I write a lot of blog posts about becoming a better freelancer. Some are about specific tasks, like writing pitches or negotiating with clients. Others are about managing time and how to get the most out of your workday.
But the best ones always come back to words specifically, those that you should never say in your freelance career (or at least not in the beginning). I’m not saying they’ll kill your freelancing career entirely, but they will hinder its growth.
So without further ado, here are 25 phrases you should avoid if you’re trying to grow your freelance biz:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. The impact of your words in freelancing cannot be underestimated. Choose your words wisely to maintain professionalism and positive client relationships. |
| 2. Avoid using negative or unprofessional language that can harm your reputation and hinder your freelancing success. |
| 3. Be mindful of the way you communicate your ideas and feedback to clients to ensure effective collaboration and long-term partnerships. |
| 4. Words have the power to shape how clients perceive you as a freelancer. Use language that showcases your expertise, reliability, and professionalism. |
| 5. Building and maintaining a positive reputation as a freelancer requires consistently using respectful, clear, and concise language in all your communications. |
1. Just
Just is a way of saying something without actually saying it. It’s a way of avoiding responsibility or accountability, and it helps you say “I’m not responsible for this” and “I don’t care about this.” You can use it just in any situation that involves some kind of problem or conflict, but you’ll see it most often in situations where someone has done something wrong and want to avoid taking responsibility.
Just is also used as an excuse when someone doesn’t feel good enough about themselves to take action: “That job was too much for me; I just couldn’t do it.” Or when someone doesn’t know how to solve a problem: “I don’t know what’s wrong with my laptop; maybe I’ll just call the tech support hotline.”
Often when we hear someone say “just” we get annoyed because we think they’re being lazy or uncooperative but then again, maybe we’re just projecting our feelings onto them!
Just isn’t always bad. Sometimes people use “just” as a way of showing empathy (or sympathy) towards others who may be experiencing difficult times: “I just wanted him to stop talking so loudly at dinner because he was making me uncomfortable,” or “She just needs time before she can trust anyone again.”
The key to becoming a consistent freelancer lies in tracking the right metrics. Learn about the 20 essential metrics you need to monitor to maintain your freelancing success.
2. I Think
I think I believe, I feel and other weak words can hurt your client’s perception of you as a professional.
- Don’t say “I think.” You might be thinking about the work or project at hand when it comes to writing an email or a proposal, but that doesn’t mean this is what you want to convey in your communication with your client. It’s better not to say anything than to risk sending the wrong message with this word choice.
- Don’t say “I believe.” Instead of stating what you believe (such as something related to the project), stick with what you know: facts and figures that support whatever point you’re trying to make in any given situation.
- Don’t say “I feel.” There are many ways for us humans to use language when we communicate things words alone aren’t enough! If there are emotions involved, try using body language instead of saying them out loud; this will help prevent miscommunication without having any negative effects on how others perceive our communications skills (or lack thereof).
3. I Believe
Belief is the opposite of knowledge. It’s not faith, and it isn’t a fact. Belief is a feeling, an emotion and while these can sometimes be useful in guiding your actions or decisions, they’re not always reliable as tools for deciding what to do next.
For example: if someone suggests something that sounds crazy or impossible to you (like traveling around the world without money or doing yoga in the rain), your initial reaction might be disbelief. But if you take a moment to examine their suggestion more closely and consider all its possible outcomes, then perhaps this belief will change into curiosity about what could happen if you tried it out for yourself?
Are you considering freelance writing as a career? Discover the compelling reasons why you should give it a try and explore the world of opportunities. Check out our article on reasons why freelance writing is a great choice for aspiring freelancers.
4. They Want
The first thing they want to know is what you can do for them. They want to know how you can help them. And if your answer isn’t immediately compelling, they’ll move on to someone else.
If you don’t have something that makes you stand out from the crowd, then it’s highly unlikely that anyone will pay any attention to your proposal or even bother responding at all. If a client starts reading your pitch and it sounds like every other one they’ve seen today, they’re going to click away without finishing it and that’s going to be the end of your freelancing career right there!
5. That’s Not My Problem
The worst thing you can do is ignore it. If something is wrong, fix it. And if you don’t know how or just don’t want to ask someone who does.
The second worst thing you can do is use passive language like “I think…” or “I don’t have any idea what’s causing this problem, but…” Instead, take ownership of the issue: “Yes, I understand that this isn’t working as expected, so here are some solutions we could try together until we find one that works perfectly for both of us.”
