5 Freelancing Mistakes To Avoid

Have you struck out on your own and become a freelancer? There are more people than ever before working for themselves, thanks to the pandemic and a real rethinking of work should be. As such, there are new freelancers out there such as yourself that may be making common mistakes. Here are some of the mistakes you should be avoiding as a freelancer, and how to do so.

1- Starting Off Without Savings

One of the first things you should have in place as a freelancer is savings. When you’re working for yourself, you won’t have the security of an employer paying your wages for you, on time every month. If you have a dry spell, you need to be able to cover your expenses. So many freelancers start out without having that in place.

As a freelancer, it’s advised that you should have around three to six month’s worth of funds saved up and ready to use, should you need to. If you’ve already started and haven’t got those funds, you can start saving now as the sooner you start, the better. As you’re most likely working on your own, you’ll have small overhead costs so you should be able to do this.

2- Going With The First Customers You See

As you’re a freelancer now, it’s so easy to start taking on any work you can get. After all, you don’t want to go a day or week without work coming in, so it’s tempting to take work even if it’s not your forte. That’s a mistake for new freelancers though, as it dilutes your work, and you’ll likely be taking on work you’re not enthusiastic about.

If you do need to keep work coming in you can take the first client you see, but you shouldn’t make it a habit. You should look for clients whose interests and values align with your own.

3- Not Charging Enough

This is is such a common mistake that so many freelancers make. As you’re brand new to the business, you feel as though you should charge less so you can get those customers. However, as the saying goes, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Some customers may even avoid you, as they’ll feel those low prices are suspicious.

Do your research, and find out what your work is worth. “It’s so important not to underprice yourself” says Anna Stevens, a freelance writer at OXEssays and Revieweal. “Good customers will understand the importance of paying for good work.”

4- Not Being Strict On Payments

Another common issue freelancers have is getting payments on time. It’s so common for invoices to be sent out, and you’ll be waiting for payment weeks or even months later. That means that you have to keep chasing those payments up, which takes precious time.

There are ways you can get around this. Putting payment time frames into your invoices is one way of getting paid on time. Using an online payment gateway like Paytabs is another, as all payments can be handled on one platform. Ensure you’re strict about getting payment on time, so you don’t miss out.

5- Not Managing Your Time Well

Now you’re a freelancer, you’re the only person responsible for the way you manage your time. As such, time is very much money, and you need to ensure that you’re managing your time correctly. If you have periods of time where you’re not actively working on projects, then that will affect your bottom line.

“There are lots of ways that you can manage your time as a freelancer” says Adrian Savidan, a business blogger with Assignment Service and Stateofwriting. “You’ll need to find the method that works best for you.” For example, only accept realistic deadlines, and ensure that you take breaks so you don’t burn out as you’re working.

These are some of the most common mistakes that new freelancers are making right now. As a newcomer to this way of working, use the advice here to take care of yourself, and ensure that you get the most out of the work you do. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll be ready to rise to the top.

Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller is a writer with Education Essay and Essay Help. where she covers freelancing and time management. She’s also a blogger for Big Assignments.