I was watching Mythbusters on TV the other night, where Jamie mentioned that you could actually think of a myth for every single thing in the world, My thoughts immediately turned to Freelancing. After quite a bit of thought I compiled a list of 5 Freelance Myths Busted straight from the start. Let’s not lunge around to much and get straight to business.
1. Freelancers work much less than in-house Designers
Being a Freelancer definitely doesn’t mean you work much less than a In-house Designer, it actually means you work more. Yes, thats correct you work more than a In-house Designer. Reason being you don’t have set working hours and you don’t have colleague’s to help you out with little things. You have to do everything yourself.
2. Freelancers are unsupervised, they never get their work done on time.
This is a common statement from clients that hire their first Freelance Designers. I can tell you though that Freelancers are really professional in what they do because they have to make a living from their work. This means if he/she doesn’t work and finish the clients projects, he/she doesn’t get payed. Without payment he/she can’t eat, feed the family or pay the bills which ends up with being homeless, without a job. Mainly for this reason Freelance Designers are Professional in their field and get their work done on time.
3. Freelancers don’t have a social life, they spend the entire day on their own.
This isn’t true at all. Freelancers usually take their work to Coffee Shops, or Group Meetings where they interact with people or work together whilst being social. Weekends, depending on the business you run, you can have a lot of social interaction. Just because you work alone doesn’t mean you live being alone.
4. Freelancers only Freelance because they can’t get a real job.
This is definitely a Myth that should be thrown as far away from the word “Freelance” as possible. The only reason Freelancers Freelance is because they know how difficult and irritating it is to work for a Boss or to have a 9-5 job with a company. Other reasons could include that they have already gone through the employment phase and decided to go rogue with the designing career or they have better motivation to work alone than to work in a company environment and being told what to do by a boss.
5. Freelancing is a lot less stressful than working for someone else.
This definitely isn’t true, maybe in some aspects yes, but that undermines the fact that you have to get your own clients and source your own work. If you don’t do that you won’t be earning a income this month. We have already gone through the steps to what happens if you don’t get a income – No Money>No Food>No Bills>No House>HOMELESS. Their is a lot of stress riding on a Freelancers back, but I can say that its definitely the best feeling to be the Owner of your own company or to Freelance by yourself.
You nailed that on the head! I do both freelance work and work for someone, and find that on my freelance work I work harder, and are more likely to deliver on time.
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The 4 Reasons People Unsubscribe Mailing Lists
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I love that program : mythbusters – gd idea for a post – I agree with you on all these posts –
I’d also add that freelacning makes you stronger especially your self employed running your own company :
Ben´s last blog ..15 Free Space Brushes – Galaxy Nebula & Planets
So very true and interesting.
Thanks for posting :)
Nina´s last blog ..A Tribute To Great People On Twitter
Number 1 is definitely not true in my case. I find myself working much more than I ever have at my previous in-house design positions.
As for number 2, once you’re married your wife fills the role of “supervisor”.
Jonathan Kurten´s last blog ..How Your Money Works By Tobias Knipf
I definitely agree with you on the second statement. It is true.
U nailed it… #1 and #3 are my fav… I’m always on the clock, but have the luxury to enjoy it with others at the coffee shop and the bookstores…
Keep busting the myths…
-Lady
http://www.inkbutterinc.com
Glad you like them. Will keep busting them.
Really good article, thanks good I own my place and taxes are cheap here, but take home the bacon each night is the mayor stress cause but is more software equipment everything you have in an office that you just need to ask to have it, and as a freelance you must pay it and lost your time going to the store and buy it.
But after all is a good way of living.
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Great post. I especially liked the “you’re only freelancing because you can’t find a real job” myth; I defend that one all the time.
I made this page one of today’s three featured links on my Design Thought for the Day blog:
http://designthoughtfortheday.blogspot.com/2010/03/03-03-how-businesses-use-smm-freelance.html
All the best, Ted
I find it funny that people think freelancers can’t get a ‘real’ job. Personally, I’ve had more in-house job offers while freelancing than I ever received a few years ago when I was actually LOOKING for an in house job.
In addition to Number 4, you can’t just BE a freelancer. You have to work at building a business from the ground up.
Todd Wallace´s last blog ..Be Alert
Daymn,all true…
5 Freelance Myths Busted From the Start…
I was watching Mythbusters on TV the other night, where Jamie mentioned that you could actually think of a myth for every single thing in the world, My thoughts immediately turned to…..
Very helpful article, i totally agree with your opinion.
inspirationfeed´s last blog ..40 Brilliant Examples of Mascot Designs
Thanks, this blog helped me in solving some problems with the latest release candidate, Why do they always seem to leave out vital information when they release a new version? It may be trivial to them but not for us! I’m sure we’re not alone either.
Nice article! Number 1 is very recognisable. Freelancing may seem a bit lazy to outsiders, but the thing is: you have to do EVERYTHING by yourself: marketing, design, development etc. It’s a challenge, but it pays off most of the time.
Plus you get to learn a LOT of things. Having to do all those things by yourself really broadens your horizon.
Totally agreeing with you on those points :) Awesome site btw too.
:-)
all I can say is that your quite right. People sometimes think I’m a bit fooling around all day but they are mistaken!
webdesign drenthe´s last blog ..Bloggen voor een betere ranking of voor meer bezoekers
So very true and interesting.
Thanks for posting.
Cheers!