Five common challenges for freelancers (2024)

FAQs

What are the biggest challenges of a freelancer? ›

Finding clients

Acquiring clients is the most frequently cited challenge faced by freelancers. It is especially an issue for new freelancers who haven't built up a body of work or worked with enough clients to establish a word-of-mouth reputation.

It's easy to overcommit and become overwhelmed. Constantly interact with your surroundings in one way or another. Freelancers often work alone, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. The lack of coworker interactions can impact your motivation and mental well-being.

Lack of Self-Discipline:

One of the most common challenges faced by freelancers is the lack of self-discipline. Without a structured environment, it's easy to get distracted. Freelancers should set a daily work schedule and stick to it. Create a dedicated workspace free from distractions.

Client acquisition: You must constantly find new clients to maintain a steady flow of work, which can be time-consuming and very challenging. Lack of benefits: Freelancers do not typically receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans, which can be a drawback for some.

Unlike traditional employment, freelancers do not have a steady paycheck or a guaranteed workload. As a result, there is a constant need to search for new clients and projects, which can be emotionally and mentally draining.

Spreading your risk

Apart from being able to pick and choose the work you do, and having the freedom to do that work on your own terms, a great benefit of freelancing is the fact that you can spread your risk. If you're employed for a traditional company, and that company starts to fail – you're pretty much stuffed.

Lack of security: You don't know how much you will make (at least initially). You can't count on your paycheck every month as you would in a company. This could give you a certain lack of security. All-in-one person: If you haven't considered this point, consider it.

But, for new freelance writers, this is a REAL challenge. Lower-paying clients may view you as a commodity only, which means they can take advantage of you. They may demand a lot of work for little pay and because you are new, and probably desperate you will take this red flag client.

Con: Risk of Working With Difficult Customers Who Won't Pay. When you're a traditional employee, getting a customer to pay their invoice typically falls on a different department. As a freelancer, you risk working with clients who refuse to pay after you've completed the work.

What is the mindset of a freelancer? ›

Having a growth mindset, grit, resilience, and other positive qualities helps you learn what you need to learn and do what you need to do to build a stable, successful freelance business. It keeps you going when you're overwhelmed, or when things just aren't going well.

Freelancing can be a significant source of happiness for many people. The flexibility and control it offers over your work schedule and projects can make you feel empowered and content. You get to decide when and where you work, allowing you to strike a balance between your personal life and career.

As a freelancer, you may encounter various problems with your clients, such as unclear expectations, scope creep, payment issues, communication gaps, or feedback disputes. How you handle these problems can make or break your reputation and relationship with your clients.