Akaahan Terungwa has once again written a guest post on another option for retirement. This time we are looking at freelance writing.
Here is Akaahan Terungwa ……
According to Business Insider, a whopping 70% of the elderly population aren’t retiring because they simply cannot afford to.
The implication of this statistic is staggering: Seniors who should ordinarily be enjoying the golden years of retirement must still wake up and shuttle to work in the manner of someone 30-40 years younger and close on the same terms.
While this is a basic survival-inspired action (and almost reflex for some of the aged), many Seniors will gladly enjoy the time with their spouses, pets or grandchildren.
If you’re the latter category of the aged (or know anyone in this category), there is another option beyond affiliate marketing and network marketing……the option is freelance writing.
What is Freelance Writing?
Freelance writing is the art of writing for clients for a fee.
It is differentiated from the fact of being an in-house writer because a freelance writer is free to offer his/her services to anyone – even competitors, simultaneously.
Further, a healthy percentage of freelance writers today work remotely. This means that, they do not have the need to commute to work every day and instead, rely on the internet and their PCs to earn a living and serve the interests of their clients.
Usually, freelance writers are paid by the project.
However, an increasing number of freelance writers today are being paid monthly retainers – especially if the client in question requires the services of the freelancer on a long term basis and is interested in maintaining access to the particular writer when the need arises.
Why is Freelance Writing Such a Smart Option to Retirement?
The challenge of the elderly going to work daily largely stems from the fact that:
- Commuting to work daily is stressful – and Seniors largely do not have the strength to cope on a productive level.
- Working for long hours is not in the best interest of elderly persons, health wise.
- Finally, most Seniors will rather stay at home with their loved ones, especially grand-children so that they can catch up with what they missed in their younger years. Doing otherwise greatly inspires feelings of guilt and the reality of ‘putting work before family’.
The awesome thing about freelancing for Seniors – especially the writing variant, is that, since the work is online, the reality of commuting is ruled out.
Then again, Seniors are the boss – and get to choose their own working hours and may only work when they feel like it. As a matter of fact, some freelance writers may choose to take a whole week or month off – and still maintain awesome productivity. This pattern particularly suits the aged well.
Third, working without leaving the comfort of one’s home or the companionship available there is the deal closer. Finally, the reality of earning an income while the children play in the background is made possible by the possibilities freelance writing ensures.
However, the most important point worthy of note is the fact that being a freelance writer requires no new skill whatsoever.
This is so because there is demand for copy in every niche on the surface of the earth. With this knowledge, what is needed is simply to pick up the niche where one served during active service and write about it for those who actively serve the niche…
…more like a consultant, asked to help those whose skill are subpar to one’s own.
Now, what could be smarter and more glorious than working on something you love, are capable of tackling and importantly, are (only) required to work on it when and where you please?
Freelance Writing 101: How to Break into the Business Model as a Senior
There are various schools of thought around the concept of creating a freelance writing career.
Why most of them are certainly brilliant, there are none out there that cater specifically for the needs of Seniors/the elderly who are interested in navigating these tricky waters.
Accordingly thus, I’ll treat this section in two subheads – handling each according to its express requirement.
Here:
How to Work as a Senior Freelance Writer on a Marketplace Successfully
The very first model available to you as a Senior freelance writer is to offer your services as a writer on popular marketplaces such like Fiverr.
This process is easy to set up and requires little or no investment capital. Payment is also usually prompt and major payment processors like Paypal and Payoneer are accepted across board.
Other sites in the same category with Fiverr include People Per Hour, Upwork, Freelancer, Elance amongst many others.
However, the pay is usually ‘entry level’ and the workload may be much more than what you can cope with as a Senior citizen – and still smile.
This is why I prefer – and recommend that you opt into the second model chronicled below: going solo and setting up your business on your own, starting with your very own site.
How to go Solo as a Senior Freelance Writer and Record Immense Success
The other option that I recommend is going solo – by setting up your website and handling premium clients directly.
Why this is naturally engaging and comes with a learning curve, with help from authorities like thewritelife.com, beafreelanceblogger.com, writersincharge.com and makealivingwriting.com, you’ll overcome the initial challenge sooner than later and to your surprise, ace the freelance writing model of making money online.
Often, Seniors who tow this path report that they usually make more money per month – and year than they did at their day jobs right prior to retirement.
It is important to understand however that, accelerated success in the world of freelance writing as a Senior is often found when you decide to dedicate your talents to writing in/for the niche/industry you just retired from.
Always remember this.
Wrap up/Summary
Retirement is supposed to be fun – and stress-free.
However, financial challenges often make this impossible and instead of having Seniors relaxing with the kids in a balcony overlooking the ocean, a sad situation exists where persons who are over 60 years still need to actively work to earn a living.
For retired Seniors who are computer literate however and can write in an awesome fashion, a whole new world opens up to them: a world where work can be done from the bedroom and the actual hours actively chosen by the worker.
If you’re a retired Senior, why don’t you explore this?
Author Bio
Akaahan Terungwa is a professional freelance writer who enjoys the dot com reality more than any other thing under the sun. Aside his work online, he has serious passion for the Senior/elderly population, the destination for us all – if we’re blessed enough. You should connect with him via Twitter.
Sue Price says
Thank you Terungwa for writing this blog post. It certainly gives the reader some food for thought. I have been talking about starting freelance writing for some time now and your article has been a good reminder. It makes sense for people in retirement or nearing it to consider this as an option.
