There are plenty of misconceptions about Freelancing, but you mustn’t fall prey to the myths. Freelancing can be a gratifying career — and if you do it right, it could even be your dream job. But before you start working for yourself, make sure you know what not to expect and what your rights are. The following list of 20 myths will help clear any misconceptions and show you the truth about this growing industry.
The 20 Myths about Freelancing:
1) “Freelance work is easy.”
People say that freelance work is a piece of cake. They’lThen, they’ll around the term “lazy freelancer” and say that most freelancers don’t work at all. But freelance isn’t as easy as it looks. It isn’t. To be a successful freelancer, you need to be ready for hard work and long hours — just like any other job — and you need to have the right skills or be willing to learn them.
2) “Freelance workers don’t get benefits.”
Many people out there think that if they become a freelancer, they can avoid things like insurance and pensions entirely. They think that the only thing they’ll need to pay for is their food and rent. The truth is that freelance workers (depending on the laws in their country) get all of the same legal rights and protections as permanent employees — and more.
3) “There’s a lot of competition.”
If you’re new to Freelancing, you might be worried about your chances of getting work. Many people tell you that there’s such a high level of competition out there that it’s impossible to make any money at it. It isn’t true that there are thousands of writers fighting for every job — but you do need to know your market.
4) “You can work at home.”
If you’re thinking of becoming a freelancer, you’ll probably picture yourself working at home in your pajamas. While some freelancers can do this, it isn’t an option for most of them. Instead, freelance workers usually have to work in an office or coworking space. WorkinOf course, workinghome isn’t impossible — but it isn’t the norm.
5) “Freelance work is low-paid.”
Many people think that recruitment agencies and large corporations pay their employees the best — and that independent workers will be paid poorly. The truth is that you can be successful as a freelancer. Many people who start out working for themselves end up making more money than they ever dreamed possible.
6) “You can find work online.”
Making your first sale should give you confidence that you’ll be able to get your freelance business off the ground. Most people don’t even think about internet marketing, but this is a great way to build an audience that will serve as a base for your future earnings. Don’t So don’t too much about the initial setup — once you have a good number of clients, it will take care of itself.
7) “Freelancing isn’t a business. It’s a job.”
It’s possible to have a freelance career without being a business owner, but you really should consider becoming one. As a freelancer, you don’t have any of the same legal rights as a company employee — and if things go badly, you might not be able to afford your health care or have any pension. To view your work as a business means that your future will be secure. You can learn more about making this change at this resource.
8) “There’s no such thing as passive income. It’s all about building your business.”
If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, you may have been put off by the idea of doing it without any income from clients. But when you’re a freelancer, you can make money from multiple sources — and when you build up a portfolio of work overtime, it creates a whole world of passive income. From the money that comes in from clients to your portfolio interests and amassing property and cars, there are plenty of things that will keep bringing in cash.
9) “I don’t need one — I want to write. There’s always something to fix.”
Different types of freelance workers have different goals. Some people want to become their bosses, while others prefer the stability of working for others. But no matter what you want to do, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of each type before you decide. There are advantages to both full-time contracts and contracts that are more flexible than full-time work — but you must know what you can do with your time.
10) “Freelance work is only for writers.”
There are plenty of other kinds of freelancers out there — marketers, photographers, videographers, designers, copywriters, and more. Even if you’re a writer, there’s a good chance that you have skills that could be useful to other freelance workers. For example, some writers have a natural talent for editing or proofreading.
11) “I don’t need any training.”
Becoming a successful freelancer is all about knowing your market and finding your niche. If you know the right things to offer, you won’t have much trouble finding jobs — but it will take time and practice before you can become as good as an experienced freelancer. But learning requires effort — and if you’re willing to put in the work, it will pay off down the road.
12) “Most people don’t make it.”
If you’re considering freelance work, you may have heard that most people who try it fail. It isn’t true. Most people don’t make much money as freelancers — but they can make enough to live on. There are countless success stories of people who started as students working part-time, developed their skills, and are now making enough money to quit their day jobs.
13) “Clients determine rates.”
There are plenty of horror stories about freelancers being ripped off by clients. Freelancers can learn a lot from them — and you should be cautious about taking on new clients. However, it’s different from answering the question of “how much should I charge?” The fact is that freelancers can get paid more than people in full-time jobs — it just depends on the value they offer.
14) “You can get into freelancing later in life.”
Indeed, you don’t have to start as a freelance worker in your early 20s. You might decide to take longer in your day job to build up money, develop your skills, or work in another industry for a while. But if you’re serious about becoming a successful freelancer, there are things you need to prepare for. The earlier you start, the more opportunities will come along in the future.
15) “The competition is too high.”
Competition can indeed be fierce when it comes to finding clients. There are more freelancers than ever before — and all of them are competing for custom. You can sit back and wait for the phone to ring — you have to go out there and find your work. But once you can build up a portfolio of past work, it will be much easier to find new clients in the future.
16) “You have no security. You’re not insured.”
Working as an employee means that you have protection. You can get sick pay, holiday pay, holiday leave, and pensions. Even if you lose your job, there are no worries about how you’ll put food on the table or rent your home. As a freelancer, you’ve got none of these guarantees — which is why it’s essential to think carefully before you start. But it doesn’t mean that freelance work is risky — if you take the proper precautions, there are plenty of ways to stay safe and keep everything running smoothly.
17) “We all need to be lucky. You’ll never make any money.”
Luck plays a part in everything. Some people get lucky and win the lottery — and others don’t. But if you do your research and be prepared, you can make money from freelancing. You need to be willing to work hard and put in the effort — and then you’ll reach success. If your clients don’t appreciate what you do, look at it as an opportunity to find new clients — and keep trying until you find success. If you think about it in those terms, there is no such thing as luck or bad timing — it’s all about preparation, hard work, and dedication.
18) “If you’re self-employed, you can cheat on your taxes.”
It’s essential to pay your taxes — and you’ll need to keep track of how much money comes in and goes out so that you can report it on time. But it isn’t always easy to know what you should be paying — and plenty of freelancers will get into trouble if they don’t do their research. You can work with a qualified accountant or bookkeeper to make sure that everything is running smoothly.
19) “If you need to get a job, you’ll never make any money.”
This is true — and there are plenty of potential problems attached to freelance work. For example, if you start on a full-time contract and then lose the job, you could be out of work for some time. Likewise, if any clients don’t pay on time or send the wrong invoices, you could be on the next train out of town. So yes — there are dangers — but it’s also true that no one stays in their contract forever — and it’s never too late to start making money from freelance work.
20) “I don’t like saving. I don’t ever want to save.”
Saving is indeed good for your savings account — but it’s also good for your bank balance. If you have money set aside regularly, you could have more to spend on future ventures or go out on a fancy dinner with friends. And being short on money isn’t the end of the world. You need to build up financial security through regular savings and then start looking for ways to earn extra income.
Conclusion
Freelancing is hard work — but it’s also a great way to earn money. If you’re just hung out as a freelancer, it’s easy to make mistakes and fall for all of the myths and half-truths that surround Freelancing. But once you know what you’re up against, you can overcome all of these problems and achieve success as a freelance worker.
What other myths have you experienced as a freelance worker? Let us know in the comments section below!
