Myths arises because of poor knowledge about things. Some myths are exaggerated claims, others bear truth in them, and others are just plain myths that needs busting. Below is a list of top myths that envelopes some truth in them and how freelancers make them into reality.

Before you go on reading, take note that this is a subjective view of the myths as heard from the people I know who have received the following  remarks. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments below.

Myth #1 Freelancers rarely go out

Image by: Gary Mcinnes

Not true, I know some freelancers who go out and meet with fellow freelancers in a coffee shop just to have a chat while working. There are also party animals of our bunch. Like most people, we also love spending our evenings watching TV or in a restaurant with our lovey dovey or in a concert.

Living the Myth:

Then again you can’t blame people for being too comfortable inside their homes. I am guilty of this, for two weeks now I have not seen even a single neighbor. *laughs*

Myth #2 People enter freelancing because they can’t get a job

Image by: Sanja Gjenero

Contrary to this, I can cite my story. Everything’s going pretty awesome at my previous job, pay was above average, and up to now I’m receiving e-mails from companies where I’ve sent my CV months ago but I’d rather stay at home and venture to the limitless possibilities of freelancing. Other people left their jobs and are now successful freelancers (I’m not Yet included here). Others actually prefer freelancing because they don’t want a boss to be nagging them around, or they’re better working alone.

Living the Myth:

Unfortunately there are indeed people who enter the world of freelancing because either the job market is too full to accommodate them or their skills do not meet with companies’ standards. This is a sad thing to happen to anyone who’s actively seeking but can’t.

Myth #3 Freelancers = not quality work

Image by: Billy Alexander

Most freelancers are actually more professional than people working in an office setting. They are more mature and can handle daunting tasks alone, without the need of back up from a team/company.

Living the Myth:

If the service provider does not produce quality work, then either he’s not content with what the client is giving him or he’s not ready for the job. Sadly this actually depends on the set of skills a service provider has and the expectation of the client.

Myth #4 Freelancers spend more time relaxing

Image by: MJimages

And there is this myth which states that freelancers spend most of their time not working and still earning, some do it like that especially for people who need to collect inspiration to come up with an original work (which in a sense is still work).

Living the Myth:

If you know someone who is not taking things seriously and just sitting pretty while work is ongoing then his days are numbered. Unless, of course, there’s no work to do or he’s a fast worker.

Myth #5 Freelancers spend more time working than in an office setting

Image by: Marina Beliakova

I know this contradicts Myth #4 but myths tend to contradict themselves right? It may look too tiring but do freelancers really work for more than 16 hours a day? Read on.

Living the Myth:

This only happen to people who are not good at managing their time. Deadline is on Friday? Get it done by Wednesday. On a lighter note: they may just be doing tomorrow’s amount of work, isn’t that adorable?

Myth #6 Freelancers don’t brush their teeth before working

Image by : Gary Tamin

Not all, just some. Most freelancers love working feeling refreshed and relaxed. Shower before working adds focus; incidentally it gives sprout to new ideas too, that sly ideas-while-in-the-shower phenomenon.

Living the Myth:

Unhygienic! But it bears some truth. I was talking to a freelancer friend about the advantages of being at home, working. He mentioned that it is not a requirement that you brush your teeth before talking to you boss over the internet. And he hits the shower every midnight.

Myth #7 Freelancers are cheap labor

Image by: Michael Ufniak

This is actually what happens to most budding freelancers since they themselves do not know how much they should charge for their services. But in actuality most freelancers are skilled individuals you can’t find just anywhere near you. To be fair, for starters it is absolutely fine to charge cheap while building a good name but not all the time.

Living the Myth:

Freelancers agree to be paid less for two reasons: 1. No savings and 2. it’s raining(got fired).

Myth #8 Clients’ view: Risk

Image by: PRLANG

Hiring a freelancer for a big project is a great risk. Is it? Actually, most freelancers, when bestowed a big project with great pay they will never do anything that would get them fired from the job. Freelancing itself is a risk, if clients think that hiring one is a risk, we are also thinking “what if he doesn’t pay?”

Living the Myth:

If there’s a smoke, there’s a fire. Unfortunately there are rude freelancers who are not mature enough to take responsibility. To clients out there, remember that the fault of the few does not reflect the whole.

The Question: Are you a Mythical Freelancer?