The third worst thing you can do is become a whiny complainer who doesn’t communicate clearly and often enough about problems with clients’ expectations or your workload. Remember: It’s not your job to make clients happy; it’s your job to get the results!
6. I’m Working On It
I’m working on it: This is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear from a freelancer, and it’s guaranteed to make you want to pull your hair out. The problem with this statement is that it doesn’t say anything, but rather implies several things. By saying “I’m working on it,” most people interpret that as:
- I will get back to you when I have time
- It may take me some time before I can give this my full attention (and possibly money)
- You are not important enough for me right now
7. It’s Done, But…
You are not done with your project until you have shipped it. You don’t get to consider yourself finished until you have tested everything, documented everything, and communicated everything so that your client can continue to use the system without needing further help from you. This is especially important if there are multiple people involved in using the product or service, as they need to be trained on how things work before they get started.
Your Upwork profile is your digital business card. Make a memorable first impression and stand out from the competition by following our guide on how to make a great first impression with your Upwork profile.
8. I Should Have Told You That Up Front
As a freelancer, you should always be upfront about your intentions. If you’re looking for a job, and there are no jobs available, don’t expect anyone to let you work for free. If there is work available, don’t expect them to give it away without payment.
If they do offer work without payment and they think they’re doing something nice by giving it away (or even if they just think that), this is not going to help your career move any faster than it would have otherwise. You’ll be seen as someone who’s willing to take advantage of others’ generosity or weakness and those aren’t good traits in anyone’s eyes!
If the answer is “no,” then say so early on rather than wasting the time of everyone involved in coming up with ideas or plans that turn out not to be possible or realistic at all because one party never wanted them in the first place anyway! It takes courage but honesty is always better than lying both personally as well as professionally!
9. My Bad
The phrase, “My bad”, is a complete and utter waste of breath. It doesn’t mean anything, it’s not going to fix the problem and most importantly it makes you sound like an unprofessional idiot.
When you say “my bad” what you’re saying is: “I know I messed up but please don’t blame me for it because I’m sorry for what happened even though I did nothing wrong.”
It’s just like when your friend has a heart attack from eating too much fast food after his girlfriend dumped him and then he calls 911 but only calls the number once before passing out on top of his dog who bites him in the face but then wakes up 10 minutes later feeling better than ever.
Because he realizes that nothing went wrong during those few hours when he was unconscious except maybe some minor bruising which is hardly worth mentioning anyway so nothing happened at all other than me being slightly bruised by my pet dog who probably got scared because she thought I was dying or something?
10. You’re Right
It’s a simple, yet powerful statement that can change the direction of a conversation. This phrase is one of the most used verbal weapons in the freelancer’s arsenal. It can be used to convey two distinct meanings and one common thread: I agree with you in principle, but I’m not going to admit it because…
You’re right (but I disagree). This first meaning means “I think you’re wrong,” or “you’ve made a mistake.” It’s not exactly a compliment, but it isn’t exactly an insult either; it’s more like an acknowledgment that you’ve been heard and understood a sort of nod from your conversation partner saying “I see what my partner said.”
This type of agreement is fairly neutral; there are no hidden motives behind them. The best way for this type of response would be something along these lines: “Yes, that’s all very interesting! But what if…” Then go on to talk about whatever new idea popped into your head while their sentence was still being formed. You’re right (but only because I let myself be persuaded).
The second type comes with its own set of problems: who cares if someone else agrees with them? Unless they change their mind as a result of hearing that agreement, then all they’ve done is given up control over themselves by letting someone else convince them and they did so without even really knowing what happened!
When faced with this kind of response from someone else during an argument or debate session (for example), don’t accept it without any questions asked; ask why he thinks so instead. Remember: just because someone says something doesn’t mean he knows anything about it!”
Crafting a persuasive proposal is crucial for winning freelance projects. Explore our comprehensive tips on how to write a great proposal that will impress clients and increase your chances of securing freelance gigs.
11. So I Feel Like You Didn’t Get Your Money’s Worth There.
If you find yourself saying this, you are experiencing the pain of freelancing: your client is not giving you what he or she promised. As a freelancer, it’s hard to stay on top of things. You may often feel like your clients aren’t getting their money’s worth from you.
