The perks and pitfalls of freelancing Part 1

For any recent graduate, going into the job market is the most painstakingly venture that no one prepares you for. Here you are, well assured of a job with your very attractive papers to show your qualifications. Started planning on how you will live the rest of your life.

You apply to jobs in blue chip companies, expecting a call-back. No one does. In fact you are not sure if they even gave your CV a second glance. So you apply to other places until you get desperate enough and apply to wherever until you get a job. But for some the first rejection is too much to handle and they quit on that road and opt to be freelancers in their fields of work.

To everyone else, freelancing seems like tousled hair and unfettered lifestyle. But to the average freelancer this is far from the truth. Just because most freelancers bring home a bigger chunk of the bacon than their three-piece suit corporate counterparts doesn't mean their lives are entirely smooth.

Today, we tell you the highs and lows of being a freelancer. After all, this company was built by freelancers.

The pitfalls

•       It goes without saying; you will be underpaid at the start of your journey. This is actually better than the majority who will acquire clients who will avoid paying or not pay at all. It takes time to build a good portfolio, and if you are in it for the profit this will take forever and gain trust from clients.
•        Forget about learning and mastering one craft. Just like the traditional employee starts from the bottom and does all sorts of odd jobs so will you. Don’t focus on one craft and expect to be successful. This is a pitfall for many freelancers. Just because you write about make-up and fashion doesn't mean you can’t do a piece on current politics.
•        Forget social life. OH YEAH!! We said it. Whether you are a full-time freelancer or part-time. Every single part of your life will be spent trying to finish up projects. Calls and texts will seem to take too much of your time. In fact you will start setting up alarms to tell you when to take a break and sleep instead of waking up.
•        You are not an entrepreneur YET. OH YES!! You aren't  But you are on your journey there. At the start of freelancing you are building your brand. This means; whenever you are not working, you are not making money. And this is actually the main difference between a freelancer and an entrepreneur.
•       It is stressful. The tasks on this lifestyle keep piling up. Clients only think about getting their work done. Getting a good client is unheard of. Most of your clients at the early stages are the clients who don’t want to pay much to hire an expert. But they demand so much more for the peanuts they are paying you for.
•      You are always on work mode or having too much freedom. It takes one to be grounded to be your own boss. You can easily get caught up with lazing around, working from your bed until the saving runs out. Then you get in a state of always working. So instead of taking time-off you spend every minute, replying to emails, promoting your service, building your brand, expanding your knowledge… this list goes on and on.
•        Scraping by. Before you start freelancing make sure you have a solid plan for the next 6 or so months. Or start as a part-time freelancer. Bills need to get paid, no doubt about that.

What other pitfalls have you encountered? Do let us know in the comments below.

The perks and joys of freelancing will be uploaded next week.

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