Freelancing is a job like any other. Maybe you freelance on the side to support your family, pay off student loans, travel, or as a stepping stone toward a full-time career. Maybe freelancing is your full-time job; if so, then kudos to you for making it work.
Regardless of whether you’re in it for the long haul or just earning some extra cash to fund your next vacation, freelancing allows you to be your boss and make money doing what you love.
Unfortunately, many people have misconceptions about freelancers and their line of work. Some see us as lazy, entitled deadbeats who don’t take our jobs seriously enough. Others think that working from home means we’re not really “working” at all.
The list goes on and on with misunderstandings about how we earn our dough: how much we pay in taxes (we do), how we find clients (I’m glad you asked!), what kind of money we make (it’s more than I thought), etc.
So now I’ve decided to debunk these myths once and for all by listing out 15 money misconceptions about freelancing with evidence of why they’re wrong!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelancing may limit millennials’ ability to buy homes. |
| 2. Freelancing can be a viable full-time job. |
| 3. Freelancing often differs from initial expectations. |
| 4. There are several compelling reasons to become a freelancer. |
| 5. Freelance writing opportunities exist in the agricultural industry. |
| 6. Explore further resources to debunk freelancing myths. |
| 7. Understand common misconceptions about freelancing. |
| 8. Gain insights into frequent misconceptions about freelancing. |
| 9. Freelancers are considered self-employed rather than employees. |
| 10. Freelancers have the flexibility to work with multiple clients. |
| 11. Stability in freelancing depends on proactive client management. |
| 12. Freelancers are responsible for paying taxes. |
| 13. Essential skills for freelancers include time management and communication. |
| 14. Financial management skills are crucial for freelancers. |
| 15. Effective marketing is key to freelancers’ success. |
1. Freelancers Are Lazy
Freelancers are often thought of as lazy and unmotivated people who want to sit at home all day. But the truth is, they’re just more efficient. Freelancers work harder than most people because they have to – there’s no one to pick up the slack for them when things don’t go their way.
And since freelancing is about being self-motivated, you’re going to have a lot more drive and ambition than your 9-to-5 coworkers ever could hope for!
Also:
- Freelancer = independent – which means you can work at any time. No waiting around for someone else’s schedule!
Plus, if your boss gets busy and doesn’t give you much work one week? No problem! You have plenty of other clients who will happily help pay your bills while he catches up again!
- Freelancer = flexible – And finally (and perhaps most importantly) being independent allows you flexibility in terms of where and when you choose to work on projects.
Many freelancers find that working from home allows them extra time with family or friends during non-working hours which ultimately improves their quality of life
Many millennials are struggling to achieve homeownership due to the impact of freelancing on their finances. Find out how freelancing is affecting millennials’ ability to buy homes in our insightful article on Freelancing Is Keeping Millennials from Buying Homes.
2. Freelancers Have No Work Ethic
The idea that freelancers don’t work hard is an outdated misconception.
Indeed, once upon a time when there were fewer opportunities and people were more willing to put up with terrible conditions for a steady paycheck, it was more common for people to do whatever they had to do just to make ends meet.
But these days, our economy has changed drastically and the freelance market is growing at an unprecedented rate.
More than ever before in human history, freelance workers can chart their course in life by setting their hours and priorities and finding ways to make money that fit their lifestyle instead of having it force them into one box or another.
Many freelancers report feeling happier than employees who feel trapped by corporate culture or forced into doing things they don’t want/like just because they need the money badly enough!
3. All Freelancers Work From Home
Not all freelancers work from home. Some of us have jobs that require us to be in an office, or at least in an actual building with a roof on it.
I know that’s hard to believe if you’ve only ever seen the movie Office Space, but trust me on this one: not all freelancers work from home.
Some freelancers work from coffee shops, some work in coworking spaces, and others prefer working at home because they enjoy having their kitchen table as opposed to using a communal one in a shared space like a coffee shop or coworking space.
Is freelancing a viable full-time career option? Get the facts and discover whether freelancing as a full-time job really exists in our comprehensive guide on Does Freelancing as a Full-Time Job Really Exist?.
4. Freelancing Is Easy Money
There are many misconceptions about freelancing and how it is easy money. I’ll be the first one to say that, yes, you can make a lot of money through freelancing, but it isn’t easy money.
You have to work hard and be good at what you do for it to work out for you. Some people think that they can just go on Upwork or Fiverr and expect to get clients right away because they have the skillset needed by employers.
This is not true. You have to put the time and effort into your business so that companies will want to hire people like you instead of someone else who may not have as much experience or skill set.
5. Freelancing Is Unstable And Unreliable
There’s a common misconception that freelancing is unstable and unreliable. The industry indeed has its ups and downs, but it’s also true that freelancers are often paid well for their work.
