The rise of remote work has made freelancing more accessible than ever. However, it has also turned the gig economy into a fiercely competitive space. 

According to Statista, 58% of American workers are expected to be freelancing by 2027. This is a sign that the market is only getting more crowded. 

So, if you’ve been struggling to land freelance jobs despite having the right tools, you are not alone. 

But before you dismiss freelancing as a scam or something that “just doesn’t work” for you, let’s explore the key reasons you might be clutching at straws. We will also talk about practical ways of how to overcome them. 

You don’t have the right skills

The number one reason you are not getting any work as a freelancer is that you might be lacking the skills that clients are looking for.

For instance, although you might be highly adept at writing university/college-level essays, you may not have the skills to write an SEO blog article. Therefore, it is essential that you first take the time to learn marketable writing skills before you start looking for online jobs.

The solution is to take a few courses, earn certifications, and then start looking for clients.

Some of the most in-demand online jobs today include AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Software and Application developers, UI and UX designers, Data Warehousing Specialists, Fintech engineers, and Big data specialists.

You can get free online courses on platforms like Coursera, Ajira Digital Academy, Alison, and YouTube.

Lack of consistency

When starting as a freelancer, you won’t get any jobs unless you are consistently sending proposals to potential clients.

Jack Cole, a skilled YouTuber and video editor, often narrates how he would apply to at least 30 jobs each day when starting as a freelancer. At some point, his efforts paid off, and he was contacted by so many clients that he had to look for more hands to assist him.

You need to do the same. Flood the market with your submissions and tell clients what services you are offering.

Consistency also means updating your social media profiles regularly and talking about particular topics. For instance, if you want to establish your career as a cryptocurrency expert, it would be best if you stuck to such topics instead of randomly delving into unrelated topics like sports or fashion.

Lack of an Online Presence

Having a website and LinkedIn profile is not enough if you want to attract clients.

You need to create tons of free, valuable content for your audience and engage with other freelancers in your industry.

How to write a winning CV that will get you hired for remote jobs

Neil Patel, a renowned marketing expert, suggests experimenting with different types of content to identify what is selling. Then, identify one or two social media platforms, create a profile, and stay consistent in what you post.

A consistent online presence demonstrates reliability to potential clients and goes a long way to improving your visibility and search engine rankings.

You don’t have a proper portfolio

“Can I see samples of your previous work?” is a common question that clients will ask before they hire you. They do this to verify whether your claims about your skills and experience are true.

If you are a freelance writer, graphic designer, data analyst, or any form of freelancer, it is essential to have a folder with links and files of your best work that you can show to clients. You can also have a website portfolio, which is easy to share and more interactive.

If you don’t have any samples of your work, start working on that right away. You can try creating mock-ups for your dream clients.

Tips to have a standout portfolio include: Show your best work, keep it updated, and use high-quality images. You can also include your contact information as well as testimonials from clients you have worked with.

You don’t market your services

 “If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business,” said Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.  Marketing is the key to unlocking freelance opportunities and landing consistent jobs.

Hundreds of potential clients out there are probably seeking the same services you offer, but they won’t hire you if you don’t tell them that you offer those services.

You can do this by building a following on social media and getting a website to promote your services. Alternatively, find at least 3 freelance platforms (e.g. Upwork and Fiverr), create a profile, and apply for as many jobs as you can, provided they match your skillset.

Poor pricing

Many freelancers think that charging low rates is a good way of attracting clients. However, clients might perceive you as a desperate amateur who offers low-quality services.

When setting your prices, research what your competitors are charging to stay competitive and attract clients. For instance, if you are a graphic designer, and your competitors charge sh 1,000 for a poster, it makes more sense to charge sh 800 – 1200 rather than charging sh 2000 (too high) or sh 200 (too low).

Start with a price you are comfortable with, then keep adjusting as you gain experience.

Having incomplete profiles

A common mistake that freelancers on platforms like LinkedIn and Upwork make is having incomplete profiles.

Imagine you want to buy a car. A description like “Has wheels and an engine” isn’t going to convince you. Instead, you’d want to know other details like its mileage, fuel consumption, year of manufacture, etc. The same applies to your profile, which, in this case, is the car that you are selling to a client. They will want to know your skills, certifications, experience, etc., before they hire you.

Your profile should have a clear, professional profile picture. It should also have a headline that summarizes your skills and experience, for example, Freelance Writer – Expert in Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology (Bitcoin) – since 2018.

Finally, be sure to include relevant keywords to improve your ranking on search results.

Applying for the wrong jobs

As a graphic designer, applying for data analytics jobs is  a bad idea unless you have the skills needed to analyze data.

If you are looking for jobs on a freelance platform like Upwork, carefully review each job description and only apply for jobs that you are comfortable with and that you are sure you have the right skills for.

Finally, be sure to customize your resume and cover letter for each job application instead of using one generic template for all applications.

Being scared to try new projects

The reason you may not be getting any jobs is that you are scared of trying new projects, even if they match your skills. 

For instance, I once met an academic writer who felt comfortable sticking to short assignments but was scared of handling large projects like dissertations or theses, although these projects paid more and required the same skills.

Similarly,  many freelancers hesitate to apply for jobs that require face-to-face interviews, causing them to miss out on valuable opportunities.

The solution here is to change your target market, learn a new skill, and look for other jobs.

Being a Jack of all trades

You may have heard of the old saying: Jack of all trades, master of none.

Freelancing is often more rewarding when you specialize in a few areas where you excel rather than taking a scattergun approach and applying for everything that comes your way.

Maybe you are a social media manager who loves working with healthcare brands but dreads working with schools and law firms. That’s perfectly fine.

By learning the ins and outs of two or three specific industries (rather than struggling to look for clients across all sectors of the economy), you’ll be able to craft better proposals, deliver high-quality work, and make it easier for clients to find you.

Conclusion

Correcting these mistakes will increase your chances of getting online work. If you’re still not sure how to get freelance jobs, buy a book, watch some YouTube videos, or ask an expert. But don’t keep wasting time by doing the same wrong things over and over again expecting different results..