New freelancers will quickly find that the freelance field is filled with traps and potential disaster. Of course, this does not mean that freelancing isn’t a great way to make money. It is. It just means that freelancers must be very careful to make sure that they don’t fall victim to unappreciative clients that are ready and waiting to take advantage of them.
Here are 3 Things That Can Suck Your Money and Your Time if you aren’t careful:
Not Determining Rates Ahead of Time
One of the hardest parts of being a freelancer is determining your rates. For new freelancers, rates will change often and quickly. You may need to start out working for less than you are worth until you establish a clientele and perfect your skills. Many freelancers find that a written rate sheet can help them determine how much to work for. It is a great reference tool that should be comprehensive and updated often. Don’t agree to work for less than your established rates.
Not Avoiding Problem Clients
As a freelancer you will work with hundreds of clients. Each one will have different expectations and desires. Learn to quickly identify problem clients. An experienced freelancer will learn key phrases to avoid. Don’t waste your time applying for freelance jobs that say things like…
- “I need a freelancer with great skills willing to work for $3 per hour or less.”
- “Lowest bidder will be chosen.”
- “Looking for a cheap freelancer to turn around my project in 8 hours or less.”
- “The last freelancer I hired did a horrible job. “
These red flags can alert you of problem clients. These clients expect perfect work without paying the price. Anyone looking for lowest bidder doesn’t care about quality. Likewise, speedy turnaround should require additional charges. If you are going to agree to a rush job, charge more. It is a lot more work and stress for you.
Watchout For Freelance Burnout
Freelancers are a rare breed. You are working day to day for many clients trying to make it on your own. Don’t sell yourself short or agree to ridiculous conditions. This will only lead to burnout. Learning to find and avoid freelance red flags will make your freelance career more enjoyable, more successful and much less stressful.
Places To Find Work For All Types of Freelancers
Elance – They have over 30,000 jobs posted. They also cover many different categories, almost any type of freelancer can find work here.
oDesk – With almost any set of skills you have, you should be able to find freelance work here. They have a wide variety of categories. This is a heavily posted website.
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