To many, becoming a freelancer is a dream come true. The idea of working in the comfort of your home, in pajamas, at the beach, or on the road as you travel the world, is something many people desire. Though being a freelancer might look all rosy and exciting, it comes with its fair share of disadvantages. In this article, we will delve into some of those.
Before you resign from your full-time job to fully pursue a freelance career, it’s quite essential to understand the good and the ugly part of being a freelancer. You need to do your homework and fully understand whether this is the right career path for you. The last thing you want is to fail because you didn’t understand what you were getting into.
Without wasting much of your time, here are some of the pros and cons of pursuing a freelance career. Hopefully, after reading through them, you will be better prepared for the next step you take.
Pros
Of course, being a freelancer does have its benefits. Otherwise, nobody would do it. Take a look at some of the benefits down below.
Enjoy Flexible Working Hours
One of the best things about becoming a freelancer is that you get to set your working hours. This is because you don’t need to report to anyone, meaning that you can work any time and leave whenever you feel like. There is not a work schedule that you are supposed to stick to. Having flexible working hours also means that you can manage your time well.
Control Over Your Clients
You are your boss, meaning that you can choose who you work with. You rely on your clients for work and a paycheck, but if you feel like you are not getting along with a particular client for whatever reason, you are free to turn them away. As a pro tip, clients need to sign contracts at the beginning of your partnerships. This helps you clearly state what you expect from your client, and should they violate any terms, they stand to face the consequences.
Freedom To Work From Wherever You Want
What can beat the freedom that comes with being a freelancer? If you feel like working at the beach or an island, the world is your oyster. However, don’t get caught up and forget the fact that you need to network and meet new clients. The most important thing is that you can work from wherever you feel most comfortable, whether that be your home, a café, or the beach. Forget working in a toxic environment with toxic people; this job gives you all the freedom you could ever want in this world.
Cons
As with all professions, freelancing also comes with its fair share of drawbacks.
You Are On Your Own
As a freelancer, you are accountable for everything in your business. If you sleep in, your business will also relax. In other words, the success and failure of your business depend entirely on you. This is different from when you are working for someone else because you are always assured of a paycheck at the end of the day. As a freelancer, you are responsible for finding projects and clients, scheduling meetings, and much more.
No Social Life
Although it’s fun and relaxing to work on your own schedule, sooner or later, you start to miss your coworkers and colleagues. When you are freelancing, most of the time you are just working alone. You may miss having people to chat with, eat lunch with, or even having someone to share their ideas on how to handle different issues. This is one of the disadvantages of working alone.
It’s Always Hard To Begin
The truth is, starting is one of the hardest things when it comes to freelancing. Some have quit in their first few months, others have given up and went back to their old jobs simply because they can’t find clients within the first months. Before you quit your job, be sure that you can be financially stable by freelancing. However, you need to understand that it will take time to build a reputation and client base in the freelancing world.
Bottom Line
Being a freelancer is the best feeling in the world; you get to set your prices and can choose which clients to work or not to work with. However, this job has its dark side that you should also know about. If you are well equipped and prepared, then nothing should stop you from pursuing your dream job.
