Is “Freelance” a Bad Word?
(Illustration by Louis Simeone)
Have you ever wondered what potential clients think when you describe yourself as a “freelance” Illustrator?
Some professional artists omit the word from their vocabulary entirely, because they believe it devalues their services in the eyes of a client, and in some cases they’re right.
But why?
Maybe it’s the fact that part of the F-word does indeed say “free” that leads to the perception of low value, or maybe it’s just that some clients are more comfortable working with a “company” than with a person. Even though a freelancer is definitely their own company, sometimes it can be hard for clients to wrap their heads around that, which leads them to believe that a freelancer is not much more than a hobbyist who makes a little money from Illustration on the side.
It’s unfortunate that this misconception exists, and even more unfortunate that it can sometimes keep you from landing an Illustration project.
Although it’s also true that there are plenty of clients out there who don’t see freelancers in this way, it can be a good idea to take the precaution of simply describing yourself as an Illustrator. This allows you to declare your profession without taking any chance that you’ll be hurting your chances to sign a contract right from the start.
Even Badder Words
In my opinion, the word “freelance” isn’t nearly as damaging as words like “aspiring” or “student” when speaking to a client. These two words will deliver a much more direct hit to your credibility as a professional artist and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
“Freelance” is a much more neutral word that simply describes you as a sole proprietor in your business, and as more and more people become independent entrepreneurs, the term is gaining the understanding and acceptance that it deserves.
In the meantime, however, it can’t hurt to be cautious.
Do you call yourself a “freelance” Illustrator? Do you think that it can potentially devalue you in the eyes of a client? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section of this post.
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About Louis Simeone: New Jersey based Illustrator, Lou Simeone brings a dynamic flair to his illustration work through his fluid use of line and skillful handling of color. His illustrations evoke the kind of wit and whimsy that is universally appealing to a variety of audiences. Lou has close to twenty years experience in the communication arts industry.
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I have never heard of such a silly notion outside of the craziness on Clients From Hell. I have the words “freelance illustrator” on the top of my website in my banner. I think it is one of those things where it is only a dirty word if you let the bad guys win and act like it is a bad word.
That’s a good point, Heather. It is important to build the positive reputation of a word, but also important to be aware that it turns a small percentage off.
I will bet you all the paintbrushes in the world that the small percentage that would be turned off are the nightmare clients you don’t want to work with anyway.
Win-win!
Right again. I’d be curious to know your thoughts on the flip-side of this post. Is there a reason that artists SHOULD actively use the term freelance?
I think that it is beneficial because it is a simple way of saying “I am always looking for a new project to work on.” It is a flag to people to look to you if they are looking to work with an illustrator. I am a professional illustrator, but if I just say that then it could just as easily mean that I work for a company and I’m not available for freelance projects.
Personally, I’ve always loved the word. It sounds exciting, like freelance journalism… and if you think about it then they are very similar because illustration is also telling a story. I think everyone should use whatever terms they like, of course.
Heather,
I think both you and Steve make excellent points. I agree with the writer on the stigma of “freelance” based on my own experience. When I started looking for work nearly a decade ago, it took me four years to find a position. Why? The potential employers I interviewed with didn’t like the fact I was “freelancing” even though I was gaining real-life experience, which they also required. Finally one newspaper took a chance on my freelancing experience and I worked for them for six years.
My hope is this is changing with the current economic crisis. I have met many people trying to start their business in an industry of their choosing, all of whom have a minimum of ten years experience with their craft. Potential employers should look at this from a standpoint of creativity, problem-solving, communication, and project management, and not from a standpoint of “I’m in-between jobs”. The mere fact someone is freelancing indicates to me they’re problem-solving a monetary task. The person that’s simply putting out resumes? Yes, they’re problem-solving the same task, just a different approach with potentially a different (not necessarily improved) outcome.
“which leads them to believe that a freelancer is not much more than a hobbyist who makes a little money from Illustration on the side.”
