Why you should ignore every freelancing tip you’ve ever heard
You must have gotten this freelancing tips
Freelancing can be a tasking journey, but not all freelance advice you get on YouTube, Medium, LinkedIn, or anywhere is to be followed, hook, line, and sinker, especially if the “adviser” has a course or coaching they’re trying hard to sell to you. As your freelance buddy, I’ve seen my fair share of well-intentioned tips that were more hindrance than help. Here are some craziest freelancing tips you should consider tossing aside in 2025.
1. ”Always say yes to every gig”: While being open to opportunities is essential, saying yes to everything can lead to burnout and taking on unprofitable projects.
Be selective. Choose only projects that you feel align with your skills and the direction you are growing toward. It is better not to get a job and be hopeful than to take a job you foresee will lead to a bad experience for you and your client, ultimately giving you a bad review. Also, you can get so busy doing a job that doesn’t align with you that you miss out on chasing and getting the better jobs.
2. “Work for Exposure”: Ah, the infamous “exposure” payment. It won’t pay your bills or put food on the table. For freelancers, whether you are a graphics designer, for instance, the laptop you use suffers a gradual, unnoticeable wear and tear in terms of its components with each use. The electricity cost and the cost of continuous improvement of your skills, among other things, are to be considered.
Exposure most likely doesn’t pay or recoup those for you. That aside, value your skills and charge accordingly. Exposure doesn’t pay rent! In fact, please take it as a red flag when a client is negotiating down your service fee in the promise to give you exposure or referral. Cheap clients typically refer to cheap clients like themselves, which is not the direction you want to go in as a creative.
Non-Medium members, click here to read full version of this here.
CLAP if you appreciate this post. Thanks for being appreciative!
3. ”Lower your rates to get more clients”: Lower rates might attract clients initially, but it sets a dangerous precedent for you. Even if the client promises to refer you, most times, that’s if they ever actually refer you; they typically refer you to troublesome and low-paying clients, as I said earlier. Instead, focus on showcasing your value and expertise.
Quality over quantity. Suppose you are a complete beginner at anything. In that case, you can lower your price for the first or second job only, after which you should start testing your confidence by bidding slightly higher on the third gig. After a few months or years, you are 100% certain you know your onions, so you should charge a premium. As I grew higher in freelancing, I realised that clients who pay you less stress you way more.
4. “Freelancers don’t need contracts”; Wrong! Contracts protect both you and your client. Upwork makes it easier, but when you meet and intend to work with a client outside Upwork, create a simple contract. You can use AIs like ChatGPT.
Clearly outline project scope, payment terms, and deadlines. I have worked with difficult clients, but it is expected to meet clients who hire you for ABC, and after the contract starts, they start claiming DEFGH was part of the work scope. You don’t have to be rigid, but you can simply refer a client to the contract when the need arises.
5. “Multitasking is the key”: I am a proponent of niching up and being versatile, which makes multitasking a thing for me. I try to do anything to ensure my clients get the most value, so I multitask sometimes. However, multitasking has its red flag!
Multitasking can lead to sloppy work and missed deadlines. Prioritise tasks, focus and do your best for each project. Quality beats quantity. If you offer a complimentary service, exclude it from the contract or state it in the agreement as a complimentary service, which is not binding by the contract.
6.” Work 24/7 to succeed”: If I keep spending my nights working on and sending proposals, which is the best time for Nigerians as clients are active, then I keep spending my days chasing deadlines; I will surely burn out. I am not a machine but a human. Recreation is fuel your body needs to keep being productive.
Since freelancing doesn’t involve structured work and close work time like 9–5 jobs, you can find yourself overworking. Freelancers need rest, too. Burnout stifles creativity. Set boundaries, take breaks, recharge, and get assistance if necessary. Your creativity will thank you.
7. “Never turn down a revision request”: Revisions are a typical part of the gig. I honour revisions and do my best to ensure my client is 101% satisfied. However, I don’t get myself pushed around like a pack of trash. I push back when necessary because clients sometimes don’t know what they want and can drag you into an unrealistic loop that leads nowhere but wastes your time and leaves you drained as a freelancer.
Amazingly, most clients I have worked with appreciate my pushbacks since I do so respectfully, ensuring they can see that I have their utmost interest at heart as I show concern for the work and go flexible on necessary parts. I am the expert, and sometimes the client wants to know what may hurt the project without knowing it, so I softly explain it to them. Your artistic integrity matters.
Remember, freelance work isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Trust your instincts, learn from experience, and ignore the noise when necessary. Even this advice of mine is not absolute; no advice is.
And hey, if you find this helpful (I know you will 😉), don’t forget to CLAP and follow for candid takes and advice on freelancing, remote work and making money online. Nice connecting with you.
Feel free to connect with me across the board here for your project, partnership, collaboration, or more insights from me!
