Are you applying to countless freelance jobs and sending proposals left and right but still not landing any work? Don't worry, you're not alone. This is a phase that every freelancer goes through at some point.

Some freelancers give up during this time and look for a traditional job, while others see it as an opportunity to learn and improve. If you're not getting hired, it's likely that you're making some mistakes.

So, what are these mistakes? Well, in this post, we are going to talk about some of the most common reasons for not getting hired on freelance sites and rejected by clients. Take a look and see if you're committing any of these errors.

In the end, don't get discouraged. Every successful freelancer has been through this, and with some self-reflection and improvement, you can get back on track and start landing those jabz.

1. Lack of Skill Development

Many new freelancers try to dive into work without fully understanding how things work.

Freelancing online is different from a traditional job, and some skills may not translate well. For instance, writing essays as a student doesn't necessarily mean you have the ability to write blog articles, which require a different style of writing.

It's important to invest time in developing and refining your skills before searching for online work.

Solution: Enhance your skills before applying for freelance jobs. Take a few online courses related to your skills and learn new techniques.

2. Assuming Work Will Come to You

Thinking you can sit back and wait for clients to come to you after you've set up your profile on a freelance platform is a mistake. It doesn't matter if you have a cool profile picture and an impressive bio, you still have to put in effort to find work.

Being passive won't cut it. To get clients, you need to take charge, write compelling proposals, and reach out to potential clients through emails.

Solution: Start searching for jabz that match your skills and apply to as many as you can. Also, don't be afraid to send personalized messages to clients, highlighting your services.

3. Improper Pricing

Many freelancers believe that reducing their rates will attract more clients. However, this can actually be perceived as a sign of desperation and inexperience.

Undervaluing your services by charging low rates can also undermine the value you bring to the table and show a lack of confidence.

Solution: Instead of focusing on hourly rates, consider pricing your projects based on the amount of work and effort required. This conveys professionalism and sets appropriate expectations for clients.

4. Incomplete Profile

Having a complete freelance profile is crucial in attracting clients and showcasing your skills and experience.

However, many freelancers neglect to fully complete their profile, missing out on potential opportunities.

Solution: Ensure your profile includes a comprehensive bio and a professional profile picture, such as a headshot with a smile. Present yourself as a professional, ready to take on projects.

5. Bad Pitching

No matter how many projects you apply to, your chances of getting hired will be low if you submit a poorly written pitch. Even a small grammatical error can make clients doubt your competence.

Solution: To improve your pitch writing, try posting a mock job on a freelancing platform and observe the pitches submitted by successful freelancers. Take note of the best pitches and apply what you learn to your own pitches.

6. Misrepresenting Your Skills

Claiming to have skills or experience you don't actually have can be tempting, but it's a surefire way to damage your reputation and lose credibility with clients.

Solution: Be honest about your abilities and experience. Showcasing your strengths and focusing on areas you can improve will help you attract clients who appreciate your transparency and dedication to your craft.

7. Poor Profile Description

A poorly written profile description can turn clients away and make it difficult for you to stand out. For example, writing in third person or using an excessive amount of industry jargon can be off-putting.

Solution: Write your profile description in first person and use a conversational tone. Highlight your strengths, focus on how you can help clients, and avoid being overly boastful or using too much technical language.

8. Late Responses to Client Emails are Detrimental

When you apply for a project on Freiberuf, you are one of many freelancers competing for the same opportunity. Clients want to find the right person for the job, and one way they do that is by sending questions to multiple applicants to gauge their ability to handle the project. The person who replies first is often given the project.

Solution: To ensure you are not missing out on potential opportunities, it is important to be able to respond promptly to client emails. To do this, consider enabling desktop notifications on Freiberuf and setting up email notifications on your phone so you can respond quickly and efficiently. This way, you can increase your chances of landing a project and securing work.

9. Not Showcasing Your Work

Clients often want to see your previous work to verify your experience and skills. Do you have a portfolio ready to showcase your work for those situations?

Solution: Have a collection of links and files of your best work readily available to show clients. Utilize the portfolio section on your freelancing platform if available. If you do not have any work to showcase, start creating it immediately.

10. Poor Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial for establishing long-term relationships with clients. Simply copying and pasting the same message in your emails and pitches will not be effective.

Solution: Address clients with respect and friendliness, avoiding the same informal tone used with friends. Ensure your messages are free of typos and grammatical errors before sending.

11. Applying For The Wrong Jobs

Applying for jobs that you're not confident in your skills for can lead to wasting your time and your client's time. Before applying, assess if your skills set matches the job requirements. This will increase your chances of success and enable you to write a stronger pitch.

12. Trying Too Hard To Make Money

While it's understandable to take on any job when in dire financial straits, it can lead to taking on jobs that you're not equipped to handle. This can harm your reputation and also lead to dissatisfaction from your clients.

