5 Challenges Freelancers Face and Their Remedies

Yesterday, I got a message from a connection on LinkedIn asking how I manage to have a steady flow of clients/work as a full-time freelance writer.

This got me thinking I’m not the only one who faced such challenges. Most freelancers (of any kind) have similar issues related to this independent field of work.

Hence, I’m going to discuss freelancers’ top challenges and how they can improve to eradicate them all.

But before jumping on that directly, let me first introduce ‘freelancer’ to many of those who think of it as a side profession only.

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is an independent, self-employed professional working on short-term projects or client contracts. Freelancers typically have a wide range of skills and specialize in various fields, such as writing, web design, graphic design, photography, and programming.

For instance, being a freelance content writer, I’m (and have to be) dexterous in graphic designing, content management systems, and SEO.

Freelancers typically work from home or a shared workspace and can be found through job boards, networking events, and social media sites.

Benefits of Being a Freelancer

Being a freelancer offers a wide range of advantages and can be an ideal career choice for people who want to have more control over their work life.

Here are some of the benefits that freelancing can offer:

1. Flexibility

One of the considerable advantages of being a freelancer is the flexibility it offers. You have the freedom to choose when, where, and how you want to work, allowing you to create your own work schedule and be in charge of your own workload. This means that you can take on projects that fit in with your lifestyle and interests rather than having to commit to long hours at a traditional job.

2. Variety

Freelancing also provides variety in terms of the types of freelance projects you can take on. You can choose from short-term assignments or long-term commitments, as well as different types of work such as writing, web design, graphic design, and more. This variety ensures that you never get bored or stuck in a rut with your work.

3. Financial Rewards

As a freelancer, you get paid for every hour or piece that you work on. This means that if you can find enough clients and complete enough projects each month, then your income potential is only limited by how much time and effort you put into it. You also have more control over how much money you make since there’s no cap on how much you can earn each month like there is with a traditional job.

Not kidding; I quadrupled my income right after I jumped on the solo ship of full-time freelancing.

4. Professional Skill Development

Working as a freelancer allows you to develop new skills and gain experience in different areas, which will help advance your career further down the line if needed.

For example, suppose you’re working as a freelance content writer. In that case, you’ll have to be indulged in client communication and some marketing efforts related to bringing new business in. In some cases, you’ll also have to collaborate with your client’s content marketing team. Basically, you’ll be the one-man army. And damn! It feels good.

5. Independence

Last but not least, being a freelancer gives you independence from employers or bosses who may otherwise dictate what tasks or projects they want to be done and by when. As a freelancer, it’s up to you to decide what type of jobs to accept and when they need to be completed by giving yourself room for creativity while still making sure all deadlines are met on time!

Myth buster: There are times when you’ll have immediate requests from your clients, and taking care of them is good because it’ll strengthen your client relationships.

Enough about the perks of being a freelancer. Let’s discuss the challenges you might face.

Common Challenges Freelancers Face

Be ready for the following if you want to go full-time freelancer:

1. Finding and Securing Work

One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is finding and securing work. It can be difficult to find clients who are willing to pay what you’re worth, and you may have to spend time and effort to get your name out there.

Additionally, it may take some time before you are able to build a steady stream of clients who regularly hire you for work.

2. Time Management

Freelancers have to be very organized when it comes to managing their time. When you’re juggling multiple projects with different deadlines, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done and by when.

Additionally, freelancers don’t have the luxury of taking breaks between tasks like they would if they had a traditional job, so it’s important for them to plan their days accordingly and make sure that all tasks are completed on time!

3. Self-Motivation and Discipline

Ask me about it – I’m struggling with this challenge.

Freelancing requires a lot of self-motivation since there isn’t anyone around giving you deadlines or pushing you to complete tasks in a timely manner.

It can be difficult for some people to stay motivated without external pressure which can lead to missed deadlines or incomplete projects if not managed properly.

4. Staying Connected

As a freelancer, staying connected with clients is essential in order to keep your business running smoothly.

However, this can be tricky since it requires regularly checking emails and responding promptly as well as staying up-to-date with any changes or requests from clients that may come up throughout the course of a project.

5. Managing Taxes

Last but not least, one of the freelancers’ nightmares is ensuring that all taxes are paid on time each year since they don’t have an employer withholding taxes from their paychecks as traditional employees do.

This requires setting aside money each month in order to ensure that taxes are paid on time and accurately, which can be stressful if not managed properly!

Alright, these freelancing challenges are scary. But how do we (yes, I just included myself) overcome these?

Overcoming the Freelancing Challenges

Here are some tips I’m following, and they’re working awesomely for me.

1. Develop Your Skills

As a freelancer, it is essential to make sure that you are constantly developing and honing your core skills so that you can stay relevant and competitive in the market.

This could mean investing in courses or certifications to help you stay in tune with the latest industry trends and technologies or even just taking the time to read books and articles related to your field.

For instance, being a full-time freelance writer, I always read a couple of blogs per day to see what other writers are talking about. I’m also improving my understanding of advanced SEO.

2. Build a Network

Networking is key when it comes to freelancing since it allows you to find potential clients and build relationships that may lead to more work down the line.

This could mean attending industry events, joining online communities, or even just reaching out directly via email or social media platforms such as LinkedIn.

You connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m quite active there – Madhukar Jangir

3. Manage Your Time Wisely

Time management is essential for freelancers since they need to be able to meet deadlines while shuffling between multiple projects at once. This means creating a schedule each day that breaks down tasks into manageable chunks of time and sticking with it as much as possible to stay organized and productive.

You use to-do lists to ease your daily or weekly planning (most freelancers prefer tools like Trello). However, I’m quite conventional on this. I just go with a spreadsheet. It helps me track the work I’ve done so far.

If you want the template, ask me on LinkedIn.

4. Have an Emergency Fund

Freelancing can be unpredictable at times which is why freelancers need to have an emergency fund set aside for times when work dries up, or unexpected expenses arise suddenly. This could mean setting aside funds each month into a savings account or investing in short-term bonds that can provide quick cash if needed.

5. Outsource Your Taxes

I personally prefer not to manage my finances. It’s a good practice as the least you have to manage, the more you can focus on your business core. At least, that’s what outsourcing is about.

So, get in touch with a charted accountant or a certified accountant that can manage your finances and file taxes.

Concluding Note – Don’t Be Afraid of the Challenges; Freelancing is Cool

Being a successful freelancer requires hard work and dedication, but with the right mindset and strategies in place, anyone can make their freelance dreams a reality.

From setting up a home office to creating a schedule and investing in yourself, there are many steps that freelancers can take to ensure their success. With the right attitude and effort, anyone can become a successful freelancer!