Top Challenges Freelancers Face And How To Solve Them

No one will refuse the life that freelancing offers. Imagine waking up without the thoughts of highway traffic, or setting alarms to meet the 8: 00 AM meeting. You can work anywhere around the world, even on public transport. You can also consider going for a vacation at your favorite resort. That’s right; freelancing is the life anyone can dream of.

Despite its enticing benefits, freelancing also has its disadvantages. There are days when you lose the zest to work. Much worse when you have to meet a deadline. Here are lasting solutions to the top challenges freelancers face.

1. Getting clients

Freelancing means you have to source for your clients. Finding the right client’s remains one of the common problems freelancers face. Plus, no clients mean no work. And no work equally means no payment. To get clients, here are some options you can consider.

Leverage social media:

Social media is not only a platform to check updates. It is also a platform to network with others. For instance, 95% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find employees. Your social media platform is like your “digital shop,” where you can showcase your skills. You can connect with potential people in your field. You can also join social communities for freelancers—for instance, myfreelancehq.

Cold mailing:

Cold mailing is another effective method to get clients. You can send pitches directly to your client’s mailbox, offering your services. If done right, you can land high paying clients from cold mailing.

Keep in touch with old clients:

You can also consider giving your old clients a call. You can call to check up on them or to congratulate them on their recent achievement. Simultaneously, you can tell them about your new services. Or ask them to refer you to their colleagues and friends.

2. Work-life balance

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Freelancing procures flexibility. You can work anywhere, anytime, and any day. There are days when you get lots of job offers. But this can mean sacrificing your family time, relaxation time, or even lunch periods. Most freelancers struggle to achieve stability.  To solve this problem, you need to learn how to say no. Turn down freelance jobs you’re not interested in. If you find it hard to say no, consider increasing your rates. Raising your rates will help you retain clients that value your work and respect your time.

3. Management of funds

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As a freelancer, you are automatically a multitasker. You have to be your accountant, project manager, etc. Mismanaging your funds can ruin your freelance business. It is, therefore, essential to manage your funds appropriately. To surmount this hassle, you can consider these few options.

Use money management apps:

There are great mobile apps that can help you manage your funds. For instance, Mint and Quickbooks have great features that can help you.

Have a budget:

Creating long and short-term budgets can be tiring. But budgeting your money gives you an idea of your expenses. With this, you can track your funds. 

Have a separate bank account:

You can also consider separating your work bank account from your personal account. Anytime you get paid for a job, direct the funds to your work account. You can pay yourself a certain percentage weekly or monthly.

4. Chasing clients for payments

Have you ever encountered slow-paying clients? Really frustrating, right? No doubt, you will avoid working with them next time, most especially when you use your funds to complete the project. It’s necessary to protect yourself. Here are three ways you can solve this problem.

Add late payment charges:

You can consider adding an extra fee for late payments. With this, you can collect your payments when due.

Offer discounts:

One way to get clients to pay you when due is to offer discounts. You can consider 1-2% off your usual charge. Also, ensure your profits are not affected by discounts.

Contact the client:

Your client might come up with the excuse of being busy. You can consider giving them a call or sending a mail to remind them of your payments. If the issue persists, you can take legal action.

5. Achieving Productivity

Are you among the freelancers who struggle with maintaining productivity? There are days when you lose the zeal to work. But you know you have to complete the project to meet the deadlines. Achieving optimum productivity can accelerate your freelance business. Here are ways you can consider to achieve productivity.

Find what works:

Are you proactive during the day? Or you prefer the night hours? It would help if you discovered what time of the day suits your personality. Consider working at hours that you’re most active.

Create a to-do list:

You can also consider prioritizing your daily tasks. Start from the most critical tasks to the least important task. It will help you stay organized. And, more importantly, help you make the most of your day.

Use time management apps:

With time management apps, you do not need to struggle with procrastination. You can consider using time management apps, such as Toggl or Time Doctor.

Optimize project management apps:

Project Management apps such as Trello can help you manage your projects. With this great tool, you can track your project’s success and many more.

Eliminate distractions:

All listed above will be ineffective if you struggle with eliminating distractions. Distractions can be social media or your favorite TV show. But to attain productivity, you need to eliminate distractions. You can designate a specific time to check emails. Or probably, to facetime a friend. 

Making choices is the beauty of freelancing. There is no denying that it also comes with its fair share of disadvantages. But don’t let it deter you from freelancing. These problems can be minimized if you apply the solutions strategically.

What other struggles do you face as a freelancer? Also, how do you solve them? Kindly share your opinions in the comments section below.