Newsletters
Business Advice
Departments
 |
|
|
|
|
||
Sponsored Sections
Column by Terri Lonier
A Ban on Freelancing
Names and titles are potent messengers, carrying meaning to the world about who we are and what we do as self-employed professionals.
Let's do away with freelancing. Yes, I know it has noble lineage, dating back to Sir Walter Scott's depiction of 12th century English kingdoms relying on mercenary warriors in his historical novel Ivanhoe. When danger arose, those in power turned to the "free lance" -- the unallied weapon-bearer -- to defend honor, wealth, and territory. In our digital era, however, when boundaries are permeable and even the farthest corners of the world are just a mouse-click away, I believe this term does more harm than good for solo entrepreneurs.
Knights in shining armor
Freelancing also communicates a lack of commitment to one's clients and customers. Work for one today, another tomorrow. Yet one of the key principles of a strong solo business is building a solid customer base, so that one's resources of time, energy, and money are not spent primarily on customer acquisition. Seasoned entrepreneurs know that profits are dependent upon actual deliverables -- their billable products or services -- rather than potential customers. Familiar statistics also show it costs six to eight times as much to gain a new customer as serve an existing one.
The mercenary quality of the word is the third reason I'm lobbying for a ban on the term freelancing. While financial compensation is an important part of self-employment, working solely for a paycheck is not enough. In fact, it's one of the primary drivers of people leaving W-2 environments to work on their own: the freedom to follow one's passion, and to create work that's filled with meaning as well as money. Yes, financial achievement and stability in a solo business is important, but it's spirit-draining to focus only on the bottom line.
Battle lines drawn
By now I suspect that scores of experienced freelancers reading this have swords raised and shields aloft ready to vanquish all my claims. There's a longstanding tradition of freelancing in many professions, particularly those related to publishing and design. There are also many soloists who are outsourced on a permanent basis --"perma-sourced" -- to one or two companies. Other freelancers aggregate smaller temporary assignments to create a work portfolio that is respectable, profitable, and sustainable. So yes, my tongue is firmly in cheek as I write these words.
My larger point, however, is that names and titles are potent messengers, carrying meaning to the world about who we are and what we do as self-employed professionals. There's a subtle but important difference between being a freelancer, a soloist, a lifestyle entrepreneur, an independent contractor, a self-employed professional, a free agent, or the CEO of a one-person business. Choose these self-descriptors with care, for they communicate how you wish to be perceived and are foundational elements of your personal brand. What term serves you -- and your solo business -- best?
Try a RISK-FREE Issue of Inc. Today!
Select Services
