Lessons From Seth Godin – Part 1 – Entrepreneurs and Freelancers

“Many freelancers think that they are entrepreneurs, but they are freelancers.  If the first person you hire to do the real work is yourself, you are a freelancer not an entrepreneur.”

I have to confess that this one stung a bit.  It’s something I am guilty of all the time.  If I can do the work, I usually do.  It’s easier to hire me than to find someone like me to do the work and give up some of the revenue.

The implications for this view of the universe are significant.  The tendency when you are getting going on your own is to do everything yourself.  It’s cheaper (short term) and there is a bit of mystical attraction to it.  ”Look, I can do it all!” However, I think the point Godin was trying to make in drawing the distinction is that you have to be willing to jump out of the nitty gritty as soon as possible to focus on the bigger picture.

I don’t think he was being critical of freelancers.  If you are successful, it can be a great way to enjoy a lifestyle very different from the average Joe.  His point was that being a freelancer does not make you an entrepreneur in the classic sense of the word.

Are you freelancing or building something bigger than yourself?