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12 Common Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Any Freelance Work
As the world becomes increasingly digital, more and more people are turning to freelance work as a way to make a living. While it can be a highly rewarding and flexible career path, it's not without its challenges. One of the most frustrating things about freelancing is when you're not getting any work, despite your best efforts. Whether you're just starting out or you've been freelancing for years, it can be disheartening to send out countless pitches and applications and hear nothing back.
In this article, we'll explore 12 common reasons why you might not be getting any freelance work, and what you can do to address these issues and start landing clients. By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the knowledge you need to take your freelance career to the next level.
1. Not Improving Your Skills
To avoid making rookie mistakes, many rookie freelancers dive headfirst into online work without first understanding how things operate.
Working freelance online is a completely different ballgame than traditional employment, and certain skills may not translate well to the digital realm.
For instance, while academic essayists may be proficient at writing college papers, they may not possess the necessary abilities to create compelling blog entries, which necessitate entirely distinct writing styles.
To prepare for finding online employment, it is crucial to dedicate time to honing and enhancing your abilities.
Solution: Before applying for any assignments, take online classes that are related to your skills and learn new techniques. I highly suggest Skillshare since it offers access to numerous courses for a single price.
2. Waiting For Work To Magically Appear
It's great that you've taken the time to upload a cool profile photo, write an awesome bio, and complete your profile on the freelance platform. However, just doing this is not enough to attract clients to your profile.
The truth is, unless you're a well-known figure like Seth Godin, clients won't come knocking on your door with job offers on a silver platter. You need to put in the effort and actively seek out potential clients yourself.
Solution: Start by exploring the freelance platform for jobs that match your skills and experience. Apply for as many relevant projects as possible and make sure your proposals are well-written and demonstrate your abilities.
But don't stop there. Take the initiative to send personal messages to potential clients, introducing yourself and your services. This can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing that next big project.
Remember, success in freelancing requires hard work and dedication. Keep honing your skills and putting yourself out there, and you'll eventually reap the rewards.
3. Your Pricing Is Not Right
Many freelancers make the mistake of thinking that lowering their prices is an effective strategy to attract clients. However, this can backfire and make clients perceive them as unprofessional and inexperienced.
When you lower your prices, you not only undervalue your skills and experience but also send the message that you lack confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Solution: To avoid this, it's important to shift your focus away from hourly rates and instead price your projects based on the amount of work involved and the time required to complete them. By doing so, you can better communicate the value you bring to the table and establish yourself as a skilled professional who is worth investing in.
Recommended: 8 Secrets To Successful Freelancing
4. Incomplete Profile
Creating a strong freelance profile is crucial for earning money online. It's the first impression clients will have of your skills and experience.
Unfortunately, many freelancers rush through this step or neglect it altogether, which can turn off potential clients.
Solution: Take the time to complete your profile thoroughly. Craft a solid bio that highlights your skills, experience, and what sets you apart from other freelancers. Use a professional photo of yourself with a friendly smile (avoid selfies) to convey a sense of professionalism and approachability.
5. Not Showing Genuine Interest
This is a common mistake that part-time freelancers make. They don’t take their freelance work seriously enough since they have a “real” job. So, they apply to projects like they’re trying to do a favor for the client.
Solution: Take your freelance career more seriously. Do what you’re passionate about and excited about. Otherwise, get out of this business because you won’t be a successful freelancer.
6. Trying To Fool Your Clients
It's unrealistic to expect clients to believe that you have years of experience in a particular field when you're only in your early 20s. While it's great to be ambitious and enthusiastic about your work, exaggerating your experience or skills is not the way to win over clients.
Solution: Clients have experience working with freelancers and can quickly spot any inconsistencies or dishonesty. It's crucial, to be honest, and upfront about your level of experience and skills. This doesn't mean underselling yourself or downplaying your strengths, but rather being realistic and transparent about what you can bring to the table.
7. Too Late to Reply To Client Emails
When applying for a project on UpMyChain, you may find yourself competing with dozens or even hundreds of other freelancers. Clients may send questions to many applicants to determine who is best suited for the job, and sometimes they award the project to whoever responds first.
Solution: To increase your chances of winning the project, you can use UpMyChain's desktop notification feature to stay updated on any new messages or job updates. Additionally, enabling email notifications on your phone can help you respond quickly to any client inquiries or requests.
8. Not Showcasing Your Work
When seeking freelance work, clients may ask to see examples of your previous work to verify your skills and experience. Do you have a portfolio that you can use to showcase your abilities?
Solution: To be prepared for these situations, it's a good idea to keep a list of links and files of your best work readily available to show to potential clients. If your freelance website allows for a portfolio section, be sure to fill it out with your best examples. If you don't currently have any work to showcase, start working on building a portfolio right away.
9. Applying For The Wrong Jobs
EBook writers need to be aware that writing product descriptions requires a different set of skills than eBook writing, and accepting these jobs can result in wasted time and frustration for both the writer and the client.
Solution: It's best to apply only for jobs that align with your skill set and experience. Take the time to review the job requirements and see if they match your expertise before submitting a proposal. By doing this, you'll be able to write a more compelling pitch and increase your chances of being hired for projects that are a good fit for your skills.
Recommended: What Does The Future Hold For Freelancers?- Top 7 Facts
10. Trying Too Hard To Make Money
There may be times when you feel compelled to apply for any job that appears on your job feed due to financial difficulties. However, it's important to avoid this situation by planning.
Even if you currently have a full workload, it's wise to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Set aside a small amount of money as a "rainy day" fund to cover your expenses during periods of financial uncertainty.
Solution: By having a contingency plan in place, you can avoid feeling desperate and taking on jobs that may not be a good fit for your skills or goals. This can ultimately help you maintain a stable income and achieve long-term success as a freelancer.
11. Asking The Wrong Questions
You can’t understand your client’s needs without asking the right questions. It’s a crucial step you can take to determine the project’s requirements and also shows your enthusiasm to your clients.
But, I’m not talking about questions that are in your favor, like how much they’re willing to pay you or if you can take breaks whenever you want.
Solution: Don’t rush to accept projects or propose your prices. If you have any questions, ask them first.
12. Promising Beyond What You Can Deliver
When you're excited about a job opportunity, it's easy to get carried away and oversell your skills and abilities. However, clients are often skeptical of freelancers who promise more than they can deliver.
Solution: It's important to understand your limitations and to carefully consider the client's needs before submitting a proposal. Don't try to oversell your experience or convince the client of your skills if they don't match the requirements of the job.
Instead, focus on presenting yourself honestly and transparently. If the client sees your potential and believes that you're a good fit for the job, they'll be more likely to offer you the project. And if they don't, it's not the end of the world - there will be other opportunities that are better suited to your skills and abilities.
Aim To Succeed
Lack of confidence is a major reason why many freelancers struggle in their careers. It's important to believe in your abilities when pitching your services to clients.
Avoid using phrases that show uncertainty, such as "I think I can." Instead, showcase your confidence by emphasizing your skills and expertise, such as "I know I'm the right person for this job because of my experience in X and Y."
Remember that admitting mistakes is the first step to improving. Stay confident and keep trying, and you'll overcome any obstacles in your freelance career.
Easy Answer
- Not Improving Your Skills
- Waiting For Work To Magically Appear
- Your Pricing Is Not Right
- Too Much Competition
- Not Showing Genuine Interest
- Trying To Fool Your Clients
- Too Late to Reply To Client Emails
- Not Showcasing Your Work
- Applying For The Wrong Jobs
- Trying Too Hard To Make Money
- Asking The Wrong Questions
- Promising Beyond What You Can Deliver
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