Why Freelancing Isn’t Easy

Freelancing is a great way to work for yourself and your terms. You can choose whether you want to work full-time, part-time, or casually on an as-needed basis, depending on your needs. 

However, there are some drawbacks to freelancing in addition to the freedom it gives you. Here are some of the ways that freelancing isn’t as easy as it might appear.

Takeaways
1. Freelancing requires self-discipline and consistent motivation.
2. Uncertain income and irregular cash flow are common challenges.
3. Freelancers must handle client communication and expectations effectively.
4. Balancing work and personal life can be tricky in the freelancing world.
5. Freelancers need to continually market themselves to find new opportunities.

Marketing Isn’t Easy For New Freelancers

Marketing is the most challenging aspect of freelancing. But it’s not just challenging because you’re trying to find clients and get paid. 

It’s also challenging because marketing is its own skill set, which means that you have to spend time learning how to market yourself before you can start marketing yourself. And that’s not even getting into the fact that marketing itself needs to be practiced you won’t get better at it if you don’t put in the work.

Now, this doesn’t mean that new freelancers should give up hope and quit their day jobs at once; I think it’s perfectly reasonable for someone who has never done any kind of freelancing before (or hasn’t done much) to start small with their marketing efforts.

Maybe just create a LinkedIn profile or Facebook business page or something similar, depending on their needs and their budget for such things. But then again, there are no shortcuts when it comes down right down to what matters most.

Doing what needs doing until one becomes good enough at whatever they’re currently doing so as not only to perform well but also enjoy performing well enough where people will want them around more often than not

Freelancing has evolved beyond just writers. Explore the diverse opportunities in the freelancing world and discover your niche. Check out our article on why freelancing isn’t just for writers anymore to broaden your freelancing horizons.

It’s Not A Fast Way To Money

Freelancing isn’t a fast way to make money. You have to put in the hours and effort to get clients, keep clients, get paid, stay in business and stay competitive with others who are learning how to work as freelancers too.

This can be frustrating if you’re used to getting paid on time from a regular job or paycheck every week. I’ve worked freelance jobs where there was no payment until months after completing the project and only then when my client was satisfied with my work quality. 

If things go wrong during this process (like being late on delivering something), don’t be surprised if your client wants their money back or fires you altogether!

You Have To Be Willing To Say No

One of the hardest parts about freelancing is that you have to say no. You need to be willing to tell a client that their project isn’t right for you, or that they don’t pay enough money. They may get upset, but if they’re not a good fit for your business, then it’s better to part ways now than deal with future headaches down the road. 

Think carefully before accepting any new projects or clients if something doesn’t feel right in your gut instinct, chances are it won’t work out in practicality either. You also have to figure out what projects are worth doing without being paid at all (here are some ideas). 

This can feel weird at first because we’re so used to being paid for our work; however, it’s important not only for staying afloat financially but also because it helps us build relationships with people who can go on recommend us in the future and refer new clients/jobs our way!

Your Work Schedule Is Up In The Air (At Least In The Beginning)

Freelancers are not tied to the same schedule as full-time employees. In the beginning, your work hours will change frequently and you may need to be able to work at any time of day or night.

This can be frustrating if you have trouble sleeping or have a family that depends on you being home at a certain time each night. You also won’t get regular benefits from an employer like vacation days or sick time off.

If this sounds stressful, it’s because it is. But if you can find a way around these issues (like working from home), then perhaps being a freelancer could be right for you.

Maintaining a professional image is crucial for freelancers. Avoid common pitfalls by knowing what not to share with clients. Our article on 13 things freelancers should never reveal to clients provides valuable insights to safeguard your freelance career.

You’re Going To Make Mistakes

You’ll inevitably make mistakes. It’s also a good thing. Mistakes are how we learn, and learning is an essential part of any job or career path freelancing included.

The best way to deal with mistakes is to learn from them and move on, rather than beating yourself up over them or letting what happened cause you to quit the freelance game altogether! 

The most successful freelancers I know have all made plenty of mistakes over the years, but they’ve also learned from each one, taken action to correct those issues in their process (whether it was hiring assistants or changing how they handle certain tasks), then moved forward with their business on a better footing than before.

