Freelancer-bashing and how to respond
02/08/2010 send to a friend
As part of doing 31 Days to Build a Better Blog I was searching for other blogs in my niche to analyse and learn from. This search led me to an article website and a post from an LA based web design company. The article basically bad-mouthed freelance web designers and stated 'hire us instead':
"Hiring an individual freelancer is a gamble for the simple fact that you are working with one individual. What if your designer becomes sick, has a family emergency or lands an unexpected chance of a lifetime job while working on your website? You could end up paying for a barely begun, half-finished or worse yet a rush job site. When you work with a design firm featuring multiple personnel, you can have confidence about the progress and completion of your web design."
A valid point, but I am rarely too sick to work (mainly thanks to taking care of my work/life balance), yet if I was I do have contacts who take over an important job for me. Plus, if the worst did happen I cannot see an ethical freelancer asking for any money if they haven't completed the work.
"A firm that specialises in website business design in Los Angeles will only hire professionals who are formally trained and highly skilled. By contrast, a freelancer can have any sort of training - or virtually none. If someone can work with HTML, they can build a website. It isn't uncommon to find individuals working as freelance web designers who have no design training or skills."
Yikes! Us freelancers are the worst dregs of humanity, aren't we? OK, there probably are unskilled and unscrupulous web designers out there - which is why I always advise to get referrals from previous clients.
"When you work with a freelancer, you have no guarantees about their experience working as a professional, either. They may be severely lacking in communication skills. Missing deadlines may not be a problem for an individual freelancer even though it's incredibly frustrating and costly for your business."
It gets worse doesn't it? If I had to ever miss a deadline I would be utterly mortified. Also, I have two undergrad degrees, an MA and a teaching certificate so I am certainly not lacking in communication skills and think it is a rather horrible generalisation to state that some freelancers could. Plus, I feel that clients would be able to tell from their initial contacts with a freelancer whether they were unprofessional or 'severely lacking in communication skills'.
"Unlike professionals who work for a design firm full time, freelance web designers usually build websites in their spare time. A freelancer who has an a full time job and is working on your site evenings and weekends can't possibly give your project the same focus, attention and time as a design firm."
I know many freelance web designers who would really take offence at this paragraph. I actually don't know where to begin to refute their claims without descending into an abyss of bad language and snide comments. (Well I do but I liked the phrase 'descending into the abyss').
Here's my response
"I am glad I do not work as a freelancer web designer in your neck of the woods after that diatribe against people who are often working just as hard if not harder than you are.
"I may work alone but I have contacts in place should there be a family emergency or I fall ill. By the way, I ensure I have a healthy work/life balance which means I am not often so ill that I cannot work.
"I am not doing this in my spare time, I run my business as a serious concern and do my utmost to ensure my clients receive a top-notch, personal service that works for them and their business. I spent years learning my craft and continue to keep myself up to date with the latest technologies to provide a better service for my clients.
"Relying on one individual isn't as bad as you make out either. I know everything that is going on and do not argue with myself over which is the best option for the website or have a problem of miscommunication between my creative and business sides.
"And if I did land that dream job (which I don't think will happen as I have it already) I have an ethical responsibility gene that does not allow me to leave a client in the lurch.
"It is fine to point out the cons of the competition but you really should balance it with some pros in order to appear impartial and reasoned."
What do you think?
What do you think about the quotes above? Was the blogger way out of line? Or did they have a point? Do you have to fight misconceptions about working alone? How do you compete with bigger businesses?
Let us know in the comments below.
Sharon Jackson is a friendly web designer who believes effective doesn't have to be expensive and affordable can be attractive Bay Web Designs
Photo credit: Eddie~S
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Comments
Author: Emma Peat
Date: 02/08/2010
Comment: Great response Sharon, couldn't agree more with your comments. I think there undoubtedly are freelancers who match the image portrayed in the blog, but to imply they are the majority and that none of us could compete with a 'company' is ridiculous. I used to work within a company so now provide exactly the same skills and experience, just from home with much lower overheads (and prices).
I may be working alone but see that as one of my strengths - the channels of communication are actually far much clearer than having to liase between several departments and I know absolutely everything going on with any particular client. I take great pride in my work and feel a personal responsibility for all my projects.
