Is Working from Home as a Blogger a Good Fit?
With the pandemic creating more remote workers than ever before, many people who would otherwise be sitting in an office away from home are finding the change alluring. Aspiring bloggers are thinking that maybe this is the best time to finally start that blog they’ve been dreaming of. Before you jump ship and hand in your resignation, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons. Listed below are a few things to consider.
Are you a Self Starter?
Successful bloggers have one thing in common, they’re all self-starters. They have the ability to work independently without the need for someone to provide direction. If you are aggressive and have these qualities, working for yourself will allow you to increase your annual salary.
Distractions
While you will eliminate a lengthy and stressful commute, you will have distractions. You have a home environment which, in itself, is tempting. It can cause you to leave your seat and tend to things like cleaning and children. Even if you don’t have kids, you may have pets, personal emails, or may even be considering marriage and your hunt for affordable engagement rings occupying your thoughts. Maintaining focus and self-discipline are essential to your success.
The Set-Up
In order to thrive when working from home, you’ll need a place to conduct business other than parking it on your sofa. A large desk, computer, printer, and a filing cabinet are all necessary to create a working environment. In addition, you should also have a comfortable chair and place away from the activities of the home, preferably a room with a door. If you do not have a room to convert into an office, then partition off part of a room to give the illusion of a private office.
Health Insurance
Working for yourself means that you will have to pay out-of-pocket for health insurance and retirement benefits. Unfortunately, the costs involved can consume a larger percentage of your income than you may imagine. If you are able to find an affordable plan, chances are good that the deductibles will be very high. With regard to your retirement, you can contribute to a 401k or a Roth IRA, but again, it’s all additional costs you’ll need to factor in.
Isolation
Working from home removes you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. For some people, interacting with people is a big part of their life. They need human contact to maintain good mental health. If you need that connection, working from home may over time make you feel isolated and lonely.
Flexibility
One of the best advantages of working from home is having flexibility. For instance, you can schedule a doctor’s appointment for early morning or in the afternoon instead of having to find a doctor who has evening hours. If you have school-aged children you can attend school trips, volunteer in the classroom, and take them to and from sports and other after school activities. Vacations are also on your time table and if someone is getting married or having a reunion, you can make plans to attend.
Other Advantages of Self-Employment
Being self-employed means that you make all the business decisions instead of having someone dictating to you how things should be done. You also won’t have to ask for a raise so your earning potential will increase as you gain name recognition and take on new projects. You also create your own schedule, so if you are not a morning person, it’s not a problem.
The lockdown gives you the opportunity to see what life is like working from home. Starting a home-based business as a freelancer or a blogger is becoming more popular. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, and make an honest assessment as to whether being one is a good fit for you.