Freelancing is definitely not a fool’s game. In fact, you have to be super smart to make it work. That being said, there are millions of articles out there that put the fear of anything into people by spouting freelancing myths that just aren’t true.

When I first started freelancing, I spent hours and hours every day researching how to land clients, what kind of money I should be making, and how long it would take me to become “successful” at being a writer.

During this heavy research period, I devoured thousands of blog posts with contradicting advice and articles that made me question my decision to go freelance in the first place.

I soon learnt that doing things my own way and creating a system that worked for me and my business was the best way to improve my client base and the quality of my work.

I started to ignore those articles that touted freelancing as an easy way to make quick cash, or the ones that warned me about how I’d never ever make money as a freelancer and that I should just quit now and go back to my regular, 9-5 job.

That was probably the best thing I could have done for my career – any more freelancing myths that portrayed your average writer as a hipster Hemingway and I would have been begging for my old job back in no time at all.

That being said, it took me a long old while to figure out my path in the freelancing world and I busted a whole load of freelancing myths along the way (you’re telling me freelancers DON’T drink whiskey at midday? Say what?!).

Here’s what I’ve learnt so far.

Freelancing Myths That Are Definitely Not True

#1 – It’s less stressful than a day job

A lot of people picture freelancers having afternoon naps, waking up at noon, and generally pottering around the house in a completely relaxed state of mind. I mean, there’s no big boss on your shoulder giving you what for – so what exactly is there to be stressed about?

Reality check: Freelancing can actually be super stressful. When you’re not trying to pump out awesome work to tight deadlines, you’re negotiating prices and projects, trying to placate difficult clients, and shooting out emails left, right, and centre.

You’re the person everyone answers to – your clients, your bank manager, YOURSELF. That’s a whole lotta pressure for someone who doesn’t have to set an alarm and can crack open a bottle of vino at lunchtime.

#2 – It’s not a viable full-time career

I had a comment on the blog the other day that basically expressed shock at the fact I worked full-time as a freelancer. They didn’t think that was a ‘thing’.

I promise you it’s a thing (at least, my landlord believes it is so I’m happy with that). Sure, there’s a tonne of ill-paying clients out there and a slew of people ready and waiting to bash freelancers as penny-pinching paupers, but that’s far from the truth if you know how to swing it.

Reality check: There are THOUSANDS of freelancers making a good and proper go of it full-time. In fact, they’re not just making a go of it, they’re absolutely rocking the socks off it.

Taking your freelance business full-time isn’t easy in the slightest, but it’s ABSOLUTELY possible with the right motivation and mindset.

#3 – You can work whenever you want

Ah the term freelancer is so misleading, right? It even has the cheeky word ‘free’ thrown in for good measure, which is guilty of making people think that we can set our own hours and schedules.

Reality check: While it’s partly true that freelancers have the power to set their own hours and only work on the third Saturday of every month if they wanted to (not sure my landlord would be too happy about that), freelancers are generally at the mercy of their clients.

It totally depends on what time-zone your clients are in, when you work best, and how long it takes you to get stuff done. Yes, you can theoretically work whenever you want – as long as that ties in with what your clients want.

#4 – You’ll be really poor and have to drink whiskey at midday to get by

This kinda goes hand in hand with the freelancing myths that claim you can’t make a full-time income by working for yourself. Films and books often portray freelancers as these struggling protagonists with really sensitive, insecure souls.

They drink whiskey at midday and they have to scrabble around down the sides of the sofa for spare change every month.

Reality check: Thanks films and books for your unhelpful stereotypes. Sure, it can be a struggle in the beginning to earn a decent income that you’re happy with, but give it some time and you’ll see that being a freelancer definitely doesn’t have to mean whiskey at noon or walking your neighbours’ dogs for extra cash.

#5 – You’ll be making millions in no time

On the flipside, there’s a boatload of websites out there that tout freelancing as the holy grail of everything, ever. Basically, you quit your job, go freelance, and start raking in the dollar with a fine tooth comb.

Reality check: This is one of the biggest freelancing myths I see on freelancer sites – which is probably the most dangerous place they can be (ya’know, budding freelancers need the truth, not airy-fairy advice).

