22 Freelancing Mistakes I Made And Why You Should Avoid

I don’t like to make mistakes. I really don’t. But the truth is that you have to screw up a lot sometimes in order to get where you want to go.

So, when I first started freelancing, I made a whole heap of mistakes. And what did I do? Well, I sulked for a while at the sheer stupidity of it all. Then, like any good millennial, I decided to write a blog post about it and put it on the internet.

Here are seven mistakes that I made as a brand-new freelancer and why you should avoid making the same ones:

The Worst Mistake a Freelancer Can Make! – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Learn from the mistakes of others to avoid common pitfalls in freelancing.
2. Understand the importance of treating freelancing as a business to maximize success.
3. Be aware of the different types of freelance jobs and opportunities available.
4. Seek mentorship to accelerate your freelancing journey and gain valuable insights.
5. Utilize the right tools and resources to work smarter and increase productivity.
6. Price your freelance services appropriately to ensure fair compensation for your skills.
7. Prioritize effective time management to meet deadlines and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
8. Communicate clearly with clients to avoid misunderstandings and maintain strong relationships.
9. Take steps to market yourself effectively and stand out in a competitive freelancing market.
10. Continuously improve and adapt your freelancing approach based on lessons learned.
11. Research and understand the importance of contracts and agreements in freelancing.
12. Take care of your mental and physical well-being as a freelancer to sustain long-term success.
13. Stay informed about industry trends and developments to stay competitive in the freelancing field.
14. Seek feedback from clients to identify areas for improvement and enhance your freelance services.
15. Embrace a growth mindset and learn from failures to constantly evolve and refine your freelancing career.

Table of Contents

22 Things I Learned From My Mistakes As A Freelancer:

1. Don’t Stick To Rates

If you’re new to freelancing you might be tempted to accept any work at any price, but this is a mistake. You should have a rate that you stick to and don’t deviate from.

You need to do some research on what rates are typical for your industry and location. What is a fair rate for the work that you do? Is there room to negotiate your rates? Are there certain rates that are considered insulting? These are all questions you should be able to answer before you start looking for work as a freelancer.

If you don’t have a rate or an idea of what it should be, you can always ask other freelancers in the industry what they charge. You can also check job boards and see what employers are willing to pay. The more information you have, the better equipped you will be to set your own rates.

Once you’ve set your rates, try not to stray from them too much. If a client wants something more than what they’re paying for, then the answer is no. It’s okay to give discounts once in a while, but make sure that it won’t negatively impact your business in the long run.

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2. Don’t Forget To Stay Professional

If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, one of the most common mistakes you can make is not maintaining professionalism at all times. Sometimes especially for those who have worked in-house at offices a freelance gig may seem like a chance to let loose and relax. You might feel like you don’t need to be as formal when talking to clients or sending emails, or that you don’t have to keep track of time as strictly as you did in a previous job. After all, there’s no one looking over your shoulder!

But remaining professional is one of the most important things for any freelancer, even more so if you’re just starting out and haven’t established yourself yet with a solid reputation. Most clients will want detailed invoices and notifications.

3. No Personal Branding

The biggest mistake freelancers make is not marketing themselves. They assume that if they’re good at what they do, the work will come to them. Sometimes this may be true, but generally, you can improve your business by taking a more active role in marketing yourself and your services.

The way to avoid this is to build a portfolio that showcases your skills and experience. Create a website that includes a detailed description of what you offer, as well as samples of your work. You should also have some testimonials from satisfied clients on this site (get permission first). It’s also important to stay connected with clients on LinkedIn and other professional networking sites so that you’re always top-of-mind when new opportunities arise.

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4. Don’t Set Boundaries With Clients

One of the biggest things that trip people up when they’re offering their services as a freelancer is boundaries. It’s hard to say “no” to people, and it’s even harder when you’re afraid of losing business.

But it’s important to be able to say “no” when you need to, in order to maintain your own standards. If you want to work a regular 9-5 job, don’t let clients call you at 7 o’clock in the morning asking for help with something urgent. If you’ve set a price for your services that makes sense given your experience and skill level, don’t let clients negotiate you down until you’re barely making anything at all.

The thing is, clients will take advantage of what they see as weaknesses. They can smell fear and nervousness from a mile away. So if you’re looking over your shoulder every time the phone rings or biting your nails while waiting for someone’s reply to an email, clients will pick up on that and use it against you.

If you want to avoid this kind of manipulation, the first step is cultivating the confidence and ability to say no.

5. Take On Too Much Work At Once

You’re a freelancer, so you know the allure of taking on too much work. After all, having an overbooked schedule is a good problem to have in the eyes of many, right?

