Many people dream of a career where they can work from anywhere, set their own hours and express their creative side. If this sounds like you, freelancing may be a great fit, and the good news is there are plenty of freelance writing opportunities in Canada.
Why freelance?
Naturally, making the switch from a job where you have set hours and receive a set salary to one where you may not have that sort of certainty can be a real leap of faith. However, with some hard work and confidence in your abilities, you may find it’s just what you have been looking for.
With more people choosing to work well into their senior years, the fact that many freelancing jobs can be done from remote locations can make it especially attractive to the Canadian “snowbirds” in the crowd. They can continue to earn even when they are enjoying their second home down south.
Is it a good fit for me?
If you enjoy writing, can set and stick to a schedule and don’t mind blowing your own horn, freelancing might be just what you’re looking for. There are opportunities for both fiction and nonfiction writers (though the latter is more likely online), and if you have additional talents such as crafting videos, animation, graphic design, and other digital works, these may also put you in high demand.
What sort of opportunities are out there?
There are dozens, if not hundreds of freelancing sites out there on the web. Some are based in Canada, some in other countries.
You may be asking yourself “what sort of jobs could I be asked to do?”. The answer to that depends on which site you choose, and this can be key to you finding success in a career you enjoy.
Do your research
Before you choose to sign on with a particular freelance company or companies, so some checking first. You can usually find reviews of sites online, and these can be a valuable resource. Read through them, noting the positives and negatives. This will help you see if a particular site is what you’re looking for.
It can also be a good idea to review what sort of work a particular company tends to offer. While the majority are ethical, there are a few that are more dubious. Some in the industry have reported being asked to write everything from term papers to fake medication reviews. If you do your research first, you will be able to avoid this.
What laws protect freelancers?
The laws applying to freelancing tend to be at the provincial level. This may be good news if you live in New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec or Alberta, as they have statutes in place that address this issue. Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfound and Labrador and Manitoba may not be as current in his area, so it’s a good idea to check.
Practice makes perfect
Now that you feel you’ve done your research, it’s time to sharpen your skills. Some freelancing sites offer online courses, but these often come at a cost. Check the reviews for the site to see if they are worth it.
Even if you don’t decide to sign up for some learning sessions, you can still prepare to take advantage of freelance writing opportunities in Canada. Write as much and as often as you can. Ask your friends, family and colleagues for help in editing your works so you can see where you need to improve.
It may be helpful to consider your potential new career as a business, and perform a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats) scan of what you bring to the table. This will help you to find areas where you can improve and, just as importantly, areas where you excel. Knowing this gives you the confidence you need to put your best foot forward when bidding on writing contracts.
Take time for taxes
Just as with income earned in any career, the Canada Revenue Agency will come calling for its piece of the pie. This is why it’s important to keep good tax records. You’ll also be responsible for creating a pension plan so you are prepared when your working days draw to a close.
Set up support
If you’re freelancing, you’re likely going to be going it alone, and may spend a lot of time working at home. Creating a network of people who understand what you’re going through that you can call on for support can make a huge difference. You’ll be able to share thoughts with those who have had a similar experience, and you can commiserate, share tips and help each other along the way.
Get started today
If you’re interested in getting started at one of the many freelance writing opportunities in Canada, it’s a wise move to make your first stop Words of Worth. We have many years of experience in the sector, offer our writers a fair and consistent salary, and the flexibility to work when and where they like, provided they stay on track and meet deadlines. Get in touch with us today, and we will be happy to provide further details.