg Keystone, gunnercooke etc
7. Mediator
8. In house lawyer
9. Local authority solicitor

10. Government solicitor eg GLS etc 11. Retraining as teacher 12. Retraining as translator 13. PSL in law firm

As you can see you have to think a lot and I researched each of these in some detail. It took time and effort. There is other work out there but it’ll take time and you’ll also take a very big cut in earnings.