But you can only do your best work if you’re 100% focused on one thing at a time and not trying to juggle 10 different projects at once. This is especially important if you freelance because it helps you avoid burning out, which is a very real danger when you’re responsible for making sure all your work gets done.

It’s also essential that you hold yourself accountable for staying on top of your schedule as much as possible. Take some time to plan out your week or month ahead of time, so that you have an idea of what needs to be done, by when.

Even better: set reminders for yourself if it’s important that something gets done at a specific time. That way, if things get hectic and something starts falling through the cracks, you’ll get an email to remind yourself to get back on track!

6. Rely On One Source Of Income

One of the biggest mistakes we make when freelancing is relying on one source of income. It’s easy to do because it seems like the most natural thing in the world: you get a job, you do it, you get paid.

But the truth is, relying on one source of income will land you in a heap of trouble faster than you can say “I’m bleeding money.” Because what happens when that client decides your rate is too high or they just want to go in a different direction? Or if they suddenly decide to hire someone full-time for this same work you’re doing? Or any million other reasons that could lead to them ending your contract? Then where are you?

The solution is simple: don’t rely on one source of income. Always be looking for new clients, always be working on a side project (or two), always be creating content to establish yourself as an expert in your field. The more sources of income you’re bringing in, the more protected you’ll be against sudden loss.

7. Be Afraid To Say No

When you’re a freelancer, it’s easy to get excited about every opportunity that comes your way. You never know when the next job might be, so you have to say yes to everything in order to keep some money coming in. But the truth is, saying yes to everything isn’t always a good idea.

You shouldn’t say yes to every project or client who comes along—especially if they aren’t the type of clients and projects you’re looking for.

If you accept every project that falls into your lap and agrees to do every task your client wants you to take on, you’re likely going to end up working on things you don’t really want to work on. This can make freelancing feel less like freedom and more like an obligation. Plus, when you have too many irons in the fire at once, it’s harder for you to focus on doing great work for any one person or job.

And one more thing: always charge what you’re worth. If a client can’t afford what you normally charge, feel free to set up a payment plan with them or negotiate a lower rate, but don’t let yourself get underpaid just because you need the money right now.

Seeking mentorship can be a game-changer in your freelancing journey. Discover the transformative power of mentorship and how it turned my life around as a freelancer. Find out how mentorship can shape your success and growth.

8. Picking A Niche Too Soon

Freelancing may seem like an easy gig, but it has its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when freelancing—and one of the most common ones we see newbies make all the time—is picking a niche too soon.

While it’s true that some freelancers and entrepreneurs do find success by targeting a very specific market and becoming experts in their field, most people don’t. It’s better to work on multiple projects with different clients until you figure out what you like best, instead of getting stuck in one area because you felt pressured to pick one early on.

While it can be helpful to learn more about your preferred industry and develop your skills, try not to think too hard about developing your brand until you know exactly what clients are looking for.

In fact, there are a few reasons why choosing a niche too soon can be a major mistake for your freelance business:

You might have skills in another area that could be just as lucrative—or even more so!
Pigeonholing yourself into one area can limit future opportunities.
You may outgrow your niche before you’ve really established yourself in it.

9. Not Asking Enough Questions

Freelancing is a super-customizable job, so it can be easy to forget that you’re doing just that: a job. When you get a new client, make sure to ask questions about the work they need and their expectations for how you’ll do it.

Don’t be afraid to ask your client for as much detail as possible, and keep track of your conversations with them so you don’t forget anything. This way, you can avoid confusion and set yourself up for success right off the bat!

10. Afraid To Ask For Money

This is an easy one to mess upon, especially when you’re just starting out. You want to be personable and friendly with your clients, so you don’t want to make them feel like they’re being nickeled and dimed every time they have to pay you for something.

But the reality is that this is part of doing business, so be professional about it. Always have a contract in place before you begin working with a client—and make sure it includes clear guidelines about how much they’ll owe you and when they’ll be expected to pay it.

11. Thinking That Selling Yourself Is Bragging Or Inauthentic

When you’re just starting out as a freelancer, you may not be used to the amount of self-promotion that goes into being successful. But here’s the thing: There’s nothing wrong with talking yourself up!

It can feel like bragging or inauthentic to share your successes, but if you want clients to hire you? They’ve got to know what you do and why they should care.

This isn’t about being boastful or sharing something inappropriate—you don’t need to talk about how much money you make or how many people “like” your posts. Instead, focus on what makes your work valuable. What do your clients get when they choose you?

