Although the concept of freelance work has been around for some time now, the stigma attached to it still is quite impossible to shake off. Why? To find out, let’s identify the most common misconceptions that have stuck despite the rising popularity of freelancing – and set things straight.
Freelancing really isn't what some people make it out to be.
Tragic Misconception #1: Freelancing is easy.
Most nine-to-fivers get so worn out from the daily routine that they finally lay down arms and head for the most popular freelance site, never fully aware of what they’re getting themselves into. Their view of freelancing is utterly simplistic: get a computer, find a few clients, talk sales, negotiate a price, work on the project and then get paid. The end.
Of course, they eventually find out it’s easier said than done. Now that freelancing is fast becoming a global phenomenon, competition is high and more often than not, pay is low. The veteran professionals and those who are highly talented are fortunate enough to have continuous work, but the majority – the new ones especially – aren’t as lucky.
Tragic Misconception #2: Freelancing is hard.
Truth be told, freelancing isn’t difficult either – it just really takes a lot of work. If you are neither patient nor persistent, then freelancing may not be for you.
There will be times when work is abundant, and you’ll think you won’t need any more. Don’t! Never allow yourself to feel comfortable enough to believe you can stop searching for new projects, because you might one day find yourself in a slow spell with nothing to do.
And by “projects”, that includes contracts where you get paid, as well as your personal ventures. Investing in your own enterprise has two significant advantages: 1) it keeps you updated on the latest trends and encourages you to utilize your skills to the maximum (and thus increase your market value); and 2) it serves as a buffer for when the season of scarcity sets in.
Tragic Misconception #3: Freelancing means you have lots of free time.
Freelancing allows you to take charge of your resources, your rates, and your schedule. On any given day, you can choose to put in a lot of time in one project and a few in another, or none at all. You can have a vacation in the middle of the week and stay in hibernation for as long as you like, or just spend the whole day at home watching musicals on DVD.
But while it is true that freelancers get to control how and when they work, that’s not the same as having lots of time to spare for fun and relaxation. Freelancers generally suck at time management: they’re great at multi-tasking, but putting those tasks into order? Good luck with that. In the end, they’re left with only a few hours a day of “me” time.
Tragic Misconception #4: Freelancing means quick and easy money.
That would be true – if you had a client magically appearing before you as soon as you set yourself up as a freelancer. But that rarely happens, and some may even realize that freelancers who get quick and easy money are usually the scammers and con artists.
Essentially, “quick” doesn’t describe freelancing. It takes time to get a client to notice you, enough for him to consider you for the job. It also takes time to get that client to trust you, enough for him to give you more projects (and even referrals). Finally, bear in mind that work itself is sporadic and not always predictable, so you can just forget about getting that “easy” money too.
Tragic Misconception #5: Freelancing means you don’t have to answer to anyone.
True, when you’re a freelancer, you are your own boss, but this isn’t to say you’re not answerable to anyone. You mess up, you don’t get paid – either that or you earn a bad reputation and get blacklisted, which won’t help your career at all. Somehow, to a certain degree, you’ll still have to abide by the rules and conditions your clients set forth.
Tragic Misconception #6: Freelancing means you are an expert professional, and clients will just come falling over themselves to get you.
No way! This idea is one borne out of either naivety or a superiority complex, because even in the real world, this seldom happens.
A healthy number of freelancers – both new and old – have a certain notion that they need not seek clients out as their work alone will speak for them. In reality, you must actively present yourself, and that involves advertising, marketing and promoting your services often. You must toot your own horn – and make sure to be heard!
You need to be visible in order to reach out to the right people, because they will serve as your references, they can give you more projects, they can lead you to other good-paying clients. The more satisfied clients you have, the more chances of work. They will be the ones to speak for you.
And you won’t be able to find those clients in the first place, if you don’t move.
Tragic Misconception #7: Freelancing is only a temporary thing; you can’t make a career out of it.
Just because freelancing doesn’t provide as much stability as a real time job doesn’t mean one can’t consider it a serious source of income. A decent living can definitely be made off of it. In fact, many real-time professionals who’ve been hit by the recent global economic crisis have turned to freelancing – and have stayed since. It won’t exactly be a surprise if, in the near future, more and more people choose this form of work over any other.
