The 5 Biggest Mistakes Freelancers Make

Freelancing can be a real bear.  Other times, the polar opposite.

You have a great body of work.  You're well respected in the industry.  Everybody loves working with you.  And yet, your freelancing gigs are getting spottier, like jumping from one ice floe to another.  

If it gets any more sparse, you just might fall in and we don't want that now, do we?

Even though you think you're doing everything right, here are five mistakes that are common to freelancers, but are fixable once you recognize them.

1. Resting on your reputation 
You've been there, done that at least a gazillion times.  People should be beating a path to your door, begging you to develop their next campaign.  Well, kimosabe, it may have been like that at one point, but now there's too much competition for the same gigs.  

Your reputation may get you in the door, but what you're doing today is much more important than what you did yesterday.  A good reputation?  Necessary, but not sufficient.

2. Not networking while you're actually working
It's like this: Your client roster is like a bucket full of water.  At the bottom is a tiny hole, out of which water seeps.  On the surface, it doesn't look like anything's wrong, but eventually, all the water's gone and you're left with an empty vessel.  

The moral of this fascinating analogy?  Keep looking for clients and projects while you're busy.

3. Thinking you're too good... or not good enough
Your cockiness or insecurity (two sides of the same coin) always comes through; unfortunately, neither serves you well.  The solution?  Keep focused on the project, searching for solutions, instead of being wrapped up with your and your client's capabilities (or lack thereof).  If you're freelancing in-house, get in sync with the department... yesterday.

4. Not updating your portfolio/keeping up with trends
Man, that campaign for CBS was the talk of the industry... 15 years ago!  And so was that PSA... with Mr. T!  Trouble is, if you don't look current, somebody else does.    Reality follows perception.  I know this is easier said than done, especially when you're trying to show a wide range of capabilities.  

Find a middle ground if you must (and your work dictates), but be aware - clients like to work with people who are working.  And yes, this means understanding the digital landscape.  Your portfolio/reel/website/links should reflect this.

5. Ignoring financial issues
This is a biggie.  If you take on a project with a budget that won't work, or accept a day rate that is unacceptable, chances are, complaining about it won't turn that around.  Be realistic with yourself and your client.

Also, establishing a payment schedule is imperative.  If you ask for 50% up front, for instance, stick to it.  Magical thinking followed by rumination rarely works.

The Promo Code wants you to succeed at every level.  Even when it seems like there are too many freelancers going after too few projects, you must remain engaged, connected and on top of your game, even if you don't feel like it.

And that will keep the odds in your favor; make no mistake about it.

-Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com

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