When people think of you as someone who can help them solve their problems, they’ll be more likely to hire you!

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12. Not Knowing What You’re Worth

One of the biggest mistakes we make as freelancers is not knowing what we’re worth. We think that because we’re working independently and only for ourselves, our value is somehow diminished.

It’s easy to think that if you aren’t working for a company, you’re somehow not worth as much. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your time is valuable, and your skills are valuable, even if you don’t have an employer or a paycheck.

When you’re thinking about how much to charge for a project, never accept less than what you would have earned in hourly pay at your last full-time job. If it takes you 6 hours to complete a project and your last full-time job paid $20/hour, then the very least you should charge for this project is $120.

13. Not Knowing Your Client

Freelancing is hard. It’s a completely different animal from working a traditional job—you’re responsible for finding clients and making sure you get paid, but that’s not all. If you’re going to be successful as a freelancer, you have to be an entrepreneur, too.

And being an entrepreneur is even more challenging than just being a freelancer. You don’t have anyone telling you what to do; it’s all on you now. And if you want to succeed, you have to be aware of the mistakes most other entrepreneurs make so that you can avoid them yourself.

Most entrepreneurs make the mistake of not knowing their clients. They think they can offer their services to anyone and everyone and make money, but that’s definitely not how it works in the real world. Sure, there will always be people who want your services because they know nothing about that industry or because they don’t have the skills or know-how to do those things themselves.

But those are probably not people who are going to give you repeat business or refer others to your business—and those are the people who will help your business grow.

Instead, focus on a niche and really learn everything about it. Learn about your future clients and what problems they face every day

14. Not Planning Ahead

You can’t get anything done if you don’t have plans and goals in place. You need to have a plan for what you’re going to be working on each week, who you’re going to be working with, and how best to leverage your time as a freelancer. Then, set goals for yourself based on those plans.

You might want to set goals for daily word counts, or projects completed by the end of the week. Whatever it is, it’s important to have benchmarks so that you can track your progress and make sure that you’re meeting the goals that you set for yourself. It will also help motivate you when things get tough because it gives you something concrete

15. Wasting Time On Copy And Paste Proposals

The first point here is that it’s not worth your time to send copy and paste proposals because they’re essentially a waste of your time. If you want to make money as a freelancer, you’ve got to put in the work—and that means writing a proposal that’s actually targeted at the client and their needs, not just sending out something generic and hoping for the best.

We know that writing custom proposals takes a lot of time; we’ve been there. And we have some perspective on what works and what doesn’t.

So do yourself a favor: don’t send another copy-paste proposal again!

16. Ignoring Your Health

We’re not advocating for you to run a marathon every weekend, but don’t forget that your body and brain are the tools you need to make money. If you don’t take care of them, they won’t work quite as well.

Sleep is important, as is eating well and getting enough exercise especially since most freelancers spend nearly all their time at home. It’s easy to fall into the trap of eating junk food and staying up late, but this will catch up with you eventually.

17. Starting Without An Emergency Fund In Place

Starting out on your own as a freelancer is an exciting time! It can feel like anything is possible, and often, it is. But it’s so important that you don’t let optimism cloud your vision when it comes to finances, especially cash flow.

When you’re starting out as a freelancer, you should have an emergency fund of at least three months’ worth of income set aside. Then, over time, that amount should be increased to six months’ worth. The purpose of this fund is simple: to pay your bills during those first few months (or more) when your business might not be bringing in enough money to cover all of your monthly expenses.

If you’re dreaming of quitting your day job and starting a freelance business but haven’t yet saved up an emergency fund, there are still ways you can get started while also keeping yourself secure. For example, it’s completely possible to work a day job while also building up clientele for your freelance business. Just make sure that you do so in a way that doesn’t interfere with your day-job responsibilities!

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18. Having Poor Communication Skills

Freelancing comes with a lot of freedom. You can work from wherever, you have the ability to take on projects you like and say no to projects you don’t like, and you can often set your own hours. While all this flexibility is awesome, it’s also important to remember that you are still not working by yourself. You are working for someone else who does have expectations of how you will communicate with them.

If communicating in person is not always possible, then freelancers need to be proficient in communicating through email or other means.

One way to improve your communication skills is by reading more. Reading business books or professional articles will help you learn new ways of communicating effectively with clients.

Another way is to practice writing emails and asking for feedback on how they could be improved.

19. Making It About You And Not The Client

Every business needs to make a profit in order to stay alive, but freelancers often forget why their clients hire them: for help. If you’re too focused on your own needs and not on what the client needs, you’ll neglect to provide them with the best service possible.

