Working as a freelancer is equally exciting and intimidating, at least at first. The work is rewarding, but figuring out how to navigate life as a freelancer takes time. After all, you must rely on yourself and figure out the best recipe for success.
Along the way, you may notice some red flags and question whether you’re on the right path. The learning curve may be steep, but settling into a great rhythm is quite rewarding. This journey is much easier if you figure out how to identify red flags and avoid them altogether.
That’s especially true today, when scams are quite prominent and make many people wary of even becoming freelancers. Follow along as we highlight several key tips to help new freelancers avoid many common pitfalls of today’s job market.
Some Jobs Aren’t Worth It
When you start as a freelancer, you may feel the need to build your portfolio quickly. While a stacked portfolio is important, you shouldn’t rush to fill yours too soon. You can even shoot yourself in the foot if you accept lots of low-paying, frivolous jobs.
The last thing you want to do is cheapen your work, as clients may recognize and take advantage of this. For example, you may accept several low-paying jobs and subsequently pursue a high-paying job. There’s a chance the client will lowball you because they see your portfolio and know you’ve taken far less money.
Keep in mind that you can’t likely enter the freelance world at a high rate. However, you don’t need to force yourself to do work you aren’t thrilled with to build your portfolio. Instead, take things one at a time, slowly increase your rate, and scrutinize the clients you pursue more carefully. It’s okay to say “no”.
No Two Clients Are Alike
As a freelancer, you will quickly learn that no two clients are alike in many ways. Even working with different clients within the same field can yield different results. That’s why asking questions is essential, as your new client may not be forthcoming with their expectations.
Create a list of questions you ask each of your clients. Of course, you can adjust the questions for the client and the work at hand. You must know everything about what’s expected of you, the deadline, and the nature of the work.
Otherwise, you risk contentious conversations about deadlines and the quality of your work. This is true whether you’re a freelance writer or a cybersecurity specialist. It’s better to ask questions and avoid problems than have a misunderstanding with a client.
Unreasonable Requests
You should only accept clients who respect your time and abilities. Granted, distinguishing between reputable and unreliable clients takes some trial and error. However, you can often tell whether a client is worth working with based on how they communicate.
For example, speaking in a demanding tone for seemingly no reason should be a big red flag. It isn’t worth working with a client who doesn’t value your skills or time. The deadline should be clear when you agree to work for someone.
You can tell something is off if your client suddenly demands that the work be completed sooner than the agreed-upon date. To avoid this, you can provide the timeframe in which you can complete the work and verify that it works for them. It’s worth turning down the client if that timeframe doesn’t work for them, especially if you’re busy.
Some Jobs Are Too Good to Be True
Freelancers quickly get accustomed to applying to many short and long-term jobs alike. However, it takes time to identify scams and red flags when they appear. For example, new freelancers may jump at the opportunity for high-paying jobs that require no experience.
While it isn’t always a scam, that is often the case. Unfortunately, many scammers target freelancers on freelancer networks that post job listings. Never provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or driver’s license.
Scammers may request such information to steal your identity or financial information. Keep in mind that networks like Upwork don’t require you to provide such information to clients as they handle the business end. Scrutinize each job listing to avoid getting taken advantage of.
Rushing Into It Isn’t Essential
Many freelancers have made the mistake of quitting their steady jobs and jumping into freelancing. While it’s possible, doing so can cause lots of unnecessary stress. Keep in mind that it can take months or longer to build yourself up to a comfortable position as a freelancer.
Quitting your job without a solid base as a freelancer is a risky move. Granted, you can do this if you have a comfortable financial base. However, you may burn through your savings before you build up a steady workflow.
It’s worth applying to freelance gigs before you quit your job. Slowly build a profile so you can jump into steadier freelance work when you quit your job. That way, you will have an impressive portfolio to help you earn steady work. Of course, you can jump right into it, but it’s important to be aware of how slowly things sometimes go at the beginning.
Forward-Thinking Freelancers Are Destined to Succeed
Whether you have a master’s in education or a basic bachelor’s degree, you can succeed as a freelancer if you know what to watch for. Respectable credentials can help, but you won’t enjoy a long freelance career if you keep experiencing the same pitfalls. That’s why you must carefully vet your clients, stick to a schedule, and only take work you’re comfortable with.
A strong mixture of common sense, intuition, and careful planning can build a strong base for any freelancer. Never hesitate to read other freelancers’ accounts of mistakes they’ve made so you can learn from them. Freelancing is quite rewarding once you step into a comfortable rhythm, no matter how long it takes.
Freelancing is quite rewarding, but it can take a while to reap the benefits. Luckily, discerning between worthy and unworthy jobs becomes much easier over time.
