Put Off Going Self Employed As A Writer

StormyWeather_2

Truegho wrote: »

I just CANNOT understand why there is so much cynicism when you say to people you want to go self-employed as a writer.

Are you signed up to any sites such as textbroker, elance, and freelancer?

Aren't there any part time jobs where you live? You could try to get something for 16 hours(or whatever you personally have to do to be eligible for WTC) and top up the income with freelance work. Then fit your own writing around that.

Personally, I would try to find something that gets you out of the house even if it's only for a few hours a week.

Truegho

notanewuser wrote: »

I've just checked and the OP has been starting threads about starting his own (online) business since May 2010. 3 YEARS and he's done bu99er all but whinge and whine and grow older.

Well done OP. I'm guessing you'll still be "thinking about it" in 2016 too.

May I hasten to correct you on some misconceptions.

1. I AM now doing something about starting my own business. I have told the jobcentre about my plans to set up my own business and they have referred me to the sources who can help me with this venture. The ball is now rolling.

2. I have NOT just sat around since 2010 and whinged. I HAVE had one or two temporary jobs in between my unemployment. Again, due to the stinky, depressing economy - the cutbacks - nothing permanent developed.

3. I have passed a selection board for an office job, and am just waiting for a vacancy to be offered now.

4. Again, I want to emphasise that I have NOT just "sat around and whinged". I have been incessantly proactive in trying to find work and generally help myself, so before you start jumping to misconceptions, please get your facts right.

I am no loafer. I am no whinger. I am a dedicated, reliable, proactive person who wants nothing more than to better myself. Isn't that what the majority of people want?

Truegho

StormyWeather wrote: »

Are you signed up to any sites such as textbroker, elance, and freelancer?

Aren't there any part time jobs where you live? You could try to get something for 16 hours(or whatever you personally have to do to be eligible for WTC) and top up the income with freelance work. Then fit your own writing around that.

Personally, I would try to find something that gets you out of the house even if it's only for a few hours a week.

Hi. Thanks for your post. Yes, I have registered with those sites. Haven't managed to find any assignments yet, though, as those sites are very competitive.

Truegho

StormyWeather wrote: »

Are you signed up to any sites such as textbroker, elance, and freelancer?

Aren't there any part time jobs where you live? You could try to get something for 16 hours(or whatever you personally have to do to be eligible for WTC) and top up the income with freelance work. Then fit your own writing around that.

Personally, I would try to find something that gets you out of the house even if it's only for a few hours a week.

Again, there are a few part-time jobs that pop up occasionally, but as I said, they are quickly snapped up due to the amount of people chasing each vacancy. But, I soldier on . . .

StormyWeather_2

Truegho wrote: »

Again, there are a few part-time jobs that pop up occasionally, but as I said, they are quickly snapped up due to the amount of people chasing each vacancy. But, I soldier on . . .

It is tough at the moment, but if you can find something or a combination of a couple of small jobs so you don't have to sign on you might find you have more time.

The problem with writing as a business is you could be running this business for years and still be making £200 a month.

Other self employed/businesses would build over time if you put the work in. For example a painter decorator would build up customers from advertising and, if they are any good, plenty of work will come from word of mouth.

notanewuser

You've certainly been dedicated, reliable and proactive in starting repetitive, negative, whingy threads on here and taking precisely none of the advice given.

seven-day-weekend

Truegho wrote: »

Thank you for your advice. Your points were taken on board.

Just one little problem, though, about getting a part-time job: I live on Merseyside, where jobs are depressingly scarce - even part-time jobs - and when a vacancy does arise, there are hundreds of other applicants chasing it. I hate it here. I have often thought about relocating.

Yes, I know what it is like, I live in the West Midlands, an equally deprived and depressed area.

You could do something like house and pet sitting. You could do that and get paid for it and write at the same time.

I do this and have more than enough work. I could not live entirely on the money, but I have a Pension as well, you presumably will have money from your writing.

Truegho

notanewuser wrote: »

You've certainly been dedicated, reliable and proactive in starting repetitive, negative, whingy threads on here and taking precisely none of the advice given.

But that's where you're wrong, matey. I HAVE taken up the advice given.

Truegho

socc wrote: »

Truegho. Be aware of certain Posters' responses on this and other threads.

What do you mean by "be aware"?

[Deleted User]

A bunch of years ago I started running a couple of websites as a hobby, spending over 60 hours a week working on them in my free time because I enjoyed doing it and thought maybe one day it'd turn a viable business. Fortunately for me eventually it did and the business went on to generate millions of dollars in revenue and turned into my full time job for the last couple of years.

Much like me you want to turn something you enjoy into a business, personally I think that is fantastic and absolutely something you should do, however you do seem to be unwilling to invest your own time into this. Your business isn't going to be a business until it has a product, so why don't you invest your time into creating your product (writing your books) and then once you're in a position where you can make money, turn it into a legitimate business with self employment registration etc etc?

Look at it from HMRCs side, someone wants to say they work 30 hours per week (and get the benefits that come with it) but can't show they've actually done any work. If you can't show that you've been instructed to do work and you can't show that you've been paid how can they be sure you've actually worked?

A stay at home parent could say they've started a business painting bedrooms, they've worked 30 hours a week for the last year and wants the benefits that come with it! Which bedrooms have they painted? Oh, it's their childs... in the house they own... that generated no revenue...

If you want to start a business and that business requires a product and that product is the result of your creative pursuits then you should invest your own time into creating the product then once you have a product that you're selling (and generating revenue from) turn it into a business.

em·ploy·ment
/emˈploimənt/
Noun
The condition of having paid work.
A person's trade or profession.