A recent survey revealed that freelancers make an average of $53K per year and many earn much more than this figure.
Furthermore, as you grow your business and build up your client base, you can be confident in knowing that there will always be opportunities available to you. If one project ends or goes through some changes, another one is sure to come along at any time.
6. Freelancers Don’t “Work.”
It’s a common misconception that freelancers don’t “work.” The truth? They can and do.
In fact, according to a recent survey of 8,000 self-employed workers by Upwork and Freelancers Union, freelancers work an average of 42 hours per week more than the typical full-time employee.
In addition to working longer hours (or more intensely), many also report having a greater sense of ownership over their projects than employees do and this often translates into higher quality work overall.
7. If It’s Not A Full-Time Job, It Doesn’t Count As “Work.”
Freelancing is work. It’s not always a full-time job, but it still works.
If you’re a freelancer, then you know that the word “work” doesn’t mean what it used to. You’re working in your own time and on your terms and that can feel like freedom for some people.
But whether or not you think of yourself as being employed by someone else, there’s no escaping that the hours spent on your side hustle are just as much “work” like any other job.
You might have an office where you do all of your work or maybe even just a corner desk at home but be honest.
You spend many more hours than those eight hours each day doing tasks related to running your business and meeting deadlines for clients (even if those tasks are often fun).
And if something comes up last minute? You’re most likely going to take care of it right away rather than putting off responding until tomorrow because there isn’t anyone telling you that everything needs to be done right now!
Have you encountered surprises and misconceptions about freelancing? Learn from personal experiences and insights in our eye-opening article on Freelancing Isn’t What I Thought It Would Be and gain a realistic perspective on the freelance world.
8. Only The Younger Generation Can Freelance
The world of freelancing is not just for the young. People of all ages can do freelance, from all over the world. Some are full-time freelancers, while others prefer to freelance part-time. Some choose to work from their homes, while others prefer an office setting.
While some may start with a few clients before branching out into more opportunities, others will start by building up their skills to become more competitive in their field before trying to market themselves as an expert among other professionals in the same industry (or market).
9. Freelancers Don’t Get Paid To Take Vacations And Sabbaticals
You’re a freelancer, and you get paid to take time off. Sure, it’s not always as much as you would like (if it were, no one would ever work again), but the fact is that many companies are willing to pay for vacations and sabbaticals to retain their freelancers services when they return.
In some cases, though such as those where workflow is tight or the freelancer is truly irreplaceable it’s more of a matter of having your salary docked by a fractional percentage. This way, your firm gets what it needs without paying an exorbitant amount while still being able to keep an eye on how much time off you’ve taken.
10. Freelancers Pay A Lot Of Taxes
There is a common misconception that freelancers don’t pay taxes. There are a few more taxes to be paid as a freelancer than as an employee.
All self-employed individuals are required to pay income tax and self-employment tax (SE tax). Additionally, if you live in a state that has its income tax, then you must also pay state income tax on your freelance earnings.
If you live in an area where sales tax is collected, then you will have to calculate and include this amount on your sales receipts when filing quarterly or annual returns with the IRS and your state’s revenue department(ies).
If there is property owned by the business (such as equipment or computers), then those assets need to be depreciated over time so they can be deducted against profits when calculating taxes owed at year-end.
Curious about the benefits of freelancing and why it might be the right choice for you? Explore our informative piece on The Reasons You Should Become a Freelancer to uncover the advantages and opportunities that come with a freelance career.
11. Freelancers Generate Less Money Than Employed People
Freelancers are often thought of as being less productive than employed people, who have to “clock in” at the office.
But the truth is that freelancing gives you more opportunities to work on multiple projects at once. For example, you can work on a project while also taking care of your duties with another client or even while traveling. Additionally, freelancers can choose whether or not they want their workplace to be in an office (or any other physical location).
They can also choose when they want to start and stop working whether that means working from home at night or during their morning commute, freelancers have complete control over their schedules.
This flexibility makes it easier for freelancers to juggle all sorts of responsibilities outside of work from caring for elderly parents or children with special needs.
12. Freelance Work Is A Piece Of Cake
You might think that freelancing is all fun and games, but it’s not. It requires a lot of hard work, and if you’re not ready to put in the work, then you’ll never be successful at it. Here are some things to know about freelancing:
- Freelance work is not easy. You need to be disciplined, organized, and motivated to succeed as a freelancer. This means setting goals for yourself regularly and making sure that those goals are achievable by following through on them each day/week/month.
After all, if you can’t even set attainable goals for yourself then there’s no way that anyone else will hire you!
