Tough challenges all freelancers face – are you up to the test?
Embracing a freelance career is an exciting and potentially lucrative business move. Whether you’re utilising your skills and talents to carve yourself a career, or you’re taking what you’ve learned from your previous role and transferring it into your own business model, freelancing is a popular and profitable alternative to those limited, traditional roles.
However, switching to a freelance career doesn’t guarantee success, nor is it a simple change. Freelancers face a myriad of challenges every single day, and the success of their business model often depends on how well these challenges are actioned and managed. The positives of being a freelancer are well known, however understanding what challenges freelancers face, can help others make an informed decision about whether this change is right for them.
Want to know more? Let’s explore if you’re up to the test with some of the toughest challenges all freelancers face.
Managing and chasing invoices
As a freelancer, you’re in charge of making sure you’re getting paid on time. Therefore sending out invoices and setting out payment terms is vital. Regrettably, an apparent lack of knowledge in this area can leave many freelancers struggling to get paid and striving to manage their bookkeeping. Thankfully, this challenge is easily overcome. By utilising invoice software or invoice templates, freelancers are in better control of their accounts and payments. This organised approach also has a positive effect on client relationships and financial health.
You’re in charge of everything
While being in the driver’s seat is great in terms of control and for many individuals being responsible for their business success is a great motivator, it also comes with a vast amount of obligations – and you have to be competent at all of them. From marketing and bookkeeping to sourcing clients, equipment handling, writing, sales and more, as a freelancer at the helm of your enterprise, you need to know how to handle all these tasks effectively.
Bidding for work can be exhausting
While many established freelancers have a flow of regular clients and work, many started on freelance platforms where they bid for potential contracts. Stuck in a bidding war against a handful of other freelancers can be exhausting and mentally draining, and getting a break can feel out of reach. As a freelancer, you’ll need to ensure your business stands apart from your main competition, this could be via your proposals, your quality, and the way you handle your projects.
Not everyone will support you
It’s a sad fact that not everyone will support your choice to become a freelancer. Your current employer, friends and even family members can all have less than positive attitudes towards your career proposal. In fact, your lack of daily commute and structured working hours could mean friends and family start asking favours at home or even requesting work to be done for free! It’s important to put boundaries in place and have a strong support network around you.
Remember!
Freelancing can be a lonely career, however, if you work hard to prove these doubters wrong, the sweeter your success will be. So, are you up to the test?
