You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: Freelancing is hard work, and you don’t want to go into it blind.
There are plenty of places where you can find tips and tricks for setting up your online portfolio or sending effective pitches, but what about advice from people who have lived through the experience of starting a career as a freelancer while they’re still in their 20s?
That’s what we’re here to do. We’ve collected the best advice from Gen Z freelancers all over the world so that you can be ready to tackle whatever comes your way — even if that means taking a break.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Tailored guide for Generation Z freelancers |
| Valuable insights and tips for freelancing success |
| Strategies to adapt and thrive in the gig economy |
| How to find and secure freelancing gigs effectively |
| Tips for excelling in the freelancing industry |
| Support and resources for Gen Z freelancers |
| Building a successful freelance career |
| Navigating the world of freelancing as Generation Z |
| Essential information for freelancing beginners |
| Maximizing opportunities in the freelance marketplace |
Get A Mentor
The most important thing to know about the freelance world is that it’s a lot more complicated than you think. You can easily get lost in all of the options, and before you know it, you’re working for a client who treats you like dirt (or worse).
When this happens, it might feel like quitting is your only option. And though we don’t want to encourage any stereotypes about Generation Zs, we do need to remind you that quitting never solves anything.
Instead of just giving up, seek out a mentor someone who knows the ins and outs of freelancing better than anyone else.
A good mentor will be able to help guide your career path by helping craft your niche and providing tips on how best to communicate with clients throughout each project phase.
They’ll also provide guidance when things go wrong or when contracts aren’t being honored by clients with no remorse whatsoever!
So what are some things mentors can teach us? First off: always read contracts thoroughly before signing them! Secondly: make sure everything is spelled out clearly so there won’t be any confusion later down the line (especially if they’ve been through multiple revisions).
Thirdly: even though most people say “never work with someone who doesn’t pay upfront” – sometimes there might be exceptions depending on their payment history or other factors like these.”
In a rapidly changing work landscape, it’s essential to stay ahead. Learn how to adapt and seize opportunities in the evolving work environment by checking out our guide on how the future of work is changing.
Be Patient With Your Progress
You’ve probably heard that “practice makes perfect,” but what does it mean? It means that you don’t have to be good at every skill right away. It’s impossible to be a master at everything, even if you put in 100 hours of practice.
It is more important to focus on improving your weaknesses than trying to make yourself good at everything. If you try learning everything, then you will never get anywhere!
You should start small by picking a few things that interest you and becoming an expert in those areas first before moving on to the next big thing!
You can always go back later on down the road if there’s something else you want/need help with at some point afterward as well.
This isn’t set in stone forever either which means there are no limits for growth opportunities down the line here.
So don’t feel worried about making mistakes along your path towards success either because those experiences will only lead up toward bigger opportunities for growth later on down
Find Your Inspiration
Finding your inspiration is crucial to developing the desire to freelance. It’s also a lifelong process. But it doesn’t have to be lonely! Ask your friends if they know any freelancers who inspire them, and ask them how they found their inspiration in the first place.
This can lead you down a path of discovery that will help you find what inspires you most about freelancing:
Maybe it’s the creative freedom, maybe it’s being able to work from home or travel more often; maybe it’s earning money doing something you love whatever that thing might be for you.
Time is a freelancer’s most valuable resource. Discover effective time management tips and techniques in our comprehensive article on time management tips for freelancers, and maximize your productivity.
Set Boundaries With Other People In Your Life
As you start building your freelancing career, it’s important to create boundaries with the people in your life.
If you’re working from home or have an office space that is separate from where you live and socialize, setting boundaries will help keep you focused on your work and be less likely to get distracted by other people.
This can be a challenge for Gen Z because we’ve grown up surrounded by technology and online communication platforms like Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, and even text messages. While texting is a great way to communicate with friends who live far away from one another (and coworkers), texting shouldn’t be used as an alternative for face-to-face interactions when working remotely with clients or colleagues on projects together.
Setting physical boundaries at the beginning of each day will help everyone know what’s expected of them during the day when working together so they can better meet those expectations without needing constant reminders along the way!
Try Self-Management Instead Of Time Management
Self-management is a way of working that helps you to be more productive and creative by giving you the freedom to do what you want when you want. It’s a philosophy of self-improvement, productivity, and efficiency.
The benefits of self-management include being able to work at your own pace and in your environment, rather than having to follow someone else’s schedule.
You can also use this method when collaborating with other freelancers or clients on projects because they’re not limited by schedules either!
One drawback is that it can be difficult to start with full control over all aspects of the job so make sure that there are rules set in place with any client before beginning a project together according to their needs (such as deadlines).
This will help both parties stay accountable without getting overwhelmed by any stressors during production timeframes.
