5 mistakes that are keeping you hungry as a freelancer
I have been a freelance business owner since early 2014.
When I look back, I notice some mistakes which hindered my growth and if I could go back in time and teach myself something, then these would be the lessons to my younger self.
I didn’t know better at the time, but you can avoid them.
Here are 5 mistakes you should avoid to grow as a freelancer.
1- Think like a business owner starting from day 1
One of the biggest mistakes most freelancers make is waiting for permission to act like a business owner.
I started freelancing while still in university, and at the time it was a side hustle. The work was scarce but that was mostly by design. I wasn’t looking for regular work and didn’t set up any channels to make sure I have a consistent work stream coming in.
The trouble was that things didn’t change when I wanted to scale up because I didn’t have any systems in place to make that happen.
How you can get in the business mindset:
- Treat your freelancing as a business and not like a side hustle
- Have systems in place for invoicing, communications, and managing your work.
- Have contracts in place to clarify expectations and protect yourself from scams.
PRO TIP: Have a detailed project brief before you accept any project.
This helps you and your client set clear expectations about what you’d be offering, the timeframe and the deadlines.
2- Fix your relationship with money
Ever had trouble talking to your clients about money? Does the thought of negotiating with a client make you nervous?
Many beginner freelancers struggle with their relationship with money. I have noticed among many freelancers that talking about money leaves a bad taste in their mouths. The same was the case with me.
As a freelance service provider, you need to be able to overcome your resistance to talking about money with clients.
This is easier said than done because to be able to accurately talk about money, you need to first be able to access the value you are offering.
The easiest fix is to access the value your service offers to any business and go from there. Talk to other service providers and see what they are charging for similar services. Don’t lowball yourself but be realistic about your skillsets.
You can charge a little less in the beginning, but don’t get stuck in the same cycle where you are underpaid and stressed.
A better money mindset would be:
- I am not exchanging my time for money. I’m taking money in exchange for the value I am providing.
- If you struggle with negotiation, then have a minimum project fee below which you will not work.
- Invest in your personal and professional growth. This includes mentorships, courses, and masterminds.
3- Have a digital presence
Ever gone to someone’s profile or product and just couldn’t figure out what they do or offer?
Many freelancers continue to work on a referral basis or get work occasionally via Facebook, LinkedIn, or other freelancing platforms. This is exactly what keeps them hungry and underpaid.
When you decide to go freelance, set up a website or digital presence for your business/offer.
Your offer should be visible immediately and anyone who lands on your website should know what you do. Don’t keep them guessing.
Marketing for yourself is a hurdle many freelancers have to overcome.
Here’s how it looks like
1- Set up a website or regularly post on your social media channels.
2- Provide information about what you do, who you do it for and how much will it cost.
3- Get lead and work.
You don’t need to set up something fancy or overly technical. Just a simple description of what you do and how to contact you is enough to get started.
4- Don’t wait for permission to grow
I have diagnosed the root of the problem — Freelancing platforms. If you have ever signed up for any of these websites then you will understand how it is contributing to the problem.
Most of the clients on these platforms are looking for beginner-level services which do not pay a lot nor does it offer freelancers any opportunities to grow as a service provider.
These platforms, while not necessarily bad, push freelancers to scale laterally rather than vertically.
Probably because they are also in the early stages of setting up their businesses. Another reason might be that these platforms are notorious for attracting clients who are not willing to invest a lot in return for top talent.
With requirements like making x number of gigs, and sending customized proposals to random jobs with a demand for varying skill sets, it becomes hard for a service provider to grow linearly or even gain any valuable expertise.
When you are stuck in the cycle of doing the same mindless task for $$ while also spending multiple hours per week pitching to clients, you will lose the willpower to invest in your personal growth.
When you are stuck in a cycle of the race to the bottom, you will struggle with the money mindset as well as the inability to accurately see the value you are offering. Most freelancers keep on waiting for external permission.
5- Optimize your workflow
While productivity is a hot topic, organizational systems are often overlooked and ignored.
Organization Systems: A process by which you create the most productive layout for your work.
As a freelancer, you might have struggled with productivity and holding yourself accountable. I know I have and still do. It’s an ongoing battle; one we all must prepare for in advance.
When you are your own boss, you are not just managing your business. You are also responsible for managing your money, and your systems and let’s not forget the administrative tasks you don’t even know you should be doing to keep things running smoothly.
Some systems you can create today to 10x your business:
- Create a welcome packet to introduce yourself and your work to any client
- Create separate client folders in your Google Drive and store any information there so you can quickly access it
- Have a streamlined testimonial survey, so you don’t have to wait for clients to offer it themselves
- Have automatic invoicing
tl;dr
Calling yourself a freelancer has a different mindset to it than calling yourself a ‘business owner’.
- Be a business
- Don’t be afraid to talk about money
- You don’t need someone’s permission to grow
- Learn to market yourself
- Create optimized systems to maximize your business potential
