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Why I Hate Freelancers
Posted By Arron on November 11th, 2008
I guess I should rephrase that. I hate the term “freelancer”. Though I use it regularly on this site, I use it only as a generic term for a broad audience. There are many reasons why I don’t like the word. Here are a couple things that “freelancing” brings to mind:
Update: Josh Catone over at Sitepoint wrote an article asking if we Should You Retire the Word “Freelancer?”. Thanks for the link back Josh!
We Are Cheap
Not inexpensive. Cheap. Low quality, low price. This is one of my biggest pet peeves about the word. It implies that since we are “freelancers” we can’t provide the quality of work and therefore the cost of service that the “big boys” can. Obviously this is a major misconception of the outside world. Anyone who has been in this industry knows that a “freelancer” is just as capable of producing top quality design as some multi-million dollar firm. Sometimes even better.
We Are Not Professional
Going hand in hand with the reason above this one, in most people’s opinion freelancers are not professional designers. This is partially our fault I suppose. A large portion of freelance designers, it hurts me to even call them designers, use MS Publisher for design work and meet with clients in an unprofessional way (wearing Motley Crue t-shirt and whatnot). This cannot pass. It is reasons like this that when you give a prospect a proposal for $1,300 they tell you that their neighbor’s kid can do t for $20. Bottom line is they just don’t take us seriously.
So how can we fix this Arron?
You can’t. It is unfortunate but as long as there are wannabe designers calling themselves freelancers there will be people that simply won’t take us seriously. We can, however, get around this a little bit. Stop calling yourself a freelancer and maybe use the term Independent Designer or just tell people you run your own design firm. If you have legally filed with your state and follow all the applicable laws then this isn’t a lie at all. Trust me, people take you far more seriously when they hear you are a business owner. I have been on both sides of the road and I will never be called a freelancer again. The hard part is not rolling into a client meeting in a Slipknot shirt.
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Comments 32
32 Responses to “Why I Hate Freelancers”
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- Freelancing for Money at Design and Development
- SitePoint » Poll: Should You Retire the Word “Freelancer?”
November 11th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Wow that was quick. Very well said.
My favorite assumption out there are the folks who tell me about their project and at the end tell me that if I do a good job it could lead to a full time job. An office job is the last thing I want.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I agree totally. When I give people a project quote, they tell me they can have someone do it for $100, or even do it themselves. It’s quite irritating, but I think part of the reason is that people think they are designers because they know a little html. They design a site that looks awful, but only charge $100 (this used to be me unfortunately, and now I won’t even admit to those projects).
November 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Even though I work full-time as an agency designer, I am beginning to pick up speed in the “independent” design realm right now. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here and really made me think twice before marketing myself as a freelance designer. (Good thing I haven’t gotten any new business cards made up.)
Also, I’ve never even considered the fact that there are lots of people out there who claim to be “design professionals” and are the most unprofessional people in both their designs and appearance. (Probably due to the fact that I haven’t worked full-time as an independent designer.)
So thank you for sharing you thoughts and the next time someone tries to lump me in with all the other “freelancers” of the world I will quickly correct them with “uh, no sir/mam, I am an independent designer.”
November 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am
To some, the term freelance also connotes that you’ve dropped off the grid and will take almost anything, or that you’re a transient entity – either between jobs, or working this way until you become a “real” business.
Of course such definitions are defied regularly by successful freelancers and ultimately perception is in the eye of the marketplace. So it’s up to us…er…independent businesspeople to assertively define ourselves.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
You crack me up. You always make a good point but how you say it is awesome.
I couldn’t agree anymore with you on this. Like you mentioned, there are ways around it though. I think the most effective route is to make the conscious decision to separate yourself from the “freelancer” role by presenting yourself in nothing but a professional way- just like an art director or manager or whatever of a major design firm would. And yeah! “Stop calling yourself a freelancer and maybe use the term Independent Designer or just tell people you run your own design firm.” Great point.
Anyway… I think it’s all in how a “freelancer” presents themselves and their work. If you have a good hold on every aspect of your work/company (ie contracts, an efficient design process, a good education in design, etc.) and you make it so your clients can easily see that, being a freelancer isn’t be so bad after all because you most likely won’t be seen as cheap or unprofessional.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for the comments everyone!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Freelance is the fact of how I operate.
If cheap and unprofessional are how the people you deal with think of freelancers, you’re dealing with the wrong people. Period.
Now, having said that, I realize that there are different reasons why, at different times in our careers, when we may have to deal with the kind of people who think badly of those who freelance. During those times–usually when we’re starting out; sometimes during an economic downturn–we need to make the effort to remember to market ourselves constantly to a higher class client.
Arron Reply:
November 11th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
@Stephen Tiano, You make a very valid point and yes I may be dealing with the wrong people.
I agree that it is all about how we present ourselves but as a starting designer it is hard to do right out of the gate. You have to deal with these type people before you have a reputation good enough to start dealing with the “right” type of people.
Thank you for your comment.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I think one of the biggest problems that I’ve faced is when potential clients tell me they want to do it as inexpensively as possible, but they still want the same high-quality website that others have. They don’t necessarily put two-and-two together that it takes time to put together a great website, or that by limiting themselves to a particular budget and what they can get for X amount of money, they’re not really meeting the long-term needs of their organization.
In terms of the word “freelance” and all it connotes, I personally avoid using it whenever possible. I always refer to myself as having a side business or as a web designer and consultant - it just sounds more professional that way.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Wannabes… Unfortunately if the ‘legitimate’, skilled and experienced collectively change our names, the wannabes will follow suit. The only way to differentiation is by setting the quality of your work far above the rest, imho.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I agree 100%, I’ve had the problem myself, “I’m a freelance web designer”… “oh, well, in that case, I’ll only be paying half what we agreed”. Fail.
