The Freelance Academic

1. Embrace the Freelance Academic Mindset: You Are More Than Your Academic Job

The university is just another client.

Redefine your identity. As a freelance academic, you must shift your mindset from being solely defined by your academic position to viewing yourself as a multi-faceted professional. This mental shift allows you to:

• See your skills and expertise as valuable beyond the confines of academia
• Pursue opportunities that align with your interests and strengths
• Approach your work with greater flexibility and autonomy

Overcome institutional limitations. By adopting this mindset, you free yourself from the constraints of traditional academic hierarchies and expectations. This enables you to:

• Take on projects that excite and challenge you
• Negotiate better terms for your work
• Create a career path that is uniquely tailored to your goals and values

2. Diversify Your Income Streams and Skills Beyond Academia

I kept writing, until one day I realized I didn't need the main job anymore. The side-gigs had become my main gigs.

Identify your marketable skills. Take inventory of your abilities, both within and outside your academic expertise:

• Writing and editing
• Research and analysis
• Public speaking and presentations
• Project management
• Teaching and curriculum development

Explore multiple income sources. Diversification is key to financial stability and career growth:

• Freelance writing for magazines, websites, and trade publications
• Consulting in your area of expertise
• Creating and selling online courses or workshops
• Editing and proofreading services
• Speaking engagements and webinars

Start small and build. Begin with side projects while maintaining your primary job, gradually expanding your freelance work as you gain experience and clients.

3. Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Value Your Expertise

You are right now, starting today, a public figure. You are, starting today, a writer, or an editor, or a consultant, or a coach.

Recognize your worth. Your academic training and experience have equipped you with valuable skills and knowledge:

• Deep subject matter expertise
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Research and writing proficiency
• Teaching and communication abilities

Project confidence. Present yourself as the expert you are, even if you don't feel it initially:

• Create a professional website and social media presence
• Craft a compelling bio that highlights your expertise
• Speak and write authoritatively on your topics of expertise

Embrace continuous learning. As you transition to freelancing, acknowledge that there will be new skills to acquire and challenges to overcome. View this as an opportunity for growth rather than a shortcoming.

4. Master the Art of Pitching and Writing for a Broader Audience

Writing on the same topic isn't wrong—it's called "having a beat."

Identify your beats. Determine the areas where you have deep knowledge and can consistently produce content:

• Your academic research area
• Related fields or interdisciplinary topics
• Personal interests or hobbies where you have expertise

Learn to pitch effectively. Develop the skill of proposing your ideas to editors and clients:

• Research the publication or client to understand their needs and style
• Craft concise, compelling pitches that highlight the uniqueness of your idea
• Follow up professionally and persistently

Adapt your writing style. Transition from academic writing to more accessible prose:

• Use clear, jargon-free language
• Employ storytelling techniques to engage readers
• Focus on practical applications or real-world implications of your ideas

5. Establish Your Online Presence and Professional Network

Create a community. Start an organization blog, and befriend other bloggers who write about organizing stuff. They're out there. They're always out there.

Build a professional website. Showcase your expertise and services:

• Include a compelling "About" page
• Highlight your areas of expertise and services offered
• Feature a portfolio of your work or client testimonials

Leverage social media. Use platforms to connect with potential clients and peers:

• Share valuable content related to your expertise
• Engage in conversations within your field
• Build relationships with other freelancers and industry professionals

Network strategically. Cultivate relationships that can lead to opportunities:

• Attend industry conferences and events
• Join professional associations related to your field
• Participate in online forums and groups for freelancers

6. Navigate the Business Side of Freelancing: Incorporation, Taxes, and Pricing

Run your business like a business.

Understand business structures. Consider the pros and cons of different legal entities:

• Sole proprietorship: Simple to set up but offers no personal liability protection
• LLC (Limited Liability Company): Provides liability protection and tax flexibility
• S-Corporation: Offers potential tax benefits for higher-earning freelancers

Manage finances professionally. Implement sound financial practices:

• Separate personal and business finances
• Keep detailed records of income and expenses
• Set aside money for taxes and invest in retirement accounts

Price your services appropriately. Determine fair rates that reflect your expertise and market value:

• Research industry standards for your services
• Factor in your overhead costs and desired profit margin
• Be willing to negotiate but know your worth

7. Balance Personal and Professional Relationships in Freelancing

A friend can return a favor. A client's favor is money.

Establish clear boundaries. Differentiate between personal and professional relationships:

• Set expectations for work with friends or former colleagues
• Communicate your rates and policies upfront
• Be consistent in your business practices, regardless of personal connections

Maintain professionalism. Treat all clients with equal respect and service:

• Deliver high-quality work on time
• Communicate clearly and promptly
• Address issues or conflicts professionally

Navigate friendship and business. When working with friends:

• Use formal contracts and agreements
• Discuss potential challenges openly before starting work
• Be prepared to decline work if it could jeopardize the friendship

8. Recognize and Challenge Academic Labor Exploitation

The problem is, you can't keep working hundred-hour weeks, either. That wasn't good for my health or the health of my family.

Understand the academic labor market. Recognize the systemic issues in higher education:

• Increasing reliance on adjunct and contingent faculty
• Limited job security and benefits for non-tenure-track positions
• Expectation of unpaid labor (research, service, etc.)

Advocate for fair treatment. While in academia, work to improve conditions:

• Support unionization efforts for contingent faculty
• Speak out against exploitative practices
• Seek allies among tenured faculty and administration

Know when to walk away. Be prepared to leave academia if conditions don't improve:

• Set personal boundaries on workload and expectations
• Develop skills and networks outside of academia
• Have a realistic exit strategy in place

9. Find Agency, Mastery, and Legacy in Your Freelance Career

Sit down and figure out what you want to leave behind in this world. Then figure out what kind of freedom—agency—you need in order to gain the skills—mastery—to be able to produce that kind of legacy.

Pursue agency. Seek control over your work and career path:

• Choose projects that align with your values and interests
• Set your own schedule and work environment
• Negotiate terms that work for you

Develop mastery. Continuously improve your skills and expertise:

• Invest in professional development and learning
• Seek challenging projects that push your boundaries
• Cultivate a growth mindset in your approach to work

Create a lasting legacy. Define what success means to you beyond financial metrics:

• Contribute meaningfully to your field or community
• Mentor others and share your knowledge
• Produce work that has lasting impact or value

Last updated: August 20, 2024