Operating an online business, like any business, takes time to grow to the level of success that we want it to. However, it won’t be an instantaneous success. Over time, one will start noticing a growth in the form of an increased number of clients, steady earnings and even repeat clients. In my experience, I’ve found that there are some 7 simple mistakes that Freelancers/Businesses make when working online, and these factors are blocking their own progress.
I’m going to share what I think are the 7 mistakes that Online Freelancers make.
1. Slow Service
When purchasing any service, we always want the best, be it the quick delivery guy or the fast transcriber. Whatever the case may be, we want the best when we are the customer and, the same applies to our clients when we are serving them.
Therefore, as Online Entrepreneurs, we must work hard to become that reliable source whose work is always well done and on time. This is an ultimate must-avoid factor, among the 7 mistakes that Online Freelancers make when working online.
The moment you start procrastinating, you damage the opportunity of getting a positive review (that could encourage someone else to hire you); and get a repeat client.
2. Poor Communication
Do you like it when you’re speaking to someone and they ignore you, they speak disrespectfully to you or their response tells you that they didn’t listen to anything that you had just said? No, you don’t, and neither will your customer. This factor ranks in the top 3 for 7 mistakes that Freelancers make when working online.
Hence, take note of the following points:
- It is your job as the professional to ask the right questions and carefully, pay attention to the answers so that you can know what you’re being asked to do.
- Never leave your client in the dark – always keep them up-to-date with your progress so that they can have proof that you’re working, and it ensures that you’re on the right track.
- Most importantly, you must ensure that you are respectful and professionally-friendly to create a memorable experience.
3. Doing More Work Than You Can Manage
Yes, your aim in business is to grow and make money. However, you have to know when you need to ask yourself, “Am I taking on more work than I can manage?”
If you are, remember that a “burned-out” person will make lots of mistakes, work slower and become easily irritable. These will lead to a bad outcome when you have multiple clients, with their individual demands and deadlines.
At the end of the day, your work represents you. Thus, when your work is repeatedly late and poor in quality, you will drive your clients away.
4. Inconsistent Income Stream
When you are just starting out your business earning lots of money doesn’t happen “over-night”. For many, this becomes discouraging that they stop working hard because getting a customer is a slow process or their earnings are consistently low.
The same thing happened to me when I was just starting-up my Transcription business. After some time, I realized that the more services I offered, the more chances I had to make more money.
I also learned that, if one service reduced in sales, there were other income-generating services that I could rely on.
Also, consider offering your services on multiple online platforms as a means of reaching more potential clients.
5. Slacking Off
The reality is that you won’t always feel like working. I’ve felt this way many times during my earlier years working online. As a result, I had to find ways to motivate myself to keep going. For me, I had to be disciplined about focusing on my goals and learning to develop a good work-life balance.
If you don’t, you’ll start giving into your feelings and, before you know it, you’ll miss deadlines. Remember, missing deadlines means missing opportunities.
6. Choosing The Right Client
Not every client is the right client for your business!
There are many reasons why a potential customer may be wrong for you, such as, late payments and being unfairly demanding.
Those early conversations are vital to avoid this. This will help you to decide whether to accept or decline the job.
If I don’t do this, the wrong client will make the process an unhappy and uncomfortable one. You may find yourself working longer hours for less pay and still get a negative review at the end of the day.
7. Work Takes Over Your Life
When you freelance, it becomes too easy to spend your time working, talking about work or thinking about work.
Don’t let the job take over your life, instead, make time to relax by doing the following:
- Take a vacation or have a staycation
- Spend quality time with your family and loved ones
- Make your work system smarter and efficient
These are only 7 of the mistakes that Freelancers and Businesses make when working online. Bear them in mind when you’re thinking about how to start or improve your online earnings.
Connect with me on:
Instagram Click Here
Facebook Page Click Here
Facebook Community Click Here
LinkedIn Click Here
Tune in on YouTube Click Here
Check out my Online Course Click Here
You can also click here to check out my previous blog post.
0 Comments