Common Work-at-Home Freelancer Mistakes
September 10, 2009 by Bob Younce
Filed under Preparing for Freelancing
I want to share some things with you all that I’ve learned about running my freelance business. Specifically, I want to look at this whole freelance business in the context of working at home, and some of the pitfalls inherent in that situation.
Contrary to what you read on the sales page, being a work-at-home freelancer isn’t a walk in the park. It is, however, extremely rewarding if you can be successful at it.
Think of this list as some of the most common mistakes that work-at-home freelancers make, and some ways that you can avoid them.
1. Thinking too big
If you listen to what the advertisements say, you can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year part-time as a work-at-home freelancer. The fact is, though, that the vast majority of part-time work-at-home freelancers don’t make one hundred thousand dollars in three years. If you want to get rich, find another profession. You’re not working at home because you want to be a millionaire; you’re working at home because you want to be there for your family when they need you.
2. Thinking too small
Just because you’re a work-at-home freelancer doesn’t mean you have to make pennies a day, either. It is possible to make living in freelancing. I’m living proof of that, and so are a lot of my readers.
The products or services you offer have value. There are people who want those products or services, and it’s just a matter of finding them, of opening those doors and walking through. Did you make $50,000 last year in your particular niche? Shoot for $75,000 this year. Don’t be afraid to set goals, even goals that seem unreachable at times.
3. Forgetting why you choose to work at home
When those orders are pouring in, when you have a huge project with a quick deadline, or when your editor has given you a drop-dead date, it’s easy to get consumed with your work. Even during a “normal” week, many work-at-home freelancers spend more time working than people who work outside of the house. Sometimes, though, you’ll have a snow day, or a sick child, or just a child that wants a grilled cheese sandwich. Sometimes, you’re going to have to set work aside to take care of life, and that’s all right. In fact, it’s probably why you work at home.
4. Entertaining your distractions
Anyone who’s been working at home for any amount of time knows that it’s nearly impossible to turn the television off during the work day, once you turn it on. But, distractions like that are the easy ones to avoid. On the other hand, it’s all too easy for a work-at-home freelancer to spend time on a message board (or a blog, like this one) with other freelancers talking about the issues they face. Activities like these can be beneficial to a work-at-home freelancer, and can be extremely motivating. They also don’t put any money into your checking account. Make time for these activities, but only a certain amount of time. Recognizing distractions for what they are and refusing to let them interfere with your work is key to your success.
5. Ignoring your options
Sometimes, you’ve got to be willing to change directions mid-stream. There are a huge number of opportunities for work-at-home freelancers out there if you’re willing to explore them. If I would have been content with my career in the IT field, I would never have gone back for my Master’s Degree. If I hadn’t gone back for my Master’s, I probably wouldn’t have started writing. Each of these choices has enhanced my career, in the long run. Not every change has been good, but every change has, at a minimum, taught me a lesson.
6. Dwelling on failure
Everyone fails sometimes. Clergy, politicians, doctors, business folk, and even work-at-home freelancers. You’re going to fail, too. Count on it. But, when you do, pick yourself up by the bootstraps, stare your failure in the face, and declare to yourself and the world, “I’m back, and no one, not even myself, is going to stop me.” Learn the lessons that your failure has to teach, but then leave it in the past where it belongs.
7. Going it alone
No one is an island, especially not the work-at-home freelancer. You need a support structure. You need to be able to count on your family for help and encouragement. Some folks are more blessed than others, in this regard. You might have to seek out that help and encouragement among your friends. You might have to go out and make new friends that will be helpful and supportive. But you can’t do it all by yourself. There hasn’t been a soul born yet who can.
8. Working smarter, not harder
Working smarter isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Alone, it won’t guarantee your success. Yes, efficiency is important. Yes, if you can delegate, you ought to. Yes, if you can accomplish a task in 10 minutes using a specific tool that would take you 30 without it, you should use the tool. But being a work-at-home freelancer still requires all of the hard work and dedication you can muster.
Related posts:
Oh swell, all this preaching about working smarter not harder and it turns out I’m wrong.
Nice post, Bob. So glad you’re here.
“You’re not working at home because you want to be a millionaire; you’re working at home because you want to be there for your family when they need you.”
Truer words…were never spoken. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Bob. Practical and authentic advice.
thanks for sharing great advice
One more: Having the fridge in easy reach (the further away, the better).
Great article. I’ve been struggling lately to find a balance between taking care of my kids, homeschooling them, and my desire to freelance part-time. I need to apply for more work, but I find it hard to get motivated. This article is encouraging to me – thanks!
@Deb – Here’s another one that will blow your mind. Sometimes, it pays to think inside the box. The reason the box is there in the first place is that, at least at some point, it worked.
@Phil – Good point, though it’s chips that seem to present more of a danger to me during the day, rather than anything in the fridge
@ Cindy – It’s a constant struggle. Successful freelancers are often the ones who can just strike the right balance.
Great article…it hit many nails on the head. Thanks for sharing!