I would be even more direct and say that this is what people think of an illustrator too. It sure is in my experience. The first question I get when I say I am an illustrator is “So what do you do for a living?”
^^
Within the creative community I don’t think it has quite the negative perception as it does with the general populace who are use to working with independent contractors or consultants of various sorts. You rarely hear of a “freelance” plumber or a “freelance” mechanic.
It’s not so much that it’s a BAD word, I just think that it’s not the BEST word. I’m one of those who omitted it from my title. I think “Professional Illustrator” sounds a whole lot better than “Freelance Illustrator.”
To me, the word Freelance means, “I do this, but I do a lot of other things too.”
It’s kind of a broad word. Much like what Cullen Cox said, “You rarely [if at all] hear of a freelance plumber or a freelance mechanic. Freelance mechanic to me doesn’t sound professional. It sounds like it’s a friend of a friend who likes to work on cars during the weekend.
But yes, DO NOT under any circumstances use the word “Aspiring.” If you do, just go ahead and put in an application to Wal-Mart because that is a HUGE red flag.
Haha, ‘aspiring’ is terrible, along with anything that implies you’re not a safe pair of hands!
You guys are making me think twice about ‘freelance’ too. Although I find the term ‘professional’ oxymoronic. Would you say “I’m a professional doctor?”
Mind you, “freelance police” is pretty cool.
Is a mall cop a “freelance police officer”?
Yeah, ‘Professional Doctor’ does sound pretty ridiculous.
So, my final say is just don’t put anything next to the title of ‘Illustrator’. I don’t think an extra word is necessary.
“I’m an Illustrator,” sounds just fine to me.
Well said, Mark. I think you’ve put it better than I did. Thanks.
Sounds weird, but In Germany Lawyer, Dentists, Tax adviser and Architects are “freelancer”.
Though I agree with the comment about aspiring or emerging;-)
you have a point here.. but its a profession.. some do mention them as a freelance architect or freelance lawyers… those not employed to any firm… but some do still accept jobs on the sides even they are hired as an architect to any firm..
it is just a crazy word and I believe that.. it really all depends on the quality of your work.. so if you want to use freelance or not… you output should still be professionally done…
On one hand, I like saying I’m a freelance illustrator, because it can also give the impression of someone that makes money off their talent, and is successful at it. And I do tend to agree with Heather, that any person that doesn’t understand what a freelancer is, might just be a good candidate for the Clients From Hell, and you might want to avoid.
That being said, if the word freelancer bothers you, professional illustrator is just as acceptable, and probably more accurate. I never gave it much thought before this, but I think from now on, I’m just going to say professional illustrator.
It is what I am.
I’m doing a lot of my business in french and I used the translated version of freelance when I describe myself but somehow in the translation it sounds more professional. People seem to think you’re important “à la pige!”
The French language does add that certain je ne sais pas.
When asked, I simply say I’m an illustrator. I’m not sure descriptive words are necessary. I think “freelance” is inherently implied when you describe yourself as an illustrator. To me the distinction would be “staff” illustrator, because I consider that the exception to the norm. I used to be one a staff illustrator, and personally I feel I’m much better off now that I’m strictly freelance / self-employed.
I use illustrator, self-employed illustrator, after that freelance illustrator.
I don’t think “freelancer” is a bad term, but I don’t consider myself one. I have any established graphic design practice, a stable of clients, a very specific target market, and a marketing plan that addresses that market. More importantly, I am not willing to take on any job that comes my way. While I welcome new clients, I will not take on a client if I am not satisfied I would be able to do a job that speaks well of me for me and will satisfy the client. Its not that I am making all that much money, it is just I have learned that it is foolish to take on work for the illusory “quick buck,” which is usually neither quick nor all that remunerative.
