No wonder lots of beginners make recurring mistakes. It takes time to learn all the insights about freelancing.
Going into freelancing means learning, and it’s full of mistakes. Mistakes are okay unless you don’t want to spend more time learning everything from scratch.
I spend over three months figuring out what works and what doesn’t until I got my first client. And the journey’s not ending there! I’m still learning to improve my freelancing skills.
So, here are 5 most common mistakes freelancers make when they’re starting out:
#1 - Not Reading The Job Post’s Description and Copy-Pasting Proposals
That’s certainly the most common one.
No wonder client’s never responded to your copy-pasted proposals.
When you approach a client you should keep in mind that he’s a human. The client knows if it’s a copy-pasted text or if you actually have no idea about what’s going on as you haven’t read the job post. Would you hire a guy who doesn’t read your brief?
Instead of scrolling and hurrying to push that “Apply” button, read through and think about what is that exactly the client wants you to do. And then, respond to screening questions and mention your approach to the task. Clients are more likely to hire guys who know their stuff, so you better look trustworthy in your expertise.
Always read the job description, respond to the required questions and describe how exactly you’ll help. Simple as that.
#2 - Being a Complete Generalist
— I can do this, dabbled in this, and also had some experience with this.
The truth is:
Nobody would want to hire a guy who claims to know everything at once.
Even if you are the ultimate specialist. It just doesn’t look credible.
The best way to get clients is to narrow the niche and be specific about your services. Also, clients trust freelancers who can list a common dictionary on the niche.
Specific experience and niches rule the freelance!
#3 - Not following punctuation and basic English grammar
Seriously.
When reaching out to anglophone clients, they do expect you to write your proposals and responses in plain English.
Starting your sentence with capital, having periods in the right places, and being straightforward and on-point in your writing are crucial for communicating with good clients.
So yeah, just download Grammarly and be on target with what you’re trying to say. Communication is an important aspect of freelancing.
#4 - Delivering Average Results
Don’t ever make clients feel like you want to get some work done, take the money and run away.
Freelancing is the exact opposite of that. You should establish a long-lasting relationship with your clients.
So yeah, at the beginning of your freelance career, it’s crucial to impress your clients.
Go over the client’s expectations. Deliver the best version, even if it takes more time than you expected. Invest your time to build your reputation based on the good work you’ve done.
Every effort you make will pay out as experience in your niche and your reputation as a freelancer.
#5 - Not Sending Enough Personalized Proposals
Sending a personalized proposal is crucial for getting your first freelance gigs.
When I was starting out, I’ve been sending out 10 personalized proposals per day before I got my cherished gig.
So yeah, as I wrote previously, read the description, respond to all the screening questions and write for the client's needs. Your approach and mentioning your relevant skills will certainly help. Just try to be useful.
Start with a greeting and don’t forget to mention the client’s name. It’s a good trick to hook the client on a personal level.
Freelance is not easy-peasy like. There are lots of details to learn before you become a great one and the mistakes you make will always teach you to do better.
Happy freelancing!