10 Reasons Why New Freelancers Fail?
By Bhupati Barman
March 16, 2025
Update on : March 16, 2025
Freelancing is the center of attraction for young people, but it is also very challenging for newcomers. Starting a freelance career is an exciting possibility for many young professionals looking for freedom at work, flexibility, and the ability to convert their skills into sustainable income. However, the path to freelance success is not without any challenges, and many newcomers face obstacles once they embark on a journey in this sector. It can lead many of them to failure. Now, I will discuss some common reasons, why new freelancers fail in freelancing or newcomers fail.
Table of Contents
1. Starting without understanding
Freelancers can earn millions of money. Many people step on this path hearing this and start working without acquiring any skills. They don’t even think about whether they have an interest or ‘passion’ for what they going to do. Then when they do not get a job with an account in the marketplace, they give up freelancing. The reality is that if any is not interested in a job, no matter how many millions of taka it has, he or she will not be able to gain success in this sector. So, it is necessary to find out well before jumping into the excitement.
Tips
- Research the freelance industry thoroughly before starting.
- Identify your passions and align them with market demand.
- Take online courses or attend workshops to gain clarity about your chosen field.
Resources:
- Coursera: Offers courses on freelancing basics, digital marketing, and more.
- Udemy: Affordable courses on niche freelance skills like graphic design, writing, and programming.
- Freelancers Union Blog: A great resource for understanding the freelance lifestyle.
2. Lack of certain skills and knowledge
To be successful in freelancing, you need to have certain skills and knowledge. Many times it is seen that some people want to earn skills in all subjects. This is also one of the reasons for failing. There is no need to be proficient in all subjects, but you need to master one or two skills well and learn the related issues. For example, if you want to learn digital marketing, Google or Facebook ads, do this practice well. Try to become an expert in this sector. Besides this, you will try to learn content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics, e-mail marketing and more. If you want to show skills just to get the job, you can lose the client’s trust.
Tips
To get rid of this problem, first you need to find out which sector you are experienced in. Take time to identify your sector. Explore different niches and art to align where your skills are best. It is very important that focusing on a specific sector will help you to be different from other freelancers and give you a reputation as an expert in that sector.
Resources:
- Skillshare: Learn creative and technical skills from industry experts.
- HubSpot Academy: Free courses on digital marketing, SEO, and content creation.
- Google Digital Garage: Offers free certifications in digital skills.
3. Not giving enough time
It is one of the reasons why new freelancers fail. Many people think of freelancing as a part-time job or ‘part-time’ work. It is not a part-time job or work. It is a full-fledged profession. To be successful here, you have to spend enough time. All things– finding work, communicating with clients, and completing tasks– require a lot of time. If you think it is possible to succeed in freelancing in a short time, you are thinking mistakenly. It is right that freelancing means a free profession, but you must complete the client’s work on time. If you spoil your time, you will never succeed. Any freelancer will have to maintain a balance between work and personal life and allocate a specific time for freelancing every day.
Tips
- Treat freelancing as a full-time job, especially in the beginning.
- Allocate specific hours each day for client work, marketing, and skill development.
- Use time-tracking tools to stay organized.
Resources:
- Toggl: A time-tracking tool to monitor how you spend your work hours.
- Asana: A project management tool to organize tasks and deadlines.
- RescueTime: Helps you analyze and optimize your productivity.
4. Lack of proper marketing and confidence
To get a job in freelancing, you have to do your own ‘marketing’, which we call ‘personal branding’. Communicate your skills and experience to clients. You have to create a website of your own, be active on social media, and create profiles on various freelancing platforms (such as Fiverr, Upwork, SEOclerk etc.). If you cannot do your marketing, it will be difficult to reach clients. You have to believe in your skills and work. If there is a lack of confidence while talking or working with the client, then you will not get good results. So create a website of your own. Showcase your skills and experience. Start with small tasks, and gradually move on to big tasks. Take inspiration from successful freelancers if needed.
Tips
Invest time in your chosen market research. Identify your skills needs, analyse your competitor profile and understand the average rates of similar services. This knowledge will give you competitive pricing and make your services strong to meet the market demand.
Resources:
- Canva: Create professional graphics for your portfolio and social media.
- LinkedIn Learning: Courses on personal branding and marketing.
- Fiverr/Upwork: Platforms to showcase your services and attract clients.
