The freelance career market is booming. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, about 36% of the U.S. workforce was freelancing.

You might be considering freelance work as an alternative to the 9-5 grind, but may be hesitant because of what you’ve heard from friends or read on blogs.

Let’s debunk some common freelance career myths that exist today so you can make a more informed decision about your future.

I Can’t Freelance Because I’m Not a Creative

Any work that is remotely close to a creative profession can be freelance.

While it may be true that you need artistic or design skills for some freelance projects, there are many jobs out there that don’t require any artistry.

Employers seek freelancers in the healthcare industry, business management, and data entry, among others. They have specific needs but lack the resources to hire full-time employees.

You might not think of yourself as a “creative,” but if you can answer yes to most of these questions, then you are ready for freelancing:

• Can I present my ideas clearly?
• Do I find new ways to solve problems?
• Am I good at communicating with clients?
• Can I get things done on time with minimal supervision?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then freelance is right for you. And if not? Well, maybe it’s time to brush up on some freelance career skills.

Freelancing will allow you to work in a field that fits your talents and interests. It doesn’t matter where or how hard the job is, but whether you enjoy it.

If freelance isn’t for you, then don’t do it to say that you’re a “freelancer.” Your work ethic and time are valuable, so choose wisely.

Freelance Work Is Only for Millennials

Millennials are the freelance generation. Many of them have been freelance from a young age.

While it’s true that more millennials consider freelance work as an alternative to the traditional workforce, they aren’t the only ones making a killing on their terms. In fact, freelancers come in all ages and backgrounds.

Freelancing is a great opportunity for someone who has been laid off from their old job. It provides an income and allows them to learn new skills while they look for other employment.

It’s also the perfect career fit for people with disabilities, freelance moms and dads, retirees looking to make some extra cash, military spouses… you name it!

As long as you have the right freelance career skills (communication, time management), there are freelance opportunities regardless of your age or situation. So feel free to go after those positions without feeling like you aren’t qualified because of your background or generation.

You’ll be surprised at how many employers seek experienced freelancers instead of recent college grads that don’t know anything about their industry.

So don’t let your age or generation hold you back from freelance work. If anything, freelance can help you grow as a person and learn new skills that will benefit you later in life.

Freelance Work Is Only for Extra Cash

Freelancing is a great side hustle.

Many freelance careers start this way, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be your full-time job later on if you’re willing to put in the work and dedication.

In fact, some freelance careers are built from complete scratch by previously unemployed or underemployed people. They saw an opportunity and went after it until they had enough clients to sustain their income.

If you have the right freelance career skills, then there’s no reason why working solo can’t become your main source of income at home or abroad regardless of age, gender, race… anything! If someone else did it before you, then you can too.

All it takes is hard work and dedication— nothing more, nothing less.

Freelance Work Is Only for the Uneducated

Freelance careers are open to anyone.

In fact, freelance work has been taken up by people from all walks of life and with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including high school dropouts and Ph.D. holders. The only thing it takes is the right freelance career skills!

The key here is knowing your worth in the freelance job market. Don’t undersell yourself just because you didn’t graduate college or have an advanced degree or certificate. You can learn new things every day so use your lack of education to better yourself and become a freelance expert.

People who land freelance jobs tend not to be cocky about their qualifications either. They know there’s always room for improvement, which is why they actively work on their freelance careers instead of treating it like a hobby.

So don’t fall into the trap that freelance jobs are only for people with degrees or extensive knowledge in certain subjects. Freelance is open to everyone so go after those opportunities without feeling intimidated by your lack of education.

There’s nothing wrong with being uneducated, but there’s also value in honing freelance career skills— especially if you’re self-taught.

Freelance Work Is Too Risky

Freelancing is a great way to build up your career skills.

The real risk behind freelance jobs comes from not having the right freelance career skills. That’s how people lose money in a short amount of time or end up jobless when they didn’t know what they were doing in the first place.

If you have good communication and organizational skills, there’s nothing risky about going after those opportunities. At least you’ll work on your terms without being micromanaged by others who don’t understand freelancers’ needs.

In fact, if anything, it can be more secure than traditional employment because it allows you to take control over your working hours, travel schedule, and salary range.

You can freelance from anywhere in the world, so there’s no need to worry about being tied down by a single location. If you have good freelance career skills, then your options will be endless. And this is how it should be for everyone regardless of age, race, or background.

Have you landed your first freelancing project? www.hecticapp.com has outlined some things you should avoid.

Build a Freelance Career and Enjoy the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Freelance is a great way to build your career skills and open up new opportunities in life.

It’s not only about the money… it’s about traveling, building businesses with people from around the world, or learning something completely different that you can’t find at school. It doesn’t matter why you want the freelance career because there will always be reasons for doing so.

Go out into this crazy world and chase after what makes sense for you. You can be a freelance blogger, freelance programmer, or anything.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post. For more informative content, please keep reading our articles.