13 Things I Learned From Freelancing That I Couldn't Have Learned Anywhere Else

Learning to work for me as a freelancer has been one of the most educational and eye-opening experiences of my professional career.

It’s taught me things about myself that I never could have learned in an office setting because there are just so many unique aspects to running your own business.

Here are some things that I learned from working as a freelancer:

10 Things I’ve Learned from Freelancing.

Takeaways
1. Embrace the learning opportunities: Freelancing offers unique lessons that cannot be acquired elsewhere.
2. Building a supportive network: Surround yourself with fellow freelancers and mentors who understand the challenges and can provide guidance.
3. Continuous skill development: Invest in enhancing your skills and staying up-to-date with industry trends to remain competitive.
4. Emphasize self-discipline: Freelancing requires self-motivation, time management, and the ability to work independently.
5. Diversify your client base: Relying on a single client can be risky, so aim to have multiple clients to maintain a stable income.
6. Embrace the business side: Freelancing involves managing finances, contracts, and marketing yourself effectively.
7. Learn to negotiate: Developing negotiation skills is crucial for setting fair rates and securing favorable terms with clients.
8. Prioritize self-care: Freelancing can be demanding, so prioritize your well-being to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
9. Embrace flexibility: Enjoy the freedom that freelancing offers by creating a schedule that suits your lifestyle.
10. Embrace failures as learning opportunities: Mistakes are inevitable, but they provide valuable lessons for growth and improvement.
11. Value your worth: Set reasonable rates that reflect your skills, expertise, and the value you bring to clients.
12. Constantly adapt: Stay adaptable to changes in the market and industry, exploring new opportunities and technologies.
13. Celebrate successes: Recognize and celebrate your achievements as a freelancer, no matter how small they may seem.

1. No Matter How Much You Prepare, There’s Always Something That Will Take You By Surprise

You will fail. You will learn from your mistakes and you will keep going, but you can never be fully ready for the unexpected problems that come up along the way.

You have to roll with the punches and view failure as a learning experience rather than something to be afraid of if only because it means that you’re doing something new and exciting.

Remember: there is no such thing as failure if it leads you to try again with more knowledge than before.

Building a successful freelance career requires the right strategies and guidance. Explore our article on 15 Tips to Help Gen Z Achieve Success in the Freelance Economy to discover practical advice for Gen Z freelancers entering the market.

2. You Have To Stay Organized, Even If Your Brain Is In A Million Different Places

When you’re working from home, the temptation to get distracted is high. You’re in your pajamas and your hair looks like a bird’s nest. But when you’re freelancing, being able to find things quickly and easily can mean the difference between making money and not making money.

If you don’t have an office with a filing system and labeled drawers, try this: use folders (in a drawer or on your desk) for each client (or project). Then create subfolders inside each folder that correspond with stages of the project or different types of deliverables (e.g., “ideas,” “finished work,” etc.).

That way all files related to one project are together and if something gets separated from its original file, it’s easy enough to look up to put them back together again quickly!

3. There’s A Way To Handle Every Situation And Most Of Them Have To Do With Clear, Open Communication

Communication is the key to success.
Whether you’re communicating with your clients, your team, your family, or even people who don’t speak the same language as you, it’s important to know how to do so effectively.
It’s also important to be able to communicate when someone doesn’t use proper grammar or they make mistakes while speaking English. This comes up in pretty much every single situation I’ve ever had where someone was not fluent in English (which is most cases).

4. Sometimes The People You Work With Will Just Be Straight-Up Crazy

You will meet some people who are crazy. You will also meet some people who have no idea they’re crazy, or at least have no idea why you think they’re crazy.

Then you may find yourself in a situation where you’re working with one of these people and he or she blames you for being able to see the truth about them. It can be maddening. I had one such experience with a client who was so convinced that I liked him that he actually asked me out on a date (and then ended up stalking me).

Another time, an artist insisted on talking about how much her ex-boyfriend had hurt her in front of another artist (who was male) because she thought it would make him jealous but instead just made him want to avoid her as much as possible because she was unstable.

In general, though, most of the interactions I had when freelancing were positive ones just like they are in any other workplace setting!

Are you passionate about renewable energy and interested in freelance writing? Our guide on How to Become a Freelance Writer in the Renewable Energy Industry provides valuable insights and tips to kickstart your career in this niche.

5. Everybody Has Their Definition Of “Work”

When I started freelancing, I was used to having a job. Every day at 5:30, I’d clock out and go home. That was my schedule, and it was consistent every day of the week.

When I started working for myself, that changed. The workday became more flexible—if I got an early morning call or an afternoon one, there wasn’t anybody telling me that it couldn’t happen because they needed me at their desk until 4:00 every day.

