Life As a Freelancer: The Myths And Realities

Life As a Freelancer: The Myths And Realities

Being your own boss and freedom is the most common answers if you ask a freelancer of the best benefits. Few hours of work while earning full time income is also another answer you'll hear often. I'll debunk some myths for you and give you the reality.

1. Being your own boss. Yes, that true. You are your own boss. You decide which clients you'll work for or with and you decide whenever you want a break etc. That's quite outstanding right?

The reality is slightly different. First of all, the clients you decide to work for is, no matter what way you see it, your new boss. Your clients will expect this and that and they'll have the last word in any project as you are hired to fulfill their needs. Your clients are ultimately your new boss and you'll probably end up having several of bosses along your freelancer career.

2. You decide whether to work, taking breaks or spend your time doing nothing. Being your own boss, being a freelancer, working from home or an office doesn't matter. You decide these things all by yourself. As Rocky Balboa said: "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows." and this fits perfectly.

In reality you'll have to work hard and fulfill the tasks you've been hired for. Which ultimately leads to the first point. Your client is your boss. They decide how they want things done, when they need it etc. You'll need to agree on their terms.

3. You'll have more spare time to spend with your friends or family. In one way, that is definitely true as you can decide your own working schedule.

However, what you must not forget is that your friends are on their jobs. Your kids at school and your wife is also at work. You sit around at home, or in your own office thinking that you'll go out with your friends.. Well, think again. That won't happen so easily.

4. You need to provide your services at huge discounts to overcome competitors prices. There's a lot of competition, I won't lie. Several buyers are looking for the cheapest deal everywhere and setting your prices too high will hurt your business.

In reality this is only half true. As an established freelancer with good reputation and credibility it might actually hurt your business by providing too cheap services. Customers are looking for high quality services and they might assume that you provide low quality services by offering them services for a bargain price.

5. You'll work only a few hours per day and making a full time income. Or perhaps even make millions. There is some people who managed to pull this off so you can too.

The reality says, you can but you probably won't. Most freelancers are working their butts of 12 hours per day with buyers on sketchy orders, with deadlines to meet. Some buyers never seems satisfied and they can change their minds multiple times upon each order. This is a true stress factor and you will always need to keep an eye out for new clients to accept so you can make more money. You will probably not launch a million dollar affiliate program the first years of your freelancing career, so you better be prepared. Freelancing isn't easy.

It's easy to become a freelancer but it's much more difficult to keep working as one.

Best Regards,
hitmeasap