Freelance vs. a Full Time Job: Differences for People in ID

So you’re thinking about making the leap from your full time ID job to freelancing, but are feeling a little nervous. A little gurgly in the gut, maybe. Sweaty upon the brow. What’s the difference between freelance vs a full time job anyway?

First off, congratulations! Even just thinking about the transition is a big deal and we know you have the guts to do this! Secondly, you’ve come to the right place because at IDLance we’re all about breaking down those walls of intimidation that stand between you and your freelance life.

In today’s blog, we’re going to explore some of the differences between freelance vs a full time job and what it means for you as an instructional designer. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember that this is a process—a transition. So open your heart, mind, and padfolio and let’s dive into some of those key differences.

Flexibility

One of the biggest differences between freelance vs a full time job is the flexibility! As your own boss, you’ll be in charge of calling all the shots from where and when you work to the types of gigs you take and how much you’ll get paid for them. And the best news? Comfy clothes!

Put simply, freelancing allows for a level of control over your career that a traditional 9-5 just can’t offer. Your time is your own. With no “overlord” watching over you, you’ll be able to decide if, when, how, and where you want to work. Want to treat yourself to a malted milkshake on a Wednesday afternoon? You can totally do that! Sure, it may mean staying up late on Saturday, but when you consider all seven days of the week your oyster, the possibilities for productivity are endless!

You might even choose to work full-time for most of the year and part-time in the summer—at a Dairy Queen. Or maybe, you decide to lighten your workload temporarily because you have a lot going on in your personal life. Do you see where we’re going with this? None of this would be possible with a traditional employer!

Income Opportunities

As a freelancer, the earning potential is limitless. In a typical 9-5 setting, your salary is capped right from the jump, but as a freelancer you’re getting paid based on the value you bring to your clients. With some hard work under your belt and growing demand, you’ll be adjusting your rates in no time to reflect your expertise and depth of experience.

Of course, with no regular paycheck coming your way every pay cycle, like it would at a full time job, you’ll have to be sure you have enough gigs lined up to cover your expenses and still be operating at a profit.

Additionally, you’ll have to cover the cost of all software, hardware, and office supplies you need as an Instructional Designer, which can get pricey, so plan ahead!

Job Security

One critique you may hear a lot about freelancing vs a full time job is, “But you’ll lose your job security!” First of all, those people are jealous and shouldn’t be trusted. Secondly, it’s kinda true but also kinda not.

There’s no doubt that freelancing will be tough when you’re just starting out. After all, it’s a lot of ducks to get in a row! But, with some planning and research, you’ll be able to formulate an “escape plan” that works for you and your financial status. And if you’re measuring “job security” based on receiving a regular paycheck, that’s totally do-able with freelancing. Before you know it, you’ll have a regular flow of interested clients that want to work with you, whether that’s from word-of-mouth, referrals, or self-marketing.

And need we point out? No one’s going to get cranky one day and fire you. Unless that person is you, after 6 cups of coffee and 3 pixie sticks. And in that case, it won’t stick! Once you come down from the sugar high—bam! Rehired! That sounds like job security to us!

On the downside, you won’t have employer-provided benefits, like health insurance, 401(k) plans, sick days, or paid time off. You’ll have to figure all that out yourself, including managing your taxes and paying self-employment tax. We can’t lie freelie, this part is a bit of a bummer.

More Creativity and Opportunity

Speaking of pluses, variety of work is a big one when it comes to being an eLearning freelancer. You may find that after x amount of years at your “9-5,” you feel pretty fed up with the stuffiness and idiosyncrasies of a big organization. As an ID freelie, the work is always on your own terms. That facilitates way more creativity and opportunity, especially when it comes to the types of gigs and clients you take on.

Every project is completely different from the next! That being said, some contracts will be tedious and boring. But, it’s a much easier pill to swallow when it’s not your full-time job.

Even more exciting, you’ll have the chance to build your own, personal brand, whatever that may look like to you! As you embark on your freelance business journey, you’ll be making small decisions along the way as to what “personality” you want to be known for when working with clients. Don’t try to force yourself into some prescribed mold as to what you “think” a “good” business person is like… if that’s not really you. You do you, and the rest will follow. Remember, we’re leaving “traditional” behind!

Plus, you can change your mind about anything, at any time you want! Want to pivot to a different niche? You can! Have you decided that your brand no longer suits you? Change it up! Did you wake up in a cold sweat and realize that your portfolio needs an animated gif of you doing the Macarena? Hit record!

The Keeper of Your Own Success

Lastly, as a freelancer, you’ll be the keeper of your own success. That means, every success you achieve in your career is entirely because of you and your own hard work! That’s a feeling you might get whispers of at your 9-5, but it simply can’t compare to the all-encompassing “look what I’ve created” euphoria that you’ll experience as an ID freelie.

There’s also a good chance that you’ll be considered an expert in your field, especially if you’re able to carve out a niche for yourself in the industry. Small fish in a big pond, no longer!

Conclusion

Those are just some of the key differences between freelance vs. a full time job. We know it can be intimidating to absorb all this information and make such a big life decision.

We often hear potential ID freelies say they’re afraid of becoming lonely or isolated as a freelancer. We’re here to tell you, that absolutely does not have to be the case!

If you’re worried that you’ll be missing out on that “office camaraderie” as an eLearning freelancer, trust us, there will be tons of opportunities to build your community.

Remember, IDLance is only one click away, waiting for you with community, mentorship, hot tips, and a robust, “Go get ‘em, sport!”

And you’ll always have that full time gig— in our hearts. Aw.