But what surprised me most about this change was how different people were about how they approached their workdays: some people came in early and left late; others would work from home during the day before heading into an office at night; still, others worked from home all week long with only occasional trips into town for meetings or emergencies (and sometimes even those trips were unnecessary).

What surprised me, even more, was how differently everyone seemed to manage their workloads: some people worked six days on, two days off; others took Fridays off but worked weekends instead; some didn’t take vacations at all unless necessary (I’m looking at you here!)

6. You Are Always Selling Yourself, Even When You Think You’re Not

When I started freelancing, I was happy to let my work speak for itself. I thought that if I did good work, then people would hire me.

But what quickly became clear is that you are always selling yourself, even when you think you’re not. You are selling yourself every time you answer a question from a potential client or potential employer.

When someone asks how much experience you have, where your skills lie, and what your biggest strengths are all of these answers come down to “do they want me?” You’re also selling yourself every time an opportunity arises: if there was no demand for your services before this offer came along, would it exist at all?

7. It Gets Easier To Say No When You Realize How Valuable Your Time Is

The longer you are a freelancer, the more you’ll realize how valuable it is to be able to choose the projects you work on and who you work with.

It takes time to learn about different kinds of clients, and as some clients are easier to work with than others, you may find that certain clients aren’t worth your time (or vice versa). You can also take on projects that fit into existing holes in your schedule if they’re interesting enough.

Being selective about what hours or days of the week you’ll work has been hugely helpful for me in terms of preventing burnout and if I’m going out for drinks with friends or spending time with my partner on a weekend night, I don’t need any guilt over taking off early from work!

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8. When Things Get Tough, You Learn Something New About Yourself

.You learn what you’re capable of and what you aren’t. I knew I could write, but I didn’t know how to handle the business side of things.

You learn how important it is, to be honest with yourself. When we’re in the midst of a challenge or failure, it’s easy to lose sight of our goals and become discouraged by things that may be out of our control.

But when we take a step back and look at ourselves as a whole instead of as people who are constantly learning more about themselves we can find solace within ourselves and move forward again with confidence (and sometimes even joy).

9. Valuing Your Tasks And Goals Is Different Than Valuing Yourself As A Person

When you’re freelancing, it’s easy to get caught up in your head. You might feel like your job is a second-stringer or that it doesn’t hold the same value as your other work. But if you’re doing work for someone else, then your job is just as valuable to them and that’s what matters most.

It’s also important to remember that there are many ways to go about doing freelance work: some people do it to support their passion projects; others simply want the flexibility of being able to take time off whenever they need it.

Whatever your reason may be, make sure that you aren’t devaluing yourself by comparing yourself to other people who may have chosen a different path than yours (and vice versa).

Finally, don’t lose sight of how much hard work goes into every project! There’s no shame in saying “no” if something doesn’t fit into your schedule or budget but don’t forget how much effort went into making sure each task was done well before sending it off for review!!

10. Meeting People Face-To-Face Changes The Game, Every Time

There are lots of things I have learned from freelance writing, but perhaps the most important is the value of face-to-face meetings.

When you work on the web, there’s no way to know if someone is being sarcastic or genuine or if they are telling you the truth. You can’t read their tone of voice, so it’s often hard to tell if what they are saying is actually what they mean!

In-person meetings change this completely. You can see how people react when something goes wrong (it happens!) and how they respond when a deadline comes due.

You can look into their eyes and decide whether or not they’re lying while pretending not to be interested in a freelance assignment that isn’t quite right for them yet but might be after some tweaking around with content and length requirements but only if we meet face-to-face.

11. There Are Two Kinds Of Clients Good And Bad And They Both Teach You Different Things About Yourself

You may be thinking, “How do I know if a client is going to be good or bad?” Well, there are a few signs that can help you predict this.

First, the client has to have clear expectations from the start. If they don’t know what they want, then it will be difficult for both of us to get what we need out of this project.

Second, if they are flexible and understanding about deadlines and requirements, then I know that this person isn’t going to push me too hard on my work hours or expectations.

Thirdly and finally: A good client will always return your calls/emails quickly! This means that they’re willing to work with you instead of against you (which could lead down some dangerous paths).

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12. There’s Always Someone Who Will Teach You More Than What’s On The Job Description

When I was freelancing, I was surprised by the number of people who wanted to help me with my career.

Not only did they give me tools and resources that allowed me to be successful, but they also taught me things about myself that I didn’t know before, and in some cases, these lessons have been life-changing.

I love working as a freelance writer because it gives me space to learn new skills and meet new people. The best part is that even if we eventually move on from our current roles (which happens often), we’ll always have each other’s back along the way.