I say that I am a “commercial artist working entirely freelance”, and while this may sound complicated, it does two things that may be specific to me and which seems to explain to business customers from the beginning. First, I am also a fine artist and many people know me better for that, even though it’s still what I do at night and on the weekend and represents only about a quarter of my income–it’s just highly visible and easy to understand, and most people don’t see what I do in my studio all day most days. I include “entirely freelance” because many other artists work other jobs, sometimes even in their fields, but also freelance on the side to get to do what they really want to do. By contrast I am entirely working freelance.
Kicking “freelance” has been in discussion all along, and I think sometimes it depends what market you are in and who else is working in your market. There are ten colleges and universities within 20 miles of me, all graduating design students every semester. “Freelance” used to have a very bad connotation from many, we’ll say, recent graduates who didn’t have the technical or business experience to carry a job through and for a while “freelance” was synonymous with amateur or artists-who-have-no-work-ethic. But we’ve swung back to it actually meaning self-employed in most cases.
Interesting discussion! I also wonder if it might not depend a bit on what market, and what country you’re in.
When I was living in Germany, the term was “freischaffend” (a compound of “free” and “creative”) which has more of a ring to it than “freelance”, which brings to mind a bunch of drunken and amoral soldiers with no loyalties, and willing to fight for whoever takes them into pay (that is, after all, where the word comes from).
I shifted to New Zealand seven years ago and am still in the process of adapting – for one, this country does *not* have an arts culture anything at all like Europe, and by and large the perception is that if you’re an artist of any kind, it’s probably because you have some mental problem and aren’t good for a “real” job. I went on a programme for unemployed people with an arts qualification some while ago, and was told initially that I did not qualify because they only took people who were on sickness or disability benefits. I mean, seriously! (I raised hell, after all I got my residency permit on the strength of my artistic reputation, only to find that there was no way for me to make a living… but I digress).
I’ve also been sent to a whole lot of business classes and such (which, I think, ought to be more of an integral part in the arts education system, really) – and there the emphasis was that I “own a business”, rather than “work freelance”. I”m mostly doing web design at the monent, so rather than telling people I’m a “freelance web designer”, I say I “have my own web design business”.
Not that I get a whole lot of work either way … but at least people talk to me, and don’t immediately put me off as a case for the straight jacket.
My 2 cents… :)
(thanks Dragonlady for the link!)
It is funny that you bring up the origin of the word, because the other terminology I use for myself is “gun for hire.” What can I say? I love the imagery.
I call myself an illustrator, period. I think its a good word to use whether you are a student, new to the field, established, staff or independent. No need to add any adjective other than the style of work you do.
I see myself as an independent contractor, a small business owner that provides a service to other businesses. I consider freelance more as a hired gun that comes in and works for a day or so at a company (usually as temp work or for a special project). I have done that kind of work as well over the years, but I mainly work from my own studio now.
I don’t think freelance is a bad word, but more of a misunderstood one… Perhaps because it has been overused by those who really aren’t freelancers, but are more hobbyists who sometimes make a few bucks off their past time. I always found the word interesting based on its origins… sounds like being an art mercenary :)
Hi Diana,
I think “misunderstood” is the perfect way of putting it. I also believe that this is becoming less of an issue as more people start to freelance.
Good point, Diana and Thomas, and everyone else! I like the term “professional” if I have to use a term besides “graphic designer” at all. Recent clients and networking professionals are not scowling at the word “freelance” as they once might have, but because the general population perceives this word incorrectly, better to avoid.
Thanks very much everyone for this discussion. You’ve all explained the point much better than the main post did, and I’ve really enjoyed reading your thoughts.
Cheers,
Thomas
I’ve been freelancing for 15 plus years, yet I try not to use the word because one to many clients have turned me down all because of that word. Its like they think because you freelance that you are not looking for Full Time employment or the like, when it might well be the further from the truth that you are indeed looking for full time employment but have not yet been able to get that which you seek.
I say that I’ve works various contracts, well its helped get the foot in the door even that of late seem’s to be running into the same road block as freelance does – sighs annoying at times.