This is especially true if you’re working with new clients who don’t understand how much work goes into creating content or building websites. And when deadlines slip and workloads increase, it can create an atmosphere of frustration and fear that eats away at productivity and even worse: it becomes harder for both parties to trust each other.
When someone says “I feel like…,” they’re putting themselves outside themselves as observers (of their feelings). This can make them seem less assertive because they don’t know what their feelings are! Instead try asking questions: “How do I make that happen?” Or “How can I help?”
12. The Art Of The Upsell
The art of the upsell is to offer a customer something that is slightly more expensive but related to the original product. You can use this technique in many situations. Here’s how it works:
- Have a look at your client’s purchase history and make an educated guess about what they might be willing to buy next time around.
- Offer them a higher-priced version of the same thing—make it clear that it will be more expensive, though!
- Make sure that you have some sort of reason as to why they should upgrade their current purchase; don’t just say “because I said so”.
13. But What If It Doesn’t Work?
- It’s okay if it doesn’t work.
- It’s ok if it does.
Learning is the point of doing things, and you’re going to learn something either way. You are not a failure if your freelancing career does not pan out as you had hoped; you are very much still growing and learning about yourself and what it takes to be successful at anything in life!
That’s why I’m writing this article series: because many people give up on their dreams because they don’t know what else to do when things aren’t working out the way they had planned them in their heads. Don’t give up on your dream because it didn’t work out right away try again!
Boosting your Upwork profile views can significantly enhance your visibility and attract more clients. Discover the proven strategies to increase your profile views with our article on 13 tips to increase your Upwork profile views, and watch your freelance opportunities expand.
Final Thoughts
With all this in mind, it’s time to take action by getting rid of any toxic words from your vocabulary. If you have already done so, then congratulations! You are on the right track and will see more success in your freelance career. So, start now by eliminating these words that are holding you back from making a name for yourself as an expert writer and entrepreneur, and reach out if you need some help with that!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can explore to deepen your understanding of freelancing and related topics:
Freelance Mistakes to Avoid: Learn about common mistakes made by freelancers and gain insights on how to avoid them, ensuring a smoother freelancing journey.
13 Unlucky Things That Could Go Wrong for a Freelancer (and How to Tackle Them): Discover 13 potential challenges that freelancers may face and explore effective strategies to overcome them successfully.
Well, It’s Official: I Killed My Freelancing Career: Gain valuable insights from a personal experience as a freelancer and learn important lessons from someone who has navigated the ups and downs of freelancing.
People Also Ask
What is the best way to get clients?
The best way to get clients is to have a portfolio of work that showcases your talents and experience. You can also add yourself to freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork or Freelancer.com, but be aware that these platforms often have a high fee structure, so it may not be worth it for you.
What Do I Need To Start Freelancing?
You will need an internet connection and a computer with a webcam. You’ll also need some kind of software that allows you to record video calls with clients (like Skype or Zoom) and some kind of editing software for creating videos (like Adobe Premiere).
Can I Sell My Product On My Website?
Yes! There are many different ways to do this: selling directly on Amazon or Etsy, selling through Shopify or Squarespace stores, selling through eBay or Craigslist, etc. It’s easy enough to set up an online store if you are know-how!
How Do I Know If I’m A Good Freelancer?
You’re a good freelancer if you have a client or two, and you have the skills to consistently deliver what they need. You can always improve your skills, but if you’re consistently delivering the goods, you’re doing great.
What Is The Difference Between A Freelancer And A Contractor?
A contractor works on a project basis. They are hired to perform a specific task, and they are expected to do that task well. The company they are working for will be their only client during the duration of their contract.
A freelancer has multiple clients whom they provide services for. Because of this, there is no guarantee that they will have work at any given time.
How Do I Avoid Getting Scammed?
It’s a sad fact of life that not everyone is as honest and kind as you are, but that doesn’t mean you have to go out of your way to be paranoid. Just use common sense: if it’s too good (or too bad) to be true, it probably is.
Be cautious of people who offer to do things for free or at a discount, or those who don’t have any other reviews on their profile. If they’re willing to work with no money upfront or after the job is done, it’s a good sign they’re not trustworthy.
What Should I Do If I Get Scammed?
Sadly, there’s not much you can do if this happens. You can report them on our website (and we’ll ban them), but by then the damage has been done and you might have lost some money in addition to your time and effort spent working on the project.
If you try to fight back or talk about what happened publicly, it could even make things worse! The best thing you can do is just move on and try to find another freelancer who will hire you.
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.