5. Lack of patience and perseverance
Starting freelancing can be difficult. It may take time to get the first job or gain the client’s trust. During this time, you have to be patient and keep trying. If you give up easily, it is difficult to succeed. In many cases, it has been seen that they got the job before giving up completely. Finally, they turned around. Many times flashy advertisements give us the wrong idea. We think that opening an account on the freelancing platform can earn money. Not really. You have to be patient and keep trying. So, we should learn from our mistakes and try to improve.
Tips
- Set realistic expectations and understand that building a client base takes time.
- Learn from rejections and improve your skills and pitches.
- Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.
Resources:
- The Freelancer’s Bible by Sara Horowitz: A guide to navigating the freelance world.
- Mindset by Carol S. Dweck: Learn how to develop a growth mindset for long-term success.
6. Giving importance to a professional online presence
In the digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for freelancers. Many new freelancers ignore the impurity of a professional website, a well-made portfolio, and an optimized LinkedIn profile. Lack of visibility or indicator online presence can hamper a startup’s ability to attract customers.
Tips
You should create a professional website that showcases your skills, experience, and portfolio. Optimize your LinkedIn profile by adding a clear and concise description of your skills. Besides, you should actively participate in relevant online communities and forums to increase your visibility in your industry.
Resources:
7. Ineffective Self-Promotion
Professional freelancers also have to face difficult situations if they do not know how to market themselves effectively. So, in that case, newcomers may not be able to articulate their value proposition or key elements of their profile may be missing, such as a strong voice or a strong call to action.
Tips
Create a compelling presentation to highlight your skills and experience, which sets you apart from your competitors. Use compulsory language in your profile and proposals, and emphasize the benefits that clients will receive from choosing your services.
Resources:
- Grammarly: Improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
- PortfolioGen: Create an online portfolio to showcase your work.
- PitchWizard: Tools to help you craft winning proposals.
8. Setting Unreal Expectations
Setting unreal expectations is a common problem for new freelancers who want to achieve quick success. Whether you’re expecting high-performance projects from day one or the effort required to build a successful freelance career, unreal expectations can lead you to demotivate. It can lead to rationing and depression.
Tips
To solve this, first of all, you should be realistic about your freelance work. Before working freelance, set it in your brain that it takes time and continuous effort to build a successful freelance career. Next, set available short-term goals and celebrate your small successes. In addition to doing this, balance your work expectations and the current progress of your work.
Resources:
- Trello: Organize your goals and track progress.
- SMART Goals Framework: A guide to setting achievable goals.
9. Week Time Management
Time management is an important skill for freelancers, but beginners often struggle to find the right balance of time. Week time management results in missed work deadlines, fast work, and a negative impact on work delivery.
Tips
Create a hard time management routine. To organize your tasks, set realistic deadlines, and prioritize your workload
Use tools and apps. Set time boundaries with your work to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout.
Resources:
- Todoist: A task management app to stay organized.
- Pomodoro Technique: A time management method to boost productivity.
10. Not completing work on time
The client has a specific time limit to complete each task. At that time, you can complete the work properly and beautifully and deliver it to the client, a commitment for you or a contract with the client. New freelancers do more of this negligence so that their distance from the client increases.
Tips
Always use a transparent contract for your projects, where your scope of work, time duration, payment conditions and all other important things will be mentioned.
This will not only protect you and your client but also set clear expectations and create a professional working relationship between you and your client.
Resources:
- Google Calendar: Schedule tasks and set reminders.
- Notion: A versatile tool for project management and task tracking.
FAQ
How do I find my first freelance client?
Start by leveraging your existing network. Reach out to friends, family, or former colleagues who might need your services. You can also join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to find your first clients.
How much should I charge as a new freelancer?
Research the market rates for your niche and skill level. Start with competitive pricing to attract clients, and gradually increase your rates as you gain experience and build a portfolio.
How do I handle difficult clients?
Communicate clearly and set expectations from the beginning. If conflicts arise, remain professional and try to find a mutually beneficial solution. If the relationship becomes toxic, it’s okay to part ways.
How do I stay motivated as a freelancer?
Set clear goals, celebrate small wins, and maintain a routine. Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow freelancers to stay inspired.
What tools do I need to start freelancing?
Basic tools include a reliable computer, internet connection, and software related to your niche (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite for designers). Additionally, invest in time management, project management, and communication tools.
Latest News
Related Posts
