Myths About Freelancing

Myth: It’s hard to find jobs as a freelancer.

These days, more and more companies are hiring remote workers so new job opportunities pop up every day. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and the Freelancing Females job board are some of the best places to find positions for new and experienced freelancers. 

Beyond that, get creative with how you’re applying to businesses. Reach out first to companies that you think you would be a good fit for, even if they’re not actively hiring. Once you’ve exhausted your options with new connections, utilize LinkedIn or social media to let your current connections know that you’re looking for new projects to bring your expertise to. 

Finally, follow up with past clients to see if they have anything you could add value to or any referrals they could send your way. Referrals from past clients is our favorite way to add work to our schedule - so make sure you always leave a contract on good terms with a client you want to work with again! 

Myth: It’s hard to find other freelancers to network and collaborate with.

According to the Mailchimp & Co 2022 Benchmark Report surveyed freelancers who say they worked with other freelancers reported increased revenue. They also reported faster revenue growth and higher earnings than in their previous jobs, compared to those who say they worked solo.

Since most of us don’t work in an office filled with coworkers, it can be hard to find someone to bounce ideas off of and draw inspiration from. Thankfully, the Freelancing Females Directory is filled with hundreds of freelancers in numerous industries - perfect for you to find your next employee or accountability partner. 

Once you’ve found a space filled with our workers that you’d love to collaborate with, it’s time to put yourself out there! Don’t be afraid to drop an introduction message letting the group know who you are and what you’re all about - the chances are high that someone has been waiting for a worker like you to pop into their feed! 

Myth: It’s hard to find friendships and a community as a freelancer.

Chatting with someone that really gets it is our favorite way to find inspiration and answers on our hardest days as freelancers. Try to find a Facebook group with members that are in a similar industry or niche as you, as well as a more general group like the Freelancing Females facebook group! 

A large group like ours (60k+ members!) is a great place to ask your questions and find advice to get a large response. Smaller groups that are more focused on your industry goals and questions  are perfect for getting the exact answer you need to a more specific problem. Both of these groups are ideal for making your workload feel smaller, finding systems to help you work better, and to catch a laugh here and there on the days when it’s hard to stay motivated. 

You can also think about joining groups based on the platforms you specialize in. For example, if you use Mailchimp with your clients and want to connect with similar experts, consider joining Mailchimp & Co. When you join Mailchimp & Co, you’ll be part of a community of over 20k freelancers and agency owners from around the world who you can connect and collaborate with.

Challenge yourself to find an accountability partner or coffee chat buddy, especially if you work alone majority of the time. These connections will help you create a community to network with, widen your circle with trusted freelancers, and find guidance during your freelancing journey so everyone can succeed. 

Myth: It’s hard to find funding or investor to help reach freelancing goals. 

While we’re big fans of boot strapping a business around here, there’s no denying that some freelancers need additional funding during their time to help achieve their goals. When it comes to finding the funds you need, you can find grants that cater to your specific business, seek venture capital from investors, and even crowdfund your next big idea. Try exhausting all of your options before pulling out a small business loan - but this might be the best route for you depending on your business plan and needs! 

Having a hard time finding grants to apply for? We have partnered with Amber Grants to provide $2,000 grants to women in business over the course of 2022, but it doesn’t stop there! You can also find grants to apply for from the Small Business Administration and by your state via US Grants. 

Consider working with a grant writer to secure funding so that you ensure all of your goals and ideas are articulated in your application and make sure your business plan is perfect before pitching your idea to investors. 

This article is sponsored by Mailchimp & Co, a global community of agencies and freelancers using Mailchimp with their clients. Learn new skills, grow your network, and get tools to manage your clients–all while enjoying insider perks–when you join. Plus, it’s free.