I posted this on the blog:
As someone who has freelanced 100% and also had both a full time job and freelance contracts I disagree about your generalization that if a freelancer also has a steady job then quality of service is diminished.
I think it depends on the work ethic of the freelancer and setting realistic targets from both the client and the freelancer.
I also think that as an employer it is your responsibility to check references and ask for contacts of previous clients to double check these things. When I was a freelancer I depended on referrals, my reputation was how I go the work not just the end product I deliver. So I think these things have to be factored in to your argument.
And I also second Kinzi’s point about payment a lot of employers want things and want them now but when the product is delivered they seem to forget about payment.
Finally you say that as freelancers we should be paid a higher wage, I am all for it but when you have fresh grads desperate for experience and constantly underselling themselves … or someone who is poorly paid and wants to supplement their wages this is what happens. Factor in how freelancers guard their work and their rates you never really know what the going rate for your service is so pricing is always a dilemma.
