Freelance vs $120k?
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- formed0
Stability. Period. That is a valuable piece of the equation. Freelance you have none. Economy tanks again and you could have nothing (not that you couldn't be let go).
Personally, that has always been the largest difference. Dollar amounts (120k seems pretty healthy and you get stability, health care, paid sick/vacation time, free coffee, etc., though in NY I have no idea) are important to fully equate. You must be doing exceptionally to top that as a freelancer (I can't imagine how you can make more than that being a one man shop, but if you can, good for you!).
Personally, "freelance" turned into starting my own business, long ago. I'll never go back, no question, but there is also a lot of up/down, especially with these last few years (which I don't see going away anytime soon).
Good luck. Seems like you have some pretty good choices either way (and that most on here would kill for).
- A020
Like Robo mentioned... bringing in a partner is an interesting option as well. You could do a collective basically, where you pair up with another designer or developer... feed each other work exclusively for your projects and you sell yourself as a "combined" agency. This way you can each work on your own things when you want, but also have access into each others network to keep things steady. Something to ponder anyways.
Going back to the OP, I think a lot of it depends where you're at in life to be honest. There's something nice about getting X amount auto-deposited every 2 weeks. There's also something nice about controlling what you work on more and doing it on your time. I'm not sure what the best solution is for you...
- robotron3k0
Ask for more money/or better title from your potential boss to ease any concerns. Bring on a partner (like Stagmiester did) to help you with your studio (take smaller cut), work ft for a while, do some killer work at your new job. Leave after a year or so, charge higher rates and have nice work to show. problem solved.
- Maaku0
Post a link to the job? We never know...
- randommail0
thanks guys.
A lot of strong arguments for staying self-employed and trying to advance it further.
I'm leaning towards sticking with my own studio for a bit longer and seeing if my thoughts about it change.
- mikotondria30
Jeez man, and others - I've been doing this years - how does anyone get near to 100k ? 50 ?
- breadlegz0
I have kids, mortgage etc etc and still prefer / manage the self employed life.
Just get even better at promoting yourself, get better clients, up your rates and get to the 200k a year mark (if that's what you want).
- albums0
insurance is awesome. I'd take the job and negotiate work from home days and make massive mortgage payments until i couldn't do the day job thing anymore then go back to freelancing.
- ukit20
Sit down and do a cost benefit analysis. Subtract projected freelance earnings for the year from full time salary and benefits. Then figure out the cost of sacrificing your freedom, dignity, and control over your own time.
- doing this sitting down is a must ;)ohhhhhsnap
- I always sit down when I sacrifice my dignity.arthur
- omg0
say goodbye to your own studio after a year. lose all your clients. take job, then get laid off to have no studio... don't let greed take control of you.
- ohhhhhsnap0
Just answer this:
Will the additional $ make you happier?
If you do not have insurance/benefits now... it's the only reason why I would think of getting on board.
- + the mission/brand. do you LOVE it?ohhhhhsnap
- Insurance is ridiculous nowadays too. I pay $1600 a month for the family (and that's considered average).fyoucher1
- ooph!ohhhhhsnap
- d_rek0
Only 4 more years until student loans are paid off. When that happens i'll probably seriously consider doing freelance / starting my own studio full-time.
- cannonball19780
How much does loosing control of your time cost?
- rosem0
freelance. the thought of working in an office downtown for someone else is depressing to me.
- randommail0
it's not so much about the money difference right now.
But what will my options be in 5 years when I turn 36. Or 10 years, 20 years from now, etc.
- fyoucher10
Another thing to factor in (if this pertains to you), is what niche you have. Is it going to be relevant in 4 - 5 years? If not, then growing with a company might be a good thing. If your niche becomes obsolete in a few years, then growing from AD>CD>ECD becomes part of your resume. You're experience will be based more on your pure CD skills should freelance fail and you actually have to move FT..
However, with your studio, it's likely you're probably really good at doing a specific thing if you're making six figures on your own. If your niche becomes obsolete in a few years, you'll probably be starting from the beginning, that niche probably won't have as much of importance as having actual AD/CD experience at an agency / major brand, and you probably won't be making as much as you do now.
Personally, I'd skip freelance if you're being offered $120k at a company. You have to also factor in other things like healthcare, vacay, 401k, etc. You have to pay for those on your own when you're freelancing. So you're probably making substantially less by going freelance. Plus, I know your situation all too well. I'm sure you're busting your ass 24/7 to make things happen on your own (I literally work from when I wake up until I fall asleep). It's probably not going to be like that FT job. You'll probably also have more free time. Plus it's nice working with more than a few people.
If you were making $250K+ on your own, then the opposite might be more favorable. Just my opinion though.
- moldero0
think about freelance 80-150K
then move to a fat dirt cheap beach house in Mexico and wake up and laugh hysterically every day- Until the drug cartel finds out
that you are dirty American.utopian - but we are their best clientsmoldero
- i'm sure they are:)utopian
- HAHAHHAHAAHAcannonball1978
- "they" as in "me" because i don't remember my last showermoldero
- Until the drug cartel finds out
- utopian0
As long as it is not Facebook, you'll be okay!