Interesting point, that freelance implies that you don’t want to be tied down with such things as lucrative long-term contracts. Think I really will be dropping the ‘freelance’ bit.
VERY good point Nyx. The word ‘freelance’ does sound temporary.
This is a great topic to discuss. I have found that different people react differently to “freelance”, “self employed” versus say “entrepreneur” or “small business owner”. “Freelance” seems to give some impression of a “jack of all trades” and commitment phobic attitude.
While I am small business in every sense of the word (ask the IRS), some people are slow to acknowledge that freelancers are business entrepreneurs. I find I am cautious how I describe myself to strangers or even family for that matter, because the expression on their face is different depending on the word you use. “Freelancer” generally receives a smirk, while saying I have my own business gets a much more enthusiastic response and different set of follow up questions. Are they the same? To they are interchangeable, but to others who have ever only known W2 work, they are very different.
This topic also touches on services for small business. If you call a small business service program for something and call yourself a freelance, they have no idea what to do with you. If you tell them you have your own business they want to help you any way they can. While the main difference, and possibly the only difference is having employees, the IRS makes no distinction. So why do other people?
Funny thing is that the term “freelancer” dates back to medieval mercenaries, who were hired and were independent of any loyalties or affiliations. They were literally ‘free” to be hired by anyone they chose. In that tradition of the word, the term is powerful.
While its our duty to educate our clients about what we can do for them, it is also our job to educate them as to how to refer to us as well.
Interesting question to say the least.
Living in Germany, I can relate to the comment from Asni, but need to add that I occasionally need to underline that I am a “freiberufler” which is the same status that a Lawyer, a Doctor, Professor or even Architects have in Germany.
“Freischaffend” is a term that describes either a starving artist, writer, whatsoever or a popular crazy artist here in Germany, so there are differences.
Freelancer as eingedeutscht (incorporated business slang) is anywhere inbetween this determination. But because it sounds better than “freiberufler” and means “freischaffend” to me, I rather describe myself as “fulltime freelance Illustrator” which adds a little of professionality to it and appeals more to agencies.
I banished the “F-word” from my vocabulary years ago due to all of the negatives associated with the term. One of my “Jeffisms” has always been “‘Freelance’ is a nasty little word. It seems to imply an individual doesn’t have a ‘real’ job, can’t get a job, isn’t truly professional in their field, or is willing to work for ‘free.’”
When eliminating the “F-word” from my terminology, I was taken more seriously by major corporate clients. It’s really an unnecessary word. I tell potential clients “I’m a designer,” “I have my own design firm” or the like. It puts me on an equal playing ground with larger design firms and advertising agencies.
“I’m an illustrator” or “I’m an illustrator who specializes in….” seems to be a very strong declaration of one’s talent and abilities. To some potential clients, adding the “F-word” may lessen the power of the self-definition.
When I hear someone say “I’m JUST a freelance designer” or “I’m JUST a freelance illustrator,” (and I hear it a lot) I want to slap them up the side of the head and yell “Snap out of it!” The message is almost being conveyed as an apology for the career choice.
Jeff, you took the words right out of my mouth. I absolutely agree. I usually begin with “I own a brand design firm” or something of the like. I think if people don’t have a negative view of the term freelancer (and they often do) then it’s a confusing one that’s not helping you communicate at the top of your game.
I banished the word “freelancer” from my title ages ago when I went off on my own. At the time, there weren’t nearly as many freelancers out there and I felt it gave a negative impression to clients. I have been using “independent art director” and/or I own Grand Ciel Design. A lot of my colleagues struggle with the same terminology. Now, with the economy the way that it is, just about everyone is becoming self-employed — a “Free Agent Nation” if you will. Perhaps finally the stigma of the label “freelancer” will vanish into the ether.
