1/28/2025

Common Mistakes Freelancers Make When Starting Out

Freelancing can be an exhilarating journey filled with freedom, creativity, and the potential for a lucrative income. But beware, for it’s littered with PITFALLS & TRAPS that can ensnare the unwary freelancer. If you’re BEGINNING your freelancing career, here are some common mistakes to avoid, helping you pave the way for a successful venture.

1. Forgetting You’re a Business Owner

Many new freelancers fail to realize that they’re not just skilled laborers, but BUSINESS OWNERS. Don’t let clients dictate how you run your business or treat you like an employee. Remember, YOU set the rules for how your services are provided.

2. Drifting Away From Selling Solutions

When pitching your services, it’s easy to focus on the skills you have or the WORK product you offer. Instead, try selling SOLUTIONS to clients’ problems. Show them how your skills will make their lives easier & help achieve their goals. This shift in thinking can lead to higher-paying gigs.

3. Competing on Price Alone

Many beginners choose to compete solely on price, creating a RACE TO THE BOTTOM. While it’s tempting to attract clients with low rates, it’s better to communicate the VALUE you provide. Remember, quality often trumps LOW prices in a saturated market.

4. Viewing Other Freelancers Only as Competitors

Believe it or not, your fellow freelancers can also be allies! Instead of viewing them only as competitors, try to BUILD A NETWORK. Collaborate, share insights, & even refer clients. You’d be surprised how much value can come from supporting each other.

5. Niching Down Too Quickly

Niching down can be a great strategy to distinguish yourself from competitors, but don’t rush into it. If you choose too narrow a niche too soon, it may limit your opportunities. Take time to explore & find what truly resonates with you before zeroing in.

6. Marketing Only When There’s A Need

When your work pipeline runs dry, you might feel compelled to MARKET aggressively. The reality, though, is that marketing should be a CONSISTENT effort to maintain your presence in the industry—don’t wait until you're in a PANIC to start reaching out!

7. Not Saving for a Rainy Day

Freelancers often face irregular income streams, which can lead to panic during lean months. Many make the mistake of not saving ENOUGH money. Aim to set aside funds for taxes, emergencies, or slower months to weather financial storms.

8. Quoting Below Your Rock Bottom Rate

Sometimes, in a quest for work, newbies might quote below their rock bottom rates. Remember, if you’re not making money, it’s costing you! If there’s no value added for you in a project, it’s time to walk away.

9. Wasting Time on Irrelevant Tasks

New freelancers often get caught up in tasks that don’t really matter, which can deter you from focusing on what truly impacts your business. Use tools to prioritize your TIME effectively and revisit what genuinely leads to growth.

10. Relying on One Work Source

Only having one client or project source is risky. If that dries up, you’ll be left scrambling for work. Diversify your client base & work sources to ensure your income stays stable.

11. Relying Too Heavily on Freelance Platforms

While platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, & others can be great for finding work, relying on them as your only source can be problematic. If they ever shut down or change their policies, what will you do? Make sure to also cultivate personal connections and marketing to find work independently.

12. Holding Onto Not-So-Great Clients

Shady clients can drain your energy & resources. Don’t be afraid to let go of clients who are not a good fit, even if it’s tough. It’ll be worth it when you can replace that energy with clients that inspire you.

13. Neglecting Formal Processes

Running a smooth freelance operation often relies on processes and systems. Streamlining tasks (from onboarding to project management) results in a consistent client experience and helps keep quality high.

14. Getting Overwhelmed by Advice

The freelancing community is full of unsolicited advice, which may easily Confuse you. Rather than taking every piece of advice to heart, find mentors or content that resonates with your style and needs for better guidance.

15. Overestimating Your Capabilities

Under-booking yourself consistently can lead to better performance than overloading yourself. Assess your capacity realistically, ensuring you don’t bite off more than you can chew.

16. Leaving Holes in Contracts

Contracts protect you. Make sure they cover ALL aspects (deadlines, payment terms, etc.) to avoid any misunderstandings later on. It helps to prevent surprises on either side!

17. Ignoring Time Tracking

Successful freelancers must track their time. Not tracking adequately can lead to underquoting, overworking, and ultimately burning out. Use time tracking tools to effectively monitor your improvement.

18. Skipping Self-Care

The freedom of freelancing can lead some to forget about self-care. Don’t get so glued to your desk that you forget to eat, drink water, or take breaks! Neglecting health is ultimately detrimental to productivity.

19. Hard Selling to Clients

You might think THE HARD SELL is effective, but in reality, it can be off-putting. Building genuine relationships, being helpful, and being of service are often better ways to convince potential clients of your worth.

Conclusion

Every freelancer makes mistakes as they navigate their path, but learning from them can help you grow into a successful, thriving business owner. Additionally, utilizing tools like Arsturn can optimize your engagement strategies with potential clients. Arsturn enables you to create CUSTOM chatbots to answer FAQs, engage your audience, & streamline marketing efforts without needing coding skills. Effortlessly set up and manage your chatbot to boost brand engagement from the start!

By avoiding these common errors, leveraging tools like Arsturn, & maintaining a focus on quality service, you can enhance your freelancing career substantially. Remember, the road to freelancing success is paved with LEARNING, relationships, & effective strategies.