Common misconception about freelancing

[Kesha]

It’s time to clear the air!

As a freelancer, what are some misconceptions you hear all the time about freelancing or hiring freelancers? Whether it’s people thinking you just sit around in pajamas all day or that it’s not a real job, we are curious to know! 

[dipto_dhar13]

Some of my friends think that it is all about luck.

[al_sowad22]

@Kesha Please help me Please help me with a good suggestion to help get the working on Fiverr.

[katakatica]

48 minutes ago, Kesha said:

It’s time to clear the air!

As a freelancer, what are some misconceptions you hear all the time about freelancing or hiring freelancers? Whether it’s people thinking you just sit around in pajamas all day or that it’s not a real job, we are curious to know! 

'Things will work out' - is perhaps the most common thing I hear.

Sometimes they don't.

Freelancing isn't like a regular job (which I love), but it comes with its own challenges (I think I've even made some posts about this before!). You can't just start up and expect work. You need skills and a little bit of luck! Sometimes, I feel like it's tougher than many other jobs!

(well, actually, freelancing itself is not a job. It's a WAY of working - at least in my opinion! But my point still stands!)

[sparkbrain23]

1 hour ago, Kesha said:

It’s time to clear the air!

As a freelancer, what are some misconceptions you hear all the time about freelancing or hiring freelancers? Whether it’s people thinking you just sit around in pajamas all day or that it’s not a real job, we are curious to know! 

Many people assume freelancing is just a side hustle or hobby, not realizing it requires the same level of commitment, skill, and professionalism as a traditional job.

[sparkbrain23]

1 hour ago, Kesha said:

It’s time to clear the air!

As a freelancer, what are some misconceptions you hear all the time about freelancing or hiring freelancers? Whether it’s people thinking you just sit around in pajamas all day or that it’s not a real job, we are curious to know! 

Many think that freelancing is unstable and insecure.

[al_sowad22]

9 minutes ago, sparkbrain23 said:

Many think that freelancing is unstable and insecure.

I agree with you. Because when I first started freelancing, a lot of people said these things to me.

[visualstudios]

Specially lately, with the "gig economy" (hate that expression), that freelancing "is for everyone". It isn't, nor should it be. It requires a certain personality, drive, and marketable skills. Not everyone has what it takes, and that's ok.

[vehiclewrap1]

It seems like some people think that I am involved in betting or lottery-related activities. 🤣

[texvox]

Many of my friends think I'm always available, as though being in business for myself means I loaf around all day eating Cheetos and watching any movie I want, any time I want (not a bad idea, actually!) 🤣

A big misconception I think many folks have is the "joy and freedom of being your own boss." Sure, it's really nice to not have to worry about annual reviews, HR teams and being locked into a limited-time-off machine where you have to beg for your vacation days every year. But it's much, much more difficult to be THE driving force behind your own success at all times than most who have never done this would think. Being the chief sales officer, chief operations officer, chief [insert whatever] officer of your business means you have to be sharp as a tack and on your toes at all times. No more waiting for the higher ups to spoon-feed you quarterly goals. No more checking out at the end of office hours and leaving your work at work for at least the first few years. You have to keep yourself on task and undistracted. You have to brainstorm the next client group you're going to target. You have to make sure deadlines are being met, even if you delegate those to other freelancers that you hire to take care of them. Nobody is going to care about your business and success as much as you are. You are no longer a piece of the machine; you are the machine. 

Yes, the fruit of self-employment is amazing sweet at times, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Also yes, it takes an unbelievable amount of work to get your business to the point where you can take a second to taste that fruit. It takes a certain type of person to succeed when you're on your own, building your own little empire, and most people I meet truly aren't up to that task. And even if they are they aren't setting realistic expectations for what this is going to look like. I know I didn't before day 1. 

Edited Tuesday at 07:48 PM by texvox

[tauseefabbaskhn]

freelancing is easy money. 

it's one of the biggest misconceptions of the people who know me. They believe that I just click a few keys on my laptop's keyboard and I'm given hundreds of thousands of bucks. 

I know a lot of intelligent and highly educated people who were so full of energy and were motivated for this freelancing thingy, but they failed. 

Freelancing needs a specific kind of personality, commitment and the ability to be and remain your own boss for the longer time. 

It feels/seems good to be 'your own boss', but in reality, you need to manage all departments which is a tough ask. 

[sazidulalam224]

Freelancing is quite different from a traditional job, which I personally enjoy, but it has its own set of challenges. You can’t just dive in and expect work to come your way – you need strong skills and a bit of luck! At times, I feel like freelancing is even harder than other types of jobs.

[uchihashahin01]

A common misconception is that freelancing is "easy money" and that we have tons of free time.

[melanielm]

17 hours ago, texvox said:

Many of my friends think I'm always available

This! I've been a freelancer for about 25 years, the majority of my adult life! I pay all my family bills with my work. I still have people who believe I can chat, go out, do something for them at any moment. Yes, there is a different level of flexibility with freelance work. That just means I have to control my own time and discipline... and often work 'overtime' at unexpected times.

Another common misconception... anyone can be a successful freelancer. It takes a lot more than a technical, marketable skill to succeed.