What’s on your mind, when you hear a word “freelance“?
Not so attached?
Independent?
Easy come, easy go?
Highly paid?
Some of these were right, but some is not.
1. Not attached
Yes. We, freelancer, work as our own name, our own self brand. Good or bad your work is depends on yourself.
We don’t have company name behind us to protect us, if something goes wrong. Fair enough?
2. Independent
Yes, and no. Yes, back to point one.
No? I thought that being a freelance (as freelance consultant), we must work on our own. We become expertise on our module, with no help from anyone. Wrong. As my experience being a freelance, I still have a lot of friend to discuss with, including my office colleague, whose eagerly helping one another if there are any technical issues. And also, Mr Google will happily help us, anytime, for free. ๐
3. Easy come, Easy go.
Yes.
Not performing good enough? End of story.
Freelancer is often bound to a contract, which is project specific. And project must have a fixed timeline, we can say 6 – 12 months. Or even two weeks. ย After the project ends? Done. We must find another rice field to work in. And this is kinda frustrating.
4. Highly paid.
Wait, this will be a though discussion. First, freelancer is paid based on their experience. We’ve heard people paid $300 – $1000 per day for being a freelance. If you’re experienced enough, it could be. But, take a closer look. Freelancer don’t have any allowance, health insurance, transport reimbursement, hotel voucher, etc.
And freelancer is often daily paid. So, when you’re on sick leave, family matters, or anything that make you couldn’t come to project, then, no payment. As simple as that. Take a day leave, to go for some occasion, while counting some dollars you miss? That’s not so fun.
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So? Thinking about being a freelancer?