Of course freelance writing is not just for the seniors in our world many people should consider it.
Thanks again and have a great day.
Sue
Akaahan Terungwa says
Thanks for publishing my thoughts, Sue.
You’ll ace the freelance writing world – you write soooo well!
And, of course, I agree that we can all hop on this model – irrespective of age and working status.
Who doesn’t appreciate power and flexibility (with it)? That’s the promise of the freelance writing model!
Be sure to make the day great.
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
Manish Kumar says
Hi Terungwa & Sue,
Awesome Post!
In any business one should plan for the future. Thanks for the specifics for freelance writers.
You know what I find amusing. That many people that love what they do, I mean a passion, think that one day they will retire. But they don’t. They “retire” and then wonder “what the heck do I do now, I loved what I was doing.” LOL. And many times go back to the field they were in.
These tips are not only great for retiring but to secure a better future and more financial freedom.
I will tweet your post.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Sue Price says
Hi Manish,
I also think it is an awesome post from Akaahan Terungwa and glad you liked it.
I also have seen many people retire and then do exactly what you say. It is amusing.
Thanks for tweeting the post and have a great day.
Sue
Akaahan Terungwa says
Hi Manish,
Retiring and choosing to work out of passion and love is a little different from working out of necessity.
Personally, I don’t see myself retiring…its something I’ve never even imagined for a second.
However, I’ll pretty sure love to work because ‘I want to’ and not because ‘I simply have to’.
I believe this is the position of many today too, Senior or otherwise.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
Shantanu Sinha says
Hello Sue and Akaahan,
Great shout here 🙂
Many say that freelancing is dead, but it can’t ever be dead. It is one of the profession from the blogoshphere gets some
extremely talented writers. It is good for both the newbies and the senior one’s who are seeking retirement and thinking to work from home.
Indeed the golden generation people are the boss at home and in spite of taking off for the whole week they can produce a
quality of content and outcomes. Their productivity is just un matchable.
Thanks for the share.
Shantanu.
Sue Price says
Hi Shantanu,
I agree freelancing is not dead. I know a lot of people who make a good living from it and as you say there are some extremely talented bloggers.
I love your description of “the golden generation people”:-)
Thanks for your comment and I am sure Akaahan Terungwa will be along to respond as well.
Have a great day.
Sue
Akaahan Terungwa says
Hello Shantanu,
Freelancing is not – and cannot be dead, either now or in the next 100 years.
Why?
There are a plethora of tasks that one cannot personally hire a staff for…and there are some tasks for which local talent simply won’t fly or is conspicuously absent.
In all these instances, it is freelancing that comes to the rescue.
The folk that stated that this model is dead certainly got the basis wrong 🙂
I sincerely appreciate your comment and time here, Shantanu.
Be certain to make the day great.
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
Zarol.K says
Hi sue, this is really a awesome post i loved the way you mentioned about the freelance writing.
” Freelance writing is the art of writing for clients for a fee” – This line was so cool.
Also i got lot of useful tips from the read up. Thanks for sharing.
Sue Price says
Hi Zarol,
It is a great post although I cannot take credit as Akaahan Terungwa| wrote it as a guest on my blog. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for commenting and you have a great day.
Sue
Akaahan Terungwa says
Hi Zarol,
You’re not alone when it comes to loving the ‘fees’ 🙂
Thanks for the comment and be sure to make the day great!
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
ANIRUDDHA CHOUDHURY says
great guide.. i am going to forward this link to my uncle… i loves writing and he is about to retire… amazing tips.. thanks for sharing
Sue Price says
Hi Aniruddha,
It sure is a great guide. I hope your uncle finds it useful.
Thank you for commenting here and you have a great day.
Sue
Akaahan Terungwa says
Helloooo Aniruddha,
That’s the spirit!
I trust your uncle finds the piece practical enough to change and rock his world at the same time 🙂
I appreciate your comment and time.
Be sure to make the day great!
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
Marco says
I’m a Freelance writer and i believe it is an art. I feel an artist and your article was just a confirm of that. Thanks for sharing your original point of view 🙂
Sue Price says
Hi Marco,
I agree with you writing is an art and great to read that is how you define yourself. Thank you for commenting here.
Have a wonderful day.
Sue
Noufal Binu says
This is SO useful. Thanks a lot for the post. The main factor which i found intersting in this post is:
1.Informative
2.Easy reading
Thanks a lot for giving such a informative post like this. Waiting for another amazing post like this!!
Sue Price says
Hi Noufal,
I agree Akaahan Terungwa|’s post is definitely both of the things you mention.
Thank you for your comment and you have a great day.
Sue
Nutri Ninja says
I am working as a freelancer! just work for myself. I building a online business with affiliate site! Hope everything go right way.
Sue Price says
Hi Nutri,
I also hope everything goes very well for you in your business.
Have a great day.
Sue
Amit Ranjan says
Hi,
That was really an amazing article and I am sure that It will be a great help for the newbies.
So, Thanks for sharing. have a great day.
Sue Price says
Hi Amit,
I agree I am sure it will be very useful for newbies and people wanting to expand their income streams.
You too have a great day and thank you for your comment.
Sue
vinutha jadhav says
I agree you’re words it’s a good resource to earn money online to write for others but there are so many scammers after writing they won’t pay us which is the best genuine site to write and earn online?
Sue Price says
Thanks for your comment. Akaahan Terungwa will answer your question.
Have a great week.
Sue