7 Mistakes A Freelancer Must Avoid

With the demand for freelancing in recent years, more and more people are looking for ways where they can work from home. Reasons? Time freedom, flexibility in work, financial sustainability, independent career path.

If you have just started your career as a freelancer, here are 7 mistakes that you have to avoid:

1. Fail to manage multiple clients

Freelancing is a great opportunity where you can work with multiple clients at the same time. However, despite having the ability to meet the job description, managing several projects and clients demand accountability in time and service. Somehow, juggling too much stuff in your hand more than what you can offer will lead to imbalance lifestyle, poor service, and worst termination of the contract. To avoid this mistake, only accept what you can handle.

2. Not communicating enough

Lack of communication is one of the common freelancer’s mistakes. Sometimes, freelancer only communicates once the task is done. Focusing on costumer’s communication is important to create a long-term commitment with you and your clients. Building up good communication with them attempts to understand what they really need. It also increases popularity, transparency, and trustworthiness. It is a good practice where you can explain the progress, regular updates and challenges meet during the process so they won’t always be guessing with the progress of the project.

3. Settle with low pay

Know your worth. If you think you are skilled enough for the task, then don’t hesitate to ask for a raise or apply to jobs that match your skills.  Yes, you may start with the lowest rate for 3$ as a newbie, but once you get to acquire the necessary skills, don’t settle for less. Hone your skills, master your craft and set your goals to always strive for excellence. This is one way to escalate rate and value.

4. Leaving the client’s behind without notice

This is one of the biggest mistakes that freelancers must avoid. Leaving the company, no matter what your reason is, with grace and tact maintains your professional reputation online. It leaves a negative impression on your work ethics if you just leave them hanging. Not to mention the frustration it may have caused to the client when he/she trusted you with the project and rely on you but suddenly disappears.

5. Overpromise or underdeliver

Overpromise is telling your client that you can do something even if you are not confident enough to do the task. Take time to ask yourself, will I be able to commit time to complete the task? Do I have the qualification to complete the project? Can I meet the deadline ask from me? Will I be able to deliver quality service if I accept the project? With these questions, you can assess yourself if you are capable to complete the project. Hence, don’t over promise to the client just because you want to land a job.

Underdeliver, on the other hand, means to deliver less more than what is promised or expected.  It doesn’t only put your client at risk but your reputation will also be in jeopardy.

6. Failing at work-life balance

Some freelancers tend to overwork that sometimes they forget to attend to their health and other priorities. It is a blessing that you have multiple jobs to sustain your daily needs but it is also important to create a work-life balance. Having a work-life balance helps reduce stress and prevents burn-out from your mundane routine. It could mean pampering yourself to a salon or spa or just simply spending time with your family.

7. Lack of initiative

Having the initiative is the ability to be resourceful and work without always being told of what to do. People who show initiative demonstrate they can think for themselves and take action when necessary. It means using your head and having the drive to achieve. Although it is necessary to communicate with your clients, you have to understand as well that they are busy people and they cannot always attend to every single question you have in mind with the project. If you find it hard to do the task, do the research, find all the necessary means on how to work things out. Have the initiative to deliver what is more than required.

What was the greatest freelancing mistake you’ve ever committed? Share it with us.

If you’ve been a freelancer for several years now but still lack the skills or perhaps, you want to start your freelancing career, send Filipino Virtual Assistance today. They offer courses at a very affordable rate and help you throughout your freelancing journey.