“The Biggest Mistakes I Made in My First Year of Freelancing”

When I started freelancing for the first time, I expected it to be a dream come true—easy hours, no one telling me what to do, and working anywhere.

What I didn't anticipate? Struggle.

I messed up so badly in my first year, I nearly threw in the towel. From undervaluing myself for clients to overworking, I learned through the hard times how to succeed as a freelancer.

If you're new to freelancing (or considering it), I want to prevent you from doing the same things I did wrong.

Here are the worst freelancing mistakes I made—and how you can avoid them.

1. I Undercharged for My Work

When I first started, I thought, "If I charge less, I'll get more clients."

That math didn't work out.

I worked way too much for too little money

I attracted clients who didn't appreciate my work

I had no energy left to develop my business

I was taking on projects for $10–$15 an hour, and others were charging $50+ for the same thing!

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Study industry rates. Check what other freelancers are charging on Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn.

✅ Charge for value, not time. If your work is going to make a client more money, charge them accordingly.

✅ Raise your rates! If you're booked solid, you're not charging enough.

Pro Tip: Never let clients lowball you into a price where you'll end up resenting the work.

2. I Said "Yes" to Every Client

When I first started out, I was desperate to get work. I said "yes" to every client.

That resulted in:

Clients not respecting my time

Projects that I disliked doing

So much stress that I wanted to quit

How to Avoid This Mistake:

✅ Set clear boundaries. You don't have to take every job. Choose ones that fit your skills and goals.

✅ Create an ideal client profile. Who do you actually want to work with? What kind of work gets you excited?

✅ Trust your gut. If a client is difficult from the beginning, they likely are.

Pro Tip: Bad clients consume more time and energy than good ones. Learn to say NO.

3. I Didn't Set Clear Contracts

My first freelance project was a disaster.

The client kept adding more work outside of the original deal. I was too scared to push back, so I just kept doing it for free.

At the end of the project, I had worked twice as many hours as expected—with no extra pay.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

✅ Always use a contract. Even if you’re working with a friend, outline the project scope, deadlines, and payment terms.

✅ Set clear boundaries on revisions. Example: “This includes 2 revisions; additional revisions cost $XX.”

✅ Get deposits upfront. Request half upfront before starting and half at completion.

Expert Tip: If a client is not signing an agreement, flee.

4. I Didn't Market Myself Enough

I agreed, "Assuming I'm awesome at what I do, clients will find me."

That didn't happen.

For the initial few months, I only used sites such as Upwork—and I couldn't get consistent work.

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Advertise yourself on several platforms. Utilize LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook groups.

✅ Create a simple portfolio. A website, a Notion page, or even a Google Drive folder works.

✅ Ask for testimonials. Happy clients will help you land more work.

Pro Tip: Clients won’t find you unless you put yourself out there.

5. I Worked Nonstop (Burnout Is Real)

I thought, “More hours = more money.”

So, I worked 10–12 hours a day, every day.

Big mistake.

I was tired, demotivated, and soon, I began to despise freelancing.

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Create a work schedule. Freelance like a real job—set start and end times.

✅ Take breaks. Your brain needs rest to be productive.

✅ Say NO to working too much. More hours ≠ better work.

Pro Tip: The secret to freelancing long-term? Balance.

6. I Didn't Save for Taxes

Nobody informed me that freelancers don't have taxes automatically deducted.

By the end of the year, I was slammed with a massive tax bill—and I had no cash stashed away to cover it.

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Save 25–30% of your income as taxes. Create a special savings account specifically for taxes.

✅ Record your expenses. You can write off software, home office expenses, and internet charges.

✅ File taxes with tax software or an accountant. Believe me, it's worth it.

Pro Tip: Taxes aren't intimidating if you prepare in advance.

7. I Didn't Specialize (Niching Down Is Key!)

I used to be a general freelancer.

"I can do writing, graphic design, social media, admin work… whatever you need!"

Wrong strategy.

When I specialized in one niche (content writing for tech startups), I began getting better-paying clients.

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Choose a niche. Clients prefer specialists, not generalists.

✅ Frame yourself as a specialist. Rather than "I do all things," declare,, "I assist startups to grow with content marketing."

✅ Price higher for expert skills. Experts charge more than generalists.

Tip: The riches are in the niches.

8. I Didn't Follow Up with Clients

After completing a project, I simply moved on.

I didn't follow up, request referrals, or maintain relationships.

How to Avoid This Blunder:

✅ Follow up with an email. Check in 1–2 months after a project and inquire if they require additional work.

✅ Referrals. Glad clients will refer you to others.

✅ Maintain a client list. Keep in touch through LinkedIn or email.

Pro Tip: Repeat clients = less stress finding new ones.

Final Thoughts: Freelancing Is a Learning Process

My first year of freelancing was chaotic, stressful, and riddled with blunders.

But after some time, I learned how to:

✔️ Charge what I'm worth

✔️ Get awesome clients (and reject terrible ones)

✔️ Work smarter, not harder

If you're just beginning, learn from my mistakes.

Set clear rates.

Use contracts.

Market yourself.

Take care of your mental health.

Freelancing can be an incredible career, but only if you do it correctly.

Have you made any freelancing mistakes? Let me know in the comments!