Freelancing
is working on a contract basis for a variety of companies, as opposed to
working as an employee for a single company. Freelancers are often considered
to be self-employed and have the freedom to pick and choose their projects and
companies they would like to be associated with. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/freelance.html)
There are many
reasons professionals within the Creative industry could decide to go
freelancing from the simple personal preference to not want to commit to a 9-5
work routine and wanting to be one’s own boss to other complex reasons of
health, childcare arrangements or other age-related considerations.
So, is
freelancing the road to success? Well, it could be but what are the benefits
and drawbacks?
Benefits
1.
Convenience of working when you want. You are your own boss.
2.
Possibility of working from home thereby reducing the cost of transport and
travelling times.
3. Room for
creativity. According to History of Animation, Disney was once criticised for
not allowing his staffs to be creative as they must adapt to the company’s
standard and style of art and animation but that is what we have in virtually
all companies. In the contrary, a freelancer has a wide platform to exhibit
his/her creativity.
4. Income.
Of course, money is a consideration. A freelancer could make as much money as
possible since he/she is not restricted to employee wages and could work with
multiple companies or clients at the same time.
So, taking
numbers 3 and 4 of the benefits as outlined above, creativity and financial
stability, freelancing indeed could be a road to success in the creative industry.
However, we also need to analyse the drawbacks that could impact negatively or
that should be taken into serious consideration before taking the route of
freelancing. The drawbacks;
1. Source
work/job. A freelancer must source work/job by himself or herself even if it’s
going to be through an agency and in a fast pace and growing industry as the
creative industry, the freelancer must be able to compete well. There is no
guarantee of payment if there is no work unlike those in normal employment.
2. Pay
bills. The freelancer pays his/her energy bills since he/she’s working from
home and is financially responsible for other fees i.e. insurance and/or
accountant’s fees.
3.
Liabilities. As a self-employed person, the freelancer is liable for any breach
of contract and bears any associated risks, on his/her own part, for the
contract.
4. Sole
responsibility. The freelancer is solely responsible to meet deadlines. There
is no sick leave or paid holiday.
As we can
see, freelancing is desirable but requires self-discipline on the part of the
freelancer because he/she must be above his/her own game and should of course
save for the raining day.
Samuel Oludare Yerokun
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