Let’s be honest, being a freelancer is not easy. It requires a lot of discipline, hard work and it can really get difficult to manage everything when you have so many other things going on in your life. At times you might even feel like quitting because there are just too many things to do!
But that is the reason I have decided to create this list, to help all the new freelancers out there keep all those things in mind that they need to do so that they can be successful. These are basically the dos and don’ts of a freelancer, which will help you tremendously in learning what are mistakes you should avoid and what are the things you should do in order to be successful.
So let’s take a look at what are some of the dos and don’ts of a freelancer:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Maintain clear communication with clients and meet deadlines. |
| Value your skills and price your services appropriately. |
| Build a strong online presence and maintain a professional portfolio. |
| Seek mentorship from experienced freelancers and expand your network. |
| Continuously improve your skills and stay updated with industry trends. |
| Set realistic goals and avoid overcommitting yourself. |
| Prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. |
| Stay organized and keep track of your finances. |
| Adapt to changes in the industry and embrace new opportunities. |
| Learn from failures and use them as stepping stones for growth. |
Do Practice Your Craft Even If You Aren’t Paid For It
It’s very normal for an employer to ask you for a sample of your work so they can see if you are capable of handling the job or not. If this is the case, then do not hesitate to give them what they asked for but make sure that the sample is one that reflects what the job requires and something that shows your best work.
Building a successful freelance career in the manufacturing field requires determination and industry knowledge. Check out our guide on becoming a freelance in the manufacturing field to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in this industry.
Set Your Price
It is very important that you have an idea of how much you are willing to charge for your services. The price should be reasonable in relation to your skills and experience. This will help keep new customers coming through the door.
Always Deliver Quality Work
Freelancing is all about delivering high quality work that meets customer needs within the deadline. You should always strive to deliver nothing but quality work if you want repeat clients who can recommend you to others. This is one thing that will set you apart from other freelancers and will definitely help you get more clients.
Do Create A Routine
Creating a routine will help you to be as productive as possible and also make sure that your clients are happy with the work that you produce for them. When creating this routine, it is important to think about taking breaks and making sure that you allow yourself enough time to complete each task.
Do Take Breaks
We all need a break from work every now and again – so make sure that you allow yourself time away from your screen and your keyboard. Whether this is 5 minutes or an hour, it will help your productivity in the long run. It also gives you time to top up on coffee!
Are you passionate about agriculture and love to write? Discover how you can turn your writing skills into a freelance career in the agricultural industry. Our guide on becoming a freelance writer in the agricultural industry will provide you with valuable insights and tips to get started.
Focus On One Thing At A Time
It might be tempting for you to want to do everything at once when you are first starting out but this will only lead to trouble. You need to learn how to manage your time well and focus on one thing at a time. It would be a good idea for you to get a notebook or something similar where you can write down all of the things that you have done so far and also what else needs to be done before the deadline.
Do Know Your Worth
Freelancing is all about bringing in some extra cash so that you can afford the lifestyle that you want to live. But, if you are only working for peanuts, then you may as well get a 9-5 job. Make sure you know exactly what your worth is and stick to it, even if it means losing out on clients who aren’t willing to pay your asking price. If they really want your services, they will come back with an offer that is fair to everyone involved.
Work Out Of Your Comfort Zone
If you love what you’re doing, then there’s nothing wrong with working out of your comfort zone. However, if you’re forced to do something that is not within your expertise and something that you don’t enjoy doing, then it would be best to turn down the project. Your goal as a freelancer is to earn money and enjoy what you’re doing at the same time. Don’t work on projects that would stress you out so much because it will defeat your purpose of being a freelancer in the first place.
Don’t Forget To Stay Organized
When you work for yourself, you have to keep track of everything. Make sure you have a system in place that works for you and helps you stay on top of everything going on in your business. Keep copies of all contracts and important documents in one place so they are easy to find when needed, and invest in software that will help you manage your finances and client accounts easily.
Don’t Work When Sick
Most freelancers have a hard time saying no especially if they really need the money. But if your body says no and if your mind says no, then don’t push yourself too hard because it will only have negative effects on your productivity in the long run. Remember that once you’ve accepted an assignment, the client expects nothing less than perfect output.
Rejections on Upwork can be disheartening, but they shouldn’t discourage you from pursuing your freelance goals. Learn what steps you can take when faced with job rejections on Upwork in our informative article on what to do when you don’t get a job on Upwork.
Don’t Overthink About Your Work
Freelancers often get too involved in their work that they forget to take a break. They feel lazy to take rest and think that time-wasting activities should not be done while working on an important project. But taking breaks while working is important to improve productivity, concentrate on your work and make it error-free. When you work continuously without taking breaks, you will get tired easily and start making mistakes in your work which can affect the quality of your work and you will have to do it again.
Don’t Put Off The Hard Things
Working for yourself doesn’t mean your job is easy. Sure, you don’t have a boss looking over your shoulder, but there’s still work to be done and bills to pay.
