Last Updated on November 20, 2022
Frustrated by how hard it is to get a good gig or worse, you get a client who loves micro-managing? These are just a few problems that freelancers face regularly.
Freelancing for a few years now has become the norm for so many people. Gone are the days when a 9 – 5 was your only option for a good life. Freelancing has allowed so many to work when they want and with whom they want. This, however, does not mean there are no problems that freelancers face.Â
The major problems that freelancers face have a lot to do with people sticking to their 9 – 5 even when everything in them wants to dump it. Below are some of the problems freelancers face and how to deal with them:
Finding Work
This has to be one of the biggest problems freelancers face. If you’re a freelancer, finding projects and booking clients is entirely up to you. It can take a lot of effort just to get customers alone, only for some to walk away without an email or phone call. Then you have to start over to find new leads.
This constant rush can be a deal-breaker for many, and not finding enough work isn’t the only problem freelancers face. It’s a problem that a lot of work awaits.
Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, digital marketer, or translator, work can be overwhelming. While this situation is preferable to its opposite, it can be difficult to turn down a job if you don’t have the bandwidth to accept it.
How to deal with this?
1. Keep in touch with customers
No need to wait for customer calls or emails. Instead, take the initiative, engage with them, and show off new work all the time. Also, don’t limit your communication to presenting your portfolio. Contact us to say hello or send New Year’s Eve congratulations.
Building a strong relationship with your customers builds trust. This trust can lead to long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations.
Plus, the more committed you are out there, the happier you will be. Targeting more clients will give you even more chances of getting a job.
2. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Don’t limit yourself to one or two customers. You’ll come empty-handed (and empty your pockets) when you go to MIA. Instead, try working with multiple clients and websites, especially those that offer regular workflows.
Being a Jack of All Trades
Having to work as a sole proprietorship is one of the most important issues for freelancers. As a freelancer, you don’t have to work on assignments or projects. They also have to juggle other business activities, from acquiring customers and tracking payments to self-marketing and managing finances. The list is long.
They are the boss, the brand, his manager, the finance manager, the IT guy, and even the coffee maker. Freelancing is a very rewarding job, but it can also be hard work alone. If you don’t manage your time properly, you can spend too much time weeding or miss a deadline.
How to deal with this?
1. Keep a fixed schedule
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start by organizing your schedule. Create a to-do list and prioritize your tasks. Set a fixed working time and make sure you finish your work within that time.
If Facebook and Instagram notifications are your primary distraction, keep two mobile phones (one for work contacts and one for personal contacts) and switch to the latter during work hours. Consider keeping the phone in DND mode.
You can also use our anti-procrastination app to block time-wasting social media sites and other distracting websites on your computer while you work. Use time management apps and other useful tools
If you need help running your business, use tools like Zoho, Basecamp, and Asana to manage your projects, Toggl to manage your time, and Freeagent (accounting software) to manage your invoices, Manage expenses, taxes and receipts.
You can even hire a virtual assistant to take your calls. If you have a lot of projects coming up, it might also make sense to hire a freelancer to handle smaller projects yourself. That way, you can bid and spend more time on bigger projects.
2. Take a day off to dedicate yourself to more intense work
Daily chores can take her a whole week if left unattended. Instead of getting bogged down in busy work, give yourself one day a week to do extra chores. In this way, the actual flow of work is not interrupted and you can fully concentrate on administrative tasks without worrying about them. It also gives you plenty of time to devote yourself to what you love, whether it’s writing, designing, or web development, while making money at the same time.
Having Difficult Clients
A difficult client has unclear goals, does not respond on time, sets unrealistic deadlines, or is simply uncomfortable. Some clients even get pushy and call us in the middle of the night for updates and fixes.
And worst of all, you don’t get compensated for all your hard work because you don’t get paid on time. The people who do these are most likely the same people who take months to complete a one-minute money transfer. Oh! The problems freelancers face!
How to deal with this?
1. Communicate
Understand what you can and cannot achieve and stick to those limits. From the beginning, be transparent with your clients about your working hours, the time zone you live in, the number of amendments, and payment dates.
If a customer calls you at an odd time, don’t answer and send a polite email later. Consider putting your phone on silent during non-work hours. If your client still expects you to fly to the moon and back, it may be time to retire.
2. Always have a written agreement with the customer
The best way to avoid chasing customers for payments is to make a deal. If a customer misses a payment due date, we charge late fees. If a client refuses to pay, attempts to underpay, or demands more than what both parties have agreed upon, please refer to the contract.
If you are connecting to a client through a freelancing platform such as Freelancer.com or Fiverr without any written consent, be sure to ask the client to set up milestone payments before accepting the offer.
Dealing with Unstable Income
This is the number one problem freelancers face that pushes people to stick to their 9 – 5 jobs. Freelancers don’t have the security that comes with regular salaries. Today he can make $200, tomorrow she can make $2,000. Unfortunately, while your income isn’t constant, your bill probably is. Not knowing when your next paycheck will arrive can be stressful if you’re not actively managing your finances.
How to deal with this?
1. Create and follow a budget
Creating a budget is key to managing your finances as a freelancer. Even if your income varies from month to month, calculate your average to get a feel for what you’re dealing with.
Add up your monthly recurring expenses to figure out how much you need. Also, try writing down your savings goals and putting money into your emergency fund each month.
Calculate how much disposable income you have to spend each month on entertainment and other unnecessary expenses, and stick to your budget so you don’t end up in the red.
2. Make sure you have a good cash reserve
No matter how long you’ve been in business, you need to have some cash in your account for quiet times when work isn’t coming. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend jumping into freelance work until you’ve saved enough to cover bills and other expenses for the next two to three months.
Consider setting up a separate saving account for your emergency fund and pouring a fixed amount into it each week or month. As you build up your savings, be careful not to touch this account unless you are unemployed or encounter an unforeseen emergency.
3. Avoid Impulse Buying
When you start making more money, you’ll be tempted to spend more, but avoid the urge to bloat your lifestyle. Stay on budget by cooking your meals, traveling in the off-season, and finding cheap or free activities in your area.
Conclusion
The problems that freelancers get to face, just show there is no shortcut to success in any field. These problems may deter many but the ones who know what they truly want, focus on the advantages of freelancing; like the total control of their work and schedule, and the opportunity to pursue a passion or interest.
People who go into freelancing and succeed in it are recorded to be highly focused and disciplined individuals. Once you have settled into freelancing, these problems become fickle and you’ll be focused on all the good rewards it gives you. So what do you say? Think you can still kick venture into freelancing?
Before you go…
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