You’re a new freelancer. What are the most common mistakes you might make and how can you avoid them?

1 Setting unrealistic rates

One of the first decisions you have to make as a freelancer is how much to charge for your services. This can be tricky, as you need to balance your skills, experience, value, and market demand. If you set your rates too low, you might undercut yourself and attract low-quality clients who don’t respect your work. If you set your rates too high, you might scare off potential clients who can’t afford you or who don’t see the value in your work. To avoid this mistake, you need to do some research on your niche, your competitors, and your target clients. Find out what the average rates are for your type of work, and adjust them according to your qualifications, portfolio, and goals. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or raise your rates as you gain more experience and credibility.

2 Taking on too much work

Another common mistake that new freelancers make is taking on too much work at once. This can happen when you’re eager to build your client base, impress your customers, or make more money. However, this can also lead to burnout, stress, and poor quality work. If you take on more projects than you can handle, you might miss deadlines, make errors, or lose focus. This can damage your reputation and your relationships with your clients. To avoid this mistake, you need to be realistic about your capacity and your availability. Learn to say no to projects that don’t fit your skills, goals, or schedule. Prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively. Communicate clearly with your clients about your expectations and boundaries.

3 Neglecting contracts and invoices

One of the most important aspects of freelancing is managing your finances and legal matters. As a freelancer, you’re responsible for creating and enforcing contracts, sending and tracking invoices, and paying taxes. If you neglect these tasks, you might face serious consequences, such as not getting paid, losing clients, or facing lawsuits. To avoid this mistake, you need to be organized and professional about your paperwork. Use templates or tools to create clear and detailed contracts and invoices that outline the scope, deliverables, payment terms, and deadlines of your work. Send them to your clients before you start working and follow up on them regularly. Keep track of your income and expenses and set aside money for taxes.

4 Working without feedback

One of the benefits of freelancing is that you have more autonomy and creativity over your work. However, this also means that you have less guidance and support from others. If you work without feedback, you might miss opportunities to improve your skills, meet your clients’ needs, and grow your business. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, solve problems, and generate new ideas. To avoid this mistake, you need to seek and accept feedback from different sources. Ask your clients for their opinions and suggestions on your work, and listen to their complaints and compliments. Join online or offline communities of freelancers who can offer you advice, insights, and referrals. Hire a coach or mentor who can help you with your goals, challenges, and decisions.

5 Forgetting self-care

The last common mistake that new freelancers make is forgetting self-care. Freelancing can be demanding and stressful, especially when you’re starting out. You might face long hours, tight deadlines, isolation, or uncertainty. If you neglect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, you might suffer from fatigue, anxiety, depression, or illness. This can affect your performance, motivation, and happiness. To avoid this mistake, you need to take care of yourself as a freelancer. Set a regular and realistic schedule that includes breaks, rest, and leisure. Create a comfortable and productive workspace that suits your needs and preferences. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep routine. Connect with your friends, family, and peers who can support you and cheer you up.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?