Real Freelancing Tips From My First Year As A Full-Time Freelancer

After decades of working in offices, I recently decided to take the freelance leap and become my boss. There’s no getting around it: going from a steady paycheck to none at all is absorbing.

But I’ve also learned that freelancing isn’t simply about finding clients; it’s also about finding the right clients, setting boundaries with yourself and loved ones, and being prepared for everything life throws at you along the way.

Take it from me, someone who has spent her first year as a full-time freelancer making many mistakes along the way: these 29 tips will help you get started on your road to successful self-employment without losing your mind in the process.

My Journey To Become Full-Time Freelancer – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Embrace a Supportive Community: Building a network of fellow freelancers and mentors can provide invaluable guidance and encouragement on your freelancing journey.
2. Time Management is Key: Establishing a structured schedule and prioritizing tasks will help you stay productive and meet client deadlines effectively.
3. Diversify Your Income Streams: Avoid relying on a single client or platform for income; explore different freelancing opportunities to ensure a steady and secure income flow.
4. Invest in Self-Development: Continuously upgrading your skills and staying updated with industry trends will make you more competitive and open doors to higher-paying projects.
5. Communicate Effectively: Clear and prompt communication with clients is vital to building strong working relationships and ensuring project success.
6. Set Realistic Goals: Define achievable objectives for your freelance career, and break them down into actionable steps to track your progress and stay motivated.
7. Manage Finances Wisely: Keep track of your earnings, expenses, and taxes to maintain financial stability and plan for future growth.
8. Handle Rejections Positively: Freelancing may come with occasional rejections, but learning from them and using feedback to improve will ultimately lead to more significant opportunities.
9. Prioritize Work-Life Balance: Maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life to prevent burnout and ensure long-term sustainability in your freelance career.
10. Value Professional Relationships: Treat clients and collaborators with respect and professionalism; word-of-mouth referrals can significantly impact your freelancing success.

Don’t Give Up Your Day Job

Yes, that’s right. Just because you’ve nailed the gig of your dreams doesn’t mean you should quit working for money. it’s to keep whatever job you have until you hit your stride as a freelancer and feel confident that it can support you without fail.

Even after I began earning more from freelancing than my salary at my day job, I continued to take on part-time gigs on the side (I worked as a copywriter for an ad agency while writing posts here).

That gave me some extra cash and built up my portfolio in ways that weren’t possible otherwise but most importantly, it gave me something solid to fall back on when things turned south with clients or my finances took a turn for the worse.

Making the right choice between freelancing platforms is crucial for your freelance career. Learn more about the differences between Upwork and Fiverr to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and skills.

Figure Out What You Should Be Charging

Figuring out what you should be charging is one of the most difficult things to do when starting as a freelancer, but it’s also one of the most important. There are several ways to determine your hourly rate:

Compare yourself with other freelancers in your field and industry. This can be done through reading industry sites, checking out job listings, or even just asking around.

If we take our design skills as an example, there are plenty of places online where you can find designer rates listed out by skill level.

Use an online calculator like

[this](https://www.payscale.com/to-calculate-your-salary?from=content&src=wc_typical_hourly) one from Payscale that takes into account location, years of experience, and education level when calculating what kind of salary range might make sense for your new business venture

Build A Business Bank Account

Have you ever heard of the term “business bank account?” It’s a little thing that most freelancers don’t pay attention to, but it can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

A business bank account is an account used specifically for your freelance work.

You can set up one at any online or traditional bank, and it helps keep track of your income and expenses so that when you file your taxes every year, there won’t be any confusion about what money belongs where.

You’ll also use this account to keep track of what expenses are related to running your business (like website hosting fees).

I recommend having two separate accounts: one for personal expenses and one for business ones. They should be separate because it’ll make things easier when tax time comes around!

Don’t Be Afraid To Charge More Than You Think You’re Worth

You shouldn’t be afraid to charge more than you think you’re worth.

When I first started freelancing, I was incredibly careful about how much I charged my clients. I’d always ask them what they were willing to pay, and then try to find a way to do the job for them while staying within their budget.

Sometimes that meant working late into the night, sometimes that meant going over budget on supplies, and other times it meant not being paid at all (which has happened).

It wasn’t until a few months in that I realized: that charging low prices doesn’t make me more valuable as a freelancer it makes me less valuable!

Charging higher rates means that clients will respect my work more because they know they’re getting more value out of it.

If someone knows they could hire two people who charge less than half as much each but only get half as much done…why would they choose one of those people? They’d choose me instead because my service is worth paying for!

