The Not-So Glamorous Side of Freelancing
Wow. I realized all of my articles make freelancing sound like rainbows and butterflies. A lot of the time, it’s fantastic, but a lot of the time it’s also challenging. I’m sharing the real not-so great parts today in case you’re curious about the cons that come with solo business.
You’re in charge of everything. From the trash, the printer paper, the accounting, and the client service - it’s all on you. Someone isn’t happy with your service? They’re calling Y-O-U!
Taxes. Ugh, my least favorite word. Paying them, owing them, organizing them, preparing them. All of it can be overwhelming. And, they’re always more than you think they could be.
Sometimes, you choose when a client goes away. And you know when it’s time. Maybe you’re butting heads too often, can’t seem to get on the same page, or can’t agree on budgets. If and when it's time, try your best not to burn the bridge. Lightly let them sail away so you can set yourself free from the burden and stress that they are causing you. You never know when you might need each other again.
None of your clients know how many clients you have. Unless you tell them, which I never do. I always treat my clients like they are my only client, but sometimes that is not always realistic. On some days, all of your clients need you, and on other days none of them need you. Hopefully, they balance out. When they don’t, there isn’t a boss to defer to about priorities…it’s all you!
You set your own price. That can be a pro, too. But, sometimes it can be really difficult to determine how much to charge for something. Hourly, flat rate, sometimes a mix of both? It can be really tough to know whether or not a client is going to pay what you believe you’re worth, and even harder to turn clients away if they aren’t able to pay your price. Plus… don’t forget how much to figure in for subscriptions, taxes, admin time, etc. As a reference for starting out, I took my salaried rate divided into hours…doubled it, then negotiated from there.
Vacation is both zero days and unlimited days. You can give yourself as much vacation time as you want, but you better bet all that work is waiting for you when you get back! Also, nobody serves as backup when you’re a freelancer.
It isn’t done until it’s done. That project you owe your client by end of day, but kept putting off because your inbox was out of control with other clients’ last minute needs? Nobody can save you from that one! You have to work until it’s done.. maybe even through dinner or your Netflix time…or you risk disappointing your client.
There’s no team. When you’re working alone, you can’t turn to someone to ask their advice or go brush off a bad day over coffee. Lucky for us though, the world wide web is full of groups and collectives that you can join if you’re feeling lonely, but it still doesn’t really make up for that camaraderie.
