3 Popular Pieces of Freelancing Advice You Should Ignore

I decided to start working as a freelancer right after I graduated from college. I loved the idea of having a chance to continue writing, something I’ve been doing since a young age.

At the beginning of my journey as a freelance writer, I had no one to guide me, so I learned everything I know through trial and error. And a lot, a lot of research.

I guess all new freelancers begin their careers by doing plenty of research. And no matter what your freelance niche is, there’s tons of advice out there. Everyone has something to say on how to navigate your career.

It’s great to share your experience and insights to help others, but there are some pieces of advice that not only aren’t helpful but are plain, well, horrible. Here are three popular pieces of freelancing advice you should ignore.

#1. You Should Never Work for Free

One of the most popular pieces of freelancing advice you’ll find online is that under no circumstances should you work for free. That undervalues your talent and sets a precedent for future compensation — or so people say.

Look, I get it. No one wants to work for free. It feels wrong and unfair. But when it comes to freelancing, the harsh truth is that in the beginning, you’ll have to work for nothing — at least for a short amount of time.

That is because you’ll need to build your portfolio and gain some experience in your freelance area of expertise.

You know how this thing works, both in the freelance and the real world: clients search for someone experienced with a strong portfolio to take up their projects, but in order to gain some experience and build your portfolio, you need someone to hire you first.

How frustrating can that be?

At the beginning of my career as a freelance writer, I created my own samples, did some guest posts on other people’s sites, and created various articles and blog posts online. I didn’t receive a single penny for any of that, but I enriched my resume and gained some valuable experience.

In the end, none of it was for nothing.

#2.Only Work on Projects That Interest You

I’ve seen so many people advising new freelancers that the latter should choose to work only on projects that pique their interest and seem exciting.

They support this argument by claiming that when you work on something you don’t like, you want to finish as fast as possible; thus, you end up doing a mediocre, scrappy job. On the other hand, when you truly enjoy what you’re doing, you end up with remarkable results.

And nothing could actually be further from the truth.

First of all, a real professional nails every task they’re given, no matter whether they like it or not. You’re not here to question a project. You’re here to nail the job you’re given, get paid, and move on.

And then there’s another harsh truth. As a beginner freelancer, you’ll be obliged to work on things you don’t necessarily like, just to earn an income.

It might take a lot of time before you earn any money at all, let alone a decent income. That means that you’ll grab every work opportunity that comes your way.

I remember when I first started landing some writing projects, they were for a content mill company. I basically had to write a specific amount of words on various topics, most of which were boring.

Like, really boring. From drying parsley at home to getting a visa. Did I enjoy writing about such things? Of course not. Nevertheless, I needed both the money and the experience, so I kept going.

You don’t have the privilege of choice when you’re just beginning.

#3. Don’t Work in Your Bedroom

That’s probably the first thing people advised you not to do. The reason being, working in your bedroom supposedly makes you less productive, makes you prone to distractions, and makes you feel like your job is, well, less of an actual job.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter where you work. It doesn’t matter if your office is in your bedroom, the kitchen, the balcony, or any other room in the house. It doesn’t matter if you work in your home, or prefer going to cafés.

As I mentioned earlier, it all comes down to whether you’re a real professional or not. Just because you have your TV and your bed next to your office, doesn’t mean you’ll be distracted and less productive.

You can be easily distracted pretty much anywhere. On the days when I don’t feel like writing, even the walls around me can distract me. It’s up to you to restrain yourself, keep your self-discipline, and remain focused on your work.