It’s Lonely Sometimes

When you’re your boss, it can be lonely sometimes. You can’t depend on anyone else to motivate you, and there isn’t anyone managing your workload for you. You are responsible for everything that happens in your business, from marketing and making sales to creating content and getting traffic.

Freelancing is also a skill in itself: you have to learn how to efficiently manage projects, communicate with clients, and communicate with other freelancers (if you use virtual assistants).

You Get Rejected A Lot

Getting rejected is part of being a freelancer. But it doesn’t have to be your thing. And it doesn’t have to be the reason you don’t want to work for yourself. Here are some tips on how to deal with the fear of rejection:

• When you get rejected, remind yourself that everyone gets rejected sometimes and that it’s not personal. It just means there was something wrong with your pitch or proposal and now you know what it is. That’s more information than you had before.

• If your pitch was really good but was just overlooked by someone who couldn’t see past their own biases, then maybe try again later when they’re in a different mood (or stop pitching for people who won’t consider any work)

• You can also look at rejection as an opportunity for growth if only we could learn from our mistakes instead of just saying “Oops!” like toddlers do when they fall off their bikes while trying to learn how to ride them!

Embrace the freedom and flexibility of freelancing that has revolutionized the way we work. Discover why freelancing is regarded as the best innovation in the workplace. Learn more from our article on freelancing: the best thing to happen to work in a long time.

Sometimes You Don’t Get Paid At All, Or On Time

Let’s say you’re working on a website for a client who owes you $500. They’ve already paid $100 of the fee, but they won’t pay any more until they see some results. They promise that they’ll get back to you soon with an email outlining what they want and how much more money is owed.

You wait a few days and then send them an invoice for the balance due, but no response. You send another invoice after another week passes without hearing back from them, but still, nothing comes into your inbox.

The fourth time around, it seems like things are finally going to move forward they reply by saying that their financial situation has changed drastically and that they can’t afford to pay anything else right now (you think). 

After sending one last friendly reminder about your contract and how much work has been put into this project so far (and reminding them of how much money is still owed), they ignore your request entirely and stop responding altogether.

The Pay Can Fluctuate Wildly From One Month To The Next

What happens if you’re unprepared for your freelance income to be significantly lower than it was last month? What if you just spent money on rent and now all of a sudden, your client isn’t paying on time?

These are the kinds of things that freelancers have to deal with all the time. It’s difficult to budget when you don’t know how much money is going to come in at any given time. You have to be flexible and willing to roll with whatever curveballs life throws at you.

Different Clients Want Different Things

Now, let’s say you’ve landed a client with a very specific need. They want an infographic on their website that explains the difference between 10 different types of widgets and how those differences affect cost.

You’re good at this kind of thing and have made infographics for many other clients before. But now, because this is an important project for your new client, it’s going to require a little more research into the topic than usual

There are so many variations in size and function between these different types of widgets that you have to do some serious digging into current technology trends before you can even get started!

But wait before starting on any creative work, you must first go through a litany of questions: Will my client like this style? Is it appropriate for their brand? Do I need more than one draft? Should I make sure this will resonate with their target audience? And then, after all, that comes writing and designing…and then editing.

The point is that as freelancers we often tend to forget (or never realize) how much work goes into creating anything worth sharing and sometimes it can be exhausting trying to keep up with all the variables involved when working on such diverse projects from different clients.

Freelancing can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can reduce stress and boost productivity. Find effective ways to make freelancing more manageable in our article on freelancing can be stressful – here is how to make it easier.

Nobody Works 9-5 Anymore (Unless They Do)

In many ways, the freedom of freelance work is what makes it so attractive. You can work from anywhere, at any time and that means you don’t have to follow a set schedule or plan your day around someone else’s expectations for you.

If you want to work through lunch and late into the evening, go for it! If it makes more sense for you to take the train home and get some sleep before working from 8 am-5 pm, then do that instead! It’s up to you how much time and energy you want to devote each day toward getting things done.

Clients Can Be Difficult And Demanding

Clients can be difficult and demanding, especially if they don’t know what they want from you as a freelancer (which happens more often than you think). 

