9 Hidden Challenges In Freelance Writing in Kenya (MUST READ)

Last updated on July 6th, 2023 at 06:40 am

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been doing an intense amount of research on freelance writing in Kenya.

If you haven’t heard about it yet (or are just in denial), we live in a world where technology has drastically changed our lives and work habits — especially for people who do online-based business or don’t have one at all! 

And because more and more businesses want to engage with their audiences through content marketing, there’s now a demand for good writers that can create quality articles consistently.

If you’re thinking about becoming a freelance writer in Kenya, I want to give you a heads up on some of the challenges that come with it. Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list but more like things to keep in mind as you pursue writing for clients!

1). Time Management/Burnout

When first starting out as a freelance writer, one of my biggest concerns was how much work would be required and if I could actually handle it all while maintaining some sort of social life or “me time”. 

The truth is that being your own boss has its pros and cons — one major downside is that there’s no set schedule telling you when to start working or take breaks. 

This can quickly lead to burnout if you’re not careful because let’s face it, we only have so many hours in a day! 

While there are ways to combat this (like setting realistic goals), ultimately it will require self-discipline on your part since no one else is going to enforce any type of structure for you.

2). Unpredictable Income

Another big challenge with freelancing is having an unpredictable income which can make budgeting quite difficult at times…especially when bills need to be paid! 

In general, most writers charge by either the word count or project basis but sometimes these rates may vary depending on who the client is and what kind of content they need to be created. 

There will also likely be months where work dries up completely due mainly due to seasonal changes or current events happening in the world which makes financial stability somewhat challenging to achieve.

If saving money isn’t something that comes naturally to you, then freelancing might now be the ideal career choice right off bat just yet…

3). Marketing/Sales

As a freelance writer, you are essentially running your own business which means that in addition to writing quality content, you also need to be good at marketing and sales. 

This includes everything from networking with potential clients, setting up an online portfolio or website, and creating social media accounts to help promote your work. 

If the thought of self-promotion makes you cringe, then being successful as a freelancer may prove to be more difficult than anticipated.

4). Isolation/Loneliness

Work can quickly become very isolating when working from home all day long with little human interaction…which is why it is important to find ways to create some sort of structure for yourself whether that’s joining a co-working space or making sure to take breaks throughout the day go outside. 

It’s also beneficial to try to connect with other writers so that way can share resources and advice with one another. 

Luckily, there are plenty of online communities (and even local meetups) dedicated specifically to freelance professionals!

5). Technology Issues/Dependency

Nowadays we rely on technology quite heavily in both our personal lives and professional ones too… but what happens when something goes wrong? 

As frustrating as it may be to deal with technical difficulties while trying to get work done, this is, unfortunately, a part package deal when working digitally. 

Whether the computer crashes in the middle of typing up an article or the internet connection cuts out right before submitting a finished draft client, these types of mishaps are bound to happen at some point in time no matter how prepared think you might be… 

In situations like these, just roll a deep breath and try to remember what life was like in the pre-internet age (gasp!).

6). Isolation/Loneliness

One of the great things about working from home is that you can set your own hours and work in a comfortable environment… but this also means that you can feel isolated working alone all day. 

It is important to find ways to connect with other people, whether it be through social media, networking events, or even just scheduling regular coffee dates with friends.

Related: How To Start Typing Jobs Online in Kenya in 5 Simple Steps

7). Distractions/Lack of Focus

When work is coming in consistently, it can be tempting to try to squeeze too much into each day and take on more projects than you should… 

This often leads to overworking and burning out which affects not only productivity but the quality of the work as well! 

Learning how to manage time efficiently is key for any freelancer wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle balance while still being able to deliver great results to clients.

8). Self-Doubt/Impostor Syndrome

It’s not uncommon for people who are self-employed to feel like impostors even if they’ve been in the game for years… After all, when the work environment is constantly changing and you don’t have anyone looking over your shoulder, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking you aren’t good enough or that everyone out there knows more than do. 

Remembering why you decided to become a freelance writer in the first place is key to combating these negative thoughts.

When you start questioning yourself too much, just take a break and sit down to think about all progress made so far—it’ll soon become clear how far really come!

9). Handling Rejection

In any field, but especially ones where work is public-facing like writing, hearing “no” part of the gig… 

And while it never feels good to be rejected, getting used to the idea that not everyone will love everything you write is important in learning how to handle criticism gracefully. 

If you start taking rejections too personally then you might want to reconsider whether freelance writing is the right fit—after all, this business model isn’t for everyone!

Final Thoughts

Becoming a freelance writer in Kenya can be a great way to make money while working from home—but it’s not without its challenges! Be sure to keep these 9 things in mind as you pursue writing clients.

Related: How To Start Online Writing in Kenya (EARN 70K+ PER MONTH)