On the one hand, freelancing is highlighted as a dream job where you do not have to answer to anyone, on the other hand, you will encounter scarecrows in the form of zero job security. What are the other myths that accompany freelance work, and what is true about them?
1. As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss
Even if you don’t have a boss as a freelancer in the traditional sense, that doesn’t mean you don’t answer to anyone. In fact, you have several bosses. Both clients and themselves.
Even if the relationship between the client and the freelancer is ideally equal, you still have to respect their requirements and deadlines. At the same time, however, you must not let the requirements overwhelm you and you have to sometimes correct your clients a little, because they have hired you as an expert.
As your own boss, you have to be accountable for submitting the work on time. And because you work on multiple projects at the same time, you need quite a lot of self-discipline and managed time management.
TIP: Not only a paper diary will help you with planning, but also planning tools such as Trello.
2. You have no job security as a freelancer
Another fairly common myth about freelancing claims that you don’t have job security as a freelancer. But what is certainty? If you work full-time somewhere and you are fired, you will lose your entire income. When one client terminates their cooperation with you, you will only lose part of your income. And even though it may be a higher percentage, you’re still not at zero.
In addition, finding another client is often easier than finding another job at HPP. Especially at a time when companies are making cuts and for some positions it pays to outsource work to freelancers rather than hiring full-time workers for whom there may not be enough full-time work.
3. Freelancers have total flexibility
Freelancing gives you great flexibility in when and how you work. But it doesn’t mean you can only work when and how you want. Your working hours and ways must also meet the needs of your clients.
Sometimes you need to arrange a joint call, where you can adapt to the time, sometimes you will have to learn to work in a way that fits into the established workflow of the client. Of course, you set the boundaries of cooperation together with the client, so the compromise is made by both parties. But to expect complete freedom would be somewhat foolish.
In addition, even freelancing has proven a certain routine that will alleviate procrastination and boost your efficiency.
4. As a freelancer, you only do work that you enjoy
Once you work and make a name for yourself in your field, you have a better chance of choosing only jobs that resonate with you or you consider them a challenge. If you’ve only recently started freelancing, you don’t have that kind of freedom of choice.
Of course, you do not have to (and ideally should not) accept contracts that do not conform to your moral principles, or work for clients who are trying to save money at all costs
However, you will probably not avoid projects that will bore you at least a little. But even with those, it is necessary to find motivation to do them well and within deadline. This is the only way to gain greater qualifications and expand your portfolio.
5. Freelance work is lonely
In particular, working from home can be somewhat isolating over time. But this is not the rule. If you are extroverted and need the company of other people to live, just use coworking centers or regularly participate in networking events to expand your networks.
TIP: If you feel socially isolated, learn how to best deal with it.
6. As a freelancer, you can’t take a vacation
While at work you have your few weeks of paid time off for sure, freelancing is not. Many freelancers feel that they can’t afford to relax without a laptop, because what if the client urgently needs something?
Of course, this can happen, but that is why it is necessary to inform clients about the planned vacation in time and possibly directly pass on the contact to another freelancer who can represent you in urgent matters during the holiday.
If you can’t afford your vacation due to a loss of income, work on pricing first. Your remuneration should definitely include vacation time, as well as a financial reserve for cases of incapacity for work.
And what myths have you encountered about freelancing?
