The popularity of freelancing has skyrocketed in recent years. Many people have misconceptions of the whole concept of freelancing and what it will be like to work on freelance jobs. People have ventured into freelance life with unrealistic expectations, only to discover they were completely wrong.

If you are interested in becoming a freelancer, forming the wrong idea about freelancing could negatively influence your judgment. Those of you who work as freelancers are probably aware of what happens when you tell others what you do for a living.

Here are nine of the most common myths about freelancing and how to get the facts straight.

1. Your work is done in your pajamas all-day

It is all too easy to want to work from home in your pajamas if you are a freelancer. Although, the majority won't work all day in their pajamas. It is the freelancer's responsibility to create a work environment that promotes productivity.

If you wear pajamas to work, there is a tendency to fall into a sleeping pattern, which makes creating a working mood difficult. Get up early, take a shower, and dress professionally to create a working atmosphere. In other freelance jobs, you may be required to attend networking events, make Skype calls, or meet with clients. Therefore, you need to look presentable.

2. You don't have a boss

This statement only holds true because you don't have an actual boss that watches over your every move.

But not so fast! When you work as a freelancer, you are your own boss, manager, or CEO. If you want to make a client happy or meet a deadline, you have to be hard on yourself in the same way that a manager is on his or her employees.

3. Working whenever you want 

There is no way to think about having a freelance job without thinking about the freedom that accompanies it. All freelancers will tell you, however, that a higher power will narrow down your flexible schedule to fit a tight work schedule. The client's needs, the deadline, or paperwork might be the reason. Even your reserved free time may become busy!

4. Freelance work is not full-time

Because freelance jobs are flexible, some people do them alongside their regular jobs, like a side gig. Nevertheless, most freelancers are full-time freelancers; their income comes from it exclusively or primarily.

5. Working as a freelancer is less stressful than working a regular job

The idea of freelancing on the surface seems like taking candy from a baby, isn't it? You may not realize that it's even more stressful than working a regular job.

This is not meant to discourage you, but when you work as a freelancer, you are on your own. Your responsibilities include marketing yourself, ensuring clients are happy, closing deals, tracking invoices, payments, and many more. There can be a significant amount of pressure on a person, and you may have very little free time.

6. A freelancer only does what he or she is excited about

It would be wonderful if this were true!

You might be the boss, but ultimately it's your clients who make the decisions. It is possible for you to receive tasks that are within your field of expertise and excite you on some days, and it is possible that you are tasked with boring and challenging jobs on other days.

Although it's your right to say no to a boring job, the freelance industry is competitive and you can't risk turning down an opportunity because it's boring.

7. Freelancers work from home

Being able to work from home is unquestionably convenient.

However, due to various distractions in your working environment at home (television, bed, housework) and due to the social nature of humans, many freelancers work from an office or a café away from home to avoid distractions or loneliness that might make them miss deadlines.

8. There is always work for freelancers

Freelancers shouldn't expect that jobs will flood in simply because they are freelancers. You will need to put in a lot of patience and effort in finding work and keeping it steady. In order to obtain new clients, referrals, repeat clients, and collaborations, you'll need to market yourself every single day.

9. Freelancing is an unreliable source of income 

How do you pay for your rent? Being a freelancer is so risky!”

There is no such thing as a secure job. Unlike a regular job, freelance jobs are solely dependent on you for your financial security. By establishing new connections, learning new skills, and expanding your knowledge during low and high seasons, you can create multiple income streams that will maintain a steady flow of income.

Final thoughts

While some myths are partially true, do not rush into them if you are carrying unrealistic expectations like those described above. It is more likely to affect your performance and relationships with your clients if you believe these myths. If you go about freelance work with the right mindset and information, you can make a lot of money.

Also Check: Steps to Scale Up Your Freelance Practices

Securing freelancers' funds through escrow -

Many freelancers end up working for free when they are approached by a company and trust them based on their reputation and name. The vast majority of fraudsters request free samples or work on a demo project from the first-time freelancer, then use these samples and never pay the freelancer.  

This type of fraud can be avoided by collecting an advance by means of a digital escrow platform. 

Check back here to learn more about Escrow and how to protect yourself from fraud.

Safety is not just about protecting your credit, debit card number, and UPI accounts. It's about having control of your money till you've received the product or service you bought online!

Let's get your transactions secure on Vouch. It's just a click away.