Maybe you have done some freelance work, but the opportunities are few and far between. As with anything, mistakes are part of the learning process, and the lessons learned can be beneficial to you in the future. At the same time, you can cushion the learning curve by learning from the mistakes of others and avoiding these 5 common mistakes that can jeopardize your landing an assignment.
1. Not marketing yourself effectively: Let’s face it; if nobody knows you’re out there, you may as well hang on to your day job. Whether you are seeking an online gig, or submitting a proposal to a brick and mortar company, a resume, along with a portfolio of your work is essential. The “Hire me, and I’ll show you what I can do,” approach is not an effective strategy for a freelancer.
2. Not understanding the employer’s needs: If you decide to plunge in without having a firm grasp on what the employer wants, they will probably recognize this, and you will have wasted your time. If by some miracle you do get the job, you will most likely be in over your head. Know what the employer wants, and know what you can deliver. Failure to do this can lead to payment issues, poor feedback, and wasted time for everybody.
3. Asking for too much: Most potential employers are pretty clear as to what they’re willing to pay, so seek out those that fall into your price range. Eliminating candidates based on asking price is normally the first thing a freelance employer will do. Even a stellar portfolio won’t help if an employer is set on a fixed price.
4. Not asking for enough: This may seem like a contradiction to #3, but again, most employers are clear as to what they are willing to pay. Asking for less than what you think you’re worth may give the impression that the quality of your work may match the asking price. A good portfolio can offset this, but at the same time, superior quality for next to nothing may give the impression that the work may not be your own. Know your worth, and connect with those that are seeking the quality you are offering.
5. Not being able to meet an employer’s deadline: Keep in mind that most employers want their product delivered in a specific time frame. If you set your own date as to when a project will be completed, the employer will probably look elsewhere. You must be able to convince the potential employer that you will be able to deliver on their terms.
If you avoid these 5 mistakes, the chances of landing a freelancing assignment that will satisfy both you and the employer are good. Once you’ve landed an assignment, there will be new pitfalls to avoid, but again, you can learn from the mistakes of others and avoid those as well.
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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