Freelancers are a unique group of individuals. They can work from anywhere at any time, which is one of the things that makes freelancing attractive. But freelancers also face many problems as they try to make their way in this ultra-competitive world. In this blog post, we will explore some common issues and how you can overcome them!
Let’s take a look at these issues.
Problem 1: Finding Sufficient Employment
Some people find it hard to get a job that pays enough. They can’t make enough money from their positions and may have trouble paying their living expenses because of this. Some people like to work independently and find it challenging to get jobs. There is a significant demand for freelancers in the tech industry, but many other industries need them as well.
Solution To This Issue:
- Maintain contact with clients
- Promote your services.
- Make sure you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.
- Participate in social media platforms.
Problem 2: Friends And Relatives Taking You For Granted
One issue that you could face by working as a freelancer is that your family or friends might take you for granted. This usually happens because you’ll be working from home and if they come home from the office, they might tell you to do some work for them like preparing food, taking your pet for a walk, and much other stuff; that you wouldn’t have got if you were working in a company or office.
Solution To This Issue:
You surely don’t want to indulge in a fight with anyone during your working hours, so it would be best to say a no to the person asking for your help.
Problem 3: Working For Oneself May Be Isolating At Times
As you’ll be working as a freelancer, there may be times when you would feel lonely and a bit isolated. Also, there are specific projects that could make you feel bore. You may feel like working on your own is not a good idea, but the great thing about being a freelancer is that you can work at any time and in different places. You have no boss to answer to so long as there are enough hours for you to meet your agreed-upon deadline.
Solution To This Issue:
- Select Projects As Per Your Interest
- Become a member of a coworking space
- Make your team
Problem 4: Filing Taxes
Many freelancers don’t realize they’re self-employed and, as such, are not entitled to the same benefits that employees receive. The first time a freelancer has to file taxes can be highly stressful because there is no precedent for what’s required or how much should be withheld. Freelancers often come up short of money at tax time because they haven’t been withholding enough from each paycheck.
Solution To This Issue:
- Keep track of your earnings and outgoings
- Set money aside for paying taxes
- Pay your taxes every quarter.
Problem 5: Having To Be A Jack Of All Trade
You don’t only have to work on jobs and projects as a freelancer. You also have to manage other aspects of your business, such as gaining clients, following them down for payments, promoting yourself, handling your money, and much more stuff.
Solution To This Issue:
- Stick to a set timetable
- Utilize time management apps and other valuable resources
- Set aside a day to focus on hectic work
Problem 6: Dealing With Demanding Clients
Dealing with demanding clients can be a frustrating task for any freelancer. It is hard to know how to handle such situations and what kind of approach will work best in each case. If you are not getting paid on time or when promised, it may sometimes seem best just to let the situation run its course out until they get enough complaints and eventually pay you.
Solution To This Issue:
- Always create a formal contract with your customer.
- Communicate
Problem 7: Managing An Irregular Income
A freelancer’s income can fluctuate wildly from month to month, which isn’t sustainable in the long term. It makes it difficult for them to budget and plan effectively. You might find that you’re getting paid less than expected or not at all during periods of lower demand, such as when you’re between projects, waiting on a client payment, or when the industry is going through a downturn.
Solution To This Issue:
- Keep a substantial cash reserve on hand
- Make and stick to a budget
- Avoid making impulsive purchases
The Bottom Line
Freelancers are a group of people full of many talents and skills. They can be found in every profession, from the arts to engineering. Still, they also face some unique challenges that you should know about if you’re considering freelancing as an option for yourself or your business.
We hope this blog post has given you some insight into what it’s like to freelance so that you can make a more informed decision when deciding whether or not this is the career path for you!
