Expert Insights & Solutions For Getting Freelancing Jobs

Why You Are Not Getting Any Freelancing Jobs?

Getting a freelancing job to make money as a Freelancer seems quite tough for newcomers. But most of the time, even experienced professionals with sufficient skills might find themselves struggling while trying to establish themselves in this competitive outsourcing marketplace. As the first impression is very important from a buyer's perspective when deciding on the best contractor for a job, a job seeker like you should be as strategic as this selling process requires.

We have received numerous questions (via emails and messages) about how to secure those crucial first freelancing jobs easily and why many are still not getting any freelancing opportunities despite multiple attempts.

In response, we sought out a successful freelancer who struggled significantly to land his first freelancing job. Here, we've shared insights about common mistakes new freelancers make and how to overcome these challenges effectively.

Here is what that expert says:

Q: How were the first several days of your freelancing career?

A: Frankly speaking, I had to struggle a lot to get my first job. As I didn't have much online exposure or a rich portfolio, I was declined for too many works I applied for. But once I secured that very first job, I didn't have to look back.

Q: Well, then what did you exactly do to get your very first job, and what were your mistakes that prevented you from getting any freelancing jobs?

A: Whenever potential clients rejected me, I became determined to figure out what was going wrong. I read numerous resources online along with various outsourcing case studies, which helped me discover some effective methods to enhance my profile that truly transformed my overall resume.

Q: Would you please tell our readers about the elements you discovered that you had failed to implement in your profile earlier?

A: I had several significant mistakes on my profile such as: comparatively higher rates (despite being a newcomer), an irrelevant and unprofessional profile picture, numerous grammatical errors in my bio and cover letters, inadequate experience in the sector I wanted to work in, lack of a substantial online portfolio, and many other issues.

Q: You mentioned that higher rates created problems for you. Could you please suggest something to our readers about what constitutes perfect bidding rates and what approach newcomers should adopt to secure their first freelancing job?

A: Higher rates will definitely harm your career when you're just starting your freelancing journey. There are already many skilled freelancers in the marketplace offering the same services you're trying to sell. Clients will inevitably ignore you when they find more experienced freelancers charging lower rates. So, my suggestion for readers would be to ensure that your hourly rate is appropriately competitive for a beginner. As you develop more skills and complete more projects, you can adjust your hourly rates anytime. However, I would emphasize one thing: never underestimate yourself or set your hourly rate too low, as this might signal a lack of confidence or qualifications to prospective clients.

Q: Is there anything else that you would advise our readers to pay attention to?

A: Yes, absolutely. The crucial tasks you should address immediately are: update your profile picture with a professional one. Ensure it's friendly, approachable (ideally smiling), and high-resolution. Grammatical errors create very poor impressions, so whatever you write in your profile and cover letters, ensure they're free from grammatical mistakes. Never add false skills to your profile, and always maintain honesty. Include as many work samples and portfolio links as possible on your resume. Remember, outsourcers are building their businesses using freelancers like you, and they don't want someone who lacks responsibility or can't deliver work on time. So, choose the right niche that genuinely interests you and aligns with your passion, like video editing, digital marketing, content writing, etc, then develop sufficient freelance skills in that area to deliver excellent results to your clients precisely when promised.

Q: Is there anything more you want to tell our readers?

A: Never give up. Continue applying for jobs frequently, particularly within one hour of when projects are posted on the Freelance Job Board. Quick response demonstrates professionalism and eagerness. Success requires patience and persistent effort. Keep trying until you reach your goal.

Q: What about maintaining client relationships once you've secured a job?

A: This is critically important. Once you get that first job, treat it like gold. Overdeliver whenever possible, communicate clearly and frequently, and always meet deadlines. A satisfied first client can provide not only repeat business but also vital testimonials and referrals that significantly boost your credibility. Remember, it's much easier to retain existing clients than to constantly find new ones.

Q: Many freelancers struggle with time management. Any advice on this aspect?

A: Absolutely. Poor time management is often the downfall of talented freelancers. Set realistic deadlines that include buffer time for unexpected issues. Use productivity tools to track your work hours and progress. Create a dedicated workspace free from distractions. Perhaps most importantly, don't overcommit yourself – it's better to handle fewer projects excellently than many projects poorly.

For finding freelance work and freelancers in over 1000+ categories, visit MrSolvo – one of the best freelance platforms globally. The platform offers newcomers opportunities to navigate the competitive freelancing marketplace and land their first clients with confidence.