10 Common Freelancer Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Freelancing careers come with many perks. You get to be your own boss, have a lot of flexibility and be in control of your workload. While these advantages ring true, freelancing does have its challenges. If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, here are 10 common challenges to be aware of and how to overcome them. 

1. Establishing a Work Schedule

There’s so much flexibility in freelancing since you can choose what hours to work and rest. Unfortunately, new and old freelancers alike struggle with establishing a work schedule. It can come from a lack of self-discipline, while others may struggle with procrastination.

The best way to establish a work schedule is to assess what hours work for you — some people work best during the afternoons, while others might find evenings more suitable. Once you find your ideal time frame, focus and work.

Some people find a routine makes it easier to stick to a schedule. For instance, start the day by checking your emails and conducting some light reading. Treat it as a prelude before getting into the flow of working on projects.

2. Having a Good Work-Life Balance

When freelancers have their work schedule already, the next big challenge is to get out of it. Some work more than 40 hours a week due to how competitive the market is. Others may even find themselves on their work accounts during the weekends.

Try to pick up a different hobby, interest or activity to pull yourself out of this cycle, or schedule check-ins with family members or friends. When you take care of yourself in life, you do better at work.

3. Landing Opportunities

As a freelancer, you’re responsible for finding people to work for and with. It’s a task that’s easier said than done, as the market fills the roles and projects quickly. There’s also the matter of looking for clients compatible with you and your work.

It can be hard to market yourself, but you need to ask some hard-hitting questions. What makes you unique from other people in the same profession? Do you have enough experience for specific projects? What can you show to prove your background?

Some people utilize a portfolio to advertise themselves and their work. You can also work on creating different proposals for clients who post about their company or project. Be sure to tailor each message to show authenticity and respect.

4. Getting Overwhelmed with Gigs

While too much work is a good problem, getting overwhelmed is still an issue. With too much on your plate, you might be unable to delegate the right energy and focus to each project. As a result, your outputs will be lackluster.

At these times, it’s important to practice saying “no” to jobs. You can also adopt the ABCD system, which allows you to prioritize your tasks. Put urgent projects under A, and succeeding projects in level of importance under B, C, and D.

5. Dealing with Criticism and Rejection

Picture landing a client and writing a project for them. You easily meet the deadline and send it over, and things seem to be going smoothly until you receive a reply — your submission was rejected. Notes with feedback come in.

It’s never easy to deal with criticism, especially when it feels like you’ve done your best. However, accepting those words is the best way to overcome this challenge. Acknowledge your feelings before focusing on where you can grow.

6. Struggling with Writer’s Block

It’s normal for freelance writers to have moments of writer’s block. Just think of it like star athletes going through off days with their performance. During those periods, some people simply rest — others think activities are better suited to get their minds moving again.

If brain fog is the main reason behind your writer’s block, consider putting your thoughts on traditional paper first. Writing by hand is 25% faster than typing on digital tools, and there’s also evidence that it can improve brain activity and function.

7. Having Stagnant Writing Growth

Having no boss means being your very own leader. Unfortunately, that also means you have no mentor to teach you the skills you need per project. You also don’t have a company progress plan, which can stagnate or halt your writing growth.

To remedy this, take the initiative to hone your skills. Set aside time to take courses and learn new skills. You can also use an hour each day to read and catch up on industry news to expand your knowledge.

8. Competing with AI and LLMs

As the digital age advances, freelancers have growing worries about AI. Some models can generate content in less than a minute. Plus, the anxiety around it isn’t isolated to this industry, as 57% of the public shares the same sentiment.

However, this technology is not perfect. Language learning models tend to provide generic and recycled text, making it an unreliable source of information and writing. It can serve as an assistive tool at best. Focus on honing your skills and connecting with clients, prioritizing quality over quantity.

9. Dealing with a Fluctuating Cash Flow

While having different gigs can be financially rewarding, it’s not a steady income stream. In some months, payouts will come in succession — then, there are dry spells where you won’t have any income to record or rely on.

It’s crucial to apply for projects constantly and maintain them to keep your cash flow going. Put aside money in an emergency fund for when things don’t go to plan. You should also learn to manage your money and spend as little as possible.

10. Missing Socialization

Even with the right work-life balance, some freelancers might find themselves feeling disconnected from the outside world. When most of your communication happens over email, you might miss the social interaction that can come with a regular office job.

Unfortunately, a lack of socialization can also cause higher stress levels and increase the risk of depression. Make some time to visit networking events and meet fellow writers. You can also try working from coffee shops or coworking spaces to avoid feeling trapped in your house.

Rise Above the Trials

Every job has its challenges. Despite the many benefits, freelancing isn’t always a breeze. Be aware of these common challenges and learn how to rise above them to succeed.