Upwork’s Connect feature can be a game-changer for freelancers looking to secure projects and expand their client base. Check out our comprehensive guide on Everything You Need to Know about Upwork’s Connect to maximize your opportunities on the platform.

Know Your Taxes

The most important thing to know about taxes is how to find a good accountant. There are plenty of accountants out there, but not all of them know how to help freelancers.

I had a bad experience with my first accountant; instead of helping me with my taxes, he charged me $600 for doing nothing!

This is why it’s so important to make sure your accountant understands what you do and how you work before they start working on your taxes. You should also ask them questions like:

Do they have experience working with freelancers? Have they done this kind of work before? Can they show me some examples from clients that are in the same line of business like me?

These are all good ways for you to check their credentials and see if this person will be able to help you out or not.

Have An Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like: a pool of money you can use in case of emergencies.

The idea behind an emergency fund is to give yourself some financial breathing room so that if something happens and funds are needed urgently, you have them available.

Whether this means losing your job or being hit by a car, an emergency fund ensures that at least for the short term, your finances won’t be thrown into disarray.

There are two types of emergencies: unexpected expenses (e.g., replacing your car engine) and unexpected income losses (e.g., getting laid off).

A good rule of thumb is to save enough money so that if one or both types happen, they don’t leave you unable to pay all of your bills on time for three months straight (or longer).

You should spend some time thinking through how much money would be ideal for this type of situation it could mean different things depending on who you are as an individual and what level of risk tolerance you have toward financial uncertainty.

Once you’ve established how much cash needs to be saved up in order not to suffer negative consequences in case either type occurs, put it somewhere safe but accessible (you don’t want any fees taken out!).

In general, I recommend keeping all savings accounts at banks with no minimum balance requirements; some online banks even offer rewards programs simply by using their services regularly!

Set Boundaries With Friends And Family

This is a big one. If you’re going to be successful as a freelancer, you need to set boundaries with friends and family.

What do I mean by “set boundaries” and why is it important? Well, if you don’t set these boundaries, there’s an excellent chance your social life will suffer.

You’ll start to feel guilty about not spending time with your friends. They might even start to get jealous of your new freedom!

The fact is: that many people have trouble saying no when they’re invited out or asked for help on projects at work.

This can lead to anxiety because they know they should be doing something else (like working) but end up spending their time off doing other things instead of focusing on work-related tasks like writing articles for clients or creating new products for sale on their website(s).

If this sounds familiar then it’s time for some serious self-examination before moving on to how we can implement our plans regarding setting appropriate limits in our lives;

so that we don’t burn ourselves out trying too hard without success (or worse yet get fired from our day job because we’ve become so overwhelmed).

If you aspire to become a successful freelance writer, it’s essential to know where to start and how to stand out. Our guide on How to Become a Freelance Writer offers valuable insights and practical tips to kickstart your writing career.

Treat Your Clients Well

As a freelancer, you are your boss. decide what projects you take on and how much time to spend on them. However, as a client, I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to be “my boss”.

I have had experiences where the clients have been demanding and rude but most of the people I work with are great!

Even if they’re not easygoing people themselves, it’s still important for them to remember my time is valuable too. So here are some tips for treating all your clients well:

Be a good listener. Listen carefully when someone is explaining something to you; don’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency or if they ask for feedback as they explain their problem (and even then try not to respond right away).

As much as possible avoid advising unless asked; instead offer other solutions or resources that could help solve the problem at hand before giving any personal insights into how things may look from inside their shoes or business perspective.*

*Be patient with others’ learning curves (they may not understand everything right away) but also know when enough is enough and redirect conversations back onto the track so everyone can get back to working in harmony again.*

Be proactive about communicating clearly through whatever medium works best between parties involved in any given project:

Emailing updates regularly about progress made thus far will keep everyone up-to-date without having constant face-to-face meetings every week/month .c…

Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate Your Price

Good freelancers know how to negotiate.

I learned this the hard way: I had a client who wanted me to do a project for $500, but when he saw the finished product, he said it was worth $1,500.

I did not want to lose him as a client so I told him that he could pay me $1,000 if he liked my work or keep paying me less than what I was worth. He chose option B and then took advantage of me by asking me for more work at that rate!

Now every time we worked together and he asked for more work at that price, my stomach would turn into knots because I knew what was coming next.

It made me wonder why anyone would ever need someone else’s help with anything when they’re willing to take advantage of them like this?

So here are some tips on how not to get taken advantage of by clients:

Know when it’s appropriate to negotiate your prices and when it isn’t (e.g. if someone asks you to get their taxes done in 3 days when you usually have 2 weeks).

If you have multiple clients coming up soon after each other, charge them all separately instead of lumping everything together into one payment (it’ll look like less money overall).

