What is it really like to work as a freelancer? What have you heard about freelancing?

As freelancing gets more popular, there are numerous myths surrounding it. Let’s disprove a few of them.

While there are many misconceptions about what it’s like to work as a freelancer, most individuals fail to realize that freelancing isn’t always better or worse than full-time employment.

Before becoming a freelancer, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on common myths and separate fact from fiction. In this post, we’ll debunk four freelancing myths.

Myth 1: There isn’t any job security.

“There is no job security” is one of the most common myths I’ve heard about freelancing. But this really depends on you and what you refer to as security. There is no doubt that a “stable” 9-5 job will provide you with a consistent income, salary, and benefits. However, what happens when you are fired from the company that you solely depend on for all your income? Let me tell you, you will most likely find yourself in a difficult financial state if your savings are low and you don’t have cash coming in from other sources.

On the other hand, when you work as a freelancer, the loss of a client only takes away a fraction of your income. It could be a substantial or not so substantial portion, but it still isn’t all of it.

And let’s not forget that replacing a single client is a lot easier than finding a new job, especially in this economy.

Myth 2: The freelancing market is oversaturated.

With the growth of freelancing on a daily basis, it is understandable how the freelancing market may seem oversaturated and as a new freelancer, you may think you have little to no chance of standing out in such a large crowd.

And this is only true when freelancers go the generalistic route instead of focusing on a niche. When you carve out a niche and focus o it, you manage to eliminate the competition significantly and forge as a freelancer.

Myth 3: Freelancers don’t have a boss.

Although freelancers get to choose their work hours and the kind of work they do, the myth is quite misleading because due to the fact that they work with multiple clients at a time, they actually have multiple bosses and answer to each and every one of them.

Myth 4: Working as a freelancer means your schedule is completely flexible.

No doubt, one of the perks of being a freelancer is the luxury of picking and choosing your projects and clients which to an extent means that you can determine what your schedule looks like. But we should not be quick to forget that for each client you choose not to work with or each project you decide not to work on, you lose the money that that project could have paid you. and unlike the typical 9-5 job, as a freelancer, you don’t get paid sick days off or leaves.

Also, have in mind that as a freelancer who works with many clients, your schedule will most likely be connected with theirs. This means that your work deadlines will be determined by their demands, just as they would be if you were on staff.

However, it’s crucial to know that there are numerous myths about freelancing. And, in certain circumstances, what works for others may not work for you. Much of your path will require testing, so instead of listening to others, test things and judge for yourself.