Everybody makes mistakes. But a freelancer has to pay extra attention to theirs, because they can be personally made responsible for them.Last week, we published the first five most common mistakes a freelancer can make. Now, we follow up with the second half of the ten biggest mistakes.

1. FREELANCER TIPS
10 biggest mistakes a freelancer
can make (Part 2)
More freelancer tips on www.freelancermap.com...
© freelancermap.com
24.07.2013
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2. A freelancer's 10 biggest mistakes
Last week at www.freelancermap.com, we published an article
on the biggest mistakes a freelancer can make. As it is quite the
extensive topic, we’ve decided to bring it back around this week
and tell you about more potential errors and how to stay away
from them. So let’s pick up where we left last time and start with
mistake number six.

3. 6. Working with wrong clients
When times are hard and you really need a contract, neglecting
to do a research on your client can be tempting, but quite
dangerous as well. Think of the first time you communicate with
a potential customer as a two-way interview. You want to make
sure those you’re working with are professional and serious
about the job they want done. If those red flags start popping up
and you suspect that a client might delay the payment, try to
swindle his way out of it, or is just going to be extremely
annoying, give up before it’s too late.

4. 7. Underselling yourself
When you get accustomed to freelancing it’s easy to fall into the
trap of doing just enough to get your contracts done. That’s a
terrible idea. Don’t forget why you started, enjoy what you do
and strive for self-improvement. Go that extra step for your
client and blow them away, showing your enthusiasm about
your work. People like seeing extra effort and tend to remember
it. Chances are, going the extra mile will land you another
contract, be it from the same client or a recommendation they
gave.

5. 8. Being disorganized
Running your business by yourself as a freelancer means you
have to do everything, especially at the beginning of a career.
Keeping everything organized will be immensely helpful if you
want to waste less time looking through the piles of paper on
your desk and more time on actually building your career.
Whether it’s about managing your finances, invoices, job offers
or actual work you have to do, being organized will really spare
you a lot of time.

6. 9. Not paying attention to clients
Freelancers are experts in their field and understand the job
they do much better than any client – after all that’s why they
get hired for a contract. But that doesn’t mean you can allow
yourself to do whatever you think is best. Paying exact attention
to what your client wants is crucial for making sure they’re
satisfied with your efforts. Read their emails carefully and listen
to what they’re saying. You can propose improvements, but
never change your client’s plans just because you think you
know better. If you don’t listen to your client’s wishes and
demands, you might find yourself without a job rather quickly.

7. 10. Letting work take over your life
Finally, try remembering that work isn’t everything, will you?
Freelancers, especially those who work from home, could find
themselves focusing too much on their job, which usually
doesn’t help anyone. Of course, there are those times when you
just have to wrap up a project and push yourself to the limit, but
if you planned out your work, that can be avoided. Relaxing,
taking a short break or a vacation now and then is as important
to freelancers as it is to anyone. Unwinding and keeping yourself
happy is the best way to assure you stay motivated and reach
the goals you’ve set for yourself.

8. Further freelancer tips available on http://www.freelancermap.com/channel/19-news.html
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