I have on occasion been turned down for not being 'big enough', but neither would I take on a job I didn't feel able to complete. Most people do make a judgement on your previous work and if they like what they see, how 'big' you are doesn't matter to them.
Website: http://www.clarifiedweb.co.uk
Author: Judy Heminsley
Date: 02/08/2010
Comment: Hi Sharon
I'm sure your blood must have boiled when you read that article! It seems to me though, that the company must be seriously rattled by the prospect of freelancers winning 'their' work to resort to such an ill-judged piece. Which means that freelancers are obviously doing a good job!
You've pretty much already lost if you feel you have to badmouth the competition! Better for the company to look at their outdated business practices. Times are changing and complaining about it won't help them!
Thanks for the very interesting post.
Website: www.workfromhomewisdom.com
Author: Sharon
Date: 02/08/2010
Comment: Hi Emma & Judy, thanks for the comments. My blood was definitely boiling when I read the original article but at least I got a blog post out of it :-) I often find writing lets off a little of the steam.
What I didn't point out was that there are many unscrupulous 'big' companies out there too. I am sure we all have our horror stories about them!
Website: http://www.baywebdesigns.co.uk
Author: Tom Reader
Date: 03/08/2010
Comment: Complete agreed - sounds like the 'big company' is rattled, which means the freelancers must be doing something right... I'm not sure if I describe myself as a freelancer or not, but I'm certainly a one-man-band, and like you I try to operate in a 100% professional manner. I take great pride in my product and customer service, and I have the customer testimonials on my website to prove it. When I see the "big" competition out there (and there is plenty), I just see "big" overheads and "big" internal communication problems - none of which us smaller, more agile operators have to worry about.
Website: http://www.alvervalleysoftware.com
Author: James
Date: 03/08/2010
Comment: Great article and great comments.
Sharon's comment about there being unscrupulous companies is spot on. As freelancers we are relying heavily on customer satisfaction and reputation in order to get work as we can't afford to advertise.
Aside from that though, would you really want to hire a company which is so doubtful of the benefits of hiring them that they have to spend energy putting down others. I'd certainly be avoiding a company which had copy like that on its site no matter what it's business was.
Oh and about 'formally trained'. In my previous, non-freelance life, I had on occasion o hire junior designers to work along side me. I'm not quite sure what's taught at college but I found the best people by far were, like me, self taught and passionate about what they did.
Gets off soap box...
Website: www.creativeglo.co.uk
Author: Leif Kendall
Date: 03/08/2010
Comment: It's a silly article but is clearly trying to spread a little fear about using freelancers. The agency behind it clearly fear the agility of freelancers and are trying to spread a little disinformation about the quality of work produced by freelancers.
It's worth remembering that when freelancers promote themselves they often highlight the negative points of agencies - which can be just as full of generalisations.
So yes, the article is nonsense but I'm not very surprised that someone wrote it!
Website: http://kendallcopywriting.co.uk
Author: Gail Bennett
Date: 04/08/2010
Comment: Reading this made my blood boil ...
As a freelancer you invest more in a client's projects as you know that your livelihood depends directly on the outcome. If you don't do a good job you won't get any more work. I personally put 100% into client projects, I know a satisfied client will come back, and may well also recommend me.
I could go on for ages ...
- thanks for sharing.
Website: http://www.cardiumdesign.com
Author: Sharon
Date: 05/08/2010
Comment: Thanks for your comments everyone - I am going to write a response "Why it's in your best interest to hire a freelancer" (or something like that :-)
Website: http://www.baywebdesigns.co.uk
Author: Gail Bennett
Date: 05/08/2010
Comment: Mark Vallance's (freelance graphic designer & website designer) website has a good answer to "Why it's in your best interest to hire a freelancer" ...
http://www.frankmandesign.co.uk/what-is-a-freelancer.php
Website: http://www.cardiumdesign.com
Author: Claire Findlater
Date: 05/08/2010
Comment: Great article stating exactly WHY you should consider hiring a freelancer. It's unlikely you'd find one who'd be as unprofessional as that agency!
Website: www.clairefindlater.com