Being freelance or self-employed, is full of opportunities. You get to set your own schedule, take on as much work as you want, and gain experience from a variety of different sources. There are many benefits to this way of working and it’s clear why so many choose this type of employment.
But are drawbacks, and most of these come from common mistakes that freelancers make without really knowing. Here are just a few of these.
- Waiting to be paid
As a freelancer, you can’t rely on a salary to come in on the same day each month. While you may be in a situation where payments are regular, there are going to be times where you’ll have to chase them.
Too many freelancers don’t chase payments out of politeness, but this is a huge mistake to make. Businesses are often busy so it may have just fallen behind on their to-do list – they understand that you need to be paid and won’t take it the wrong way if you ask for what’s owed to you.
Not receiving one or two payments, can really have a negative impact on your livelihood. Companies like fundinvoice.co.uk, help to combat this issue with the services they provide.
- Being too relaxed
This is a big mistake that freelancers make, especially if they’ve just come from a more 9-5 work environment. Getting used to the flexibility of self-employed life, can be costly when it comes to your career. You have to work hard if you are going to make freelancing work, and won’t be able to reap the benefits if you don’t.
Yes, it may be nice to have a more fluid schedule but taking this too far can truly ruin it for you in the long run.
- Not taking enough time off
On the other hand, not taking enough breaks or time off, can also be detrimental to your work. When people are freelance or self-employed, they don’t get holiday pay like someone who is employed through more traditional means.
This can put off a lot of freelancers from ever taking extended breaks, as it means they will lose out on that money they could have been earning. However, breaks and time off are crucial for your overall well-being and the quality of your work.
Making sure you take time off now and then, is crucial for your work-life balance.
- Not branching out
Far too often, freelancers stick to one profession and don’t branch out enough. Let’s say you’re a graphic designer – why not put your skills to good use in something like web design?
Branching out can mean you have more sources of income to support you when you need it, and it’s a great way to get yourself out there and build a diverse list of clients that keep coming back to you.
Freelancing has so much to offer but it must be done the right way. Avoiding these mistakes is a great place to start.
