What's the Best Piece of Freelance Advice You’ve Ever Received?

[#1]

Hey fellow freelancers!

We all know the freelance journey can be full of highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. Sometimes, a single piece of advice can change the way we work, handle clients, or even view our careers.

So, what’s the best piece of freelance advice you’ve ever received? Whether it was from a mentor, a fellow freelancer, or something you discovered through experience, share it here! Let’s inspire and help each other improve.

I'll start: "Value your time as much as your clients do. When you set clear boundaries, both in pricing and time, it creates mutual respect." This advice has helped me avoid burnout and ensure I’m always delivering quality work.

Looking forward to hearing your insights!

[#2]

Obtain in-demand skills and sales ability.

I have been freelancing for a few decades and this is how to earn a 6 to 7 figure annual income.

[#3]

Absolutely, William! In-demand skills are crucial, but strong sales ability is what boosts income. Being able to market yourself effectively and build relationships with clients makes a huge difference. It’s all about positioning yourself as a valuable partner. Great insight!

[#4]

Marketing is a valuable tool. Thanks for the tip!

[#5]

Thanks for sharing your insight!

[#6]

Be truthful and yourself. 

Most people in the world appreciate honesty and genuineness.

Don't lie about your capabilities - what you can and can't do.

Remember, every lie you tell will eventually catch up with you.

Build an honest freelance career. It always pays in the long run.

[#7]

Absolutely agree! Honesty and authenticity are so important, especially in freelancing where trust is key.

[#8]

"Honesty is the best policy."

[#9]

I love your piece of advice—it’s so important to maintain that balance.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is: “Don’t be afraid to say no.” It’s tempting to take every project that comes your way, but knowing when to turn down a job can lead to better opportunities.

[#10]

Thank you! I completely agree with that advice—saying “no” is such a powerful tool. It can be tough, especially when freelancing, to turn down projects, but being selective often leads to better alignment with your skills and goals. It's a great way to ensure you’re focusing on quality over quantity, and it opens the door to more fulfilling opportunities down the line. Thanks for sharing!

[#11]

Saying "no" is not only powerful in business but also in our personal lifes. Sometimes saying "no" frees us from burdens we were never meant to carry. 

[#12]

Agreed Kyla! 

[#13]

That is very true. While it might be difficult to say "no" at times, both in business & personal life, learning to be comfortable and confident in doing so when required is a great skill to have!

[#14]

Certainly! An amazing piece of advice. The idea that not every customer is your customer is very relevant when it comes to selecting projects as well. 

[#15]

We all receive good advice with in freelancing and I could share several examples. But the one I want to share here as THE MOST important advice I ever received is when an old colleague from my first corporate job, who I knew for more than 15 years, suggested I get into freelancing through Upwork, and that she thought I had the skills, experience and abilities to do well.

At the time I had gone through many changes and did not want to work regular 9-5 jobs. Looked into Upwork and freelancing, and it changed my life. I have been an Upworker since then. This reminds me to reach out to that old friend/colleague. Thank you!

[#16]

Thank you for sharing your story! It’s amazing how a single piece of advice can change the course of our careers. It sounds like your colleague recognized your potential before you did, which is a testament to your skills and abilities. Freelancing can truly be a transformative journey, and I’m glad to hear it has worked out so well for you. Reaching out to that old friend is a wonderful idea—sometimes, a simple “thank you” can mean the world to someone who believed in us. Here’s to many more successes on your freelancing path!

[#17]

Thank you! I'm very fortunate and am thankful. I'll definitely reach out to that old friend.

[#18]

Good to hear!

[#19]

Yep

[#20]

Hey everyone! 👋

I loved reading through all the fantastic advice shared on here recently—such a supportive and insightful community we’ve got!

As a follow-up to our last discussion about the best freelance advice you’ve received, I wanted to dive a little deeper and ask: What’s one habit or routine you’ve adopted that’s been a total game-changer for your freelance career?

It could be related to productivity, client management, or even self-care. For me, it's been scheduling "focus blocks" throughout the day where I turn off all notifications, set a timer, and dive into deep work. It’s amazing how much more I accomplish when I’m fully present in the task at hand!

Looking forward to hearing what’s worked for you all. Let’s continue growing and supporting each other on this freelance journey! 💪

Cheers!