5 Common Mistakes To Avoid While starting your Freelance Career

Starting a freelance career can be difficult when you are making those mistakes which you should avoid. Because of these mistakes, there are huge chances that your freelance work can be ruined.  If you truly want to turn freelancing into a career and earn a steady income, you must avoid the below mistakes. 

In today's blog, I will tell you “5 common mistakes To Avoid While starting your freelance career” which every new or medium freelancer does. Otherwise, it can be a big hurdle between you and your freelancing career. 

If you are a beginner and want to start freelancing but do not know how to start, read "Easy Guide to Start Freelancing as a beginner."  and "Best 5 Freelancing websites" to find work.

1. You are charging too low 

There are some new freelancers who charge too low from your clients. To get clients and lots of experience you are charging too low a price which is not justified with your skills. If you are skilled and have great expertise, then believe in yourself. If you are offering exceptional service, don't charge too little.  Obviously, you're a beginner, which is why you're charging this little. I can understand this statement. It can be a fine tactic at first, but after 3-5 projects, you should up your pricing a little. You will be stuck at that price if you do not level up your price. Your clients will always expect you to charge that low price.  After getting 1 or 2 clients, Charge a bit more from other clients. 

Know "50 FAQs about Freelancing" which will surely clear your doubts.

2. Communicating outside the platform

"I completed the work and gave it to him over Whatsapp, but the client has blocked me and is not responding to me or paying me any money?"  

Many freelancers have complained that their clients have not responded, have blocked them, or have avoided paying them. The one reason I have seen behind all these complaints is “the use of outside platforms". 

If you are a freelancer who uses a freelancing website, I recommend that you do not communicate with anyone outside of the platform. Never communicate outside of the platform, no matter how old or valuable your client is, or how large a project is. Every freelancing site has its own set of rules and procedures to adhere to. If you break those guidelines and communicate outside of the site, the platform will not be held accountable. Always adhere to the platform's guidelines. It will safeguard you from dishonest clients.

"14 Types of Freelance Jobs" you can do in 2022 

3. Not having all information and clarification

Always double-check that you have all of the necessary information before beginning any project. Lack of clarity and information can lead to plenty of troubles and waste your time. Getting your first project as a new freelancer fills you with excitement. Occasionally, in the midst of the excitement, freelancers forget to obtain all client requirements and clarifications. Later on, this can harm you. This is a common mistake, and even experienced freelancers make it.  Hence always double-check that you have all of the necessary information and that you understand the project. Always question your clients about everything and double-check that you're on the proper track. 

"6 Real and Surprising myths about Freelancing" that everyone believes: know these half-truths.

4. Violating platforms terms and policy

This is not a common mistake. But it is one of the most important mistakes to avoid as a new freelancer. Many freelancers do not read freelancing sites' terms and policies. Because they are way too long and boring. I know I can understand your laziness. However, you should be familiar with their policies, rules, and terms. If you are found guilty by any freelancing platform, then they can restrict or block you permanently from their platforms. There are certain minor things that freelancers overlook. 

For example, you cannot force or urge a client to give you a positive rating or feedback on Fiverr; this is indirectly against Fiverr's terms of service. It is entirely up to the client whether or not he wants to provide feedback. These kinds of rules and regulations you should know. Every site has its own rules and conditions.

Want to be a Freelancer on Fiverr? Then must-read "Ultimate guide to starting freelancing on Fiverr", it will give you every information you need to know about Fiverr freelancing. 

5. Doing projects you don't like 

Many new freelancers have the mindset that they should take any project that comes their way, regardless of whether it is relevant to them or not. This, however, is an incorrect mindset. If you take on a project even though you are uninterested in it, it will become a burden until you complete it. Take on only those projects in which you have experience and are interested. Taking on projects that you are uninterested in or that are outside of your skillset might cause roadblocks in your freelance career.

Here are "7 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting any Clients" on Freelancing websites. Read them or know how to fix them.

I hope you find this blog helpful and know what mistakes To Avoid in beginning as a new freelancer. If you have any questions or doubts, let me know in the comment section.