As the person who’s responsible for getting the work done, it can be easy to fall into bad habits like procrastination. But don’t put off all the hard things that need to get done during the day.
Instead, do them first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh and get it out of the way. This will allow you to take on easier tasks in between meetings and phone calls. If you wait until later in the day to do something difficult, then you’re more likely to rush through it so that you can relax before going home.
Don’t Allow Your Clients To Change The Scope Of Work
Flexibility is good, but not when it means that you’ll have to spend more time than you should on a project. If the client adds an extra project or two, it’s okay to accept it. But if they start changing the scope of work and ask you to do more things than what is agreed upon in your contract, don’t accept it.
Don’t Work With Clients Who Aren’t Clear Of What They Want
Some clients will never be clear of what they want and this can be very frustrating for any freelancer! It will make your job tougher as you will keep getting revisions for the same thing again and again, which may delay the delivery schedule as well. So it’s best to avoid working with such clients and focus on projects where you know the requirements from day 1, so that you can plan your schedule accordingly.
Don’t Wait Too Long Between Projects To Contact Your Contacts Again
Staying in touch with the people who could give you more work is important when you’re trying to build up a steady stream of clients, but don’t overdo it — nobody wants their inbox flooded with emails from someone they haven’t worked with yet. Find out how frequently your contacts want to hear from you and stick to that schedule
Don’t Set Your Prices Too Low
If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, don’t feel like you have to undercut the competition by setting your prices too low. Instead of pricing yourself lower than other freelancers in your field, focus on how you can offer added value to the client that justifies your rates. Are you able to deliver the project quicker? Will you go above and beyond in terms of customer service? Are you more experienced or qualified than your competitors? Make sure clients understand why they should pay more for your services.
Please Do Not Take A Job If The Payment Is Not Verified
Many of the newbies don’t know about this thing but as a professional freelancer, this is one of the most important rules for them. You should never take work from a buyer if he/she is using an unverified payment method. A verifiable payment method means those where you can check whether they are legit or not whereas the non-verifiable payment methods are those where the buyers can use fake names and profiles to get their work done by some stupid sellers. So it is better to avoid such buyers who are using non-verifiable payment methods.
The tourism industry offers a wide range of opportunities for freelance SEO experts. If you’re interested in combining your SEO skills with the dynamic world of travel and tourism, check out our comprehensive guide on becoming a freelance SEO expert in the tourism industry to learn how to leverage your expertise in this niche market.
Have A Separate Office Space Where You Can Be Productive
You may think working from home will be great because you can keep an eye on your kids while they play or do their homework but it’s not that simple. Many people who work from the home struggle with separating their home life and their working life, which means that they could end up spending more time doing the tasks in their house rather than actually working.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
The right questions will help you understand the client’s needs and vision. Plus, it will prove to them that you are interested in getting the job done properly. Even if you think a question is stupid, ask it anyway.
Many millennials are embracing the freelance lifestyle, but what impact does it have on their ability to buy homes? Find out more about how freelancing is affecting homeownership among millennials in our thought-provoking article on how freelancing is keeping millennials from buying homes.
Takeaway
Just remember to treat your job like any other 9-to-5, and you’ll be fine. Don’t overbook yourself too much or commit too far ahead of time with projects that you can’t handle. Focus on building a healthy base of freelance clients instead of just taking on any and all jobs that come your way. Of course, if your bookings are tight, it helps to ask for additional work, but don’t overload your schedule if you can avoid it. And the next time you get an offer to work for free, don’t do it—it’s better to build up a portfolio filled with paid gigs for new and old clients than one lousy freebie.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the dos and don’ts of freelancing:
The Dos and Don’ts of Freelancing: This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights and tips for freelancers to navigate the industry successfully.
Dos and Don’ts When Trying to Get a Freelancer Project: Learn about the best practices and common pitfalls to avoid when bidding for freelance projects and increasing your chances of success.
Freelancer Tips: Dos and Don’ts: This article offers practical advice and tips for freelancers to thrive in their careers while maintaining professionalism and achieving work-life balance.
Frequently Asked Question
Do I need to be a professional before I can sign up?
No. You don’t have to be a professional, but if you are, it’s to your advantage.
Do clients only hire pros?
Not always. There are clients who prefer hiring newbies because they can pay less
What are the most common jobs in Upwork?
The most common jobs in Upwork are web development and web design, data entry, and article writing. But there are other types of jobs available like tutoring and social media management.
How to get more jobs on Upwork?
Upwork is a very competitive marketplace, especially in the beginning. To get more jobs, you need to be proactive. It’s not enough to just have a good profile and wait for your dream job to come knocking at your door.
How to raise rates on Upwork?
Raising rates is tricky because you don’t want to lose clients by asking for too much. You can start slowly by raising your rates by 20-30% and then increasing them gradually over time.
What about the fees on Upwork?
Upwork has two types of fees: a service fee and a processing fee. The service fee is taken from freelancers only, while the processing fee applies to both freelancers and clients. The service fee depends on the type of membership you choose: free or paid.
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!