The difficulties of a freelance job in writing and translation.

In the past few years, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase of remote jobs has been observed worldwide and with it, a huge demand for freelance workers.

I mean, working from home, maybe still in pajamas and from my own sofa? Count me in! But while for dependent workers this might be “the dream” for us freelancers it’s a totally different story.

First of all, the workload and income are never steady. Some months we might have hours and hours of work and a nice amount of pretty, pretty money. Some other months it’s just…well, crickets. This could lead to the (in)famous imposter syndrome. Why am I not getting any job? Am I good enough? Maybe I should just find a regular 9 to 5 job and be ok with it. But do you really want it?

Another con of freelance is the difficulty to land a job because, let’s be honest, in writing and translating freelance work, the competition is sky high. New people coming from left and right, most of them highly skilled (and some not so) and it can be hell out there, trying to make connections and networks and it is not that easy.

And let’s talk about how some clients ghost you if the price is not right for them or they try to underpay you. How difficult can it be to just write a little blog article or translate a 10 page document? You can do it with AI, can’t you?

We could but the quality of the work would be mediocre at best, robotic, sad and it would require corrections and personalisation anyways. 

So, while a client might wonder if an AI can replace a human for 'just a little blog article' or a '10 page document,' the answer is clear: mediocrity is not a business strategy. The difficulties of freelance life all circle back to this point. 

We don't just transfer words, like AI does. We provide nuance, cultural context, and a compelling voice that only a skilled person can deliver. 

Ultimately, the romanticized image of working from a cozy, comfy sofa quickly gives way to the reality that being a freelance writer or translator means running a real business. The fluctuating income, the battle against imposter syndrome and the fierce competition are not just inconveniences, they are core operational challenges. Overcoming them requires more than just linguistic talent; it demands a constant hustle, sharp negotiation skills, and an unwavering commitment to proving that professional human quality is worth the investment. 

For those who persevere, the reward is autonomy, but the price is constant vigilance and entrepreneurship.

But you can do it. From your couch, with a nice cup of coffee and maybe a purring cat.