As a professional freelancer I believe it's important to always conduct myself in a professional manner. Unfortunately for me, I don't always pull that off 100% of the time. In this business it's easy to become frustrated at a myriad of things that would make Job himself lose his cool. Things like endless, subjective revisions dictated by clueless AEs before a layout is even shown to the client. Or receiving incomplete creative requests with contradictory direction that are due yesterday. Or being told to put a glow AND a shadow on an object by an AD who graduated college 2 years ago. Or being told to "just do it" after trying to point out that "just doing it" will result in making both the agency and client look bad. Yeah, welcome to the wonderful world of freelancing.
After a while you have to make a choice. If you refuse to compromise on the quality of your work, and question clearly bad direction then you risk being labeled as a freelancer that's "difficult to work with". If you capitulate and decide to produce something you know is wrong (won't print correctly, spelled wrong, poorly designed, etc.), as well as never question anything then you risk being labeled as a freelancer who "just isn't that good", or who "just doesn't care". I've heard the comments by ADs and CDs first hand, and I've never heard anyone referred to as "the perfect freelancer" because we're locked into a no-win situation.
Over the years I've met both types of freelancers. And being labeled one way or the other isn't a reflection on anyone's true ability, nor is it meant to be an insult in any way. Some people, like me, just can't resign themselves to doing something they know is obviously wrong. Others simply don't want to waste the time and effort railing against an industry that seemingly doesn't care what's right or wrong. I've had more than one fellow freelancer tell me to stop bothering to give a shit when clearly the agency or client doesn't, but I just... can't... do... it.
I've always wondered why there aren't more freelancers out there. I also wonder if the frustration of having to choose which negative perception you'll be labeled with has anything to do with why our numbers are so low.
My feeling is, that as a "career freelancer", the reason why i get called back is because I do care. If something doesn't look right, I always show them their way, then show them the right way!!! And our numbers are so low because it takes a lot to stay freelance. Good times, bad times. But to be your so called "own boss" is worth it. Frustrating at times for sure and certainly scary but I wouldn't trade it. Even with working onsite everyday which is like a full time job, the idea of taking a full time job scares the crap out of me. The benefits would be nice, but I need to know that if I am unhappy I can just leave. Something to be said for that.
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