Freelancing is loved by many as it allows them to work on their own pace and time. When asked, a lot of people often regard to freelancers as individuals who get to have more free time than work—those who get to travel a lot because they manage their own time. However, freelancing is not always fun and glory; it also has its own share of struggles and challenges.
If you are someone who’s considering becoming a freelancer, here are five downsides of freelancing that you must know first to assess whether this work setup is right and ideal for you:
1. Inconsistent work
Working at your own pace and time can be exciting to think about; that is if you receive consistent work from your clients. However, freelance work is unpredictable and inconsistent. Either you receive tons of projects in a month or none at all. One thing you can do to prevent having inconsistent work is to be good at marketing yourself.
2. Having initial investments
When you get hired as a freelancer, your client would not provide you any work support such as work computer or internet allowance. Their primary concern would be your output and your output alone. With that said, you must equip yourself first before looking for freelance opportunities. Not to mention that you would need a home office to work at.
3. Lack of benefits
Another downside of freelancing is having no benefits and bonuses. Since your work is contractual, your client is not obligated to give you any work benefits or bonuses, unless they insist.
Here are some benefits and bonuses that you will miss:
- Paid sick and vacation leaves
- Holiday bonuses
- Project or group incentives
- Insurances
4. Overworking / round-the-clock coverage
Yes, freelancers can work on their own pace and time. However, since no one looks after them, most of them tend to overwork. Either that or they tend to work round-the-clock since most clients expect them to be available at all times. Most freelancers receive phone calls or revision updates from their clients during supposed non-office hours.
5. Scam work offers / late payments
Another problem that many freelancers encounter are scam work offers. Scammers target people that are desperate for work. So, if you are someone who is not careful in assessing the job post, you will most likely be a potential victim. To avoid that from happening, better look for freelance opportunities on reputable online job boards or ask referrals from your colleagues.
Aside from that, some freelancers often receive late payments from their clients as well. For that reason, it became a practice for freelancers to sign contracts with their clients to protect both parties.
Conclusion
Freelancing can be exciting, but it is not for everyone. Contrary to what most other people think, freelancers carry a lot of self-responsibilities. Without their own eagerness and hard work, they won’t be able to catch work opportunities. So, if you’re looking into becoming a freelancer, make sure that you are well-equipped and prepared for challenges.