Freelancing can look like the dream: laptop on a beach, no boss, easy money rolling in. But after 16 years in digital marketing — and eight of those working for myself and building a freelance network — I can confidently tell you: freelancing is brilliant, but it’s also seriously misunderstood.
Here are four of the biggest myths I see over and over — and what you really need to know before making the leap into freelance life.
💸 Myth 1: Freelancing is Easy Money
Let’s bust this straight away. Freelancing is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Yes, you can earn good money — but not without real graft.
Here’s what really affects how much you can make:
- Your experience and specialism
- How strong your personal brand is
- The time you invest in sales, marketing and outreach
- How you manage your pipeline and client relationships
👉 Top tip for beginner digital marketing freelancers:
You won’t be billing every hour of every working day. There’s sales time, admin time, and general business upkeep. If you’re planning your day rate, subtract 1–2 hours from your workday to account for non-billable time — and that’s your real earning potential.
Also, don’t forget to factor in costs:
- Tools & software (e.g., Adobe, Semrush, Notion)
- Accounting software and your accountant
- Co-working or equipment
All things that used to be covered by an employer are now on you.
But with slick processes, a strong reputation, and a solid network, you absolutely can build a steady income stream. It just doesn’t happen overnight.
🎓 Myth 2: You Don’t Need Experience to Freelance
This one really grinds my gears. Of course you need experience. You need:
- A channel or trade (SEO, PPC, copywriting, social etc)
- A niche or specialism
- Some level of commercial awareness
Without that, you’ve got nothing to freelance in.
So where do you get that experience?
If you’re interested in freelancing in digital marketing, the best place to start is hands down: an agency.
Why? Because you get:
- Exposure to multiple clients, industries and campaign types
- A chance to try different roles and disciplines
- Real insight into client comms, pitching, project management
- The chance to learn to sell
And selling, by the way, is the most underrated freelance skill out there. If you’ve never scoped a job, pitched a solution or followed up on a lead — it’s going to be tough out there. So if you’re still employed, get as close to the sales team as you can. Learn how they sell with empathy, how they scope work, how they build trust.
🌍 Myth 3: You Can Work from Anywhere
Technically true — but there are caveats.
Yes, you can work from anywhere with decent Wi-Fi. Yes, remote work is one of freelancing’s biggest perks. But…
🕒 Time zones matter.
Not all clients are happy with a 7-hour difference. Some are fine, but others will prefer someone on a similar clock.
🧠 Routine matters too.
As dreamy as “working from Bali” sounds, structure is still key — especially for mental health. Personally, I’ve loved co-working spaces. They give you the flexibility and a sense of routine.
So yes, you can work from anywhere — just go in with eyes open.
🧠 Myth 4: No Boss = No Problems
It’s true that you won’t have a boss — but you’ll still answer to someone: you.
You’ll be:
- Your own project manager
- Your own finance team
- Your own sales and marketing department
- Your own HR
If you’re not disciplined, motivated, and organised, things can fall apart fast. This is where burnout creeps in — and reputations start to wobble.
👉 If you miss deadlines, don’t follow up with clients, or slack on communication, it’s your name on the line. And your ability to build a sustainable freelance career depends on credibility and consistency.
So… Is Freelancing Worth It?
For me — absolutely. Going freelance was the biggest personal development journey I’ve ever been on. It’s taught me more than any job ever could. But it’s not for everyone.
If you’re thinking about how to become a freelancer:
- Be honest with yourself
- Build your experience first
- Learn how to sell and market yourself
- Expect a learning curve
- Connect with others doing the same thing
You don’t have to get it all perfect from day one. But you do have to approach it with realism and intention.
💬 Want more tips for beginner freelancers?
Check out this video for a practical 10-step plan to help you structure your week and start strong.