- Self-discipline isn’t just something we hear about from our parents; it’s something we should practice every day so that we can constantly improve ourselves as people – both professionally and personally.
13. You “Can’t” Freelance With Kids And Families
It’s possible to make a living as a freelancer, even if your family is part of the equation. You have tons of options for working around your kids’ schedules and needs, including:
- Working from home. This is probably the most common way for people to freelance with their families in tow.
If you work from home, you don’t have to worry about daycare or babysitters just make sure that your workspace is somewhere where they won’t bother you (like a basement or office) and that you have peace when it’s time for them to get down for naps or bedtime at night!
- Working from coffee shops (or other public places). Coffee shops are great spaces to work because they’re quiet enough so as not to disrupt anyone else while still being social enough that it feels like an office environment all while giving yourself access to delicious snacks and drinks.
Take advantage of finding one near your house, office space, or co-working space so that getting there doesn’t take too much time away from your actual workday.
14. It Takes Luck To Be Successful As A Freelancer
You’ve probably heard it all before. You can’t be a freelancer if you don’t have any experience, if you don’t know anyone who works in your field, or if you’re not good enough.
Or maybe someone has told you that freelancing is just a way for people to make money on the side while they pursue their dream jobs (i.e., being an astronaut).
Well, let me tell you this: all of those things are wrong. What does it take to get started as a freelancer? Nothing but yourself and some hard work and sometimes luck plays a role too.
But the more time and effort you put into your business, the better off it will be at the end of the day.
15. You Have To Work 24/7 To Make A Living As A Freelancer
You don’t have to work 24/7 to make a living as a freelancer. You can decide how much or how little you want to work! You can even take time off whenever you need it and go on vacation.
Freelancers can work from anywhere in the world as long as they have internet access and a computer or laptop with an adequate processing power for their tasks.
If working from home isn’t your thing, then check out co-working spaces (like [Office Nomads](https://officenomads.com)) that offer fully-equipped workspaces where freelancers can rent desks by the month or year.
If you have a passion for writing and an interest in the agricultural industry, we have the perfect guide for you. Discover the steps to becoming a successful freelance writer in the agricultural sector in our comprehensive article on How to Become a Freelance Writer in the Agricultural Industry.
Final Thoughts
Many of these money misconceptions about freelancing are ingrained into our culture and mindset, but it doesn’t make them true. Working in an office setting with a regular boss has its own set of struggles that many people don’t appreciate until they try freelancing for themselves.
And even then, working from home isn’t for everyone. Freelancing is not for everyone, and that’s okay. But that also means there are plenty of people who can benefit from working remotely or building their own business as a freelancer.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of misconceptions about freelancing:
Debunking Freelancing Myths: This article dives into common misconceptions surrounding freelancing and provides valuable insights to dispel those myths.
15 Common Misconceptions About Freelancing: Explore a comprehensive list of 15 misconceptions about freelancing and gain a better understanding of the reality behind each one.
Frequent Misconceptions About Freelancing: This blog post discusses the most prevalent misconceptions associated with freelancing and offers informative explanations to address them.
People Also Ask
How Do I Get Started With Freelancing?
The first step is to find your niche. What do you love doing? What would you be willing to do for free? Once you’ve figured out what you’re good at and what you enjoy, start looking for opportunities in those areas.
How Can I Make Sure My Clients Pay Me On Time?
There are several ways to make sure your clients pay on time, but the most important thing is to set clear expectations upfront.
If they know how much money they’ll owe you and when they’ll owe it by (and why), they’ll be less likely to take advantage of their relationship with you or try to avoid paying altogether.
Is It Possible To Make Money As A Freelance Writer Without Having Any Experience?
Yes, you can make money as a freelance writer without having any experience. However, the more experience you have, the better. Having experience will help you get your foot in the door and build a reputation as a reliable freelance writer.
How Do I Get Started As A Freelance Writer?
The first step is to create an account on Upwork. Once you’ve done that, go through the steps of setting up your profile and filling out your work history. Once that’s done, start applying for jobs!
How Do I Know If I’m Ready To Be A Freelancer?
You’re ready to be a freelancer when you’re prepared to:
- Have the right mindset
- Know what your skills are worth
- Have the financial stability to support yourself while you build your business
How Much Money Can I Make As A Freelancer?
You can make as much or as little as you want to. It’s up to you. You can set your rate and decide for yourself how many hours you want to work each week.
If you’re just starting, though, it will probably take a while before you can earn enough to support yourself. In fact, in some cases, it may never happen.
It’s important to remember that the point of being a freelancer is not necessarily to get paid; it’s about gaining experience and learning new skills so that eventually you can move on to something more permanent with benefits like health insurance and paid vacation days.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.