Taking the “Gig” Out of Freelancing

It’s 2022. Do you know where your freelance writing career is?

I’ll tell you where it isn’t — in the gig economy. You, my writerly friend, are not a gig worker. Ah, but far too many people writing far too many articles on gig workers tend to lump professional writers (you know, you) in with the likes of an Uber driver.

You’re not an Uber driver, are you? Even if you are, you don’t write while you drive. So why is your livelihood being lumped in with the on-call workforce?

It’s an easy misunderstanding. Freelancers:

• Work with clients on one or more projects (or gigs)
• Collect 1099 income tax forms from said clients

The same goes for gig workers. But that’s where the similarities end. Gig workers:

• Contract with an on-demand style company, such as Uber or Lyft, to work when needed
• Work with one or more such companies in clearly defined roles with little room for business growth
• Are paid a fee set by the client

I know some people will argue that gig workers do include freelancers. Yes and no. Most gig workers are performing the dreaded “side hustle” (dreaded because I truly hate the term). They could well have another job besides this side gig. Some freelancers too do behave like gig workers. They:

• Work for content mills and high-volume content sites
• Let the clients dictate their pay rate
• Allow clients to monitor their work, require set hours of work, or require them to be easy to reach at all hours

That’s a gig worker. It’s also serfdom, but I digress a bit.

[bctt tweet=”#Freelance writers are not gig workers. Repeat: #freelancewriting pros are not gig workers.” username=”LoriWidmer”]

The whole idea of being classified among people who are accepting of the idea that the company isn’t an employer but is telling them what they’ll be paid should make your skin crawl a little. Being considered a gig worker cheapens what we do. It suggests once again that we’re merely playing at it, that we’re out there earning a few coins until the real work shows up.

However, this is my real work. How about you?

It’s on us to dispel the myth that we’re in the same category as the average gig worker. Here’s how:

Amp up our own descriptors.

If you’re spinning wheels with the same sort of clients who aren’t taking you seriously, try this: stop calling yourself a freelance writer. Instead, start using “commercial” or “professional” writer. It’s a tiny shift that has massive impact. Yes, it does matter what we call ourselves. Contract writer, writing consultant, professional editor — all of these say, “I’m worth more” without you having to convince anyone.

Stay off job sites.

The minute you allow clients to dictate your rate, you lose control of your business. Maybe you’re okay with that. Maybe you’re okay making 50 cents a word when others are making well over $1 a word. If so, kumbaya and knock yourself out. If, however, you’re a tad sick of fighting every client to get them up to your minimum rate, stop fishing in the same pond. Instead, actively seek clients. It’s not hard. I’ve shown you how here many, many, many times (each of those is a clickable link to the how-tos). Read up, then blaze your own path to better writing success.

Stop being so eager.

That potential client in front of you may not be your client. How will you know? First, trust your gut. You know a raw deal and you know the signs that trouble isn’t far behind. Second, don’t be jumping to accept any rate. You have needs. If you’re working for Client A writing 4 articles a week at $200 per article, how the hell will you ever have time for Client B, who needs ongoing market articles at $2/word? Be picky. And while we’re at it, you’re a busy freelancer. Yes, you can work with them, but dropping everything else to do so sets a damn tough precedent. Instead, give yourself ample time to get prepared for the call and ample time to finish the project. Slow. Down.

All of these changes seem small, but the impact can be phenomenal either alone or combined. Projecting a more confident, professional persona — even if you have to fake it — sends a message that you are worth the rate you charge.

Gig worker? Hell no. You’re a damn superstar.

Have a story about how you’ve expressed your value to a client without actually saying, “I’m worth it”?
How have you improved your image? Has that resulted in better clients or better pay?