20 Mistakes All New Freelancers Make When They Start Out - TheZenParent
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20 Mistakes All New Freelancers Make When They Start Out - TheZenParent
"Nobody tells you that freelancing is basically running a small business while pretending you've got everything figured out. You quit your job, fire up the laptop, and suddenly realize you're responsible for literally everything. Most new freelancers stumble through the same painful lessons that could've been avoided, and that's why we've gathered a few pitfalls you should learn to sidestep!"
"New freelancers often forget that their rates need to cover way more than just the hours spent working on projects. There's marketing time, accounting, discovery calls, emails, and countless other tasks that eat into your day but never get billed. Don't be afraid to charge people what your services are worth. A handshake agreement or a friendly email exchange might feel sufficient when you're excited about landing new work, but it's also a recipe for disaster."
Freelancing is effectively running a small business with responsibility for all operational tasks. New freelancers commonly underprice services by failing to account for marketing, accounting, calls, emails, and unpaid administrative time. Missing written contracts leaves deliverables, timelines, and payment terms ambiguous and increases risk. Poor boundaries lead to constant availability, burnout, and reduced creativity without scheduled downtime. Freelancers bear both employee and employer tax obligations, often paying roughly 15% for Social Security and Medicare, so tax planning and consulting an accountant are essential. Delayed invoicing leads to missed payments because clients juggle priorities and may not notice overdue bills.
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