Put yourself in your client’s shoes: would you want to do business with someone who only cares about what they can get out of it? Or would you rather work with someone who is attentive, understanding, and helpful?

You have to be able to prove your value to your clients if you want them to come back for more or refer others to you.

20. Giving Up After A Few Rejections

It’s not uncommon to take a few rejections before you get your first writing gig. Sometimes, even experienced writers get rejected by editors. However, if you give up after a few rejections, you might miss out on some great opportunities.

It’s important to keep trying and to learn from your mistakes and successes. For example, ask yourself why you were rejected—did the editor find that your writing style wasn’t a good fit for the publication? Did your article not meet their submission guidelines? Then consider if there’s something you can improve on in your next submission.

Your first article likely won’t be published in The New York Times, but don’t let that discourage you. Instead, try submitting to smaller publications where it may be easier to get published. Just like with anything else, practice makes perfect!

21. Working In Your Pajamas All Day Every Day

If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, working at home might seem like a dream come true. And it is, in many ways! Working remotely means we can keep our own hours and make our own schedules. We can work in our pajamas all day, every day—and sometimes we do. But that doesn’t mean we should.

It’s easy to get caught up in how great it feels to work from home. The reality is that if you’re wearing your pajamas while you work, it’s going to be harder for you to get motivated and get into the swing of things when you’ve got a deadline approaching fast. If you’re in your pajamas, chances are good that you’ll feel more like taking a nap than doing anything else.

So try getting dressed each morning before you sit down to start working for the day! It’ll make a world of difference.

22. Not Being Willing To Learn New Skills

When you’re starting out as a freelancer, it can be intimidating to think about adding more things to your plate. You’re already learning how to manage money and contracts, price your work, and communicate with clients, so why would you want to add something else?

But here’s the thing: as a freelancer, you need to keep learning. When you have new skills or knowledge, you can offer more services or expand the reach of the services you already offer. You can also charge more for your work!

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to picking up a new skill, start by figuring out what kind of freelancing work you want to do. Once you know that, think about any relevant skills you already have and make a list of the skills you don’t have yet but would like to learn.

Then make a plan for how and when you’ll learn those new skills. If there’s an online course or textbook that will help teach it to you, buy it! If there are free tutorials on YouTube that look helpful, start watching them!

Learning new skills doesn’t have to take up all your time. It just takes some planning and dedication.

Takeaway

Freelancing is difficult no matter what, but there are plenty of mistakes you can avoid along the way. This list should keep you from making most of them, and if you do make one you’re sure to know better for next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Biggest Mistake You Ever Made As A Freelancer?

I assumed I was pricing myself correctly by following the ’10 times your hourly rate formula. I didn’t realize how much time I was spending on an average project, so I wasn’t getting paid enough to cover all my expenses or make a profit.

I once accepted a job that required me to work through the weekend and rush to meet an unreasonable deadline, but it paid twice what I usually made per project. The client wanted me to give priority to his job over all my other clients who were my regular customers. In the future, I will avoid accepting jobs like this no matter how much they pay because they only create problems down the road.

I took a job writing for a company that wanted me to lie about the product in the article. When I asked for permission to disclose this in our bio line, they said no. So I declined their offer, even though it was for $1/word. It would have been easy money, but not if it meant compromising my integrity.

I Want To Start Freelancing But I’m Afraid Of Not Getting Clients

First, don’t be afraid. You need to put yourself out there and let people know you are available to take on freelance projects. Start by finding your niche and creating a portfolio site where you can showcase your work and skills. Then, start networking so that you can find people that might need your services.

How Do I Bill My Clients Correctly?

Make sure you have a contract with the client that outlines what the project will cost and when payment is expected. If they are late paying, make sure to send reminders or notify them of any late fees that may be incurred.

I’m Not Making Enough Money Freelancing. What Should I Do?”

Figure out how much you need to earn per hour/month/year in order for freelancing to be worth it for you. Keep track of how much time you spend on a project and how much money you bring in from it. If necessary, adjust your rates or cut back on work that isn’t bringing in enough money for you so that you can focus on other things.

I Am Considering Freelancing, But I’m Afraid Of Not Having Any Work. How Do You Find Clients?

This is the most common question we hear from people interested in starting to freelance. The good news is that there are many ways to find freelance work! The bad news is that it does require effort and time. Here are some of the best ways to begin:

Create a website for yourself and your business, including samples of your work.
Contact and meet local businesses, often in person.
Join online networks and social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, where you can meet other freelancers as well as potential clients.
Work with friends and family members who may be able to refer you to their colleagues.

Herman Edward

I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!