Freelancers in all industries deal with the same problems due to the nature of their work.\u00a0 Typically, freelancers are solo work-from-home contractors that manage every aspect of their business.\u00a0 If you\u2019re thinking of dropping your career as an employee to begin freelancing, consider the following obstacles you will need to navigate.\u00a0 Unfortunately, problems beget more problems, and a shaky foundation quickly leads to a crumbly business, and many regrets about starting in the first place.<\/p>\n
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Clients who demand too much work for too little pay, clients who do not pay on time, and especially those clients who do not pay at all define our expectations for the next client.\u00a0 Often, new freelancers do not know how to tell the difference between a good client and a bad client until after the contract has been signed.\u00a0 Or worse, a contract is never signed and the freelancer accidentally does work for free, much to the delight of the shady client.<\/p>\n
Pricing that is too low attracts bad clients like flies to a dead horse.\u00a0 The outrageously low price signals that the freelancer who made this bid or asked for this rate absolutely has no idea what they are doing and does not value his or her work; that they are new and can be taken advantage of.\u00a0 If you price your work reasonably, you are much more likely to attract reasonable clients.<\/p>\n
Too many freelancers have websites that look like they were built in the late 1990s.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to create a user-friendly website that clients will find aesthetically pleasing, whether you made it yourself or hired a web designer.<\/p>\n
A professional website signals that you take your work seriously and demand to be treated with respect.\u00a0 A clear photo somewhere on your homepage also helps your client to see that yes, you are human, and no, you are not likely to be okay with doing work for free.<\/p>\n
This is a tough one.\u00a0 Of course, if you have just started in the world of freelancing, you don\u2019t have much freelance experience.\u00a0 Fortunately, it\u2019s very similar to when you got your first job.\u00a0 Apply for smaller, lesser-paying jobs and work your way up to well-paying gigs.\u00a0 With freelancing, it is typically easier to attain higher-level jobs than if you were, say, working in retail.\u00a0 A freelancer with an extensive portfolio on their professional website is very likely to be trusted for larger projects.<\/p>\n
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New freelancers start with a seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm and as much passion as you could find in a young and overly optimistic entrepreneur.\u00a0 This, like the effect of caffeine in the morning, wears off before much work has been accomplished.\u00a0 Then the initiated freelancer hits an unexpected snag or feels overwhelmed with the amount of work to be done, and wonders why they ever started in the first place.<\/p>\n
A sense of drive and ambition need to overcome all obstacles in order to succeed.\u00a0 As a self-employed business owner, a freelancer has no boss spurring them on.\u00a0 Since many lack self-discipline and an intrinsic sense of motivation, freelancing is certainly not for everybody.<\/p>\n
Failings of motivation usually stem from feelings of inadequacy, and lack of initiative comes from a tendency to shift responsibilities.\u00a0 If a freelance worker suffers from low self-esteem, where will the confidence come in to market themselves and negotiate project costs effectively?\u00a0 It\u2019s also easy for a freelancer to blame the dearth of good clients than take responsibility for the fact that their market strategy is failing.<\/p>\n
Sometimes these personal failings could be fixed through simple research.\u00a0 Knowing what other freelancers have done in similar situations increases confidence in making business decisions.\u00a0 Minor successes that result from positive business decisions and overcoming obstacles build motivation.\u00a0 Research on business matters affects mood and level of dedication to making it as a freelancer, and is therefore crucial to the beginning of any endeavor in freelancing.<\/p>\n
Many aspiring to self-employment simply do not have any idea what freelancing entails.\u00a0 Contracting services to other organisations or individuals requires lots of time and effort that won\u2019t immediately earn a profit.\u00a0\u00a0 Employees tired of their own work lives idealise those of freelancers, and often ignore the difficulties faced in this environment.\u00a0 Before counting on notions of an optimal freelancing experience, consider your own life, strengths, and abilities.\u00a0 Ask yourself these questions: \u201cAm I truly ready to begin a long-term career in freelance work?\u201d and \u201cWhat do I want to achieve through freelance work?\u201d<\/p>\n
If you are currently a new struggling freelancer, tackling these problems from the bottom up streamlines the path to success.\u00a0 If you ever become discouraged, remember that everyone starts at the beginning, and that you too can achieve your desired level of success if you put in the work to attain it.<\/p>\n
Good luck on your new adventure!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"