Clients need to understand that while they may have an idea in mind of what the end project will look like, it’s your job as the consultant to make that vision come true.

This means that clients have to trust their freelancers with their projects, even if it means being open to new ideas or changing course midway through.

Don’t be deceived by misconceptions about freelancing! Separate fact from fiction and gain a clear understanding of the freelancing world. Our article on 15 ridiculous myths about freelancing debunks common myths to help you navigate your freelancing journey with confidence.

Final Thoughts

I’d go back and give myself some advice. If you want to be a freelancer, don’t wait until you’ve got a life that requires routine and structure to break free. Do it while you’re young, so when the tough times come (like they always do), you can deal with them without too much stress.

If I had known then what I know now, I might have taken another path or at least saved enough money to weather the lows that are sure to come in any freelance endeavor. Hope this helps!

Further Reading

Why Is Freelancing So Hard? Short Description: Explore the challenges and difficulties faced by freelancers in the modern job market and discover strategies to overcome them.

Why Freelancing May Not Be Right for You Short Description: Learn about the factors to consider before transitioning into freelancing and determine if it aligns with your career goals.

5 Lessons I Learned as a Freelancer Short Description: Gain insights from a freelancer’s personal experiences and discover valuable lessons to apply in your own freelancing journey.

People Also Ask

Are There Any Disadvantages?

It’s not easy money: Freelancers often have several clients at once and must manage their time effectively to complete projects on time.

This means you may have less free time than you would if you were an employee with a regular paycheck and fixed work hours every week (though it depends on how many jobs you take on at a given time).

Also, note that there’s no paid vacation or sick leave as an independent contractor you’re responsible for taking care of yourself as far as sick days go!

Where Can I Find Some Good Resources For Learning How To Freelance?

There are plenty of online communities and workbooks available for freelancers, many of which are free. Check out the Freelance Skinny and the Freelance Folder for inspiration (and access to an endless supply of free templates).

How Do I Get Clients?

The best way is through referrals, but if you don’t have any connections in your industry yet, try cold calling companies that already use freelancers like yours and ask them if they’d be interested in hiring someone like you.

Also, consider posting a profile on popular job boards such as Upwork or Fiverr; these platforms make it easy for employers to post projects while also giving potential employees access to more opportunities than they would normally have time/money/energy to pursue manually (which makes them great places to start!)

Why Do I Need To Learn How To Code?

Because you want to be a successful freelancer, learning how to code is the best way to get there. You might also want to consider learning design or data science if you’re not already fluent in those areas. They’re all integral parts of your business!

How Much Does It Cost Me Per Month?

It depends on what kind of work you do, but most self-employed people spend around $1,000 per month in overhead costs like office equipment and web hosting fees…and that’s just for starting! If this sounds high (and it should).

Keep in mind that these are fixed costs that shouldn’t go up without warning every few months like other services do (like Netflix). Many of these expenses can be reduced over time by getting better at what we do as we progress through our careers as freelancers. So don’t worry too much about them right now; just focus on getting started first!”

How Much Do Freelancers Make?

Freelancers make a lot of money, and they don’t have to work all the time to get it. Many people who freelance consider this their primary source of income they work full-time or part-time as a freelancer while holding down another job (or several other jobs) to supplement their income.

What Kind Of Clients Should I Expect?

Clients can be of any size: large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits/charities as well as individual consumers who need help with their resumes or website design (for example).

You may even find that some clients hire you for one project at a time (like I did with my client who wanted me to write an article about how the color red affects our moods) or hire you on a retainer basis so they always have someone available when they need them most!

Why Don’t You Just Go Back To Your Old Job?

A: If I could, I would. There are many reasons why this isn’t an option for me right now, but here are a few:

• The company has been bought by another company, and it’s unclear what will happen next. I don’t want to ride along with something that may or may not be going downhill.

• My salary is pretty low compared to other companies in my field with similar work requirements, so it might be hard for me to find a new job somewhere else without having to take a pay cut or worse yet, being underpaid for what my skillset should command on the market at large (which happens all too often).