Solution: Plan ahead and always keep a small emergency fund for unexpected circumstances. This will prevent you from taking on jobs that aren't a good fit for you and ensure that you're always able to provide quality work.

13. Asking The Wrong Questions

Asking the right questions is critical to understanding your client's needs and showing your enthusiasm for the project. However, it's important to not just ask questions that benefit you, such as how much they're willing to pay or if you can take breaks whenever you want.

Solution: Before accepting a project or proposing your prices, take the time to ask any questions you may have. This will help you better understand the project requirements.

14. Not Promoting Your Services

Many potential clients are unaware of freelancing platforms and the services offered by freelancers. Are you making an effort to reach out to these individuals?

Solution: Utilize social media and start a blog to promote your services outside of freelancing platforms. Share links to your freelance profiles and service pages to show that you are available for work.

15. Promising Beyond What You Can Deliver

It's natural to get excited about a potential project, but overpromising your abilities and skills can raise red flags for clients. Offering to do more than what's requested can be viewed as suspicious.

Solution: Know your limits and understand your client's needs. Don't try to oversell your experience or convince clients of your skills. If they see your potential, they will offer you the project. If not, it's their loss.

16. Ignoring Feedback

Ignoring feedback can be disastrous for your freelance career. Clients are not only paying for your work, but they are also investing in your potential to grow as a professional.

Solution: Ask your clients for feedback after each project and take their suggestions seriously. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve your work and your relationships with clients.

17. Poor Time Management

Time management is crucial for meeting deadlines and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer.

Solution: Set realistic deadlines, prioritize your tasks, and eliminate time-wasting activities like browsing social media or checking email too often. Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and time tracking software to manage your time more effectively.

18. Lack of Follow-Ups

Sending follow-up emails to clients can sometimes feel awkward, but it's a common issue among freelancers. Don't let hesitation hold you back from reaching out to clients to inquire about their response.

Solution: Make it a habit to send follow-up emails to clients to keep them informed of your waiting status. Taking the chance is better than missing the opportunity.

19. Failing to Establish Trust

Trust is an essential aspect in any client-freelancer relationship. Freelancers who don't establish trust with their clients risk losing their existing clients and also miss out on potential new projects. This could be due to lack of professionalism, lack of transparency, or a poor reputation.

Solution:

• Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor and following a code of ethics is key to establishing trust. This includes responding to clients promptly, meeting deadlines, and providing high-quality work.
• Transparency: Be open and honest with your clients about your work process, availability, and any limitations you may have. This builds trust and ensures clear communication between both parties.
• Reputation: Your reputation as a freelancer is crucial in attracting new clients. Ensure that your portfolio and client reviews reflect the quality of your work and your ability to establish trust. Consider reaching out to satisfied clients for references and testimonials.
• Establishing a Communication Plan: Clearly define your communication plan with your client before starting a project. This could include regular check-ins, progress reports, and a clear understanding of the response time for each other. This helps in maintaining a smooth work relationship.
• Building Relationships: Get to know your clients and build a personal relationship with them. This can help establish trust and make them feel more comfortable working with you.

20. Failing to Negotiate Fair Rates

Freelancers who don't negotiate fair rates for their services are at risk of earning less than what they deserve and may struggle to attract new clients. This is because undervaluing their services can give the impression of low quality or lack of experience.

Solution:

• Research Market Rates: Do your research and find out what the market rates for your services are. This will give you an idea of what a fair rate is for your skills and experience.
• Consider Your Costs: Determine your own costs, including equipment, materials, and time. You need to factor in these costs when setting your rates.
• Know Your Worth: Don’t undervalue your skills and experience. Remember that you are providing a service that has value, and you deserve to be paid fairly for it.
• Be Confident: When negotiating rates, be confident and assertive. Explain the value that you bring to the table and how your services will benefit the client.
• Negotiate a Fair Deal: Take the time to have an open and honest conversation with your client about what you believe is a fair rate for your services. Be willing to compromise and find a solution that works for both parties.

Confidence is Key

One major issue that hinders many freelancers from achieving success is a lack of confidence in their abilities. This can show in the way they present themselves to potential clients through emails and proposals, potentially turning them away.

To overcome this, it's important to believe in yourself and your skills as a freelancer. When reaching out to clients, be assertive in your ability to perform the job by highlighting relevant experience and expertise. Avoid using phrases that demonstrate uncertainty, such as "I think I can do this job". Instead, use confident language such as "I am the right person for this job because of my knowledge and skills in X and Y."

Building confidence takes time and effort, but the payoff can be significant. Remember to acknowledge and learn from any mistakes, and continue to improve and believe in yourself. With persistence and determination, you can become a successful and confident freelancer.