I never realized it had a broad negative characterization. I suppose that since I always took my role serious and professional it didn’t bother me. Though I can say that I personally thought that poorly skilled freelancers were giving me a bad name and I just didn’t realize by “me” I was referring to to “us”. Having spent some time as a perma-lancer (is that a “bad” word too?) I saw first hand how the employed can look down on a freelancer. And this attitude tainted all future freelancers to come through the doors.
Once you go though a few of the poorly skilled freelancers you begin to just assume that freelancers are such since they cannot actually get a full time position. They then assume they probably don’t have all the skills necessary to get the job done and therefore must only be brought in to work on projects that are behind but not important enough to be taken from the staff. I’m sure you’ve realized this once you sit down on location and notice you’re on the oldest computer they own, which is fine by by since a freelancer is paid by the hour mostly and slower computer quickly rack up the hours.
It takes quite a few assignments for a client to really get to know you and begin to entrust larger projects and assignments. It’s like starting a new job for every client no matter how impressive the portfolio or client list.
This is of course a view from a freelancer coming into a company. I sometimes find it quite the opposite once the work is done offsite. They often times treat you as an equal and it’s up to you to live up to your name.
So, I see the idea of looking down on the term based on experience. If a client continues to have bad experiences with a freelancer they marry the two. I’m certainly not embarrassed to say I’m a freelancer though I do feel that you can simply say “I’m an illustrator” or “I’m a designer”. Does your employment situation really change who you are? Am I now a different kind of illustrator because I’m freelance? Then again the next question, “Whom do you work for?”. Again, no reason to even say freelance, “myself” is just fine. I’m incorporated but it would feel strange to say I work for the name of my company, and for many of us it includes our name.
Also, there are not the large illustration houses as there were in the past. In most cases as an illustrator I find it rare to know an artist on staff.
What about the term independent contractor or IC Illustrator? Just to get the juices flowing…Looking forward to additional commments.
I confirm that I avoid to use (and I do not like) the word “freelance” to describe my work. Reliability is one of the reasons for I decided to found a company with a friend (Stratodesign); clients have a very different way to relate to other companies rather than to freelance professionals (at least here in Italy).
PS the Italian translation for “freelance” would sound something like “free professional”. We use both the Italian and English term, but while the Italian word is connected to architects, lawyers and other prosperous jobs, the English term is connected to someone that works in its little student room earning little money.
I don’t think that there is a need to title ourselves “freelance” anymore. Way back when, many companies employed illustrators on their staffs but that hasn’t been the norm for many, many years now. Most companies can not afford to hire a full-time illustrator unless you work for a very large entertainment company like Pixar. At one time it was a term that had more meaning when you could find full-time illustration positions but today it is not the norm so I feel the profession needs to drop the term altogether. Probably 95% or more of illustrators are now “freelance”, whether we do it part time or full time. And with the additional venue of the stock illustration market, you hardly need to have a client to start an illustration today. You just create what you want and put it out there for anyone to purchase. We need to update our vocabulary to meet the times.
I prefer commercial illustrator or professional illustrator. Both terms signify that you do this for a living, that you are successful and that you chart your own path.
I agree with the article in that “freelance” does carry with it some negative connotations. I prefer to use the terms “professional illustrator” or “specialist in humorous illustration and character design”. Those terms, I believe, have a more professional and business type feel to my title.
I think freelance is not really a bad word, but I use “Full-time artist and illustrator” here http://www.bertoneeduardo.blogspot.com/. I hate “professional” or “commercial”. For a example commercial art, commercial movie, commercial song it has a really bad meaning… It semms you are doing art just to get money…
I like simply “Illustrator”… That’s what I am. I don’t like Graphic Artist. I’m not sure why… just don’t like when people refer to me as a graphic artist.
Dee — I think I understand why you don’t like the term, “Graphic Artist.” When I hear that title, I think of someone who illustrates graphic novels, a.k.a. comic books, etc. Unless you illustrate for that genre, then Illustrator says it all. ’Nuff said.