Pick Your Niche And Own It
You will be working for yourself, so it’s important to pick something you are passionate about. It may be one of the most difficult tasks, but it can also be one of the most fulfilling parts of being a freelancer.
You need to find out what skills you have that other person needs and wants. This is one of the biggest concerns for Generation Z members when starting their own business.
They don’t know what they’re good at or how much money they can make from it yet because they haven’t tried anything yet! So as a Gen Z member yourself.
Think back on all those hobbies and interests you had growing up you may just have stumbled upon an idea that could become your niche!
Don’t let fear hold you back from freelancing success. Find out why you shouldn’t be afraid of Upwork’s permanent ban and how to navigate the platform securely in our guide on Upwork’s permanent ban.
Set Work Hours And Stick To Them
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from burnout is to establish strict work hours. You should be setting aside a certain number of hours per week for freelance work, and after that time has passed, you should stop working.
If you are working on the weekends or in the evenings, your mind will feel tired during the day even if it’s not yet noon!
Working at night means your body will get used to being up late instead of getting enough restful sleep at night.
This can lead to reduced productivity during normal working hours as well as an increased risk for health problems like heart disease or diabetes later in life because our bodies need adequate downtime every day.
Working when sick just adds another stressor into an already stressful situation; even if it’s only something minor like a runny nose or sore throat (or something more serious), there’s no reason why our immune systems should have any more pressure put on them than necessary!
Recognize When You Need Help And Ask For It
As a Generation Z freelancer, you’re probably going to know when you need help. It’s just a fact of life. Over time, as you grow in your career and gain more experience, it will become easier for you to recognize when you need help.
But for now, here are some signs that may indicate that it’s time to ask someone else for assistance:
You haven’t been able to solve the problem on your own. Maybe there’s something too complex or technical on which the answer eludes even your most advanced skillset.
Or perhaps there’s just a problem with communication between coworkers and since they aren’t getting along well enough themselves, no one knows what needs doing or how best to get it done!
Someone else has already tried (and failed). There are many things out there in this world that seem impossible until someone figures out how exactly how they’re supposed to work;
Sometimes people try their hand at them but fail miserably before realizing what went wrong. If someone else has already tried something similar without success and given up halfway through…well then maybe now would be a good time for YOU!
Find The Right Clients For You
When it comes to finding the right clients, you may want to start with those that you already know.
Asking for a referral from someone who has worked with you or connected with you in some other way is one of the best ways to find new clients. It’s quite simple: if they enjoyed working with you and see value in your services, then it’s likely that their friends or colleagues will too!
I’ve found that asking for referrals from people I barely know (or don’t even know) can also be an effective method for finding new business.
For example, let’s say a friend of yours is looking for a writer and mentions this fact to one of his colleagues at work a colleague who happens to be hiring writers on her own and they both end up hiring me as a result!
That’s why asking everyone around me if they can think of anyone who might need freelancers like myself turned out so well; plenty more connections were waiting just around the corner!
Turn your passion for writing into a profitable venture. Our article on how to monetize your freelance writing business offers valuable insights and strategies to help you earn from your writing skills.
Keep Things In Perspective
Don’t get too caught up in the numbers. It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that you have to be good at something quickly, or else you’ll never make it as a freelancer.
Don’t worry about how quickly you’re improving however long it takes is fine! And don’t compare yourself with other people who are at the same stage of development that you are.
You won’t always know what you want to do with your life, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if necessary.
There’s no shame in asking others who’ve been through this process before how they did it and what advice they would give themselves now if they could go back in time (and there’s no shame in talking about yourself).
Don’t let fear keep you from making changes if something isn’t working out for you; eventually, something will click and things will fall into place much more easily than before.
Saying “no” is an important part of self-care too: listen carefully when your gut tells you not something isn’t right for either party involved it means there may be ulterior motives involved somewhere along the line!
Learn To Say No To Clients Who Aren’t Right For You
Avoiding bad clients is an important part of being a successful freelancer, but it doesn’t happen overnight.
You’ll have to work hard to learn how to say no effectively and understand that your time is valuable and you deserve respect as a professional. Don’t take on too much work or for clients who don’t value their employees.
Here are some ways for young freelancers to avoid bad clients:
Don’t take on freelance jobs from people who don’t respect you – if someone treats you like an inferior because of your age or gender (or anything else), it’s time to walk away from the project.
Similarly, if something about the task at hand feels unethical or illegal according to your moral compass, ask yourself whether taking this job would make sense for your reputation as a professional in the future. If not, move along!
Don’t work for companies that don’t pay on time – payment issues are one of the biggest problems faced by freelance workers today; according to research by Upwork, around 30% of freelancers report having money owed in their past year’s earnings!