Becoming a freelancer is NOT a quick way to make money. In fact, it’s probably the worst thing to do if that’s what you’re after. Building up a steady stream of clients and a portfolio that makes people sit up takes time – but it’s well worth it for the stable, sustainable career you’ll create in the process.

#6 – You’ll get to work less hours

When I say work, I mean actual nose to the grindstone work. Doing what it is you actually do, like writing, designing, making, or advising. The hours that you’re actually billing clients and customers for.

Reality check: While you might work less “grindstone hours” than in a regular job, the work never really stops when you’re a freelancer.

When you’re not completing client briefs, you’ll be sending proposals, pitching, doing your accounts, marketing your business, networking, and doing all the life admin that goes along with being a freelancer. Doing the ACTUAL thing you do? That’s only half of it (or maybe even only a quarter of it).

#7 – You have to take what clients offer

Storytime. When I first started freelancing, I took anything and everything I could (no matter how badly paid it was, or how much I hated the work) because I thought I needed to. I thought that was the way to build a business – by being the person who never says no.

Reality check: One of the biggest freelancing myths out there is that the client dictates the scope of work and price. Nuhuh. Not in my book. As a service provider, you’re offering the service so YOU get to dictate the prices. Yes, a client may have a set budget, but it’s YOU who gets the final decision on whether you work with them or not.

Think about it this way: would you ever try and tell a plumber how much you’re willing to pay them? Didn’t think so.

#8 – Working from home is the best

While I do love being able to do my washing whenever I want, or run errands in the middle of the day, working from home can get tiring, boring, and lonely. Let me tell you this – the novelty can wear off pretty quick if you don’t put the right measures in place.

Reality check: You don’t realise how motivating working with others is until you’re fending for yourself in the confines of your empty kitchen. That being said, as a freelancer you should enjoy working by yourself, but remember that you need to get out and about every now and again, and actually, you know, talk to real life people once in a while.

#9 – You only have to do things you want to do

When you work for someone else, you kind of have to put up with doing odd-jobs you’re not a fan of, working with colleagues you might despise, or getting put forward for a project that your heart’s really not in. As a freelancer, it’s easy to think these problems will disappear with a puff of smoke.

Reality check: Even though it MIGHT seem like you’re the boss, your clients are still the ones calling the shots. Sure, you can say no to working with someone, but you can’t say no to EVERYONE just because you don’t like a small part of their business or project.

Oh, and then there’s the un-fun stuff like accounting and marketing that a lot of freelancers REALLY don’t enjoy but that’s a necessity for keeping business on the rise.

#10 – You get to wear pyjamas every day

This comes back to the pesky portrayals of freelancers in films and books. Pyjama-clad and whiskey-toting writers. Oh, the struggle is real.

Reality check: You’ll most likely be doing Skype calls most days so you’ll need to look semi-presentable for clients (even if you’re just wearing pyjamas from the waist down). That being said, the quickest way to demotivate yourself is by keeping your jimmy-jams on all day.

In fact, if you want to ooze professional appeal, it’s a good idea to get showered and get dressed (even if it’s only for your cat).

#11 – The work will come rolling in

There’s this notion that by simply telling people you’re a freelancer, they’ll suddenly light up and be like, “oh, Jim from accounts’ wife is looking for a writer to pay £4,573 a month to write a few posts on her blog.”

While that would be absolutely AMAZING, it’s far from the truth.

Reality check: Finding and keeping consistent work is a job in and of itself. Work doesn’t just show up at your door if you’re not willing to put in the effort.

As freelancers, we have to market ourselves every single day, and position ourselves to the right clients at the right time. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it when you start landing clients you’ve always dreamed of working with.

#12 – Anyone can do it

I mean yeah, sure, anyone can sign up as self-employed and start calling themselves a freelancer, but it takes a special kind of person to actually make it work. To actually build a business that’s lucrative and professional. To actually land work week in, week out, and stay motivated to get it done on time.

Reality check: Being a freelancer is so fulfilling, but it’s also hard work. To succeed, you have to be willing to make yourself stand out and keep producing quality work time and time again. If you’re willing to do that, I guarantee you’ll make a success of it!

Your turn!

What freelancing myths have you come across? Any that you want debunking? Leave a comment below!