November 11th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
True, I’ll begin reconsidering calling myself a freelancer, since I also work on a big company for big clients, but I’ll start refering to myself as an independent designer
November 11th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Nice article but just like Stephen said you’re dealing with the wrong people. Maybe you’re advertising yourself wrong?
I sometimes struggle to identify time wasters and it’s something I’m trying to improve on. I never meet someone until I’ve had a good conversation over the phone and they understand my daily rate. I’ve had a number of experiences of driving an hour away. having an hour meeting and then finding out they only want to spend a fraction of what it’s really going to cost.
Also I set myself up as a company - not as an individual. This seems to work to my advantage. I don’t need to prove myself, I can charge at normal rate without blinking and people think the business is more than just me
…now to look at the rest of your site
November 12th, 2008 at 2:26 am
My favorite is “If you cut a deal on this job, there is another possible 20 jobs in line for you” .. I call bullshit and I’ve never been wrong. Stick to your guns. Like said above, if these are the only people you’re dealing with, try marketing in a different area. There are good people out there, we’re just so damn hard to find
November 12th, 2008 at 11:45 am
As part of a master’s project on this subject I preached we should ditch the term freelance (possibly offending one of my committee members). I encouraged the use of the term “self-employed” or “business owner.” At one time the term “designpreneur” was tossed around as well.
Nice read, thanks.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Very much agree with you that independent designers should not be using the term “freelancer”. Think about it–we’re the only profession that still uses that term when referring to professionals who work for themselves! A independent business consultant does not call themselves a “freelancer”, they call themselves a “consultant”. A therapist doesn’t call themselves a “freelance therapist”. A nanny is not a “freelance nanny”. And on and on. In my opinion, any serious design professional who uses the term “freelance” on their resume is automatically lowering their own image.
Arron Reply:
November 12th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
@Briana, great comment. I hadn’t thought about it but I think you are right, designers are the only ones who refer to themselves as freelancers.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
You’re so irrelevant I can’t believe I spent 10 seconds telling you this.
Arron Reply:
November 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
@rico, neither can I really.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I would agree that most people, I repeat MOST, think that because I do not work for a large firm that I can create a very in depth website for next to nothing, and then that support and changes to that site are unlimited and free. Just because I am a “freelancer”. Great article, terribly unfortunate.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
It seems anyone that has access to a computer with even the lowest end of design software calls themselves a designer these days. We (the trained) are now finding ourselves competing with some that couldn’t be further from the competition. Good for them if they’re good at selling themselves, but the quality of work, and ultimately design standards, are lowered and suffer in the end… not to mention our bank accounts.
Find your favorite blog and find a best of list… you’re bound to find just as many or more absolutely terrible designs as you will find good or great ones. One would think that it would be advantageous to the trained and experienced… not always so.
With all that said, again, I once read where the term “freelance” comes from (Google it), and also had teachers stress that we not refer to ourselves as freelancers, but rather as small business owners.
Lastly, never work for free… no matter if it’s work for Jimmy the car guy or the President. Everyone has bills to pay… even us “freelancers”.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Um, what about freelance journalists, freelance writers, freelance photographers?
I make no secret of the fact that I’m a freelancer (says so on my site’s home page) and find I actually get more search traffic for terms that include the word ‘freelance’.
Arron Reply:
November 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
@John Faulds, I think the point Briana was trying to make is that the majority of professionals do not call themselves “freelancers”. If being a freelancer works for you then keep at it. This is by no means a bible for all people it is simply my opinion on the topic.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I’m a freelancer does that mean you hate me… or just my title. Don’t offend the lady by calling her cheap. Great post, and right on.
Arron Reply:
November 13th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
@Pink Boutique, of course I don’t hate you. You read my blog
November 15th, 2008 at 4:02 am
I totally agree with what you’re saying in your article. When you call yourselves freelancers. Some potential clients see that as, not your real job, just some extra income. Which leads them to take you less serious or blow balling you.
There has been some movement in trying to change “Freelancer” to “Independent Contractor or Business Owner.” This process has been slow. What needs to happen is every creative has to stop using freelancer.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Freelancer is not a term which implies your work is any less professional than a design firm. What gets you the work is your portfolio, your references and people who you do justice to with your efforts and talents and commitments. You are competing against the world for work and some of you may not have the experience or maturity to be in this business. I’m not a designer but I found this blog and hoped to perhaps find a designer who had some integrity and desire to help someone who doesn’t have an offshore account instead I found a disgruntled group who doesn’t use spell check and had I known I would have carried along some tissues. See Arron I did learn something and while we’re on the subject of words we don’t like dude the term SPEAK! is one used typically when carrying on a conversation with my dog.
Arron Reply:
November 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
@Robert “Butch” Greenawalt, if you are not a designer then how can you possibly understand that, as such, we deal with this issue a great deal. And while I agree that your portfolio should speak about you talent and skill, it is incredibly difficult to do a portfolio review with someone who considers you less than professional.
Perhaps you should master the elusive art of proper punctuation and, perhaps, shorten your run-on sentences. Just a thought.
For someone with such disdain for my article, you followed me on Twitter with the quickness. Thanks for that.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Very well said indeed. The word “freelancer” sounds pathetic to a lot of corporate clients and they need a large background portfolio behind the “freelancer” to work for them. Being a company or a firm makes things a bit smooth to operate from. I have personally realized this, being an “independent blogger/evangelist for businesses”. As a result, I have decided to kick off a new website/business where in things would be more documented and formalized.
Thanks for such a good post. I am sure it would help a lot of noobs who are entering the industry with a “freelancer” tag.
Cheers!
Arron Reply:
December 6th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
@Praval Singh, thank you for the kind words. I really do try to help the “design noobs” get started on the right foot.