Blogging or Freelancing – Income, Challenges, Growth, Stability and More

Are you looking for a comparison of “Blogging vs Freelancing”?

Imagine you’re deciding between two different ways to make money online.

Blogging is like having your own space on the internet where you share your thoughts and experiences, kind of like a diary.

On the other hand, freelancing is like offering your skills or services to others for a fee, such as writing, designing, or coding.

Now, why is this choice important? Well, let’s look at some numbers.

There are over 600 million blogs out there, showing how popular blogging is as a way to express yourself and potentially earn income.

On the freelancing side, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have millions of users offering services and earning money.

So, what’s the importance of choosing between blogging and freelancing?

It comes down to your skills, interests, and goals.

Blogging allows you to build your own brand and share your passion with the world, while freelancing lets you monetize specific skills you already have.

Both can be lucrative, but the key is finding the right fit for you.

Blogging vs Freelancing (The Comparison)

1. Purpose and Scope

Blogging: Imagine you’re keeping a journal where you share your thoughts and experiences with the world.

That’s what blogging is like.

It’s your own space on the internet to talk about what interests you.

There are over 600 million blogs out there, showing how popular it is for people to share information and stories.

Freelancing: On the other hand, freelancing is like being a hired gun.

Instead of sharing your own thoughts and experiences, you’re using your skills to help others with their projects.

It’s like being a hired hand for different gigs.

In 2024, there were around 76.4 million freelancers in the United States alone, highlighting the growing trend of this type of work.

2. Nature of Work

Blogging: When you’re blogging, you’re usually creating content for your own website or platform.

You’re the boss, deciding what to write about and when to publish.

It’s a creative outlet where you can express yourself freely.

Plus, businesses that blog tend to get 55% more website visitors, showing the power of this medium.

Freelancing: With freelancing, you’re working on projects for other people or businesses.

You’re hired to complete specific tasks, like writing articles, designing logos, or coding websites.

It’s more about fulfilling someone else’s needs rather than expressing your own ideas.

In the U.S., freelancers contribute nearly $1.2 trillion to the economy annually, demonstrating the substantial impact of this type of work.

3. Income Potential

Blogging: When it comes to blogging, the income potential can vary widely.

Some bloggers make a full-time income from their blogs through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.

However, it can take time to build up an audience and start earning significant revenue.

On average, bloggers who dedicate 6-12 months to their blogs can start making $500 to $5,000 per month.

Freelancing: Freelancing offers more immediate earning opportunities since you’re providing services directly to clients.

Your income potential depends on your skills, experience, and the demand for your services.

In the U.S., the median hourly rate for freelancers is around $20-$30 per hour, but highly skilled freelancers can earn much more.

It’s estimated that around 36% of freelancers earn $75,000 or more annually.

4. Time Commitment

Blogging: Building a successful blog takes time and consistent effort.

You need to regularly create high-quality content, engage with your audience, and promote your blog to attract readers.

Many successful bloggers spend several hours each week writing and managing their blogs.

It’s a long-term commitment that requires patience and perseverance.

Freelancing: Freelancing offers more flexibility in terms of time commitment.

You can choose how many projects to take on and when to work on them.

Some freelancers work full-time, while others do it on the side for extra income.

On average, freelancers work around 36 hours per week, but this can vary depending on the individual’s workload and preferences.

5. Skill Set

Blogging: To be a successful blogger, you need strong writing skills, creativity, and the ability to engage and connect with your audience.

Also, basic knowledge of website management, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and social media marketing can be beneficial.

Being able to research topics thoroughly and consistently produce high-quality content is key to attracting and retaining readers.

Freelancing: Freelancing requires a specific set of skills depending on the type of services you offer.

For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you need excellent writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to meet deadlines and work independently.

Graphic designers need proficiency in design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, while programmers need coding skills in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Adaptability and problem-solving skills are also essential for freelancers to navigate different projects and client requirements.

6. Independence vs. Stability

Blogging: Blogging offers a high level of independence since you’re essentially your own boss.

You have control over your content, schedule, and creative direction.

However, the income can be unpredictable, especially in the early stages, and there’s no guaranteed stability or benefits like health insurance or paid time off.

Freelancing: Freelancing provides a balance between independence and stability.

While you have the freedom to choose your projects and clients, your income may fluctuate depending on the availability of work and client demand.

Freelancers also have to manage their own taxes, retirement savings, and other benefits typically provided by employers.

However, freelancers can enjoy more control over their workload and schedule compared to traditional employment.

7. Growth and Networking

Blogging: Blogging offers opportunities for growth through building a loyal audience, expanding your online presence, and potentially monetizing your blog through various income streams like advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.

Networking with other bloggers and industry professionals can also lead to collaborations, guest posting opportunities, and increased visibility.

Freelancing: Freelancing provides avenues for advancement by continuously honing your skills, expanding your client base, and increasing your rates as you gain experience and expertise.

Networking with other freelancers, clients, and industry contacts can lead to referrals, new projects, and partnerships.

Joining freelancing platforms and online communities can also provide valuable networking opportunities and access to potential clients.

8. Challenges and Rewards

Blogging: Blogging can be rewarding in terms of creative expression, building a personal brand, and potentially earning passive income.

However, it comes with challenges such as the need for consistent effort, dealing with writer’s block, and staying motivated during periods of slow growth or low traffic.

Success in blogging often requires patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt to changes in the online landscape.

Freelancing: Freelancing offers the flexibility to choose your projects, set your rates, and work from anywhere.

It can also provide a steady income stream and opportunities to work on diverse projects with different clients.

However, freelancing comes with challenges such as the need to constantly market yourself, manage client expectations, and deal with irregular income and payment delays.

Balancing multiple projects, deadlines, and client relationships can also be demanding.

Wrapping Up – Blogging vs Freelancing

When we compare blogging and freelancing, we’re looking at two ways people make money online.

Blogging is like having your own online journal or magazine where you write about topics you’re passionate about.

It’s a great way to share your thoughts and connect with people who are interested in what you have to say.

But it takes time to build an audience and make money from it.

Freelancing is more like being a hired gun.

You offer your skills or services to people or businesses who need them.

It could be writing articles, designing websites, or doing voiceovers for videos, among other things.

You get paid for the work you do, and you can work with different clients on different projects.

Both blogging and freelancing have their pros and cons.

Blogging lets you express yourself and build a following, but it can take a while to see any money from it.

Freelancing gives you more immediate income, but you have to constantly hustle for new projects.

In the end, which one is better depends on what you enjoy doing and what fits your skills and lifestyle.

Some people love the freedom of blogging, while others prefer the stability of freelancing.

Either way, both can be rewarding ways to make a living online.

I prefer Blogging, what is your choice, let me know in the comments.