13. Being Able To Work From Anywhere Means Sometimes Having To Work From Everywhere

You can work from anywhere. I know, it sounds like a cliche but it’s true. If you have a laptop and some internet connection, there’s not much stopping you from working anywhere in the world.

And if your job allows for that kind of flexibility, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?. But being able to work from anywhere means sometimes having to work from everywhere and these days, that’s both an opportunity and a challenge.

Sometimes my “office” is an airplane seat on my way back home; other times I’m in my car driving across town to meet with someone, or perhaps I’m sitting at one of those communal tables at Starbucks (I’m looking at all of my fellow freelancers).

The point is that sometimes the circumstances aren’t ideal for getting any real work done but even then, I always try anyway! Because nothing is more satisfying than permitting yourself to do something outside the box…and being pleasantly surprised by how well it worked out.

Freelancing can be challenging, but knowing how to overcome difficulties is crucial. Dive into our article on Why Freelancing Is Surprisingly Difficult and How to Deal With It to gain valuable insights and practical tips for navigating the ups and downs of freelancing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a new challenge, and want to become more confident in your abilities, freelancing could be the perfect choice for you.

It will help you improve your communication skills and allow you to learn new skills that will allow you to grow as a professional. You’ll also get greater flexibility and freedom to work wherever and whenever you choose – it’s all up to what suits your lifestyle best!

Also, don’t forget that being unemployed is no fun so make sure that if it doesn’t work out then go back into regular employment before falling into despairful loneliness. And remember: freelancing isn’t just about getting paid; there are many other benefits too!

People Also Ask

What’s The Best Way To Find Clients?

You can start by reaching out to people in your network. Make sure your portfolio is up-to-date, and ask around for recommendations. You might also want to consider joining a freelancers’ forum or Slack channel, where you can meet potential clients and get advice from other freelancers.

How Do I Become More Productive?

One of the biggest challenges that freelancers face is staying focused on the work they need to do. To stay productive, try setting rules for yourself, for example, no checking email after 8 pm Or maybe don’t take on any new projects until you’ve completed one that’s already in progress. Whatever works for you will help keep your focus on getting things done.

How Do I Make Sure My Client Doesn’t Stiff Me?

The best way to avoid being stiffed by a client is to be professional from the start and maintain professionalism throughout the process. It’s also important to have an understanding of what their budget is before any work begins so there aren’t any surprises later on down the road (or at least not many surprises!).

What Are The Most Common Reasons People Fail At Freelancing?

Without a doubt, the most common reason people fail is that they don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t understand the basics of how to get clients and get paid, and so they find themselves in a situation where they can’t even pay their bills.

How Do You Know If You’re Ready To Freelance?

There’s no one right answer for this, but I think it’s important that you’ve had some experience with freelancing before. If you’ve never done it before, or if your only experience was very limited or very different from what you’ll be doing now, then it may not be a good idea to jump straight into freelancing without getting some experience under your belt first.

How Did Your Freelancing Experience Affect Your Career Path?

My freelance experience has made me much more confident about pursuing my dreams and following my intuition, rather than following what others want for me or think is best for me.

It has also helped me realize that even if something doesn’t work out exactly as planned, it can still be good enough if it helps me grow and learn something new about myself or life in general!

What Do You Do When You Don’t Have The Right Tools Or Knowledge To Do Your Job?

I’ve learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather an opportunity to grow. I’ve also learned that there are often people who can help you find the answers you need, whether it’s through Google or by reaching out to someone in your network who has more experience than you.

What Advice Would You Give Someone Just Starting In This Field?

My advice for anyone looking to freelance is to start small don’t bite off more than you can chew! You’ll want to make sure that what you’re taking on is manageable and not too overwhelming for your first few gigs.

What Is The Best Way To Find Work?

It’s all about networking. I’ve found that the best way to get new clients is to put myself out there in the community and make sure I’m known as a professional who can be counted on to do the job right. It doesn’t take much: just a few coffees with people, and you’ll be surprised how many people will refer you to business!

How Do I Set My Rates?

This is a tricky question because every freelancer has different costs associated with their business. For example, if you’re working from home, your rent may be higher than if you were working out of office space.

Also, if your work requires specific equipment or software that isn’t readily available on a per-hour basis, it may have to be factored into your fees.

Most importantly though, remember that this isn’t just about money it’s about what you’re worth. If someone wants to pay $3/hr for something that would take them 15 minutes to do themselves (and they don’t want any training), don’t let them talk you down.

You need to feel confident in what you’re charging for your services so that other people will know they’re getting value for their work.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.

13 Things I Learned From Freelancing That I Couldn’t Have Learned Anywhere Else