This way if one doesn’t pay up, then others won’t be affected too much by having paid twice as much as they should’ve paid originally!

Curious about the most lucrative opportunities in the freelance world? Discover the top ten highest paying freelance jobs and gain valuable insights from our article on The 10 Highest Paying Freelance Jobs: My Experiences.

Stop Taking On Every Client That Comes Your Way

As a freelance writer, you will get a lot of offers for work. A LOT. You’re going to have to learn how to say no and turn down clients or projects that aren’t right for you or if the client doesn’t pay enough.

It feels great when someone wants your services, but it can also be tricky when they want them too much or don’t understand their budget limitations. The important thing is that sometimes it just isn’t worth taking on every single project that comes your way.

Don’t forget: there are plenty of other people out there who need help with their writing as well!

So even though it might be tempting at first (and I know how hard it can be), try not to take on any project unless you’re sure about what you’re getting yourself into.

Take Time For Yourself

It’s important to take time for yourself. It doesn’t have to be a huge chunk of time, but it should be something every day. In my case, I needed that break from work so I could come back refreshed and ready to focus.

Here are some ideas:

Spend an hour or two doing something relaxing and fun like going to the park or reading a book at home (I like reading).

Go on a walk or jog in the morning before work begins. This will help clear your mind and get rid of any stress you may have built up during the day before plus, exercise is always good for your body!

Phone friends who don’t live in your city; call them up for lunch or dinner and catch up with someone you haven’t seen in a while!

Stay Flexible

At the end of the day, freelancing is a business. You need to be able to make decisions for yourself based on what’s best for your business and, as such, you’re going to have some tough calls to make.

Sometimes those calls will involve saying no or change your mind completely about something that you were originally dead-set on doing.

The most important thing here is that flexibility is key you never know what’s going to happen next! If something unexpected pops up and throws off your plans for the day, don’t freak out: just roll with it!

You don’t need to work 24/7 but you do need to be careful about planning and making sure you have as much support as possible.

It’s important to take care of yourself, not just in the traditional sense of eating well and exercising regularly, but also by making sure your personal life is stable.

If you don’t have a spouse or partner who can help with housework and childcare duties, it’s necessary for them (or someone else close) to be available when necessary.

You should also think about what kind of health insurance coverage will be best suited for your needs especially if any pre-existing conditions may require ongoing treatment and make sure it’s set up before starting work full time as a freelancer.

Building a successful freelancing career requires determination and the pursuit of high-paying opportunities. Learn how to secure your financial future as a freelancer with our tips in The 10 Highest Paying Freelance Jobs: My Experiences.

Conclusion

I hope the advice I’ve spilled in this post has been helpful to you and that you feel more confident in building your own freelance business. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me!

FAQs

How can I find success as a freelancer?

Success as a freelancer comes through a combination of delivering high-quality work, building a strong network of clients, and continuously improving your skills. It’s essential to market yourself effectively and provide excellent customer service to attract repeat business.

What are some common challenges freelancers face?

Freelancers often face challenges such as irregular income, managing time and workload, dealing with difficult clients, and maintaining a work-life balance. Overcoming these challenges requires good organizational skills and adaptability.

How do I determine my freelance rates?

Setting freelance rates involves considering factors like your skill level, experience, the complexity of the project, and industry standards. Research market rates and evaluate your value to determine competitive yet fair pricing.

How can I build a strong portfolio as a freelancer?

Building a strong portfolio involves showcasing your best work and projects that align with the type of clients and projects you want to attract. Include case studies and client testimonials to demonstrate your expertise and reliability.

What are the best ways to market my freelance services?

Effective marketing strategies for freelancers include leveraging social media, creating a professional website, networking at industry events, and reaching out to potential clients directly with personalized pitches or proposals.

How Do I Decide What To Charge?

This is the hardest part of freelancing, and it’s probably the most important. You need to figure out how much you’re worth, and then you need to stick to it.

A lot of new freelancers charge a lot less than their true value because they’re afraid of losing clients or getting paid less than they want, but if you start low, clients will always expect you to stay low.

What If My Clients Don’t Pay Me On Time?

See above re: sticking to your pricing. If someone doesn’t respect your fee and tries to renegotiate after paying, don’t budge!

If they’re not willing to pay what you’re worth, then someone else will be happy to pay more for your services.

Just remember that it might take some time for that person who is willing to pay more (and who will appreciate your expertise) to find you.

How Do I Keep Track Of My Invoices?

You can use software like Freshbooks or Wave Accounting or even just write them down in a notebook or spreadsheet if it makes sense for your business.

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.