A Client Told Me That He's Running His Company Solely With Freelancers – Here's The Flaw Of The Gig Economy.

The Imperfect Freelancer-Client Financial Relationship

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Three things (I’m tending to cut to the chase these days):

1. The Big Misunderstanding About Freelancers

2. The Problem with Big Freelance Platforms

3. (For Paid Subscribers) From a 10-Year Freelancer — What Founders Need to Know About Working with Freelancers

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The Big Misunderstanding About Freelancers

Let's get straight to the point: in the gig economy, there’s a big problem with how some clients view freelancers. They act like they've got freelancers in their pockets. It’s time to talk about this. Many clients think freelancers are just waiting around, desperate for any work they can get. They believe they're doing freelancers a huge favor as if without their help, these freelancers wouldn’t make ends meet.

But it’s more than just thinking they’re helping out. Deep down, some of these clients think they could do the job themselves but would rather not waste their time. This mindset doesn’t just undervalue the freelancer; it totally misses the point of what freelancing is all about.

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The Problem with Big Freelance Platforms

Here’s something else that’s messed up: most big freelance platforms are way more focused on making clients happy than helping freelancers. Why? Because it’s the clients who bring in the big bucks. Take any of those huge platforms with a ton of money – it’s pretty clear that one regular client matters more to them than a bunch of freelancers.

Think about it. When there’s a problem, whose side do these platforms usually take? If you guessed the client, you’re spot on. This isn’t about pointing fingers at clients or platforms. It’s about seeing the market gap – freelancers often don’t get the fair deal they should be getting.

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(For Paid Subscribers) From a 10-Year Freelancer — What Founders Need to Know About Working with Freelancers

So, if you’re starting a business and thinking about hiring freelancers, here’s the deal: it’s not just about getting someone to do a job. It’s about knowing that you’re working with professionals who deserve as much respect and fair treatment as anyone else you work with.

Let me tell you my tips as a ten-year freelancer on how to work with freelancers and establish a connection that leads to a long-term collaboration, making you a fantastic ROI.