That’s why it’s important when deciding whether or not to accept new contracts with companies: check upfront if they’re going through financial difficulties that way there won’t be any surprises later down the line when payment comes late or doesn’t come at all
Forgive Yourself For Mistakes, Learn From Them And Move On
It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to fail. You must learn from your mistakes, but remember that there is no need for any guilt or shame. Acknowledge when you do something wrong and then move on!
Don’t dwell on past mistakes because what has happened has already happened, so there is no need to think about what could have been done differently. You need to forgive yourself for making a mistake because everyone makes them and they are part of life.
There are many ways in which Generation Z can use their experience with technology as an advantage while freelancing; however, there are also some potential pitfalls that we’ll discuss below:
Celebrate Your Wins Big Ones And Little Ones Alike
In addition to celebrating your accomplishments, you should also learn to celebrate the small wins. You may have had a bad day or an off week and feel like nothing is going right.
But if you take the time to acknowledge even the smallest win, it will help keep your spirits high and boost your confidence.
So don’t be afraid of celebrating your wins whether they’re big or small!
Considering Upwork for freelancing? Learn about the platform’s pros and cons in our comprehensive list of top 21 best and worst things about Upwork, and make an informed decision for your freelancing journey.
Don’t Be Afraid To Change Your Focus
Don’t be afraid to change your focus. It’s okay to try new things, and it’s okay to fail. Failing is a necessary part of the learning process.
Sometimes it takes several attempts before you finally get something right and even then, it could still take some refining or tweaking after that!
It’s better to have tried and failed than not tried at all because then you’ll never know what might have happened if you had been brave enough to try something new.
Prioritize Happiness Over Productivity When Necessary
It’s easy to get caught up in the work and forget that you need breaks too. That’s why it’s important to build time into your schedule in which you can rest, even if it means taking a few minutes off every hour or so.
It’s okay if you don’t feel like working when you take these breaks; sometimes forcing yourself to do something productive will just make things worse (and result in more stress).
The key is finding ways of making yourself happy that don’t involve work at all and then sticking with them for as long as necessary until they help bring back your focus and energy levels!
Take Care Of Yourself (And Don’t Be Afraid To Take Breaks)
It’s not always easy to take care of yourself, and it can be scary to take breaks when you’re working hard and hustling.
But if you don’t do it, your work will suffer. So please make sure that you are taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, drinking water, and exercising regularly. I like to go for a run or hike during my lunch break at the job site (this also helps clear my head).
The more time we spend in nature the better! As long as we’re physically active like this every day (not just once a week), our brains will thank us later.
Even ten minutes per day is enough to help improve concentration levels, overall energy levels, and mental focus.
Which can make all the difference when trying something new such as freelance writing or starting an online business venture such as selling handmade products on Etsy!
Conclusion
Freelancing is indeed a competitive field, but with the right attitude and some grit, you’ll be able to succeed.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with your progress as a new freelancer, take a step back and remember some of the lessons we’ve covered above:
Learn to forgive yourself for mistakes, celebrate your wins (even the small ones), and above all else, prioritize happiness over productivity when necessary.
And if you’re still not sure where to start on your freelancing journey? We have an entire course dedicated just to Gen Zers who want more information about how they can launch their successful freelance careers!
Further Reading
The Gen Z Guide to Freelancing: A comprehensive guide tailored specifically for Generation Z freelancers, providing valuable insights and tips to thrive in the freelancing world.
Finding Freelancing Gigs: A Comprehensive Guide for Gen Z Freelancers: This blog post offers a detailed exploration of how Gen Z freelancers can effectively find and secure freelancing gigs.
Gen Z Freelancing: Explore the innovative world of Gen Z freelancing with this platform, connecting freelancers to exciting opportunities and resources.
FAQs
What is the Gen Z Guide to Freelancing?
The Gen Z Guide to Freelancing is a resourceful guide aimed at Generation Z freelancers, offering valuable insights, tips, and strategies to succeed in the freelancing industry.
How can Gen Z freelancers find freelancing gigs?
Gen Z freelancers can discover a comprehensive guide on finding freelancing gigs tailored to their generation, which provides effective strategies for securing rewarding opportunities.
How does Gen Z Freelancing platform benefit freelancers?
Gen Z Freelancing is a platform that connects freelancers to innovative opportunities and resources, providing Gen Z freelancers with the support they need to thrive in the gig economy.
Are there specific tips for Gen Z freelancers to excel in freelancing?
The Gen Z Guide to Freelancing offers tailored tips and advice designed to help Gen Z freelancers excel in their freelancing careers, enabling them to achieve their goals.
Is the Comprehensive Guide for Gen Z Freelancers informative for beginners?
Yes, the Comprehensive Guide for Gen Z Freelancers covers essential information for freelancing beginners, providing a solid foundation to kickstart their freelancing journey.
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.