Six Freelance Problems You Might Experience As a Freelancer

With the advent of the internet, freelancing has gained unprecedented importance. Workers are increasingly joining online freelancing sites to make money. If you are extremely good at your work, freelance work is sure shot way of earning money online. 

However, it is extremely important that you should know in advance some of the freelance problems that you might have to face as a freelancer.

Six freelance problems that you cannot avoid

Freelancers often experience Low motivation 

Although, freelancing provides you work flexibility and freedom, it does not provide you any moral support. Freelancers often experience low motivation which in turn impacts their productivity adversely. You cannot become a successful freelancer unless you are a self-motivated person.

Freelancers often find themselves at the mercy of their clients. Delayed payment, high expectations and unrealistic demand of the clients make it further difficult for the freelancers to keep their motivation high.

New freelancers often find it hard to find right client 

Finding a client on online freelancing sites is one of the most difficult tasks. If you have recently started your freelancing career you will find it even more difficult to get your first contract. If you are increasingly finding it hard to get clients on online freelance platforms, you might like to read how to get work on online freelance platforms.

Clients on online freelancing sites are hard to find as the supply side of this business far exceeds demand in the market. Every day hundreds of freelancers join freelancing sites. And unfortunately, some clients find it an opportunity to exploit freelancers due to the availability of several freelancers. Moreover, the presence of several fraudulent clients makes it further difficult for the freelancers to come across ideal client.

Freelancers face stiff competition 

Some freelancers often bid low to win over clients. Low bidding makes it difficult for the other freelancers to charge reasonable rates. In the majority of instances, you will find that freelancers from developing regions bid low because they find low bidding easy way to compete with native speakers of English. 

Moreover, availability of talented workforce and disparity in currency exchange rates makes it easier for freelancers from developing regions to bid low. However, to maintain a competitive edge in the market several freelancers from developed regions of the world also adopt a low-cost strategy.

Since the supply side of this business far exceeds demand in the market that further makes competition tough. Bidding low on projects has become a norm in freelancing platforms. Low bidding is one of the major causes of frustration as it forces other freelancers to quote low rates in their proposal. It leads to exploitation, and freelancers find it difficult to meet their monthly expenses.

 Freelancers experience job insecurity

Unlike traditional jobs, freelancing does not provide job security to the freelancers. Although, freelancing provides you the freedom and job flexibility, it keeps you on your toes owing to job insecurity. Some freelancers find it difficult to get consistent job contracts. Sometimes they are flooded with job contracts and sometimes they remain idle for long period of time. Inconsistency in job contracts further enhances job insecurity.

At the same time, it is worth noting that job contracts on freelancing sites do not provide you any social security in terms of health insurance, medical benefits, pensions or gratuity. A contract may last for a few years or it may end within a couple of weeks. In such an environment, freelancers are left with only one option and that is to consistently bid for new job contracts. Bidding for several new jobs is not only time consuming but also frustrating.

Freelancers experience unrealistic expectations of clients 

some clients expect freelancers to provide unrealistically high-quality work at lowest possible rates. Availability of low-cost providers coupled with a large number of low paying clients further makes it difficult for freelancers to get lucrative contracts that match their experience, skills, and competencies. You might find a few clients not only demanding but also annoying with least respect for freelancers.

Freelancers have to deal with delayed payment

Some clients take longer than usual time to pay to the freelancers. Delayed payment leads to frustration and disrupts the quality of work. Job disputes and unrealistic demands of the client further delay the payment. Long term contracts with no defined payment terms can be counter-productive for the freelancers. Freelancers find it extremely difficult to work with clients who demand fast turnover but do not pay on time.

Have you ever faced these freelancing problems? Please feel free to share with us. Share your story if you have experienced any of the above-mentioned problems. 

You might also like to read:

How to overcome the problems you experience as a freelancer